Bloomsburg Pump House B&B Wedding | Marguerite and Justin | Philadelphia Wedding Photography

Some wedding days are just downright magical.  And when said wedding is on your birthday, it’s a slam dunk, naturally.  This May 13th Pump House B&B wedding incorporated the best details- twinkling lights, paper cranes, antique chairs, dew covered forests, and the cutest bride and groom (and parents to be!).  Marguerite and Justin were one of the most daring couples, venturing out in the rain to walk around the old pumping station.

I love shooting at the Pump House, located in my hometown of Bloomsburg.  It’s overflowing with charm and originality, not to mention, it’s a wooded paradise.  I’m so excited to send out this gallery in a couple of weeks!  Congrats, Mr and Mrs Gould!

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Philadelphia Engagement Photographer | Clair + Philip | Norristown Farm Park

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We trudged through mud and clambered up hills chasing the sun.  The wind gusted and swirled and rain fell in the distance.  Clair and Philip laughed and held hands, remarking about how blessed we were to have such favorable weather.  And I couldn’t agree more!  Although, it could have been hailing, or a freezing rain, and it would have been enjoyable.  The company is what makes it 🙂

Clair and Philip showed me around Norristown Farm Park, from it’s white-wash silo’s, to the sprawling fields and brooks.  I walked away from this session so happy.  Clair and Philip  (for want of better wording) ooze joy and love and peace.  They are the kind of people you want to be around- for moments big and small.  The way Philip laughs when Clair makes a ‘hair mustache’, and how Clair gets the most perfect dimples when she looks at Philip.  Not everyone can light up a cloudy, windy day, but these two managed just that—- and more!

I am so honored to be documenting their wedding this summer and cannot wait to send them their engagement gallery!  But for now, here is a preview! Continue reading “Philadelphia Engagement Photographer | Clair + Philip | Norristown Farm Park”

Pennsylvania Weddings | Kissing the Pose Goodbye | Why Un-posed is the Best

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I find relief and peace knowing that I am not the right photographer for everyone. It makes me feel incredibly lucky that the couples who have chosen me have done so due to a love for my product.  They don’t book me because I’m cheap (because I am not) or because I can teach wedding guests any and every dance of the times (Whip Nae Nae, Cupid Shuffle, Wobble- I got you), although I do list that under my skill set; but rather, they book me because of the photos I produce.

Now that seems so easy, right?  Nope.  Not even a little.  I cannot just take a lovely photo of someone and call it a day.  So much prep work goes into creating these photos, much of it started months if not a year beforehand.  I cannot get results unless I have a relationship with my clients- call me awkward, but I know myself. We chat, exchange emails, grab pizza, work together on their engagement session, and even exchange Christmas cards.  By the time we get to the wedding day, we have usually met in person twice and exchanged dozens of emails; 21st century pen-pals.

I know the style of photos I want, and I know that this is the same style of photos my client wants!  We want un-posed.  We want real.  We want emotional.  And honey, there ain’t no way to get that on a wedding day without a prior relationship—- and trust.

So why is this un-posed style the timeless favorite?  And what even is it?  Let me lay it all out for you- when I aim for un-posed, I am looking for the little fraction of a second shows true personality.  Maybe I have just told my couple to walk towards each other and embrace.  Awesome.  Lovely!  Beautiful photo.  But I don’t have what I want.  So I tell the groom to whisper sweet nothings into his bride’s ear– and I say it just like that!– and I get the most lovely, real life reaction of laughter and joy.  Because come on, did you ever expect your wedding photographer to say that?  So now I have the groom saying “ummm ummmmm” and the bride cracks a megawatt smile and pulls her face away, laughing with her twinkling eyes locked on her husband.  And that is it.  That’s the photo.  It’s the one that has captured the essence of a relationship.  And it’s the one that will bring all the feels.

This isn’t to say that every photo is laugh out loud funny, this was simply an example of how I work to capture the little in between moments— the ones my couples don’t expect me to capture!  And for the sake of this post, laughter is what I will focus on.

At it’s core, “un-posed posing” is a way of bringing photojournalism to portraits and it’s just about my favorite thing.It’s not everyone’s style…. and thank goodness!  I love variety.  If every photographer was a clone of me, 1) I would be out of a job and 2) photography would be so incredibly boring.  The way I see it, life is un-posed…. and it’s pretty great that way.

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Front Street Station Wedding | Amy + Derek | Selinsgrove Wedding Photography

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Have you ever wished to experience the 4 seasons in just 8 hours?  It’s not something I can say happens too often, but Amy and Derek picked a once in a lifetime day for their wedding.

Amy and her girls got ready at her house, AC blasting on a rare 75 degree mid November day.  The sun was streaming through the windows as hair was pinned and dress was fluffed.  We headed down to the river walk along the Susquehanna for her first look with Derek, and by the time they had turned and seen each other for the first time, sweeping tears from cheeks, dark clouds were moving in and what remained of the autumn leaves were being whipped from their branches.  We endured a gale force wind storm along the river for portraits and made it to the church just in time for the skies to open up.

Thunder and lightning lit up the sky outside as Amy walked down the aisle.  They said their “I Do’s”, danced on over to the Front Street Station for their reception, and ended the night kissing in the snow.

Amy and Derek are two of the kindest people I have had the privilege to work with.  While they may seem laid back, their passion and love for one another led to many tears of joy throughout the day.  This was an incredible day for so many reasons and it is one I would not have wanted to embark on with anyone else.

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Sunbury Wedding Photography | Whispering Oaks Wedding | Malia and Chris

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There is a certain love for Autumn that the northeast has.  The colors are vibrant, the air has a crisp, and the light is a constant golden color.  This perfect trio has led to Autumn, and October in general, becoming the most sought after wedding month, with couples praying for a day as gorgeous as the one Malia and Chris snagged.

Malia and Chris were married atop rolling Pennsylvania hills at Whispering Oaks Vineyard in Sunbury, PA.  The muted blue cloudless skies stretched for miles as far as the eye could see, but all eyes were on the happy couple.  Chris dashed away tears as he saw Malia, radiant as ever, walking towards him.  When the sun was setting and guests were settling in for dinner, I asked Malia and Chris if we could sneak outdoors for a few more photos.  Chris responded that he probably isn’t going to remember the food, but he will want to remember running through the vineyards with his new wife in the last sun kissed moments of their wedding day.

The party celebrating Mr. and Mrs. Stroh went well into the night under a super full moon. Love and laughter filled the halls as this truly unforgettable wedding became one of my favorites of 2016.

Flowers: The Details Matter

Venue: Whispering Oaks Vineyard and Winery

DJ: KC Sound

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