At least Franklin gets a snow day.

I miss those nights when praying that the snow would stick would mean that you wouldn’t have to go to school or even work the next day. Where I grew up they shut everything down that didn’t need to be open in case of emergency. This didn’t include the Scotchman 5 minutes from my house that stocked essentials needed to get through the tough times, ie Junkfood, Soda & Beer…just sayin. Also, tough times usually meant a light dusting.
That only works in the south though. Up north they eat snow for breakfast…or at least my dog did. This weekend we had the 2nd biggest snow storm ever in history. At least that’s what they said on the news. If they say it on TV it has to be true, I think it’s a law or something. So I dig my car out knowing there is no real snow day up north because nothing shuts down when you have a million snow plows ready to get you to work the next day.
After diggin out my car and helping a few neighbor because I’m just that nice, we let Franklin out to play in the snow. He freakin Loves snow and it was so deep that when he jumped in you lost him for a second. He barreled through the untouched section between the sidewalks loving every second and trying to eat as much snow as possible. Here is my favorite shot of our game of editable ball.

Emily & Kevin – The Wedding.

Meet Emily & Kevin. They were married at the outstanding Knowlton Mansion in Philadelphia, PA. This place had everything you would want in a venue. Horse stables, a bunch of amazing rooms, each classy and unique (If I had had more time to drag them around the place they would never have gotten to their party) and beautifully landscaped grounds which is where the ceremony took place.

They met in the study a few moments before the wedding to get that first look at each other. Kevin was mixed with excitement and more nerves than he knew what to do with and he lit up even more when he turned around to see Emily in her beautiful dress. After the ceremony and portraits were through it was time to get to the party and unwind with friends and family. Easily done with this crowd. Lots of dancing and crazyness to keep my attention and make me laugh. The DJ was amazing! Totally my kind of music with a large variety of The Rolling Stones to get down to. I’m sure I was shakin it while I was shootin.

Here are some of my favorites from the day.

Bridget and Billy – The Wedding.

Meet Bridget and Billy. AKA. Make a Circle Make a Scene…More on that in a few. The wedding was held at St. Dorthy Church in Drexel Hill, just a few blocks away from Bridget’s childhood home, which is where we started the day. She, along with all 5 bridesmaids, her mother and her Man of Honor (That’s right, I said Man. It’s 2009!) all piled into her childhood bedroom to help her slip into something a little more bridelike. Lots of Aaaawwws and laughing and cute moments and all the while the look on Bridget’s face was priceless. I wouldn’t say it was nerves but more like an unbelievable excitement, like that night before your birthday look. She was ready.

The ceremony was beautiful and they had some amazing singers that could hands down sing for disney no question.

After the ceremony we met at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing and Limo/Vanned it over to the Love Park to shoot some portraits in front of the Love Statue. Now here is where the Make a Circle Make a Scene comes into play. There were 14 people in this wedding party including the Bride & Groom plus parents. We pulled up to the park and being the busy touristy area it is, there were many people already there taking pictures. The doors to the Limo/Van opened and out went all 14, spreading out with a mission because we only had 20 minutes left with the limo guy. Within 30 seconds the area was cleared of everyone and the floor was ours for the taking! A crowd formed and we did our thing, I grabbed a lot of really nice images and that’s when it happened. It wasn’t the first time and it absolutely wasn’t the last. The circle…the scene…they started chanting ‘Make a circle make a scene!!’ and surrounded Bridget and Billy and while screaming and causing one extremely large commotion, they commanding everyone’s attention in a 4 block radius. (Example Pictured Below) Bottom line was they were having a blast and it was making me laugh so two thumbs up for that.

Back at the Hyatt, Bridget, Billy, Michael (The man of Honor/Brigit appointed assistant) took a walk down the long pier that ran the waterfront, where we got some really nice shots with the Ben Franklin Bridge and the city in the background. Then finally it was time to party it up with and really enjoy the night, which I assure you they did. I have proof. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

His turn! He couldn’t have fought them off if he tried.

PS. Check out Bridgets Blog Here. She is hilarious and always a good read.

The Lady Don’t Mind.

Who knows, who knows,
what she’s thinking.

Kelly & Rod – Wedding.

Meet Kelly & Rod. I met Kelly the afternoon of her wedding in Center City Philadelphia at The Rittenhouse, a fancy hotel off of Rittenhouse square. She was just finishing up the final touches on her makeup and hair and her girls were just popping open a bottle of Champagne to get in that mood. Thankfully I got to grab a few getting ready shots before the limo arrived to take us to the wedding. Quick note. On the way down to the lobby we passed Danny DeVito & Rob McElhenney from ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (Hysterical Show FYI) and then we were off to NJ. The wedding and reception were held at The Riverton Country Club in Cinnaminson, NJ. Everything turned out so beautiful and her Down the Shore theme was a lot of fun.
PS. I want more of that cake. Delicious.
Here are some of my favorite shots from the day.

Michelle & Ed – Wedding.

Meet Michelle & Ed. I don’t think I can possibly say enough nice things about this couple but I’ll give it a shot. Michelle found me on The Knot last year and she pulled me in on the very first email. She was having a 40’s Style Hollywood Themed wedding in the Poconos. Umm…Yes Please. This was my first themed wedding and it was definitely pulled off with major class all the way. So many guests dressed for the occasion and for those who didn’t there were props to wear at the photo booth. That’s right she opted for a photo booth in her package, which I styled like a movie screen with red velvet curtains on each side. On top of that she had life size cardboard cutouts of themselves made so everyone could have their picture made with the Bride & Groom! I hired my friend Michael to fly up and work the booth and he did an amazing job! The wedding was held at The Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA right on the Delaware River. We had Blue Skies with just the right amount of clouds to help cut that harsh sun down a notch. It was a Perfect day.

One of my favorite moments from the night was when Michelle, who had a one woman show in NYC, sang to her Grandparents with the band. She sang ‘What a difference a day made’ (Their Song) half in English and the last half in Spanish!! Not a dry eye in the room. After that she surprised her new husband with ‘Love will keep us together’ and let me tell you this woman can Blow! Did I mention this was with like a 9 person band with horns and backup singers and awesomeness?

Take a look at some of my favorite images from the day.

Eagles, Cobras and your local Rest Stop.

This Weekend I found myself free from shooting any weddings and in need of a big ol’ break, so I grabbed the pup, hopped in the car and headed down south for a good ol’ fashioned road trip. I used ol twice…yeah. On my way down 95 I stopped at the huge Rest Stop that basically had everything kitschy that could possible be put inside one building. Everything from large tiger figurines to sculls with fairies dancing on their heads….just what you need right? This was my favorite scene.

Elizabeth & Doug – Wedding.

Meet Elizabeth & Doug. Last month they had their wedding in Stroudsburg, PA in the newly renovated barn of a family home. This wedding was old school elegance with a lot of country class and it was a family effort through and through. From the cake & decorations to the two different choices of home brewed beer, everything was brought to the table by someone they loved. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

Meet Gunner, Doug’s son and Best Man!

Gunner’s lucky feather.

They had a Branding Iron of both of their initials made to brand the steaks.

Samantha & Kyle – Wedding.

Meet Samantha & Kyle. Seriously you want to, they are both amazing. I first met with Samantha last year and I feel like we clicked right away. She is one of those people who when you have a conversation with them, they make you feel like there is no one else in the room. I’m a fan. Their wedding was at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Essington, PA, right on the bay and let me tell you the weather was a 10. On top of that wedding party was such a fun group to shoot. During their first dance to Tupelo Honey by the amazing Van Morrison, the wedding party surrounded Sam & Kyle and finished out the last half of the song. It made for a really great moment and I’m sure one they won’t forget.
Here are some of my favorites of the day.

Jamie & Jason – Engagement.

Meet Jamie & Jason. A few weeks ago we got together and shot some engagement photos in Center City & Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. I’ve known Jamie for going on two years now but this was my first time meeting Jason in person. He was a little shy at first but he and Jamie quickly got comfortable in front of my lens and we got some really great photos. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

Their wedding to follow soon!!!