Taylor + Storm | Reinhart's Christmas Tree Farm Engagement Session | Berks County Wedding Photographer

Taylor and Storm are getting married next fall at Reinhart’s Barn. So, they thought that Reinhart’s Christmas Tree Farm would be the perfect backdrop for the engagement session! And, I couldn’t agree more. It was a bit chilly that day, but after rescheduling once due to torrential rains, there’s no way we were missing this opportunity to squeeze their session in before the official start of winter. In spite of the wind and cold temps that afternoon, the light was stunning and we had the venue all to ourselves - except for the adorable farm animals that also call that place their home.

Here are a few of my favorites from their photoshoot. I’m so excited for their wedding next September!! Congrats again, Taylor and Storm!

Lindsay + Anthony (+ Khaleesi) | Toms River Engagement Session | New Jersey Wedding Photographer

Last weekend, I drove to Toms River, New Jersey for my last engagement session of 2019! At this time of year, it’s more common for me to be snowboarding in the mountains than photographing on the beach, but I was so excited to finally meet Lindsay, Anthony, and their dog Khaleesi, that I didn’t mind sacrificing a snow day. And, it paid off! We were gifted the most amazing weather and light, especially for December!! It was a bit chilly, but everyone rolled with it like champs.

On my way to their house, I passed this wooded area next to an elementary school that caught my eye. I asked them if they would mind if we started the session there, and they agreed to it without hesitation. (I love when my clients trust my crazy visions!) We stopped there for a few minutes, and let Khaleesi sniff around and get comfortable with me and my camera. (By the way, she is such a fantastic dog, with a heartwarming rescue story. Maybe I’ll tell more of that once their wedding day rolls around…)

Next, we headed to a beach area just down the road from their house. It had the most amazing lighting and was surrounded by tall grasses. This little spot really is a photographer’s dream! The best part is that this area is meaningful to Lindsay and Anthony. They visit this park often, and Anthony proposed to Lindsay on the bench on the dock just a few months earlier!

This was not only my last engagement session of the year, but one of my favorites as well. We made a great team, and I love how all of the images turned out. I am so looking forward to their wedding next fall!!

Congratulations again, Lindsay and Anthony! I hope you love these images as much as I do…

Carlie + Pat | Grounds for Sculpture Engagement Session | New Jersey Wedding Photographer

When Carlie and Pat suggested we meet up at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey for their engagement session, I was thrilled! Although this is a favorite spot for photographers, I had never personally been there. But, I was more than happy to take the two hour trip to get there, in order to diversify my portfolio and capture Carlie and Pat in a location as unique and fun as their relationship with each other.

I had such a great time wandering around this eclectic outdoor art gallery with them, and I am even more excited now to capture their wedding memories for them next year! Without any further hesitation, here are some of my favorites from our time together. It was so hard to choose images for this blog, as I delivered a record number of images from this session! (I spent quite a bit of time picking burrs off of my clothing and shoes afterwards, too, but it was so worth it!!)

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.

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…

Miranda + Tom | Wissahickon Park Engagement Session | Philadelphia Wedding Photographer

Miranda and I met virtually a few months ago via The Wedding Connection Facebook group when she was in search of her wedding photographer. During her consultation, I knew we would make a great team! We decided to meet up at Wissahickon Park in Philadelphia for their engagement session. Miranda and Tom were great sports and were open to hiking (and climbing) wherever I asked them to - including over rock walls and on top of waterfalls.

I love their energy, positive vibe, and fun personalities. As an added bonus, Miranda works at a Kitten Cafe and has amazing tattoos! I’m not-so-secretly hoping the kittens find a way of crashing her and Tom’s wedding next year.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from their engagement session last weekend!

(Big thanks to my husband for going along, carrying my gear, and making sure we didn’t get hit by cars, slip on rocks, or drown in waterfalls!)

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!!

Evelisse + Dustin | Stokesay Castle Engagement Photoshoot | Berks County Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

A few weeks ago, I had the absolute joy of photographing Evelisse (Evy) and Dustin at the Stokesay Castle. Evy and Dustin were gifted an engagement photoshoot, courtesy of Evy’s mom, and the management at Stokesay was kind enough to allow us early morning access to the castle grounds. The temps were cold and the winds were high that morning, but Evy and Dustin were troopers and rolled with it. They were so much fun, had the best attitudes, and were such a pleasure to photograph. All three of us were smiling the entire morning - while we were shivering. ;)

Huge thanks to the Stokesay staff for allowing us to photograph there, and congrats again to Evy and Dustin! Here are a few of my favorite photos from our chilly morning together.

She Said Yes! | Outer Banks, NC Proposal | Destination Engagement and Wedding Photographer

I met Victoria and Dmitriy this past snowboard season at a race at Roundtop Mountain Resort, in Harrisburg, PA.  We hung out a few times throughout the season, and were fortunate enough to end the season together at USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain, in Colorado.

A few weeks ago, Victoria and Dmitriy reached out to me to set up a photoshoot while I was going to be spending some time in the Outer Banks.  Victoria was hoping for a couple's session, but Dmitriy had other plans.  He had been waiting for the perfect time to surprise Victoria with a proposal (and a stunning engagement ring)!  The ring was already purchased and was just waiting for the rest of the plans to fall into place.

When they arrived in North Carolina, we met up at my rental house in Waves.  While Victoria was distracted, Dmitriy passed off some champagne and glasses to my husband, so we could bring them to the photoshoot the next day without Victoria suspecting anything.

If you live anywhere along the east coast, you know how rainy it has been the last few weeks.  The day of their photoshoot was no exception.  The forecast looked promising all day - the rain was supposed to clear out around noon, and our evening photoshoot looked like it would go off without a hitch.  Well, as soon as we arrived at our intended location, Mother Nature decided to defy the weather forecasting technology, and the rain started falling.  We decided to wait it out, because the radar showed that the weather would clear up again in about 30 minutes.  30 minutes later, another rain cloud formed, and there were more following behind it.  So, we decided to get back on the road and drive south until we found a dry location.  I was looking forward to this photoshoot for weeks, and was determined to hold their session that night!

We eventually found a non-flooded place near Rodanthe to pull off the side of the road and park.  I ran up to the adjacent beach area and scouted the location, and it was incredible!  There was only one other couple in sight, and the skies and dunes were picture-perfect.

So, my husband grabbed the bag with the champagne and glasses, I grabbed my camera gear, and the rest is history.  You can see how the session unfolded for yourself right here...

(Big thanks to my husband for helping, and to my daughter and dog for helping distract Victoria while Dmitriy was getting ready to propose!)

Colleen + Chad (+ Lola) | Reading Museum Engagement Session | Wyomissing, Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

This past weekend, I met up with Colleen and Chad at the Reading Public Museum for their engagement session.  This was our third attempt, due to Mother Nature gifting us with torrential downpours and extreme heat and humidity on our other previous dates.  They brought along their newly adopted puppy, Lola, and I couldn't have been more thrilled!  I love animals, especially dogs, and Lola has just the right amount of sweetness and sass to make anyone's heart melt!

I love how their photos turned out, and I can't wait to photograph their wedding next summer.  I have the most amazing, laid back, fun couples, and I am so thankful for that!  Colleen and Chad patiently navigated through some record-breaking crowds at the museum grounds that evening... including a zombie film-making crew!  In spite of the crowds, zombies, and uninvited gnats, we made so many great photos together.  Scroll down for a few of my favorites!

(Big thanks to my mom for assisting me on this one!  It's an added treat when my own loved ones can be a part of my sessions!)

Lisa + Collin (+1) | Hershey Gardens Engagement Session | Central Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Last week, I met up with Lisa and Collin for their engagement session.  I was so excited to see them again, since we actually first met a little over a year ago at one of my favorite weddings ever!  (I'm talking about you, Jackie and Dustin!)  Even though I only live an hour away from Hershey Gardens, this was my first time visiting.  I can't believe it took me so long to go, and I'm definitely planning on making another trip in the near future.

I'm so glad that Lisa and Collin chose this location as the backdrop for their photos.  We got there as soon as it opened (on one of the hottest days of the year), and we practically had the place to ourselves!  They were so much fun to photograph, and I could tell right away how absolutely head over heels in love they are with each other.  Their engagement session also doubled as a maternity photoshoot, since they will be welcoming a baby into their family in a few short months!  I'm so excited to photograph their wedding next year, and I can't wait to meet their little one the next time I see them!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our time together.  Big thanks to my husband, Mako, for assisting me.

Megan + Nate | Trexler Nature Preserve Engagement | Lehigh Valley Wedding Photographer

I recently met up with Megan and Nate to create their engagement portraits.  They chose the Trexler Nature Preserve as their backdrop.  Not only do they enjoy spending time there as a couple, but it is also the spot where Nate proposed!

Mother Nature has been playing tricks on me all year, and this session was no exception.  It was a hot afternoon, and the winds were a bit challenging; however, Megan and Nate were troopers.   We drove around to some of their favorite spots in the park, including the bench where Nate popped the question (and Megan obviously accepted).  We even spied a few bison during our time there, but they were acting a bit camera shy that evening and wouldn't join Megan and Nate in any of their photos.

Here are a few of my favorites from our sunny evening together!  I can't wait to photograph their wedding next spring!

...And if you ever venture to the Trexler Nature Preserve to check it out yourself, note that the gates close at sunset (and not a minute after).  We found out the hard way.

Tara + Joe (+ Delaney + Darla) | Blue Marsh Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Wedding season is in full swing and I've been so busy that I've slacked on blogging lately.  I am determined to get caught up, so be prepared to have your newsfeeds filled!  Now starring on my blog are Tara and Joe and their fun-loving (and incredibly well-trained) pups Darla and Delaney!  We met up at the Stilling Basin at Blue Marsh Lake, one of their favorite places to hang out together.  What was supposed to be a warm (or at least mild) spring session ended up being unseasonably cold and windy!  They were such troopers, though, and I love how their photos turned out.  I can't wait for their wedding this fall!

Here are a few samples from our session.  Enjoy!

Liz + Phil | Berks County Engagement Session | Penn State Berks | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Last weekend, I met up with Liz and Phil to photograph their engagement session.  Liz is my cousin - and one of the biggest Penn State fans that I know!  Choosing the Penn State Berks campus as the backdrop for their photoshoot was a pretty easy decision.  This location has a lot of meaning for Liz, and I personally love it because there are so many incredible little nooks for portrait backdrops.  And, I'm pretty sure Phil is happy anywhere that Liz is by his side.  So, Penn State it was!

Liz and Phil had hoped for a wintry backdrop for their photoshoot - and even though the temperatures were definitely winter-appropriate that day, there was no snow to be found.  We were, however, gifted some pretty incredible golden light.  At the end of our session, we even happened upon an amazing field of yellow flowers.  That was a pretty great consolation prize for being denied the snow that we were hoping for.  Mother Nature is unpredictable, just like so many aspects of life.  At the end of the day, all that matters is how you spend your time and who you spend it with.  Everything else is just noise.

That being said, I LOVE how their photographs turned out!  I hope you enjoy this little preview from their session.  Congratulations, Liz and Phil!  I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.

(Disclaimer - Liz and Phil brought the empty champagne bottle along that they celebrated with on the night of their engagement!!  Awesome, right?!  They toasted to their engagement - but they used ginger ale this time.  We wouldn't want anyone to get scolded for an innocent, alcohol-free toast on Penn State grounds.)

Kayla + Colin | Berks County Winter Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Before I decided to follow my dreams of running my photography business full time, I was a high school math teacher.  As a teacher, you are supposed to make an impact on the lives of those you teach.  However, during that time, I met a a number of students who taught me just as much (if not more) than I taught them. I recently had the honor of photographing one of those students as she and her soulmate celebrated their engagement to each other.

Kayla, Colin, and I met up at Penn State University, Berks Campus for their engagement session.  It was windy.  It was cold.  I think the temperature was somewhere in the teens.  But you would never know it, looking at these photographs that we made together.  From the way Kayla and Colin looked at each other, smiled at each other, breathed each other in, and had a way of doing something at just the right time that would make the other one burst into laughter, I don't think they even noticed the chill in the air.  In fact, I think they hardly noticed me and my camera there at all - which is my goal at all of my photoshoots and weddings.  They were so into each other, and it was amazing to witness.  One of my favorite parts of this job is being surrounded by so much love, and this session did not disappoint!

Kayla and Colin, congratulations on your engagement.  I'm so happy that you found each other, and I'm honored that you asked me to photograph this milestone event in your lives.  Kayla, it has been an absolute joy getting to know you over the years, and watching you turn into the incredible woman who you are today.  Everything happens for a reason, and those reasons brought the two of you together at just the right time in both of your lives.

On a side note, I've been trying to introduce a new editing style into my work that has been really tugging at my soul.  It's difficult to time such an artistic change, but something about the light, the mood, and the energy at this session just made it feel like the right time to do it.  So, I took the leap.  I hope you enjoy these samples from our session.

Finally, I owe big thanks to my daughter Kaiya for braving the cold with us and assisting during the session!

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.

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!

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!!