Earlier, I blogged about the photographers who didn’t make the cut. Now you must be wondering, “Miss Dahlia, those photographers were awesome!!!! Rob is sooo affordable, and I can’t get over how amazing Steven’s photographs are?! Can your photographer actually be better than either of those?!!!” 
And the answer for us is YES!
Check out our photographer, Ken Blaze. Absolutely amazing. Not only did he agree the Saturday before Easter at my favorite locally owned coffeehouse, but when it was closed due to the inclement weather (yes, Cleveland does get blizzards at the end of April), he was gracious enough to direct us to the nearby and open massive Seattle-based coffeehouse chain.
Ken is a very organized, laid-back kind of guy, with whom we quickly developed a rapport. He is a photojournalist by training, and has not only covered the Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers and Browns, but has also covered the Special Olympics, President Bush and has done work for ESPN. Ken has recently left his job as a photojournalist for the Willoughby News Herald to shoot weddings and freelance full time- well, full enough to do that and also take care of his newborn son, Luca.
His philosophy seems to differ from every other photographer that I have come across. As a photojournalist, he is trained to tell stories through pictures. He will do the requisite posed pictures, but aims to do them as quickly and painlessly as possible. Ken shoots what he sees, and does not do a lot of the Photoshop special effects that many photographers do. If a detail is there, he shoots it. If not, he doesn’t try and recreate it.
Ken’s packages are (we feel) a bargain for what you get. While his rates have gone up a bit since we booked, I think that he is definitely worth considering. Packages start at $850 (for four hours), and go up to $5000 (unlimited hours, plus two albums). All of his packages include 4″x6″ proofs of all images, plus a DVD of all the images, and the rights to make copies, as long as you don’t sell them/use them in advertising. Most packages also include the making of a “story of the day”, which is a set of 30-50 5″x7″ photographs capturing what he feels is the story of the day.
We are not hiring a videographer, preferring instead to just go with the pictures Ken takes.
The photos below are from the wedding of April and Ron.
Aside from Ken being a great person to work with, we were really struck by the emotion that he captures on film. Other photographers make great magazine spreads, but with Ken, the photographs are so real, so filled with emotion, that you feel as though you are there. When we were going over various weddings he shot, he knew each couple, and would point out funny situations that happened, or details that were going on when the photo was taken. Like the black and white photo above of the couple kissing by the lake- it was completely unposed.
So there you have it- our photographer. When you were looking at photographers (and other vendors), how much of it was based on “clicking” with them, versus the quality of their work?
Wow, his photos look great - real without being schmaltzy. I think so many of the celebrated wedding photographers take the same kinds of photos at all the weddings they shoot - beautiful and well-manicured, but not personalized to the people they are shooting. I like that this guy avoids that trap.
Oh, and as for your question…
Their work got them through the first test, but who they were were and how well we “clicked” is what made us hire them.
We chose a husband and wife team who we felt were not just our vendors, but guests at our wedding because of how cool they were.
It is the same one! Cool! April and Ron’s wedding sealed it for us too!
Thanks for the kind words about Ken 
In case you can’t tell, I’m really excited to be working with him.
maverika, I think it is awesome that you booked him as well!
at first, i liked him because my photographer is the one who not only owns the business but also takes the pictures. i also like him because of his work. he just takes great shots and provides a GREAT affordable package. when we met him, i thought we were a great match. he’s laid back, likes to have fun, but is serious and professional with his work. loved it! he got to know us too by asking us about our interests and families.
I love Arabica too! I remember that blizzard near easter in April, it sucked.
Ms. Dahlia, Detroit/Cleveland
Age and Occupation: 24, PhD Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, IT System Administrator
Engagement Date: December 31, 2006
Wedding Date: May 2008
Blogging Since: September 19, 2007
Venue: United Methodist Cathedral & historic downtown hotel in Cleveland
About Me: I enjoy cooking, dancing and swimming. I am a geek and apply game theory to my everyday life. Winter is my favorite time of year, especially when spent curled up with good coffee and a book by Madeleine L'Engle.
These photos just have the feel of newspaper photography…awesome! Someone with actual jouralism experience. Where the picture has to sell and tell the story.
When people look at your wedding photos, there will be something about them that will make them comfortable, but they won’t be able to put their finger on…that will be his style coming though.
Great find!