Ashley | Everett High School Class of 2018 | Berks County Senior Photographer

I've been slacking on blogging lately because I've been super busy creating portraits for my incredible clients, as well as working on some exciting behind-the-scenes business stuff!  I wanted to break my blogging silence, at least temporarily, and share a few images from this recent high school senior session.

Last week, Ashley and her mom drove all the way to me from Everett, Pennsylvania.  That's in Bedford County, about 150 miles away!!  Having clients willing to drive that distance for me to create art for them is absolutely humbling.  I don't think that anything in the world is more sacred and valuable than time, and when someone is willing to spend that time with me, it really fills my heart.

We started off by creating a few indoor portraits at my GoggleWorks studio, then headed to the Wyomissing Park for the outdoor portion of our session.  The weather was perfect, and the light was incredible!  I have really lucked out by having fantastic weather for my last few outdoor weddings and photoshoots - thank you, Mother Nature, for having my back lately!

Ashley will be graduating from Everett High School in June, and I know that she's going to have an incredible senior year.  Ashley, best of luck on the volleyball court, in the classroom, and beyond!  You were glowing during our entire photoshoot, and I know that your light will lead you to wonderful places and experiences this year and for the rest of your life.

I hope you enjoy this small selection of photos from our time together.

Congratulations to the upcoming Class of 2018!!!

 

 

Melissa | Vintage Headshots | Berks County Photographer

Melissa recently contacted me, looking for a vintage style headshot session.  Her vision sounded like a lot of fun, so we set a date and recently met up at my studio at the GoggleWorks!  She is such a natural in front of the camera, and I love what we created together.

Here is a small sampling of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy them!

Thank you again for this fun opportunity, Melissa!  I had a blast, and I'm really looking forward to working with you again in the future.

Nona + George | Longwood Gardens Engagement Session | New Jersey Wedding Photographer

I don't even know where to begin describing this engagement session.  It was so incredible, in so many ways.  Once you see the photos, you'll know what I mean...

Nona and George live in New Jersey, but wanted to drive closer to me for their engagement session for a little change in scenery.  On our original date, we were going to meet up in Lancaster, but Mother Nature had other plans.  With their 3 hour drive (each way), we decided to play it safe and call it off.  So, we rescheduled for a few days later, and since their original location choice was closed that day we moved the shoot to Longwood Gardens.

We couldn't have picked a better day, time, or location.

We had Longwood Gardens practically to ourselves, and the weather was incredible!  It was a little hot and humid, but honestly, I don't even think Nona and George noticed - they were too mesmerized by each other!!  They have incredible fashion sense, but that was secondary to their chemistry and love for each other.  Everything, and I mean everything, was perfect.

By the way, Nona is a very talented artist herself!  You can find her work here: https://www.facebook.com/DesignByNona/  or here: https://www.instagram.com/designbynona/.

I am so looking forward to their wedding this upcoming winter!  I hope you enjoy this rather large collection of photos from their engagement session - because I had too many favorites to narrow it down any further.

Congratulations, Nona and George!!

Alexandra + Robert | Bethlehem Steel Stacks Wedding | Lehigh Valley Photographer

A few weeks ago, Alex and Rob threw one heck of a wedding celebration in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  I was lucky enough to be there to document their Day #1, along with almost 300 of their closest family and friends.

Their wedding style was romantic and elegant, with the bridal party dressed in traditional black and white.  The colors and Catholic church service were the only formal parts of their day, however.  If I had to choose one word to describe their day, I would hands-down have to say it was "fun"!

The girls got ready at the historic Hotel Bethlehem, while the guys gathered at the Hyatt Place for their final preparations.  Alex and Rob opted against having a first look, because they wanted to wait to see each other until they arrived at the church.  They chose to exchange their vows at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, also located in Bethlehem.  Their wait was worth it - you could feel Rob's anticipation and love as he watched his bride-to-be eagerly approaching him from across the aisle, walking hand-in-hand with her proud father.  Nothing beats the moment that a bride and groom set eyes upon each other for the first time on their wedding day, whether it is during a first look, or the more traditional walk down the church aisle. I love capturing those moments as a photographer!

After the ceremony, we headed back to historic downtown Bethlehem for a few bridal party portraits around Main Street, right outside Hotel Bethlehem.  Our last stop was the reception venue, the Musikfest Cafe at the Steelstacks.  Inside, the flowers and decorations were gorgeous, and outside, the Steel Stacks provided a breathtaking backdrop.  The food stations reflected Alex and Rob's favorite dishes, and the drinks were pouring freely!  There was an entire long table filled with desserts (including the stunning cake) that were all baked with love by Rob's mom!!  There was no shortage of smiles on this day, and it was obvious that Alex and Rob are very, very loved.

Congratulations, Alex and Rob!  Thank you so much for allowing me to be there to document this incredible day.  Best wishes for a long and joyous marriage!

I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from their wedding day.

 

Bridal Party Accomodations:  Hotel Bethlehem

Hair Artist:  Apotheca Salon and Boutique

Make-Up Artist:  Helena Coyle

Cake Artist:  Trisha Shaffer, mother of the groom

Band: Night Moves

Bride's Dress:  Nicole Miller Bridal

Groom's Tuxedo:  Mr. T's Tuxedos

Church:  Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Reception:  Musikfest Cafe at Steelstacks

Big thanks to Rachel Wass for second shooting with me!

 

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!