Longwood Gardens Fall Maternity Session | Kennett Square Pennyslvania | Philadelphia Portrait Photographer
The Roccamanta Family | A Berks County Newborn Session | Pennsylvania Family Photographer
This summer, I got to know Kristen and Maxx a lot better during their incredible maternity session. We spent a few hours together, starting out in my Shillington studio and ending in downtown West Reading. (Click here to see it.) It is one of my absolute favorite sessions ever - we had great locations, wonderful weather, and amazing light on our sides… but what made the session perfect was Kristen and Maxx’s incredible love for each other. Seriously, I don’t think it’s possible to take a bad portrait of the two of them together! I really treasured the time we spent together chatting about life and their excitement to meet their little miracle baby.
Well, a few weeks ago, their daughter Marley made her grand entrance earthside, and I had the pleasure of photographing her in my studio. Kristen, Maxx, Marley, and Kristen’s mom Eileen ventured over to my studio for a few hours, and it was such a fabulous reunion! It’s so hard for me to find the words to describe the love they have for this little girl, and their excitement to be on this lifelong adventure called parenthood. So, I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves.
Thank you again for this honor, Roccamanta Family. I’m happy to call you clients - but so appreciative to call you friends.
Congratulations, and welcome, Marley!
Tabitha + Jason | Blue Marsh Fall Engagement Session | Berks County Wedding Photographer
Tabitha and Jason are getting married next Halloween, and they wanted a moody fall vibe reflected in their engagement portraits. We met up recently at one of their favorite spots around Blue Marsh Lake and we absolutely killed their session. (I might be biased, but I bet you’ll agree with me after viewing this selection of images!)
Mother Nature was definitely on our side that evening, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that! We had the most stunning golden hour light, followed by a breathtaking sunset. I really feel like this session was gifted to me for making it halfway through my annual busy season - not only was the weather and light perfect, but Jason and Tabitha are so naturally cuddly and adorable - I feel like they made it too easy for me! (I’m definitely not complaining.)
While we were together, I also captured a few photos of some of their dearest family members who tagged along to help out. Tabitha and Jason have so many cheerleaders excited for this wedding to take place - I don’t know who is looking forward to it the most! And, you can add me to that list! I know their wedding day is going to be absolutely fantastic.
Without any further delay, I present to you Tabitha and Jason (and a few of their closest loved ones). Congratulations again, and I’m so thankful that we found each other! I know we’re going to make an amazing team.
The Mentrikoski Family | Wyomissing Park Family Session | Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer
Next up on my series of catch-up blogs is the Mentrikoski Family! I had such a great time chasing the sunlight with them and their adorable pup. He is one of the largest - and gentlest - dogs I have ever met!! I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from our time together at the Wyomissing Park last fall.
Macy + Merlin | Reading Museum Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
Next up on the blog-catch-up marathon are Macy and Merlin! We met up at the Reading Museum for their engagement session this past fall - you can tell by their outfits that this photoshoot didn’t take place recently! This is another session that fell victim to my crazy fall photography and dissertation schedule and was skipped over on my blog - until now!
Macy and Merlin are getting married this coming November, and I am so excited to be able to celebrate with them! They were so relaxed during their session, and so easy to work with. They were also incredibly fun - and even more in love - which is going to make for fantastic wedding day photos! I’m so honored to be the one capturing their love story for them, and I hope you enjoy these photos from their engagement session.
Kelly + Aron | Lehigh Valley Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
Kelly and Aron’s engagement session blog was another victim of my crazy fall season… and I’m making up for it now! We met up at a family property in the Lehigh Valley this past fall and spent the evening laughing together (and picking a few of the neighbor’s flowers) under some incredible Golden Hour light. I know their November wedding is going to be so much fun to photograph, and I can’t wait! Congratulations again, Kelly and Aron, and I promise not to slack so badly on your wedding day blog when that time rolls around.
Alyssa + Tony | Kennett Square Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
Alyssa and Tony are starring on this episode of ”sessions that I slacked on blogging”! Their engagement photoshoot took place at two incredible privately owned properties in Kennett Square - and it happened way back when there was still snow on the ground. I knew I was going to love this session, even before the huskies and Camaro joined us. Their pups had me smiling and laughing, and I love the outtakes that we got out of them! I am really looking forward to their wedding this August at the Barn at Silverstone - and I promise not to take so long to blog that one…
Meghan + Sean | Philadelphia Zoo Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
I messed up. Big time. This fall was so busy with weddings, portraits, and PhD work that I completely missed blogging a few incredible sessions!! (I could have sworn that I blogged this one - but it turns out that I didn’t.) I have a few weeks of down time while I wait for feedback on my dissertation draft, so I’m going to make it right - starting now.
When Meghan and Sean reached out to me about photographing their New Year’s Eve wedding in Delaware this coming winter, I was thrilled! We clicked right away and I knew we would make a great team. But then they asked me if we could photograph their engagement session at the Philadelphia Zoo, and I got even more excited!
This is a couple that loves animals, colors, and most of all - having fun! Their engagement session was part photoshoot, part just hanging out at the zoo reminiscing about my childhood. I had such a blast that day, and I love being able to look through their images all over again. There happened to be about 2,356,418 kids visiting the zoo on field trips that day, but we still managed to get a bunch of great shots. We even had some school kids controlling pedestrian traffic for us!
Congratulations again, Meghan and Sean. I am so, so, so excited for your wedding this New Year’s Eve!!
Morgan + Mikey | Barn at Silverstone Wedding | Lancaster Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
In September, Morgan and Mikey were married in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, at the Barn at Silverstone. Their wedding day had a romantic and semi-formal vibe, with decorations and details that were rustic and shabby chic. Morgan thought that my “moodier” editing style would be a great fit, so she asked me to add that touch to her wedding photos (which I was happy to do!). The weather has been rather turbulent this year, but we lucked out that day. We had a few showers in the morning - perfect for some extra wedding day luck - and then were gifted the most incredible weather for the rest of the day. Admittedly, it was a bit windy, but they rolled with it like champs!
Morgan, Mikey, and their bridal party were so much fun! They were there to celebrate, and that’s exactly what they did. There were a few emotional moments, too, especially during the first look, wedding ceremony, speeches, and sentimental dances. I was laughing and crying right along with them. And their first dance - they were literally on Cloud 9!! (Wait until you see it!)
I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from their Day #1 as husband and wife. Congratulations again, Mr. and Mrs. Antolino!
Huge props go out to the following vendors for making their dream wedding a reality:
Photographer: Carrie Kizuka
Venue: The Barn at Silverstone
Wedding Coordinator: Christine Helwig, Scarlet Runner Catering
Videographer: Rola Cinema
Florist: The Autumn Olive
Cake Artist: Krystal Moran
DJ: Vince, East Coast Event Group
Hair Artist: John Sentell, Alchemy Studio Hair
Makeup Artisti: Nicole Moeser
Wedding Dress Boutique: Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo; Casablanca
Bridesmaid Dress Boutique: Ashley’s Bridal
Groom and Groomsman Tuxedo Boutique: Men’s Wearhouse
Officiant: Theresa Gilberti
The Murillo Family | Wyomissing Park Fall Family Session | Berks County Family Photographer
I recently met up with the Murillo Family to document this fun time in their lives. They have an adorable little guy, and he’s mobile and so full of personality! We lucked out and were gifted some amazing weather that afternoon - it was a tad on the chilly side, but there was surprisingly no rain to be found! We did a quick lap around some of my favorite spots in the Wyomissing Park, letting Louie lead the way. I’m so glad that they asked me to be their photographer, and I hope this session was the first of many more to come. They are so full of joy and love, and I am sure that I had a big, silly smile on my face during the entire session. Scroll down to view a few of my favorite images from our time together and you’ll see why!
P.S. I am a sucker for baby feet - you’ll see what I mean when you view the images from their session! Seriously - how could anyone resist taking photos of those cute toes??
The Mauro Family | Historic Shady Lane | Central Pennsylvania Children and Family Photographer
If you live on the east coast, you may have noticed that the temperatures have been a bit on the colder side lately. I thought I would add some warmth to your hearts by sharing this fun session from November! Now that holiday cards have all been sent out, it's safe for me to start sharing some of my end-of-year photoshoots that I've been keeping under wraps.
Thank you, Mauro Family, for driving out to Historic Shady Lane for your family photoshoot this fall! I love the images we made together, and I hope you walked away with some amazing memories as well. Whenever I photograph this family, I find that my mouth is sore at the end of the session from smiling and laughing so much during our time together.
This was such an incredible venue, and I definitely plan to go back for future sessions! If you're ever in York, you have to check out this gorgeous gem!
Amy + John | Wyomissing Park Engagement | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
I met Amy and John a few months ago when we got together over dinner for their wedding consultation. We immediately hit it off, and I knew we were going to make a great team! They are about as real as two people can be - my favorite kind of people. I was thrilled when they officially asked me to be their wedding photographer, because they are incredibly kind and over-the-top fun, and I know their wedding is going to be unique and fabulous in every way!
Fast forward to October, when we met up at the Wyomissing Park (The Highlands) for their engagement session. It was everything I thought it would be, and more. I love how they make each other smile and how they make each other laugh. Really, I just love how they love each other. I'm guessing if you have the pleasure of knowing them in person, you already know what I mean.
Here are a few of my favorite photos from our afternoon together. My face hurts from smiling so hard looking at them all over again! Congratulations again, Amy and John. I'm so looking forward to your wedding next fall.
The Gwiazdowsky Family | A Fall Session at Gring's Mill | Berks County Photographer
I recently met up with the Gwiazdowsky Family at Gring's Mill to create their family portraits. This session was a long time in the making! I was booked months ago, and we had originally planned for a summer session, but life (and a cast) got in the way and we had to postpone.
Things have a way of working out for the best, and this was no exception. The light was incredible that morning, the temperature was perfect, and we had the park practically to ourselves.
I'm incredibly thankful that I am trusted by so many families to capture these moments for them. Here are a few of my favorites from their photoshoot.
Katie + BJ | An Intimate Backyard Wedding | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
A few weeks ago, Katie and BJ celebrated their Day #1 with just a handful of guests in my most intimate wedding ceremony to date. Their celebration took place at a wooded family property in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. We couldn't have asked for better weather or light. Everything was perfect, and all of the personalized details and decorations reflected the unique relationship and love that Katie and BJ share.
Katie and BJ are two of the funniest, most likeable people I have ever met. Their vows had all of us laughing, then crying, then laughing again. After they had officially become husband and wife, we snuck away into the woods for a few portraits. Upon our return, the driveway was turned into a dance floor, and the yard into a firepit. After the sun went down, s'mores were made, and stories were shared. And those stories revealed just how perfect Katie and BJ are for each other, and just how loved they were by everyone in attendance.
I'm honored to have been asked to photograph these moments for Katie, BJ, and their loved ones. I hope you enjoy this collection of images from their wedding day.
Big thanks to the following vendors for contributing to their celebration!
Florist: Cedar Hill Flowers
Cake Artist: Viking Pastries
Hair/Makeup Artist: Ulta Beauty, Wyomissing
Wedding Dress: ModCloth
Decor Rentals: Wolfe's Rental Company
Photography: Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC
An Extra Special Engagement Session | Wyomissing Park | Berks County Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
Last weekend, I had the honor of photographing Rachel and Mark's engagement session. I was one of Rachel's high school math teachers more years ago than I care to share, and I was thrilled when she reached out and asked me to be her and Mark's wedding photographer. I love how my education and photography passions continue to bring and keep amazing people in my life.
We had some extra special guests at this engagement session - Rachel and Mark's son Gavin and pup Venus decided to come along and hop into a few photos! I'm so glad they decided to get their entire family involved, and I am so looking forward to photographing their wedding in just over one week!!
Thanks again for this opportunity, and thank you for putting up with the extra-aggressive bugs that afternoon at the Wyomissing Park! I love how your photos turned out, and I hope you do as well.
See you in a week!
The Hobbs Family | Maui Hawaii Family Photoshoot | Pennsylvania and Destination Photographer
17 years ago, I decided to leave the snowboard industry (where I worked as a product engineer/snowboard boot designer) to become a math teacher. Around that same time, I met Caroline (and her mom and brother), when I started tutoring her in math. They are such a fun, loving family, and I'm so fortunate that our paths crossed all those years ago. Caroline's mom helped us purchase our first home in Orange County, California, as well as our current home when we decided to pack up and move back to Pennsylvania!
Less than two weeks ago, I traveled to Hawaii to photograph a destination wedding. While I was there, I met up with Caroline who happened to be vacationing in Maui less than a mile from where I was staying! It was such a treat to see her again after all these years, and to meet the rest of the Hobbs Family! Their family is growing by one in a few months, and I'm so honored that I was able to capture some memories for them during this exciting time in their lives.
Just as we made our way to the beach outside the Hyatt Regency, the sky decided to open up and pour on us for a few minutes. They were such good sports about it all, and we got some great moments before, during, and after the rain - including a stunning Maui rainbow!
Here are a few of my favorite photos from our brief time together. Thank you again, Hobbs Family, for fitting me into your schedule! It was such a pleasure seeing everyone and creating these photographs for you. I hope we are able to meet up again in the near future!
Pine Barn Inn, Danville PA Wedding | 2nd Shooting
On weekends when I'm not busy shooting my own weddings or portrait sessions, I can often be found assisting other photographers. I really enjoy the freedom (and lower stress level) that comes along with second shooting! A few weeks ago, I second shot a wedding for Alisha Taylor of A Mack Photography.
My day started in Elysburg with sunny skies and temps in the 70s... and ended at the Pine Barn Inn in Danville with sub-freezing temps and snow! Mother Nature was up to some shenanigans that day, but it made for incredibly diverse photos! Nate and Alaina were so kind, so in love, and so much fun to hang out with all day! I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from their wedding day.
Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Scranton Wedding | 2nd Shooting | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
Even though I keep myself pretty busy shooting my own weddings and portrait sessions, I really enjoy second shooting for an amazing group of talented photographers who I am thrilled to call my friends. A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of second shooting again for Aly Martin. I always have a great time working with Aly! She's so talented and fun, and her clients always throw amazing celebrations!! This wedding took place in Scranton at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. The hotel is such a cool venue! It used to be a train station, and the architecture is so unique.
Without any further delay, I'm just going to show some photos from this incredible day. Thanks again for inviting me to assist you, Aly!
Longwood Gardens Engagement Photoshoot | Jess + Sean | Berks County Wedding Photographer
Last Sunday, I met up with Jess and Sean for their engagement session. They picked Longwood Gardens for the backdrop because it's one of their favorite places to visit together... and I was really excited, because it's one of my favorite places, too! They booked me as their wedding photographer a few weeks ago, and this session was the first time we actually met in person. I was so excited to meet them, and I had a very strong feeling that they were going to be really fun in person. Oh, was I right!! We were chatting and laughing during their entire session, and my face hurt when I left from smiling so much! For every serious pose I got out of them, there were about 15 more silly poses - which I think is awesome! My favorite pictures are always the ones where I capture my clients being themselves!
I hope you enjoy this collection of photos from their engagement session. I'm looking forward to their Florida destination wedding next fall!!
