SOI | Swoon Over It » Sneak Peek

DARK RED LIPS

amandabyoung — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:11:07 +0000

There might be nothing in this world as lovely as dark red lips. They are shocking. Dramatic. Everything about them says confidence. From the sweet simple tee to the long strand of pearls and pixie cut… tell me this girl isn’t perfect. Cannot wait to share the rest of Tatiana’s modeling session.

Sidenote: Doesn’t she look a little like Emma Watson in this shot? Totally jealous.

Happy weekend, friends!

A HAPPY PLACE

amandabyoung — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:10:02 +0000

Sometimes when I’m editing a wedding I will keep coming back to the same image over and over again. I don’t always know why. And I often can’t even put my finger on what it is that makes it special. It might not be the best composed, or the best lit, or perfect by any means. But it has something. Whatever it is, I just know that it makes me smile. And, usually by the second or third time I’ve gravitated back to it, I copy it onto a special folder on my computer. A special folder aptly named “Happy Place.” For pictures that make me smile, whatever the reason.

I don’t know about you, but this one has Happy Place written all over it. Happy weekend, friends.

Jessica and David, Forsyth Park, Savannah, Georgia

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER

amandabyoung — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:15:24 +0000

As time has worn on closer and closer to Christmas, I stand here in total disbelief. While I’ve been listening to Christmas music ~~since October~~ a lot, I’ve been slow to get into the spirit this year, for whatever reason. So many things I was trying to get done. Trying to pack to be out of town for an extended period of time. Making sure I had gifts for all the special people on my list. Whatever it was, I was just feeling stressed and just generally trying to pretend like Christmas wasn’t as close as it was.

And then I got to go see one of the cutest kiddies in the whole wide world. And – even feeling a bit under the weather – his adorable little giggles and fascination with cardboard boxes left me grinning and reminded me of the spirit of the season.

Thank you, Mateo, for always having a smile for me in there somewhere. Nothing like a sweet baby to spread holiday cheer, eh?

What about you? Have you ever had a year you had trouble getting in the spirit?

[SNEAK PEEK] SITTIN’ IN A TREE

amandabyoung — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:02:31 +0000

[Sing it with me now.] Sam and Jesse, sittin’ in a tree… k-i-s-s-i-n-g.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. But isn’t that tree amazing? Actually, Sam & Jesse’s session at the Villanova campus was pretty unreal, and features even more amazing trees. Just you wait!

[SNEAK PEEK] A LITTLE FALL FOR YOUR THURSDAY

amandabyoung — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:00:25 +0000

When Halle and Dave said they wanted to get some leave changing action in their engagement session I was all over it. Because – truth be told – I haven’t actually gotten the chance to capture much “Fall foliage” in my year and a half in the northeast. In fact, it hasn’t even really felt much like Fall to me yet this year. All the outdoor work I have done over the last month the leaves have still been, well, they have still been pretty green. But, I guess Snowtober meant that the trees finally had themselves kicked into action? Who knows.

And, the weather – and foliage – was pretty perfect for Halle and Dave’s shoot yesterday. Thus, with my hot apple cider in the morning and surrounded by leaves all shades of yellow, orange, and red in the afternoon, I was definitely feeling the Fall vibe by the evening.

We started out in the city, and then snuck out to one of my favorite’s – Bartram’s Garden – to snag a couple more. Stay tuned for the whole session and a peek at their adorable little white fluffy puppy, Georgie.

So what about you…. are you feeling Fall or did you skip right on over into winter and start playing Christmas music like me some people I know?

THE PERFECT STORM

amandabyoung — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:13:32 +0000

On Saturday, Patty & Jim got married in Edison, New Jersey and had their reception at the beautiful Crystal Point Yacht Club in Crystal Point, New Jersey. Sometime during dinner – as the guests were eating – I ventured outside to get a picture of the sunset over the marina. The weather earlier had been super cloudy and verging on rain nearly all day. But, when I stepped outside, I was greeted by the most amazing sunset I’ve ever seen. The sun was casting rays so orange that even the fluffy white clouds were reflecting it. Without hesitation, I ran back inside and snagged Patty & Jim and we snuck outside to grab just two shots. As we headed back in hardly two minutes later, the colors faded as the sun fell below the horizon and I realized, we – quite literally – had captured the perfect moment. Two minutes too late and we would have missed it.

And then I thought about it. Really, it was no different from most things in life – like love… and relationships – being in the right place at the right time is everything.

But, being as kind-hearted and adorable like Patty & Jim sure doesn’t hurt. If their day was any reflection of their future marriage, then I have no doubt they are in store for an incredible, amazing life together.

[SNEAK PEEK] BROAD STREET AT NIGHT

amandabyoung — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:16:31 +0000

To say that Nidhi & Kinshuk’s session was fun would be an understatement. I have oh-so much goodness from their session to share. Let’s just say this – it included handcuffs, rolling in the grass, and Broad Street at night.

And, well, there are few things in Philadelphia as beautiful as Broad Street at night.

THE LABOR WEEKEND

amandabyoung — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 12:32:08 +0000

Rather than having just a “Labor Day” I’ve been affectionately calling this my “Labor Weekend.” On Friday, I second shot a wedding at the Downingtown Country Club for the lovely April Z. On Saturday, Michelle and Paul got married at Citizen’s Bank Park (GO PHILLIES!). And, on Sunday, A and N celebrated in Albanian style at Lucien’s Manor. In the wedding world, we like to call this a triple header. Yea, even us girls use sports references now and again.

It was a whirlwind weekend and so much fun watching how each couple and each day were so completely different and unique from one another. Anyone who says all weddings start to feel the same isn’t paying much attention. That I can say for sure!

Here’s a peek of Michelle and Paul…

Now, on actual Labor Day, I had coffee this morning with the lovely Heidi and Jackie from Our Labor of Love (seems appropriate on Labor Day, no?) – and, for the record, they are just a lovely as they seem in person! Now, I’m going to rest up after my Labor Weekend and prepare for a fabulous engagement session downtown tonight. Some days – actually a lot of days – I realize it’s a good thing I love my job.

How was your weekend? Any fun Labor Day plans?

IT IS WHAT IT IS

amandabyoung — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:00:19 +0000

It is what it is. That was the motto of the day for Ali & Chris who were wed at The Merion on Friday. The motto had meaning, of course, for reasons I’ll explain more in-depth when I share their whole wedding. But the take home point? There were so many amazing parts of the day, despite all the bumps along the way. They had a lovely ceremony, including their self-written tear-inducing vows. They had one of the most amazing cocktail hour spreads of all time. They both looked amazing. They truly had the party of a lifetime. And, at the end of the day, they walked away married. And, isn’t that really what it’s all about?

Meet Ali & Chris, one of the sweetest, funniest, most laid-back couples I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

HOLY AUGUST

amandabyoung — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:02:46 +0000

How did this happen? Who let July blow past us like a tumbleweed caught in storm winds? Seriously. I think July was the fastest month I’ve ever lived through. Is that possible? Is my mind playing some kind of trick on me? Nonetheless, I ~~loaded my computer~~ woke my computer up (do people actually turn their computers off anymore?) this morning to see August 1st come up on my calendar and MY COMPUTER DOESN’T LIE. Well, not most of the time. Unless, of course, it’s telling me that my last workout was in May. Or that I haven’t balanced my Quickbooks account in three months. Because, clearly, those things cannot be true.

Apart from my spastic realization that my life is passing before my very eyes, I also had the realization this weekend that I don’t post full shoots basically, well, ever. I was innocently asked “so you only post sneak peeks on your blog, right?” Doh. Thus, the decision was made… I’m skipping over the rest of my 2010 stuff (yes, there was more) and posting limited wedding images to catch me up to summer of 2011. Oh yeah, and my August goal for the month: POST EVERY WEEKDAY. Are you ready for this? How’s that for catching back up?

In the meantime, you still need a sneak peek from Saturday, yes? So, I bring you just one, because it took my breath away. And because, apparently, I need to get to prepping a full shoot post. That’s next. Ha.