My World

Russ Hickman Photography

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.

November 19, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography, Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Lady Don’t Mind.

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

November 19, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography | , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

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.

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November 5, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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.

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November 4, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography, Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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.

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October 20, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography | , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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.

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Meet Gunner, Doug’s son and Best Man!
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Gunner’s lucky feather.
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They had a Branding Iron of both of their initials made to brand the steaks.
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September 28, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography, Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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.

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September 22, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography, Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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.

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Their wedding to follow soon!!!

September 17, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography | , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kansas City Star.

Meet Tiffany Sisemore. Choreographer, Gorgeous, 5 feet of amazing. She’s the it girl when it comes to dance in Kansas City, Missouri and this year’s winner of the Charlotte Street Foundation’s Generative Performing Artist Award. I had the pleasure of hanging out with Tiffany and her equally talented husband Kevin this weekend and would have brought them both back with me, if only I had more carry on space in my bag.

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September 2, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography | , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lauren.

Meet Lauren. She is completely adorable and is not at all shy in front of the lens. We hung out for a couple hours, a few weeks ago and shot some stuff for her portfolio. Here are some of my favorites.

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August 26, 2009 Posted by Russ | Photography | , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments