The Pridie Family | Fall/Winter Family Portrait Session | Barto, Pennsylvania Photographer

The Pridie Family joined me for their annual photoshoot a few weeks ago, and we created magic together yet again! This year’s location was a private property in Barto, Pennsylvania. The farmland, barn, pine trees, and pastel sunset came together to provide the perfect backdrop for our annual photos. Mom’s red Hunter boots were pretty fabulous, too! ;)

Thank you for asking me to capture these moments for you, Pridie Family! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a very joy-filled New Year! Let’s do this again in a few months! :)

Kait + Ruki | Biltmore Estate Surprise Proposal | Asheville, North Carolina Wedding Photographer

Are you looking for a heartwarming story during this crazy time? If so, keep reading - you won’t be disappointed!

A few months ago, Kaitlin mentioned to Haruki (who happens to be my brother-in-law) that it would be great if I came down this summer to update their family portraits. (Ruki has two children from a previous marriage, and they adore Kait with all their hearts!) Ruki agreed, and the gears were instantly set into motion for the most amazing surprise proposal. Ruki figured that Kait would have no idea this was being planned, as she was the one who initiated it all. (And he wasn’t wrong!) Ruki reached out to me again once he asked Kait’s parents for their permission to propose to their daughter, and after he acquired the perfect ring to symbolize his love for Kait. This was all going to take place at their favorite spot in Asheville, the Biltmore Estate. We picked a date, and it was all set! Or so we thought…

Covid stuck around a bit longer than expected, public venues were closing, and travel was becoming more difficult. At the same time, my husband received notice that he was selected for jury duty during the same time as our planned visit. On top of that, hurricane season was upon us. We started to question if this might happen the way we had planned. As the date approached, the Biltmore Estate was allowing visitors again, and jury duty was postponed. And, it looked like the most recent hurricane was going to miss us. Throughout all of this, Ruki had arranged for Kait’s parents to visit at the same time, to surprise Kait and share this special day with them. They arrived the night before the photoshoot was planned, and were secretly staying in a neighbor’s guest house. Everything was officially set.

However, Mother Nature decided to throw one last curveball our way. We had originally planned for a sunset photoshoot, but the forecast showed thunderstorms all afternoon. So, the night before, we quickly rearranged things and aimed for a morning session instead. If the weather apps were correct, we had about a 2-hour window of no rain after the Biltmore opened for the day. We had to make it work one way or the other. There would be no rescheduling. Rain or shine, this was happening the next morning!

The day of the shoot had arrived. Kait’s parents got to Biltmore a few minutes before we did, and hid out of Kait’s view. We arrived shortly after and walked to Ruki and Kait’s favorite spot, which provides the most amazing view of the mansion. We got everyone into place, and our “family photoshoot” began. After I snapped a few portraits of the four of them, Ruki took the ring box out of his back pocket and dropped to one knee. Kait’s look of surprise as she started realizing what was happening was so amazing to witness. I am getting goosebumps again just thinking about it! Ruki asked her to marry him, and of course SHE SAID YES!!! The kids were excited as well! (They were actually in on the secret and didn’t spill the beans!) Her tears of joy, surprise, and LOVE were flowing!

As Kait started walking up the hill, she spotted her parents approaching from a distance. She recognized them immediately, and the tears arrived all over again. Kait and her parents hadn’t seen each other since November, and it meant so much to her to have them there. We had brought Ruki’s mom with us, so she was there as well. Their presence made this day even more perfect. (Great job, Ruki!)

After Kait’s mascara was fixed and everyone’s adrenaline settled a bit, we continued with our photoshoot. The rain arrived a little earlier than we had expected, but it didn’t even matter. We kept on photographing through it all. Nothing was going to ruin this perfect day - not even a torrential downpour. (We took a break during the heaviest rain and rewarded ourselves with some incredible Biltmore ice cream!)

I’m so happy for Kait and Ruki, and I’m honored that I was able to capture these moments for them. Most of all, I’m glad that they each found their perfect person. They deserve all the happiness in the world! This was the best surprise-proposal-in-the-middle-of-a-pandemic-and-hurricane ever! Congratulations again, Kait and Ruki. And welcome to the family (officially), Kait! Big thanks to my daughters and husband for their help throughout all of this. Fun fact: This proposal took place on Kait’s parents’ 47th wedding anniversary - and on their wedding day, it rained right after the ceremony and portraits took place, just like today!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our time together. Grab some tissues!

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.

Patsy + Michael | Heritage Center, Gring's Mill Maternity Session | Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer

I met up with Patsy and Michael at the Red Covered Bridge (aka Gring’s Mill, aka Heritage Center) last Sunday for their long-awaited maternity session! (If you follow my blog, you may recognize them from their Alvernia University/Heidelberg Country Club wedding photos here.) I was so excited when they reached out to me and asked me to capture this wonderful time in their lives, and was looking forward to seeing them again.

Mother Nature attempted to throw a wrench in our plans, however, as we were receiving thunderstorm warnings throughout the day - for right about the time our photoshoot was supposed to take place.

We decided to move forward with our plans to hold the session anyway, and I am so glad that we did! The weather was on the warmer side, but we had the park practically to ourselves. The light was fabulous, and we finished the photoshoot just as the thunder began rumbling and the first drops of rain started to fall.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our time together. It was so hard to choose just a few! Patsy has impeccable taste in fashion. She was absolutely stunning, and I know this is going to be one well-dressed - and very loved - baby! Congrats again, Patsy and Michael!!

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 Jacoby Family | Outer Banks, NC Family Beach Session | Destination Portrait Photographer

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting up with the Jacoby Family in North Carolina while we were all in the Outer Banks.  I was so glad that our visits overlapped, and that they asked me to photograph their family while I was there.  I have photographed Jeff, Jillian, Charlie, and Fritz a few times before, and I was excited for the opportunity to meet a few more members of their family!  They are such a fun family, and these kiddos always keep me laughing and on my toes chasing after them.  (You may remember Charlie and Fritz from my "holiday fail" photo that was shared by the Huffington Post a few years ago.  Without fail, it pops back up on the web every year at Christmas time!  We re-enacted the pose for a few laughs, and you'll see it in their sneak peeks below...) 

It had rained all week prior to our photoshoot, but the skies broke that morning and delivered sun, wind, heat, and humidity.  What a difference 24 hours made!  Normally, I can do without stereotypical summer weather, but I was just thankful for a day without rain.  I was long overdue for some fresh air and a workout, and this session was just what I needed!  Thanks for being such great sports in the wind and heat, Jacoby Family!  I love how the photos turned out, and I am always thankful for the time we spend together.

The Hulslander Family | Flatirons, Chautauqua Park Family Session | Boulder, Colorado Photographer

Hello from Colorado! I always love visiting Boulder - especially when I get to photograph this awesome family while I'm here!

This is my 4th time photographing the Hulslander Family. It has been such a joy watching their little boy grow up - he has so much personality and energy! This family's love and happiness are contagious, and I'm so thankful for their friendship.

We met up at Chautauqua Park to create a few photos in front of the iconic Flatirons.  After slipping around on the icy path, and squinting from the full sun reflecting off the snow, we decided to head to the Boulder Public Library and Pearl Street to finish our session there.

Thanks for hanging with me on this chilly morning, Hulslander Family! I'm so glad that we reconnected through my photography and my regular trips to Colorado.  I'm looking forward to more visits in the future!

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. 

The Miller Family | Sunflower Field Family Photoshoot | Berks County Portrait Photographer

A few weeks ago, I met up with the Miller Family at a sunflower field near Blue Marsh Lake to create their family portraits.  The weather was on the warmer side that evening, but the light was incredible, we had blue skies and puffy clouds, and we had the entire place to ourselves!  I love when that happens during my photoshoots!

This family was one of my first clients when I went into business, and it was truly an honor and pleasure to photograph them again a few years later.  They are so fun and kind, and I smiled during their entire session.  They have so much love for each other, and are so full of positive energy.  It's always a pleasure to be in their presence.

Thank you again for this opportunity to create portraits for you, Miller Family!  I had a blast reconnecting with you, and am thrilled to share a few of my favorite photos from our time together.

The Moczydlowski Family | Wyomissing Park Family Photoshoot | Berks County Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer

A few weeks ago, I met up with the Moczydlowski Family at the Wyomissing Park to capture their family portraits.  We were fortunate to have incredible golden hour light and perfect weather for their photoshoot!

This was my first time creating photographs for this family, and I'm so honored that they asked me to be their photographer.  They are such kind, loving, and patient parents - and their children are adorable and are so much fun to be around!!  I love photographing kids - their smiles and energy and curiosity are always contagious!  I leave my photoshoots completely exhausted, but completely refilled at the same time - and this session was no different!

Thank you, Moczydlowski Family, for giving me this opportunity.  I had a great time creating these photographs for you.  (Also, big thanks for the care package that you left on my doorstep afterwards!!)

It was difficult to choose just a few portraits to share with everyone here (because I love them all so much), but this is what I came up with.  Enjoy!

A Berks County Forever Family Session | The Francis Adoption Day!

777 is definitely a lucky number for one special Berks County family!

A few weeks ago, someone from the organization Together We Rise reached out to me to see if I was willing to photograph a local family's adoption.  I excitedly agreed, and they connected me with the family's mother.  Fast forward to this morning...

Their long awaited adoption took place at the Lancaster County Courthouse. This was the first adoption I was honored to witness, so I didn't know what to expect, besides predicting that I'd see quite a few hard-earned and well-deserved smiles.

My trip to the courthouse was significantly lengthened by standstill traffic on Rt. 222. It cleared, and I breathed a sigh of relief... only to discover more construction around the courthouse itself. Luckily, I left with a few extra minutes to spare, and arrived right on time - and the family happened to be caught in the same traffic as I was. Crisis averted.

We went through security and made our way to the courtroom (#6) only to discover that they were running behind today as well. So, we were able to catch our breaths, and we spent a few minutes waiting outside in the hallway while we could hear other families celebrating inside Courtoom #6 as their own adoptions were being processed and finalized.

A few minutes later, it was our turn, and we made our way into the courtroom. I was a little disappointed to find out that I wasn't allowed to photograph any of the proceedings and had to wait until after everything was finished to snap a few photos of the family and the judge who granted the adoption. If I was allowed to take photos then, you would have seen loving parents smiling from ear to ear, excited children who were beaming as their new legal names were read out, and exuberant family members and case workers who were there to show their support. It was so heartwarming, and I shed more than a few tears of my own. (Mental note, pack tissues the next time I photograph one of these!!)

As the parents were finishing their testimonies (and I found out we share the same wedding anniversary!!), the courthouse fire alarm went off. Everyone had to exit the courthouse and wait for the okay to go back inside. Talk about an exciting morning! A few minutes later, we were allowed back in, and after making our way back through security and back into Courtoom #6 again, we finished up the official adoption proceedings. I snapped a few photos of the family together with the judge, and then we made our way to a local park to capture a few family photos.

I am so happy that I was able to donate my time and talent to this family. This is a day that they will all remember for the rest of their lives, and I am honored to have been a part of it. I think everyone should be able to witness this type of joy at least once in their lives.  After 777 days in foster care, and an incredibly exciting morning, these amazing brothers have been granted their wish - crowned princes of their loving forever family.

Congratulations, Francis family! Thank you for allowing me to share this incredible day with all of you.