Jess & Chris 6-21-2008

I can hardly believe that is was just last Saturday that Chris and Jess got married. It still feels like it was yesterday. I believe I said it before but I will say it again everything about their day was beautiful and perfect! The wedding was held in Bennington Vermont in Chris's parents back yard. It was gorgeous. Many of the flowers came from Chris's Mom's garden and the rest came from The Tuscan Sunflower and the Bennington Garden Club's Chrysalis designs. This was a "green" theme wedding all around. Jess wore a Hemp wedding dress from rawganique and we are going to be re-using part of the dress for her wedding album. Melinda Kronfeld a very good friend of Jess and Chris and a member of the ECSC made the cake and desserts. The cake had a lemon icing and the tarts were to die for. She did a fantastic job. The caterer, Thyme Tables, out did themselves. The dinner was simply yummy and they used all organic locally grown vegetables, and free range chickens. Peak DJ kept them on their feet all night. So many people put so much work into this wedding and it all really paid off. It was so special for them to get married in Chris's parents back yard.
OK, I know you are anxious to see some photos so lets get to it! All these images were taken in the back yard.

I love this image and the barn.

A special hankie made specially for Jess.

So much of the day had a vintage feel to it so I really wanted to carry that forward in the photos.

Very proud for Don for capturing this moment.

The Elm City Scooter Club in their glory!

A lovely kiss during the speeches.

We became friends with Jess, Chris and the whole ECSC crew a few years ago at a scooter rally. I can truthfully say that I am so happy to have such an awesome friendship with them and so honored to be at the wedding to document the union of two special people. We will see them this coming weekend at the Philly scooter rally and I can not wait! Love you guys.

The song in the slideshow is what they came down the isle to after getting hitched, its fast, its fun and it fits them perfectly.

Baby Riley Slideshow!

Ok, finally getting caught up! As you may remember I had a super fun photo shoot with Riley before heading out of town for Chris and Jess's wedding. It brightened my day today going back through to choose the slideshow images and I got this sweet message from Liz while I was away:
"A teaser is right!!! I love every single picture you "teased" me with and cannot wait to see more! You did such a fantastic job~ Riley has not stopped talking about you since we met. Every day she asks if you are coming to see her again. AND-- the "chocolate bear" has been added to her night time repertoire. "

Love that and I hope to see Riley again soon!

Here are a few more images and check out the slideshow at the bottom.

Love the bubbles and this shot

Riley would have been completely happy if she could have been the one taking pictures, she was totally into how my camera worked. So we did a couple of self portraits and made some funny faces.

In the process of getting some nice family shots again Riley was more interested in taking the photos so I assisted her with this one. I framed it up and she pushed the button, not bad!So much fun you guys, I know you will have a fun time watching the slideshow. I could think of no other song suitable than what I choose.

Chris & Jess Wedding Teaser

What an amazing weekend! Don and I just got back from Vermont where were spent a couple extra days after Chris and Jess's wedding. The wedding could not have been more perfect. The weather on Saturday was dreamy as were the bride and groom. It was supposed to rain but did not and the temperature was perfect.

I am just starting to look through all the images now but wanted to give a quick sneak peek.

This is one of my favorite moments.

Check back later this week for a slideshow, Chris and Jess I hope you are enjoying Block Island! Can't wait to see you again in a few weeks.

Baby Riley Teaser

The last few days have been a whirl wind and its not over yet! Yesterday I traveled up to New Haven CT to talk with the CT Pictage users about maternity photography. It was my very first speaking engagement and I was super nervous. Despite getting rained out of our original beach shoot everyone still gathered at Steve Depino's for dinner and to listen to me speak and give a small demo. The wonderful Missy was the belly model and I will have a few photos to share in a couple weeks. Everyone was great and from the feedback I think I was able to inspire a few people and give them some new ideas.

I grabbed this from Erik Maziarz's blog

I headed back home this morning just in time to head back out to meet up with the Haring's who won my Mothers day contest. Baby Riley is way too cute and so fun. I don't have time before we leave in the morning for Vermont to do a slide show but I wanted to leave you with a few teasers. I had such a great time this afternoon and the weather was perfect!

We played a lot! And attempted to catch butterflies.

Relaxing in the hammock

bubble time

Riley does a very good job of blowing bubble as well as catching them.

Such a sweet girl

And what afternoon would not be complete with out playing in the sandbox?

There are many more where these came from including some really fun family portraits. Check back next week sometime for more and a slideshow.

I will be out of town until Wednesday. Chris and Jess are getting married this Saturday in Bennington Vermont and we are taking a couple of extra days there to relax.

Punk Rock Belly & Tattoo Love

A couple of weeks ago I had such a blast with Susan & Tim. Tim wanted to surprise her with a belly shoot since they missed the opportunity to have any done with their twins. I have to say that this is the most fun I have ever had on a belly shoot. I always have a great time but Susan and Tim were just infectious with their laughs and personalities that my cheeks hurt when I left. I love that they have a look all their own, love the tattoo's and the character around their apartment. It was a good thing we did the shoot when we did because had we waited 5 days later it would have been too late! Last week Susan gave birth to Jewel Mellita. I can't wait to meet her and the twins since they were at day care when we did the shoot.

Enough chit chat, check out these awesome images.

Susan went to cosmetology school and had these "heads" going up the stairs. I love that it so cool but just a tad creepy, all in a good way.

One of my favorites. Tim does the best job of making Susan laugh.

This is the only belly session I have done where I have found myself wishing I had a roll of color film. Their tattoos were super vibrant, but I still love them in B&W.

They have such great chemistry and I already know they are fun parents.

Congratulations guys! It was such a blast and I am so excited to meet the new family.

Our orphan Turtle

We have been caring for a little Turtle since last week. This weekend I finally broke down and gave it a more suitable habitat. It had been in a shoe box, poor thing. We found him in front of the house last week and have no clue where he or she may have come from. Don has a friend that knows more about turtles and tortoise's so it will hopefully have a new home with her soon. From what I have been able to find and not knowing anything about these little reptiles he is a red bellied turtle, which in PA happen to be on the endangered species list. That just raises more questions about why we found him in front of the house. We are in a city neighborhood so its not like there are any ponds or creeks around.

I got some turtle pellets to feed him but he has been loving the wandering jew you see here. The two leaves that are near the rock are almost gone because he has been snacking on them.

As you can see he is actually very small.

So he is at least happier now that he has some water to swim in, he has been hanging out under the little shelters we made for him.

He is growing on me a little, but we can't keep him. He is better off with someone who knows how to care for him. Anyone know anything about these turtles?

Elizabeth & Kevin Engagement Shoot

Sunday morning I met up with Elizabeth and Kevin for their engagement shoot. They live out in Ohio but Elizabeth's family lives here in Philly. They were in town for her bridal shower so we took advantage of that and headed out before they had to be at the airport. It was equally as hot as the day before and we took a few breathers to cool off in between locations. Man the heat just drains you, I give these guys credit for looking so adorable through it all!

There are so many cute little hideaways in Old City, I just love that neighborhood.

Their reception will be at the Seaport Museum so we thought it would be cool to head over there for some photos. The sun was hot and high so I decided to use it to a bit of my advantage.

The Ben Franklin Bridge always photographs so well, as does Elizabeth!

I hope you guys were able to cool off and relax before heading to the airport. I am glad we got to meet up and I can't wait to see you in October.

Enjoy the Slideshow

Alison & Kevin 6-7-08

When I arrived at the house Alison was getting ready at I felt like I already knew everyone, they were all so excited to finally meet me after seeing the engagement photos and while Alison was getting ready she expressed how excited she was to have me there to document the day. She said all she needed from the day was her husband, her ring and her photographs. I can tell you that I am very happy to oblige giving her these photographs to remember such a happy day.

They were married in the cutest little chapel I have ever seen, the Wayside Chapel in Ambler. It was first built as a school house in the 1800's but has been a chapel since the early 1900's. Sure there was no AC but they did have ceiling fans and with so much excitement and emotion in the room I forgot all about the heat and humidity that day.
The reception was held at the William Penn Inn in Ambler, everyone there was super friendly and they have some very cute little nooks and crannies to take photos in. Jimmy of the East Coast Disc Jockey's kept everyone on the dance floor. It was a fun wedding and I thought it was really cool that Alison and Kevin had a little scrap booking section for all the guests to have their photo taken, printed and then write a little something for them so that by the end of the night they went home with a photo of each guest in a very unique guest book.

Here are two more of my favorite portraits of Alison and Kevin

This is an image packed slideshow with some fun moments during the reception, enjoy!
Alison and Kevin I hope you are having a blast on your honeymoon.

Alison & Kevin Teaser 6-7-08

Wow. So yesterday was awesome and I am exhausted! Anyone on the east coast knows that yesterdays weather was like being in a sauna, hot and sticky! But through the heat and the sweat Alison and Kevin and their whole bridal party for that matter were so up beat and happy that looking through the images this morning (in the air conditioning) I would never believe it was so hot.
I flew solo yesterday and did not have a chance to give Alison and Kevin a sneak peek slideshow at the reception so I promised them to have a couple images up before they leave on their European honeymoon. I will have a full post in a few days with a slideshow, which with some of the reception shots is going to be awesome. So without further ado, a sneak peek from each part of the day.

Woohoo Married!
I love that Alison's sister and Kevin's brother are cheering it up for them on each side.

A detail
Alison's bouquet was gorgeous.

The light for portraits, AMAZING.

I have a full sequence of the bouquet toss and LOVE this moment.

Alison and Kevin you guys are awesome and your day was fantastic! Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of it and capture some amazing moments. I hope you have a chance to check back during your honeymoon for your slideshow! Have a great time.

Allison & Barry Wedding 6-1-08

Sunday was such a gorgeous day! It was a pleasure to spend it with Allison and Barry documenting their wedding. They were married at the Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova and the grounds there are awesome. Miss Linette joined me for our first wedding together this year and I can not wait to shoot the next one with her, but thats not until August. She got some amazing images, some of which you will see in the slideshow.
Allison's flowers were provided by Petals Lane in Manayunk, the flowers were simply beautiful.
Sweet Jazmines provided the cake and I can truthfully say I have not had a more tasty wedding cake! It was delicious.
The Mad Jazzsters provided the reception entertainment, and Allisons bridesmaid Kris was the singer! Micheal Simmons provided the pre-ceremony and ceremony music.
I also wanted to say thank you to Jimmy who was running around for us all day at Overbrook, he was so friendly and kept everything running smoothly. Ok now on to the images! Be sure to check out the slideshow at the bottom.

Allison's dress was spectacular.

All the bridesmaids received these cool tote bags from Allison filled with all sorts of essentials.

I love the getting dressed shots

I LOVE this image.

It makes me chuckle and it truly conveys the exact moment in making last minute adjustments.

This is one of Linette's shots of Barry getting ready. Its so timeless, I love it!
I have never seen Allison more beautiful than she was on Sunday.
She was just glowing all day. It was an amazing day. I love a punchy blue sky.

One of my favorites of Allison

Barry showing his true personality, he is such a hamb.Jewish weddings are a blast, I love all the traditions.
The Hora is always so much fun.

Allison and Barry are headed off on a lovely honeymoon cruise, have a great time you guys and congratulations!

Enjoy the Slideshow

Allison & Barry Wedding Teaser

Allison and Barry had a wonderful wedding on Sunday. Everything about the wedding was beautiful from the weather to the flowers, the dress and the Bride and Groom! I will be posting a full recap very soon but I know I get anxious to see something, anything after the wedding so here is a teaser to get you by.

I think this is an appropriate teaser because just as I held the anticipation for Allison and Barry before they saw each other I am doing the same to all of you checking in to see the images.

Check back before the end of the week, their images and slideshow will be up by Friday, maybe sooner!