Sarah Schulte Photography

New Blog!

2008-12-02T07:55:00.001-08:00

Ok, I've done it! I've "upgraded" my blog to a new host...wordpress is just so pretty and lets me post larger images...so from now on please check this address instead:

http://ssphotography.wordpress.com/

'Tis a sad day when I leave this blog behind....

Catherine & Mike - Engagement

2008-11-26T08:09:00.001-08:00

Catherine and Mike are getting married in early August of 2009 - they will be my first wedding back in the saddle from our honeymoon! I'm really excited to work with them again, they have a great spirit and we had so much fun doing their engagement shoot at Princeton. I first worked there for Cindy & Khanh's wedding, and was excited to go back to spend a little more time exploring the campus with these two. It was a little chilly and very windy, but we snapped away in between gusts and got some great shots!

Catherine is a big Joni Mitchell fan, so it was serendipitous that we stumbled upon this little monument!

Yay for fall and leaf fights! Mike got her good, but then Catherine got some sweet revenge!

And then, there's always opportunity for a little silliness! I love Catherine's expression in the photo with the lion...

Inspiration!

2008-11-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share these sites with you...I try to take time now and again to really look at work that is outside the wedding and portrait realm. I think it's important to stay up on what wedding a portrait photography is doing, but find it really inspiring to look at work that is in a totally different direction, as it often inspires and encourages me to think outside of my little box...it keeps things fresh for me. I don't get to as many photography shows as I would like to, but am thrilled that the web can give us access to them. Enjoy!

http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/ - a beautiful and sad documentary project of one man's journey with his father as he ages.
http://www.scouttufankjian.com/main.php - no matter what your political views, it's hard not to appreciate these stunning photos of our new President from the very beginnings of his campaign right up to the end
http://www.parkeharrison.com/slides-graydawn/index.html - this work is just so cool! a totally beautiful syncing of humans and nature. any brides out there want me to grow some trees out of their arms? i kid, i kid...

Christina & Bryan - 11.15.08

2008-11-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

Christina and Bryan were married down in Ocean City on Saturday, followed a fabulous brunch buffet at the Flanders Hotel. "Why did you decide to have a brunch?" I asked. "We love breakfast!" Christina replied. haha They were so fabulous, despite the rain and hurrican winds going on outside, and we made the best of the beautiful Flanders hotel!

Whoa, does it look dreary out that window or what!

Ring boxes that were too pretty to open...

I love this one because you can see the huge waves rolling in in the distance...

But this dramatic light is so pretty too!

I LOVE this mural of a bride in one of the dining rooms at the hotel, so we snuck in to get a quick pic.

Luckily Bryan's suite had this awesome balcony. Christina said she is going to pretend that we went to the beach... I love how the wind is practically sailing the veil away!

Cindy & Khanh - Slideshow

2008-11-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

I just finished editing Cindy & Khanh's wedding, and am just so pleased with it! One of the great things about my job is all the new and interesting people and customs that I get to be exposed to, that I would never otherwise see.

Khanh & Cindy had a traditional Buddhist ceremony, which started with Khanh and his family traveling to Cindy's family home, bringing gifts and participating int he initial ceremony. We then all traveled back to Khanh's family home, where the second ceremony took place.

After Cindy changed out of her traditional dress into her white gown we were off to Princeton for our photo shoot. The reception was at the Sunny Palace in East Brunswick, and everyone had a fantastic time!

Ken Stillman was there with his team, they did another fantastic job with their B.I.G. Video Show.

Albums, Albums, Albums!!!

2008-11-16T15:47:00.001-08:00

It was another busy weekend of shooting, with a beautiful Ocean City brunch wedding on Saturday (yum - breakfast!!!) and a fun engagement shoot in Princeton today. Photos from both of those coming soon...

In the mean time, I wanted to share some of my favorite spreads from some recent album designs. I really love laying out albums, as they tie the whole wedding together and tell a fantastic story when they are done. While I offer two styles of books, both of these are coffeetable/flush albums. The two books were so different from each other, and really captured the essence of both clients.

Stephanie and Tim celebrated their marriage in June of this year. Stephanie was so enthusiastic about getting her album done, it really was a lot of fun! I was so thrilled to be able to use some bright beach colors in her book!

Kristin and Krister were married in August of 2007, and came back to me this summer to work on their book. It was another beautiful product; Kristin chose to go with a grey cover and silver imprinting, it is stunning!

Dress Shopping - Mission Accomplished!

2008-11-10T16:03:00.001-08:00

Dress shopping was the part of wedding planning that I feared the most! I had horrible flashbacks to sequined prom dresses with puff sleeves that never looked quite right. Thank goodness for my mom and good friend Katie, if they weren't with me it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun as it was! They were total troopers, lounging by the dreaded three-way mirror and watching me parade around. When I finally found the right dress, it was here at the Country Bride.

It was such a wonderful place to be, Laura was so helpful and patient. I just wanted to give them a shout out, anyone looking for a dress I really recommend going here. They really made me so comfortable and were SO PATIENT with us! Thank you!

Another Obsession

2008-11-10T13:17:00.000-08:00

I used to tell eveyone that I was going to marry James Taylor...sigh... Instead I will just watch this over and over again...my favorite song in the whole whole world, by my favorite singer, in my favorite hometown. :) There's nothing like James Taylor at Tanglewood on the 4th of July!

And here's another version, a better recording, because I know you just can't get enough:

Ok, back to work...

Ashley & Chas - Engagement

2008-11-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

Cathleen & Marc - 11.1.08

2008-11-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

Cathleen and Marc had their wedding celebration at the Philadelphia Cricket Club on Saturday. It was a joyous occasion, combining faiths and traditions, with some of the most exquisite details. We were witness to an Irish dance performance, featuring the bride herself. The tree was Cathleen's dream for the centerpiece table, a totally beautiful work of art. The cake was made by a friend of the bride, and those flowers are made of SUGAR! Congratulations, Cathleen & Marc!

Fall Back = Less Daylight

2008-11-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

I pulled together this little slideshow for a meeting with a client who is getting married next December. I wanted to show her that evening/night photographs are just as fabulous as a sunny day, as long as your photographer knows what they are doing! Low light photography is more challenging, as you really need to know how to use the light to your benefit, but you can achieve some fantastic results and end up with intimate, moody images!

John and Julia got married in November of 2006, so these are some oldies but goodies! Happy 2 Years you guys!

Kelli and Mike got married in May of 2007, so we did these fun engagement photos before Christmas at Peddler's Village. We shot some before the sun went down, went to the pub to warm up, and came back out for some fun holiday light photos!

The Twilight Saga

2008-11-04T06:35:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it's been a while since I've had the time to chillax with a good book at night. And I must admit, I am OBSESSED with the Twilight saga. I saw the author on Ellen one day and knew I wanted to read the series, and when I realized that the movie was coming out soon I decided it was now or never. I sat down with it one night when John was coming home late, and was done with it the next night! Now I'm almost done with the second one... Anyway, I really recommend it. It's page turning reading, a little romance, a little fantasy...handsome, smooth-talking vampires...haha Good stuff.

Kate & Jeff - Engagement

2008-10-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Kate and Jeff are getting married next September at the Valleybrook Golf Club in New Jersey. We met down in Ocean City for their engagement photos last weekend. I just love these images - the two of them are so calm and peaceful, totally at ease with each other and so sweet, it really shows in their photos. I look forward to their wedding day next fall! Thanks, guys!

Guest Books

2008-10-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to now offer these gorgeous guest books to my clients! They are a great use of all of your fabulous engagement photos! Didn't do an engagement shoot? I'm happy to use photos that you provide, or leave the photo page blank and I'll add your wedding photos later! They come in multiple sizes, but I am a huge fan of the landscape book...each spread has a photo/photo collage mounted on the right side and a blank black or white page on the left for your guests to sign and leave personal messages. Black pages look AH-MAZING with the silver or gold ink. There are so many GREAT materials for covers, and you get a cameo on the front. They are just stunning! Interested? Need more details? Let me know soon and we can get them designed and ordered.

New product special pricing on orders placed before December 31, 2008:
8x10 10 leaf (10 photos, 10 sign-in pages) with a photo cut-out on the cover - $150
8x10 5 leaf (5 photos, 5 sign-in pages) with a photo cut-out on the cover - $120
Turn-around time is approximately 6 weeks.

Nicole & Matt - 10.25.08

2008-10-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

Nicole and Matt celebrated their wedding at The Meadows in Hellertown. It's a beautiful place, even on a rainy day! I was so thrilled when Nicole grabbed her red umbrella and headed out into the showers for some quick photos - before the showers turned to downpour! Matt and Nicole are a wonderful couple, full of laughter and total love for each other. Thanks, guys!

Ashling & Tom - Engagement

2008-10-25T06:46:00.001-07:00

Ashling and Tom drove out my way for their engagement session last Sunday. We had a great time, they hardly needed any direction for me! They're are such a fun couple, and I am really looking forward to their wedding in December. Ashling LOVES deer, so of course we had to grab a couple of shots with them in the background!

I'm off to a wedding in Hellertown and then tomorrow an engagement session in Ocean City, but I leave you with a few of my favorites from their session!

Our Turn

2008-10-25T04:12:00.001-07:00

John and I met up with the amazing Cindy Patrick last week to have our own engagement photo session! We went to Valley Green, back to the very place where John popped the question. It was so eye-opening to be on the other side of the camera! It took a while for us to get used to it, but Cindy was great and we ended up with a FABULOUS collection of photos. Here's one of our favorites. I had to just post it because we keep going back and finding other great ones! Wanna see more? Check out her blog!

Days of Luke's Life

2008-10-23T08:53:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite things about being home during the day now is that Luke is happy because he gets all kinds of extra attention - walks, treats, cuddles under my sweatshirt. I've begun to notice all his funny little habits too, like this one. He will be happy as a clam sleeping in his bed or buried in the couch pillows. As soon as the boiler kicks on, his head pops up and he looks around, like "Could it be?!?" Then the blower starts, and this silly dog is on the floor with his stomach facing the vent, completely sprawled out and panting because he is so ridiculously hot. As soon as it shuts off, he drinks a bowl of water and goes back to his former spot. Silly dog.

Cindy & Khanh - 10.18.08

2008-10-23T06:48:00.000-07:00

Cindy and Khanh celebrated their marriage all over New Jersey! We started the day in Cherry Hill and ended up in East Brunswick, stopping at Princeton University (fast becoming another favorite spot to shoot for me!) along the way. This was our first Buddhist wedding, and it was an incredible experience for us! We were truly welcomed into both families for the day. The Kenneth Stillman Video team was there with too, and he pulled together an amazing B.I.G. Video show from the day too. Check it out on his blog!

Orsi & Brian - Engagement Session

2008-10-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

I met up with Orsi, Brian and their handsome dog Seamus at Valley Forge Park for their engagement session on Sunday. This is my favorite place and my favorite time of year for engagement photos - the foliage is beautiful, the park is huge, tourists are fewer and the possibilities are endless! I can't wait for their wedding at Hotel Dupont next year!

And here Brian shows us how he really feels about Engagement Photos!

Jess & Josh - 10.11.08

2008-10-17T09:41:00.001-07:00

Jess and Josh celebrated their wedding with their new baby boy, Davie. I never saw a tux so small or a baby so handsome! Following our photoshoot, they had a lovely party at the Stone Grille where they officially exchanged vows in front of their guests.

Click here to see the slideshow from their special day!

Felicia & Phillip - 10.5.08

2008-10-16T05:10:00.000-07:00

Felicia and Phillip celebrated with their beautiful family and friends at the Hilton in Philadelphia. This was the biggest party I've ever seen on a Sunday night - everyone was up and out of their seats and dancing the night away! Felicia was all over the rose petal shot, I think she's got an inner photographer lurking!

Click here to see the slideshow from their special day!

Jen & Tony - 10.3.08

2008-10-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

I was so flattered when our friends Jen and Tony asked me to photograph their intimate ceremony, literally in the middle of the woods! It really was one of the coolest ceremonies I have ever gotten to be a part of. Congratulations, Jen and Tony!

Click here to see the slideshow from their special day!

SSP PSA - Thank You!

2008-10-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for being so patient with me lately! The full time switch has been amazing, and work has been rolling in like never before - timing is everything! As I've been making the adjustments, learning how to juggle, and keeping up with paperwork my turnaround time for weddings has increased slightly, and everyone has been so understanding that I felt the need to extend a great big thank you! October is busier than I could have imagined - with weddings and engagement shoots all over the place and planning for some family portrait and boudoir shoots next month. Stay tuned for exciting updates and new offerings once winter starts. I hope everyone is enjoying fall, I know I LOVE it - Pumpkin Lattes at Starbucks, Pumpkin Blizzards at DQ and Pumpkin Muffins at Dunkin Donuts - that's when I know that the season has arrived! And HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Kristen & James - 10.4.08

2008-10-08T06:35:00.001-07:00

Kristen and James made the trek from Brooklyn to Avalon for their wedding this past Saturday. The day was beautiful from the very start with a stunning sunrise over the ocean. They had a fall theme running throughout, from her bridesmaid dresses to the placecard holders. Here's a sneak peak!

Click here to see the slideshow from their special day!

Jaime & Patrick

2008-10-01T12:54:00.001-07:00

Jaime and Patrick got married on Saturday at the Hotel Westminster in Livingston, NJ. We had so much working with them, got to see some old friends and were treated like part of the family! Jaime and Patrick are a great couple, they compliment each other so well and have such wonderful families. Jaime booked some time to shoot in this old castle, which made from some interesting images and kept us out of the rain! Thanks again, Jaime and Patrick!

Katie & Sean

2008-09-25T07:07:00.001-07:00

Katie and Sean had a beautiful beach wedding in Ocean City last weekend. Sean got his boys some stellar socks and fabulous Converse sneakers to complete their outfits, and Katie made her ladies bouquets by hand. They saw each other before the ceremony, and had a beautiful opportunity to capture all sorts of emotions. We hit up the boardwalk for some pizza and a carousel ride, and then it was on to the Ocean City Yacht Club for some partying down! Thank you both for a great day!

Sarah & Dale - Engagement Photos

2008-09-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

I took a trip to Point Pleasant to do Sarah and Dale's engagement shoot. Their wedding is out that way next year, so we practiced on the beach and boardwalk! The place was practically deserted, it was so great to have the beach to ourselves. Unfortunately, the rides were no longer running...but Dale did win Sarah a fabulous little green bear. Ha ha!

Kelly and Adam - Engagement Photos

2008-09-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

I did a late-day engagement session with Kelly and Adam last weekend. We started on Kelly Drive (get it - Kelly/Kelly - haha) and moved on to brave the skateboarders at LOVE Park and City Hall for a few shots at the end. I think Adam got a little goofy as the shoot went on...

Stephanie & Jay - Engagement Photos

2008-09-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and Jay got engaged at the Waterworks Restaurant Gazebo on New Year's Eve, so it was fitting to meet up there to start out their engagement shoot last weekend. From there we worked our way around to the other side of the river, so that we could get some cool shots with Boathouse Row in the background!

Lindsey & Derek

2008-09-11T14:04:00.001-07:00

I must say, this was a first for me! Hurricane Hannah visited the wedding of Lindsey and Derek, but nothing gets these two down! We made the best of what we had, they bothed looked fantastic and were glowingly happy.

The two of them braved the hurricane to go to the spot where they got engaged, and who's this camera girl to say no? The wind picked up as soon as we got out to the gazebo, and they were almost carried away like Mary Poppins! Notice, however, that they are still smiling.

And I LOVE this umbrella shot, it's kind of romantic with the wet boards and the wind taking her veil. You can't even tell that they are walking as fast as possible back to the limo!

The rain stopped for a bit and we quickly ran up to the roof deck to get a couple of snaps in. Check out those ominous clouds in the background!

Jen & Brendan - Year 1!!!

2008-09-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

HEY GUYS!! Pay attention: Brendan surprised Jen with a photo shoot before taking her to dinner on their one year anniversary! This is a GREAT IDEA! Jen loved it, and we did a quick 30 minute portrait session right around the area where their restaurant was. I waited for them to arrive in LOVE park and then we ran around like maniacs hitting up as many locations as we could. Nothing like a little surprise to start your second year off on the right foot...

TTD Video starring Katie!

2008-09-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

The great Trash The Dress event lives on (and to all the girls who participated, your images are finally on their way!) in the first of 6 videos by Ken Stillman. Check it out, you can see me in there working with Miss Katie!

Fletcher Family

2008-08-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

I visited the Fletcher family last weekend to spend some time photographing their 1 year old and the rest of the family. She was a doll, and we got some great shots of kids being kids, the whole family, and the star of the show!

Melissa & Jason

2008-08-27T12:18:00.001-07:00

Melissa and Jason got married at the Rivercrest Golf Club in Phoenixville this past weekend. The weather was gorgeous and the blue sky was fabulous against the green grass of the course. Melissa was all about the details, from the flower in her hair to the parasols she gave to the ladies to the ridiculously amazing succulents that she used as lapel flowers. Their ceremony was held poolside, and then we wandered along the "Picture Path" for some post-ceremony photo opps.

Sea Isle and Personal Work

2008-08-25T10:45:00.001-07:00

One reason I am so thrilled about my switch to full-time photographer is that I have time to do personal work now! I was drawn to photography first and foremost because I am an artist. It's important to me to keep that side of my work active along with the portraits and weddings that I shoot. I love to incorporate that artistic influence into every job, but need some time to do it for myself as well. I recently had an early morning family portrait shoot down in Sea Isle. We were done shooting by 8AM, so I took my camera back to the beach and just walked and shot for a while. I found it SO rewarding, and am pleased to share some of the results.

Jessica & Kevin

2008-08-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

Jessica and Kevin celebrated their wedding at the Camden County Boathouse, a really cool venue with so many places to shoot right outside the door. They had a beautiful ceremony and didn't leave one another's side all night.

Moments Salon & Spa sent their Design Team to Jessica's house to do the girls' hair and makeup. They all looked stunning, I highly recommend these ladies to anyone!

TRULY a Party Bus! Jessica and her dad bust a move before getting off at the church.

Megan & James

2008-08-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

It's such a treat and so flattering to get to work with the same family twice! Megan asked me to photograph her wedding to James after I worked with her brother Brendan and the lovely Jen last year. It took me on my first trip to Baltimore! We had a great day, and her family really knows how to get down!!!

Introducing Ellie and Baby Portrait Packages!

2008-08-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

Lucky me! I got to photograph Angela and Don's wedding. I got to do Angela's maternity portraits. And then I got to photograph their baby Ellie when she was 1 month old!

This portrait package consists of two shoots. Your baby's first portrait is done when you are around 8 months pregnant. It's a beautiful way of memorializing your pregnancy and celebrating the birth of your new baby. This session is followed by a newbie portrait session, best within the first month of your baby's life in this great big world!

Every package includes a 5x7 album containing 20 images of your choice. The album is done after the newbie shoot, so you can include images from both sessions. Your baby's name and birthday will be imprinted on the cover.

On top of that, I'll be offering portfolio boxes for an additional fee. These are really fantastic ways of showcasing your baby's portraits, and they can be added to over the years. Each box contains an easel and the prints are matted; you can switch up the photo that you display on the easel as often as you like. Imagine having the box with 3 or 4 images from the package, and leaving room for additions as you have your child's portrait taken over the years!

I'm really excited about these sessions, Angela and Don have a beautiful end product that they will cherish forever. Please contact me if you are interested!

Justin and Jillian, Explorers

2008-08-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

Our neice and nephew came to spend the night last week, and the latest and greatest thing that they like to do when they visit is go exploring. We went down to the trail behind our house, normally we go to the right and this time we went to the left. We discovered this great stream that runs down there! The water is much cleaner to the left, and gets quite deep. The kids had a great time, exploring and playing with sticks and splashing in the water. It amazes me how much a little nature can inspire kids to be creative.

Striking a pose with their Uncle John!

Yay for water!

Vote for Sarah Schulte Photography on the Philly Hot List!

2008-08-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

Time is running out! Please vote!!!

Click the logo below to vote for me in the Fox Philly Hot List. Every vote counts, spread the word!!! Thank you!

Gaby & Dan

2008-08-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

I first met Gaby when I photographed her sister's wedding back in January, and was so happy when she asked me to shoot her own wedding in July in NYC! It was so great to work with her and her family again, and to have a chance to meet Dan's. Here are some of my favorites from the day - we didn't get to go to Columbia to shoot like Gaby had originally hoped but The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers has plenty of cool and very COLORFUL backdrops for some super fabulous shooting.

This one's for you, Alexa!!!

Meet John

2008-08-06T09:48:00.001-07:00

This is John:

John is my fiance. He also works as my most fabulous second photographer 99% of the time, so I thought I should formally introduce him to everyone. John is a middle school art teacher, fabulous painter, completely creative person and a WONDERFUL photographer. We've been working together as a team for over one and a half years now. It's really difficult to find a second photographer who you trust and can completely rely on. Since John and I share a life together, he's the best second I could ask for. He's completely surrounded by my work, hears me talk about it constantly, and runs into the office at least five times a day to look at my FAVORITE shots! It is so important to me to have a second shooter who shares my way of seeing and my style of shooting but who is creative and adventurous enough to look at things differently and try new things. John is great at that, he knows exactly where I want him to be when and still moves around enough to get some fantastic angles.

Many clients ask me my thoughts on a second shooter, since it's not a standard in my packages. I don't include it because I realize that some clients don't want two of us there, and I am completely comfortable shooting alone. However, there are some great advantages to opting for two of us. First, you get more photos! The number of images you receive in your final package is significantly increased when there are two of us. Second, the groom needs a little love too! I get to spend my day with the bride, which I love, but always wish that there were more opportunities to work with the groom on the day of the wedding. A second photographer can go and take care of those important shots, often reducing the amount of time needed for "formal" shots after the wedding and giving us more one on one time with clients! Third, a second photographer can go where I wish I was when I can't be in two places at once. For example, he can be at the back of the ceremony getting those final moments of anticipation before walking down the aisle while I wait at the front to get the groom's reaction when he sees his beautiful bride for the first time. So there are my thoughts on the matter, for you to ponder...

And I leave you with a slideshow featuring John's fantastic second shooter work... Enjoy!

Who Do I Work For?

2008-08-01T03:43:00.000-07:00

Oh, that's right. ME! Today I woke up to Day 2 of my official life of Self-Employment. My big news is: Sarah Schulte Photography has officially gone FULL TIME!!! YA-HOO! I never thought that this would happen so soon, so thank you to everyone that made it possible and encouraged me along the way, including my fabulous clients (every single one of you!), my parents (thanks for buying me first camera!) and John (thanks for putting up with my long hours and occasional stressed-out grumpiness!). And the Academy, and my goldfish...etc. SO, what does this mean for you? All kinds of great things! It means that I am now open for more portrait shoots during the week (family, boudoir, engagement, anniversary, maternity, baby...the possibilities are endless!)! It means that I will have more time to educate myself and stay on top of the latest and greatest! It means that I am generally a HAPPIER person because I no longer have to juggle and I can just do what I LOVE to do. Basically, I am incredibly grateful and humbled to be living my dream and want to give one more HUGE thank you to everyone. You are all the best!

Tara & Tim - Engagement Shoot

2008-07-23T05:16:00.000-07:00

I've been dying to do a shoot along Kelly Drive, so when Tara and Tim asked for some location suggestions I jumped at the chance. We had a blast, and the breeze from the river kept us relatively cool! There's so much to choose from, these are just a couple that I love.

John & Amanda

2008-07-23T05:13:00.001-07:00

John made me a website, so I made him some wedding photos! He and Amanda tied the knot at the Stone Barn in Kennett Square - such a beautiful place to shoot. They had a beautiful day, and I was so happy to get to work with them! Here are just a couple of shots from their day.

Kristi & Steve, Take 2

2008-07-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

Kristi's dad drove her to the church in this amazing old school Ford Mustang - it made for some great shots and gave me an excuse to go crazy with the retro effects!

Manly Men, Part 2

2008-07-15T03:31:00.001-07:00

And it goes on! Ian has blessed us with another week of manly help. And the elves are back...the firepit is in, the gravel has been delivered and sits in our driveway waiting to get hauled to the back. I have resigned to the fact that the house will be full of dust until this is done - sorry to anyone who is coming by, I'll do my best to have one clean room!

Day 4 - Digging the Wall

Day 5 - Sasha needs a lift!

Day 5 - Ian's "French Victorian Bathtub" aka our firepit...

Day 5 - Oh, that's me. I carried 1/4 of these bricks from the driveway.

Day 6 - Firepit is complete! And half of the retaining wall. We christened it last night!

Kristi & Steve

2008-07-14T04:38:00.001-07:00

John and I had the honor of photographing our friends Kristi and Steve on their special day. It's always so nice to be asked to work with people you know, it's a really fantastic honor. Kristi was stunning, and ready so early! We had plenty of time to get some beautiful portraits. It was a fantastic party, and we even got to kick back and relax a little at the reception - something new for us!

Such Manly Men

2008-07-03T04:56:00.001-07:00

So my brother Ian came to town this week to help John install a patio off the back of the house. An ambitious undertaking to say the least, and I am convinced that they have little neighborhood elves helping them while I am gone during the day. Technically, we are on Day 4 right now but those photos are still on the camera...here's Day 1 and Day 2! Wowza!

Day 1 - Carrying Pavers

Day 2 - DIGGING

Nicole & Matt - Engagement

2008-06-24T20:08:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, Nicole, Matt and I traipsed around by the art museum for their engagement pictures. We had a blast despite the heat and construction everywhere! I can't wait to work with them this fall on their wedding day!

B.I.G. Video

2008-06-20T03:41:00.001-07:00

Well, I've gotten to work with Mr. Video himself, Ken Stillman, quite a bit this year, and he's been pulling some amazing rabbits out of his hat! His latest and greatest invention is the B.I.G. Video Show, and I saw it in action at Stephanie and Tim's wedding 2 weeks ago. What a great way to end an evening, by giving your guests and yourselves a chance to relive some of the greatest moments of the day on screen! Go Ken! Woot!

Stephanie & Tim

2008-06-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and Tim had their ceremony on the beach in Ocean City. It was incredibly beautiful, with a great beach breeze blowing the fabric on their backdrop quite peacefully. It was also incredibly HOT outside!!! We managed to get some great beach shots before we started to melt... Then it was off to the Yacht Club (I love working there!) for a fabulous party. Thanks for letting me share your day, Stephanie and Tim! Here are a few of my favorites so far.

Kate is One!

2008-06-12T04:55:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I took a trip to NYC to hang out with Kate and her mom and dad. She turned one in May and they really wanted to get some photos of her before she was too far into her second year. She is an adorable little munchkin whose eyes lit up every time a doggie walked by...haha. We got some great shots of her!

Angela & Don Maternity

2008-05-30T06:35:00.000-07:00

Angela and Don are due to have a little bundle o' joy any day now! We got to do some maternity portraits last weekend (despite the poison oak!) and here's a little peak.

LOVE these shoes, I wish I could wear them too!

Sophia and Ellie - baby names or Don's new brewing venture?

Dot & Charles

2008-05-30T04:08:00.001-07:00

Dot and Charles had a beautifully sunny day, perfect for a party at the Camden County Boathouse. This was such a cool room for a party, with a huge balcony overlooking the river.

Dot had such pretty bouquets!

And check out her shoes - rhinestone bedazzled Crocs!

Her brother Martin was quite dashing in his uniform.

What good sports! No one even grumbled, and it's not as cold in there as Martin makes it look!

I just loved this sweet moment when Charles' dad took Dot's grandma out for a twirl on the dance floor.

Last, but not least, the BEST cake topper, made by our very own bride and groom.

Greatest Compliment

2008-05-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

I had an opportunity to go back to Angela and Don this weekend and do a maternity shoot. They are having their first baby pretty soon. As I looked around their house, I saw wedding photos everywhere. I keep thinking to myself that that is the greatest compliment and the coolest thing, to see photos that I took on display and obviously so loved. So thanks to Angela and Don, and to all my clients who allow me to be such a part of their day and who embrace what I do!!!

More from TTD!

2008-05-28T05:03:00.000-07:00

I got to spend some time working with Katie too, she was fabulous and up for anything. Sorry it took me so long to get these up here, Katie! More to follow...there are just so many to go through!

Poison Oak

2008-05-23T04:26:00.001-07:00

This is Poison Oak. It's all over my yard. And all over me. Itchy itchy itchy!!! Watch out for it, and if you touch it take a shower right away!!!

Jenn & Nick

2008-05-23T04:21:00.001-07:00

I got to start the day with Jenn and her bridesmaids getting ready at the salon, which was a treat! I don't usually get to witness that part of the day. Then it was off to the hotel to get dressed! Jenn did a great job planning, everything was incredibly organized. And she handled the curve balls well! They had a beautiful ceremony full of emotion, and a great party to follow!

More TTD!!!

2008-05-14T23:44:00.000-07:00

I got to start the day working with Christine. She was so much fun and her energy really came across on camera! We just loved those turquoise shoes...

Carolyn & Josh

2008-05-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

Carolyn and Josh got married in Philly on May 10. They were beautiful, their ceremony was beautiful, their party was beautiful, the weather was beautiful!!! It was a great day, here's a peek!

!!! TTD 2008 !!!

2008-05-13T04:08:00.000-07:00

We had a BLAST on Sunday on our first Philly Trash the Dress Fantastical!!! Cruising around Philly in a double decker bus with 6 photographers, their crew, 4 videographers and 6 lovely ladies in wedding gowns, you're sure to catch someone's eye. We literally stopped traffic! I was so honored to be a part of this, working with Cindy Patrick, John Arcara, Kamila Harris, Ken Stillman, Paul Roebuck and Stephanie Voch.

Karyn & Dan Norton

2008-05-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

Karyn and Dan got married last weekend at Montrose Mansion in the Villanova Conference Center. It's a beautiful spot tucked away from the main road. The rain cleared just in time, and waited until the party was over to start up again! Here's a "sneak preview" as I edit through all the photos from their day.

We made John swim across the pond for this one! Not really, but he was hard to spot across the way, hidden in the bushes!

Jen & Brendan

2008-04-20T16:16:00.000-07:00

I re-visited Jen & Brendan's wedding this weekend, looking for some photos to use in a competition, and wanted to share them! They had a beautiful wedding in New Jersey with their reception at Scotland Run Country Club. Jen really paid attention to the details in planning her wedding, and the two of them had a kick-ass tango choreographed for their first dance. Brendan and his mom also had the most unique mother-son dance I have ever seen! I can't wait to see them again when I photograph Brendan's sister's wedding in Maryland this year.

The boys just LOVED the parasols!

Photo Adventure

2008-04-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

John and I decided to take a little time away from yardwork this weekend to go on a photo adventure at Washington Crossing. Yup, the real place where Washington crossed the Delaware. We are HBO John Adams junkies, and felt inspired... Here are some photos, I think we are ready for wedding season to start!

John is waiting for the perfect shot...

Of this goose snacking on grass!

It must be Spring!

2008-04-20T14:56:00.001-07:00

Daffodils...

and Pansies! It must be Spring!

In my next life I will be a gardener.

Angela & Don's Album

2008-03-25T04:15:00.000-07:00

I just turned a stunning album over to it's rightful owners - it was hard to part with it! I worked with Angela and Don on the layout of their 30-page album and we finally got it out to bind last month. I wanted to keep it for myself! Here are a few photos of their final product.

My turn!

2008-03-24T11:50:00.001-07:00

Well, here's some exciting news from my world! John (my fabulous second photographer and NOW fiance!) have decided to take a walk in your shoes. We got engaged on Good Friday (GREAT Friday!) and are about to embark on our own little journey of wedding planning. Any advice?

Genevieve & Mike Slideshow

2008-03-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

Another little slideshow that I did for Genevieve and Mike. They had a February wedding, and lots of locations to hit up! First stop was the train station in Manayunk, where they met. I love how the Teleflora billboard on the platform is so appropriate for a wedding!

Megan & Kevin Slideshow

2008-03-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, like I said, better late than never! Here's a little slide show I made for Megan & Kevin as a teaser. They were a fun couple, very into athletics! As you can see, their guest book was a baseball bat and a basketball.

Happy Anniversary Kat & Pat

2008-03-21T09:11:00.001-07:00

I figured better late than never with posting some past weddings! A year later, Katrina and Patrick's St. Patty's day wedding is still one of my favorites. They have so much love, and so much spunk, there was no way the day could go wrong. Katrina sucked up the freezing cold on the beach like a real trooper, and even took a break to make a pizza! They got shamrock pretzels donated by a local bakery, had an old-school photo booth for their guestbook signing, and all kinds of St. Patty's Day goodies! They were also my first clients to book since my move to Philadelphia. I can't wait to start working on their album with them soon!

Trash the Dress Contest Winners!

2008-03-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the following brides:

Caitlin
Carrie
Erika
Katie
Christine
Constance

They are going to have a blast being featured in a fabulous shoot with 6 photographers all over Philly on May 11. Some super talent will be there, should be great!

To find out more visit our official Philly Dress Trashing blog.

Kristin

2008-02-29T15:52:00.000-08:00

Kristin stayed at a gorgeous Bed and Breakfast outside of Boston the night before her wedding. It was a perfect place for a boudoir shoot! She was a terrific sport and had several cheerleaders in the room with her. I think she got some very sweet, provocative shots. Kristin gave me permission to share these with you!

Michelle

2008-02-29T15:45:00.001-08:00

This is my crazy friend Michelle - her photos helped launched a lingerie modeling career for herself (www.valudlingerie.com)! Her husband Luis' (Wuis) family owns a manufacturing company in Brazil, so she had an abundance of fabulous choices of lingerie to choose from. And of course, we had to get the Brazilian flag in there at least once! We shot these sexy shots the morning of her wedding, super fast upstairs in her parents house. She's been asking me to show them off, here they finally are!

What is Boudoir?

2008-02-29T15:35:00.000-08:00

Merriam Webster's definition:

Pronunciation: \ˈbü-ˌdwär, ˈbu̇-, ˌbü-ˈ, ˌbu̇-ˈ\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from bouder to pout
Date: 1781
: a woman's dressing room, bedroom, or private sitting room

I describe it as a chance to let out your inner sass! It's something that every woman should do at least once! You decide how sweet or sexy you want to be, and together we will pick an appropriate location for the shoot. Relaxed and fun, a tastefully sexy boudoir shoot is a great way to remind yourself that you are a beautiful woman! The results make a great gift for your boyfriend, fiancé or husband – or just for you!

Contact me for pricing and availability.

Sarah, Welcome to Blogging

2008-02-27T16:23:00.000-08:00

Well...this is my first attempt at a blog...I figured I'd give it a whirl. I'll post great wedding stories, sneak previews, and other fun facts. Like right now, I'm sitting here sipping some wine, thinking about making a huge leap in my career and doing this gig full time - a little frightening but I think it's time! I leave you with a photo of Luke.

Trash the Dress Contest!

2008-02-27T16:18:00.000-08:00

Here is your chance to experience Trash The Dress in a very unique way. I am getting together with a group of 5 local photographers and a videographer to put our talents together and do a session in/around Philadelphia early this summer. The date and exact location is still being worked out. We are specifically looking for a really interesting urban area with some great architecture and a really green natural area as well – maybe incorporate parts of old city, Fairmount Park and the Art Museum – the possibilities are endless!! We are going to personally scope out some areas and find the perfect location. The fabulous Kamila Harris is coordinating, but it will be a group effort to select the winner(s) and conduct the shoot.

And don't worry about destroying your gown – a “trash the dress” session just for the sake of getting it dirty and gross and ruined - is not what this is about. This is really about getting one more chance to get really artistic, creative and fun photos in your wedding dress, creating some new memories - why should you only wear it once?? And your dress will only get as “trashed” as you want it to!

Does this all sound good to you? Tell us why you would be the perfect candidate. We are looking for the most adventurous brides that LOVE getting photographed and will go along with pretty much any idea we might come up with! Send your story and photos to ttdcontest@gmail.com We want to see your dress, and also photos that show how comfortable you are in front of the camera. (one entry per person please!)

We will accept entries until the end of March. I'm sure we will get a lot of amazing contestants so it will take a few weeks to pick our winners, and we are going to pick 1-3 brides to experience the photo shoot and receive a disc of high-resolution images from each photographer. Winners will be announced in April, and we are hoping to do the session on a Sunday in May– specifics are still being worked out, and I already have some amazing and talented people involved with this and as we all put our heads together it is getting more interesting by the minute!! Without a doubt this will be a really amazing day!

Send entries now to ttdcontest@gmail.com