Posted by: Corey Ann Photography | February 15th, 2011
I had been to Cozumel in 2000 and it is quite amazing to me how much has changed in 10 years but in the same breath, how much has remained the same. I was on a cruise the last time so it was a rather quick visit and the lasting memory I have from that trip to Cozumel was how many drunk people kept falling off the pier and having to be fished out from the ocean. It was nice to actually stay on the island and enjoy what it has to offer, even if I didn’t get the chance to venture out from the Park Royal more than a handful of times. It was really fun to see all of the Christmas decorations and drink real Corona (the American version just is NOT the same). I also loved being in the homeland of my beloved Mexican Coke (coca-cola here people). I’m glad it’s becoming more readily available here in the States but having it on fountain made my week that much more heavenly!!
The Park Royal itself was GORGEOUS and I would absolutely return in a heartbeat. Not only was the resort wonderful but the food was also pretty darn great which isn’t always the case with all-inclusives.
ENJOY!
Sunset over the jacuzzi and ocean front bar at the Park Royal.
Another view from the beach area towards the bar area (one of many). This little bay you could snorkel out from which was quite nice.
The entire beach area + bar area.
To the left of the resort is the international piers for the cruise ships. Some people complain about the views but I liked having something interesting to look at. Here’s one of Carnival’s ships getting ready to leave.
Another view of the pier at sunset.
One of the pools and the bar at night at Park Royal.
The infinity pool where the reception was held the night before for the wedding.
Palm tree!!! :)
The last day in Cozumel we had the day off and on my MUST DO list was swimming with the manatees at Dolphin Discovery. I have adored manatees ever since 7th grade when I did a report on them. I was initially bummed because I didn’t get dolphins (whom I’ve loved since I was a little kid) but the manatees charmed me and they are right up there with dolphins now on my animal loves list. I was over the moon when I saw that they offered swimming with them in Cozumel (one of the few places in the world you can do this since they are endangered). I’ve swum with dolphins before and it was an amazing experience but swimming with the manatees topped that ten fold. They are so gentle, loving and smart! We were shown how to interact with them and then given lots of lettuce and allowed to just swim and feed them. This is one of the only images that turned out on my crappy underwater disposable camera but I had to post it because I loved this SO much. I HIGHLY recommend doing a manatee swim if you are ever in Cozumel or near a place that offers it. You won’t regret it I promise!
"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Travel | Cozumel, Mexico."
Tags: beach, corey ann photography, Cozumel, dolphin discovery, manatee, Mexico, mexico travel photographer, ocean, Park Royal, Sunset, Travel
Posted by: Corey Ann Photography | August 18th, 2010
• I literally could not have enjoyed myself anymore at this engagement session, such a great session with two great ladies. Kindred spirits make me happy.
• So often I hear from couples that have been together for a long time that engagement sessions are hard, but from my standpoint it makes them easy because you naturally fall into the “comfort zones” with each other and are used to being together. While I love shooting both new and old love, there’s a special spot in my heart for the couples that have been together the longest!
• Sawmill Creek Resort may be one of my favorite locations ever to shoot at. So many great spots and nooks to play with!!! What made it even better was a couple that was willing to go along with everything I asked!
• We did their engagement session two days before the wedding – and it was the first time I met both of them. More often than not nowadays, I book clients via phone and internet since most of my couples are from out of town or out of state.
• The crazy hot humid 90+ temps finally broke and this day was a perfect summer day, we couldn’t have arranged better weather for the engagement shoot.
• A piece of my soul is still at the beach. I may have found my favorite spot in Ohio.
This was the first of many spots that I think at first they were wondering if they chose the right photographer but they went along with it and trusted me and the results made them realize I was only a smidge crazy, not totally!
One of my favorite engagement session pictures ever, no explanation needed right?
This is another pose they had to trust me on… and while it’s a smidge on the cheese scale I still am glad that they let me run with it because just look at how crazy awesome Jessie’s eyes are?!
I love to hear stories about how people met and their story is one that I just adore. They were both at a Super Bowl party and started talking to each other because they were both wearing Hawaiian shirts… and it wasn’t a Hawaiian theme. It was just random that in the midst of a cold winter evening, they both decided they needed some tropic flair and the rest they say is history! They both wore the shirts for a bit of the session and I ADORED this idea!
Along our walk to the beach we spotted this perfect area for some practice dipping for the big day!
They also practiced a bit of a dance as well. I can’t imagine a more gorgeous spot for a dance!
I love this beach SO MUCH. I am eternally grateful for them for bringing me here. So pretty!
This willow tree is simply gorgeous and this picture makes me so many levels of happy.
Tags: corey ann photography, Engagement, huron, ohio, sawmill creek resort
Posted by: Corey Ann Photography | May 18th, 2010
* Jacki is by far the calmest bride I think I’ve ever had. I generally get mostly calm brides but Jacki made even the calm brides look nervous. She was very go-with-the-flow and just happy to be married.
* Case in point, during the ceremony the priest accidently called her Stacey but quickly recovered and corrected it to Jacki. Some brides would be upset. Jacki laughed and laughed. One of the funniest moments I’ve ever seen at a ceremony.
* Brad was also a cool cat as well and very easy going all day.
* I had 3 hours for pictures after the ceremony with the bride and groom. I wish every wedding had this much time!
* At the end of the pictures, we were in an area with no easy way to get back to the area where the bus was. Instead of walking around to a path, Jacki hitched up her dress and hopped over the wall and walked through some landscaping to get to the bus. Shows just how awesomely awesome Jacki was during the day. Never once did I have to fret about a location or pose due to her dress (which was that fabulous material that doesn’t stain easily).
* They are now in sunny St. Lucia… I know I for one am very jealous!
Vendors
Cake: Corbo’s Bakery in Cleveland, OH
Ceremony: St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Painsville, OH
Day of Coordinator/Candy Buffet: A Wedding Wish
DJ: Groom’s Uncle
Florist: Julie’s Originals in Concord, OH
Hair & Makeup: Deanne’s Hair and Spa
Reception/Catering: Pine Ridge Country Club
Transportation: All Occasion Limousine
Photo Location
Coulby Park
The moment when the groom first spies the bride is always a great one!
Bride being escorted by her Dad down the aisle.
This is the moment that Jacki earned the new nickname “Stacey.” You can see the priest going “d’oh!” and Jacki being relieved that he corrected himself. LOVE.
This is a blog first, a shot of me in action (well I think it is? either way it’s a rare occasion). Right before the kiss, I noticed that the bride and groom kept looking my way and I was worried I was being distracting. Then I realized there was something going on behind me. I spun, shot off a couple shots and went back to the wedding since they were nearing the kiss. My husband captured this shot of my split second spin and shoot.
Here’s the moment I captured. What’s funny is that she’s not the first little girl I’ve seen think the aisle is the greatest spot for twirling mid ceremony!
Kiss 
This is why I love bubble exits when the wind is right, they create a really pretty ambiance to the exit in images!
Off to the park!!!
Jacki’s eyes are STUNNING!!!
This may be a cliche’ ‘pose’ according to most photographers but no matter what they say, it’s a great way to get the groomsman smiling and having fun (especially if they were out drinking the night before). As soon as these guys landed, they went running back and wanted to do it again without my prompting. Cliche or not, it’s just FUN!
Another pose that’s tried-and-true but there’s hard to find something not to love about these gorgeous ladies in front of some gorgeous lilac bushes.
The smell by the way was HEAVENLY!
I think this is my favorite of them from the day. It may have something to do with my love of lilacs…. and pretty people!
Back to the reception where they were putting the final touches on everything. Here is the favor – the candy buffet full of blue candy (that would later turn the junior bridesmaid’s mouth blue!).
Just some of the many offerings in the candy buffet.
The first dance is always a favorite time of mine! It’s usually the first time that the bride and groom get to chat with one another about the day.
…and laugh at the craziness that always surrounds weddings!
Jacki you have a great laugh!
Finishing up with a ring shot!
Tags: blue, canton ohio photographer, corey ann photography, Coulby Park, cream, Julie's Originals, Painsville, pine ridge country club, pine ridge golf course, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wedding, willowick
Posted by: Corey Ann Photography | April 9th, 2010
A few weeks ago, right before I left for Vegas, I had the opportunity to photograph Jim Renacci who is running for Congress in District 16. Last year I met someone at WPPI that was an official White House Photographer for George W. Bush and then I meet a client whose mother also photographed for the White House and both times I said, how cool would that be? I never thought I’d be doing something similar (even if its on a smaller scale) in under a year. It’s kind of wild where my career takes me and who I meet along the way!
I spent about an hour taking pictures of Jim as he toured HP Products Inc. in Lousiville. They just wanted a photo documentary of the day of him interacting with the owner and people that worked there. It was also a first for me, shooting with safety glasses on! It was an easy day and I enjoyed hearing about a local company and how well they’ve done despite the recession.
Earlier this week I was shocked to find out that some of the pictures I took made it into the commercial that is out for Jim Renacci on television! How cool is that? I have to say that is a first!
Tags: canton ohio photographer, Commercial, congress, corey ann photography, jim renacci, political, politics
Posted by: Corey Ann Photography | April 6th, 2010
There’s something about that first break in the weather in spring that makes you want to dance around in the yard and sing songs from The Sound of Music. What… you don’t? Huh… Well even if you aren’t singing, the windows are open, the air smells delicious and it is virtually impossible not to have a smile on your face. I adore Spring. It’s really a toss up between Fall as my favorite season, Spring has the flowers but Fall has leaves. I adore flowers and Spring flowers are my favorite. I love daffodils, violets, tulips, lilacs… the flowers you think of when you think of Spring. The bummer of it is that most of those flowers don’t make it to weddings because they are fragile and have a short season. I still keep hoping though that maybe someday someone will shock me with a violet bouquet. Imagine how divine that would smell!! AH!
Here’s some snaps I took yesterday when drinking in the new Spring scent in the backyard, I hope they bring a smile to your face like they do mine!
Random blossom in the grass…
I love violets and love that they are randomly scattered around our yard. When I was little my Dad used to pick them and leave them for me on my dresser at night so I would have them to wake up to.
Another favorite is the Double Daffodils that are growing around our house. My grandparents brought them back from Holland when visiting family along with some tulips. Sadly the tulips are not still blooming but these are and they always bring a smile to my face. These were my Mom’s FAVORITES. I like them but I prefer the single daffodils – those are MY favorites.
A closeup of the daffodil.
Tags: canton ohio photographer, corey ann photography, daffodil, daffodils, double daffodils, flower, Flowers, Personal, spring, violet
