Philadelphia Lantern Fest | Maple Grove Raceway | Berks County Photographer

One of the recent additions to my Bucket List was to attend a lantern festival.  The last two times one was being held within a reasonable drive from me, I had weddings booked.  When I found out another lantern fest was being planned for June 10th, just 15 minutes from my house, I immediately snatched up tickets and blocked out the date on my calendar!  It's a good thing I did, because this one sold out within a few weeks.  It was so popular that the organizers ended up adding a second day!  (I would have gone both days, but my studio open house was scheduled to take place the following day.)

I'm not a fan of crowds, but crowds can't be avoided at lantern festivals.  So, if you go, be prepared to wait... a lot...  However, I have to admit, the more crowded they are, the more amazing the lantern display looks!  I did, however, manage to sneak away from the crowd and score a perfect viewing spot in the bleachers along Maple Grove Raceway.  My plan was to capture a few photos from that vantage point, then join the crowd below to set off my lanterns.  Once the lanterns started being released, however, that plan went to pieces.  My view from the bleachers was so amazing that I just couldn't bring myself to leave.  I am definitely going to attend another one in the future, so I'll be sure to capture some photos from the ground-level vantage point when I go back.

If you decide to go to one of these, plan to arrive early to find a close parking spot.  When you enter, you'll be given a lantern, a marshmallow roasting stick, and a goodie box (containing s'mores supplies, a lighter, and a sharpie for decorating your lantern).  There are food and drink stands for all ages, live music, face-painting, balloon-animal artists, and inflatable rides for the kids.  Again, be prepared to wait - a lot - but in the end, the wait will be worth it!!!  And this is coming from someone who detests crowds!!

My pictures just don't do this experience justice, but I hope you enjoy them anyway.  I'm so glad that I was able to attend.  The view was breathtaking, and being there with my family was the icing on the cake.  If you ever have a chance to go, I highly recommend it.

Josh | Daniel Boone Class of 2017 | Berks County High School Senior Photographer

Last week, after several reschedules due to rain, I met up with Josh at Gring's Mill to create his senior portraits.  Josh is a member of Daniel Boone's Class of 2017 and will be graduating this weekend! We finally caught a break from Mother Nature and had amazing weather and light for his session!

And with this session, my 2017 senior photoshoots are in the books! It was such a pleasure having so many smiling seniors in front of my lens this year! Best of luck to Josh and all of the other 2017 graduates! I can't wait to see what 2018 has in store for all of us!

I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite photos from my time with Josh... and his lacrosse stick. :)

Colleen | Wilson High School Class of 2017 - Part 2 | Berks County Senior Photographer

In September, Colleen and I met up for Part 1 of her high school senior photoshoot.  Last weekend, we reunited to create Part 2!  We had already rescheduled a few times, and the forecast was once again questionable, so we decided to hold the photoshoot at the GoggleWorks.  I think this venue has a lot of character, and if the weather took a turn for the worse, we would be able to run inside to finish.  The weather ended up holding out for us!  You'll notice that we decided to take a few photos inside anyway.  This building has so much personality, I couldn't choose just inside or outside - so we used both!

Colleen will be attending the University of Alabama in the fall, and they are so lucky to have her!  She has a heart of gold, and a smile to match.  I feel so fortunate to have gotten to know her family over the years.  I'm looking forward to watching her graduate this weekend, as my oldest daughter will be graduating along with her!  Congratulations to Colleen and to the rest of Wilson High School's Class of 2017!!

I hope you enjoy some of my favorite photos from our session...

Gabe | Wilson High School Class of 2017 | Berks County Senior Photographer

Meet Gabe, a member of Wilson High School's Class of 2017!  Last weekend, Gabe and I met up to create his senior portraits.  (We wanted to do them earlier, but Mother Nature had other plans for us!)  I met Gabe and his family back in 2004, the day we moved back to Pennsylvania from California (we shared backyards).  That also happened to be the summer before he entered kindergarten, along with our oldest daughter. It means so much to me to have been able to capture his senior portraits for him and his family! It feels like our families have come full circle. I'll be in the bleachers cheering for Gabe when he graduates from Wilson High School next weekend (not only because he's a great guy, but also because my oldest daughter will be graduating, too)! Gabe, Temple University is lucky to have you joining them in the fall!!

Our photoshoot started at the Reading Museum and ended at the Wyomissing Park. I think it is awesome that he chose to wear three different outfits, and brought his dog along... as well as a duck decoy.  You'll have to ask Gabe about the duck sometime...  I hope you enjoy this selection of my favorite photos from his session!

Fiona | Wyomissing Children Photographer

I had a great time hanging out with Fiona and her mom last weekend at the Wyomissing Park!  I have been looking forward to this photoshoot for months!  We originally planned for a fall session, but we ended up being forced to reschedule for the spring.  I'm so glad we did, because spring colors and sunshine match Fiona's personality perfectly!  Fiona kept me entertained and smiling with her fun stories and incredible dance moves.  Her personality shines through in the photos - check them out and I'm sure you will agree!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our photoshoot.  Enjoy!

Megha's Sweet 16 Party | Center Square Golf Club | Montgomery County Photographer

Last Friday, I had the honor and pleasure of photographing Megha's Sweet 16 celebration at the Center Square Golf Club in Norristown, PA.  This was my first time at this venue, and the location was gorgeous!  The backdrop, combined with amazing evening light and warm weather made for amazing photos!  Megha was absolutely stunning, and her beauty glowed from within.  She's not only gorgeous on the outside, but has a beautiful personality as well.

I had so much fun being surrounded by Megha and her family and friends.  Their love for her is contagious, and it was an honor to be able to capture this milestone in Megha's life!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from their celebration. I hope you enjoy them.  Happy birthday, Megha!  I hope 16 is your most amazing year yet!!

Charlotte's 4 month photoshoot | Philadelphia Lifestyle Photographer

Last weekend, I drove to Broomall for an in-home lifestyle family photoshoot.  Charlotte recently turned 4 months old, and I was honored to capture this time in her life for her mommy and daddy!  As a mother of three daughters myself, one of whom is graduating from high school this year, I understand first-hand how quickly our littles grow up.  We may not be able to make time slow down, but we can freeze a few moments in photographs so that we can always remember their tiny fingers and toes, chubby arms and legs, and cheeky grins.  Thank you for inviting me into your home, Brian and Jenny!  It was great seeing all of you and meeting Miss Charlotte!

Austin, Conrad Weiser Class of 2017 | Berks County High School Senior Photographer

I recently met up with Austin and his mom and dad to capture his senior portraits.  I have had the honor of creating portraits for a number of high school seniors this year, and it really fills up my heart!  I love being surrounded by so much youth, joy, energy, potential, and hope!! Austin is graduating from Conrad Weiser High School in just a few days!  Congratulations to Austin and the rest of the members of the Class of 2017!

I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite photos from our recent session at the Wyomissing Park.

Jackie + Dustin | Neag Planetarium + Reading Museum | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Happy Mother's Day!  I thought it was the perfect day to post this fabulous, romantic, unique, and FUN wedding on my blog!

Jackie and Dustin got married on Earth Day, and it was out of this world!  (Pun intended.)  They opted for a galaxy theme for their nuptials, and it was amazing!  All of their details and decorations fit the galaxy theme perfectly - their constellation invitations, the groomsmen's constellation socks, their hand-painted galaxy guest sign-in canvas, their vow exchange under the planetarium dome, their constellation table placards, and their stunning purple, blue, and pink flowers!  When you see their photos, I'm sure you will agree!

That morning, I met up with Jackie and Dustin at the Crowne Plaza in Wyomissing for some "getting ready" and detail photos.  Then, we headed to the Reading Museum and Neag Planetarium for their first look.  Let me tell you about that first look - it was my favorite one yet, even in spite of the falling rain!!  Jackie walked up behind Dustin ever so slowly, the anticipation of seeing her soon-to-be husband visibly building on her face.  The instant Jackie tapped Dustin on his shoulder and he turned around, Dustin set his eyes upon her and spurted out some obscenities that shouldn't be repeated on my blog!  He just couldn't contain his excitement, or his love!  It is so obvious that they are crazy in love with each other, and it was so much fun to witness!  They couldn't take their eyes off of each other, taking each other in and realizing that they were going to be husband and wife in just a few short moments.  I posted a bazillion photos of the first look below, so you'll be able to see for yourself!

Everything about this day was all about Jackie and Dustin - as it should be.  They had their first date at the Neag Planetarium, so they decided it would be the perfect location to exchange their wedding vows.  As Jackie's "something blue", she painted the bottoms of her stunning heels a gorgeous shade of blue.  Dustin provided all of the groomsmen - and Jackie - with personalized karate belts.  They threw tradition to the wind, opting for an ice cream sundae bar over a cake, including their own signature ice cream flavor!  Even their wedding rings reflected their unique love for each other, bearing infinity sign designs.  Their officiant was a close friend of theirs who actually joined them on their first date at the planetarium!  And, they exchanged vows in the planetarium underneath a starry sky... which turned to fireworks as they shared their first kiss as newlyweds!

I'm so honored that I was able to celebrate this special day with Jackie, Dustin, and their loved ones.  Big thanks to my friend and fellow photographer April Westhafer for second shooting with me for part of the day!

Congratulations, Jackie and Dustin!  I hope you enjoy this selection of memories from your Day #1.

Here are the vendors that helped make Jackie and Dustin's wedding day a success:

Getting Ready:  Crowne Plaza Hotel, Reading, PA

Florist:  Holly, Froggy's Garden

DJ:  Nick Talarico, The People's DJ

Hair Artist:  Michelle Fischer

Makeup Artist:  Fawn Monique 

Wedding Dress Boutique:  Bijou Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen's Tuxedo Boutique:  Men's Wearhouse

Caterer:  Laurin Fegley, Simply Smooth Catering

Wedding Coordinator:  Laura Oswald, Reading Public Museum

Maddie's Senior Portraits in Fort Collins | Colorado Destination Photographer

While I was in Colorado in April, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Maddie and her family to capture her senior portraits!  She'll be a senior next year, and attends high school in Fort Collins, CO.  If you've ever been to Fort Collins, you know it is beautiful and is overflowing with character.  I was so excited to be able to create these images for her in such a great location!

I first met Maddie when I lived in Southern California in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when she was just heading off to elementary school.  Being able to come full circle and photograph her now as she gets ready to begin her senior year made this session even more special.

Congratulations, Maddie!  I hope you have an amazing senior year!  I have no doubt that incredible opportunities await you.

Here are a few of my favorites from our photoshoot...