Anyway, just as I suspected, we had a fun afternoon exploring some niches of Old City that are meaningful to the history of their relationship and you know how much I love that. And, as you’ll see, these two are positively FULL of laughter and smiles around each other which just makes my job ridiculously easy.

Congratulations again Kendra & Tom, wishing you a beautiful wedding and many years of happiness together. Thanks again for letting me capture your love together!

Kendra had mentioned that she LOVED brick walls, so you know I couldn’t resist this one.

The mirror image (below) was even featured on Going to the Chapel as a creative favorite mirror shot. I won’t deny it, I do love including reflections in my images.

Tell me this isn’t the most gorgeous, unique ring you’ve ever seen? I kind of didn’t want to give it back…. KIDDING, of course.

Time for a quick outfit change and…. voila!

So, it wasn’t long before they trekked back over to Philadelphia to visit again… but this time we did a little scheming beforehand. You see, Sterling is way, way, waaaaay into books. And I was an English major in college (so you can make your own assumptions from there), so when Amber casually threw out “grab a couple shots in the library” you know I took that and ran with it. We had a fun afternoon whispering at the UPenn Arts Library (seriously, my shutter echoed so loudly it sounded like a door slamming and we couldn’t. stop. laughing.) and then exploring some random parks before hitting up one of our favorites (Terrain!) for dinner.

Since then, Amber & Sterling have welcomed into the world a healthy baby boy named Foster. Cutest name ever? I think so. And today, I get to go meet the little bean. So just consider this one to be continued and prepare yourself for some baby fever.

Amber & Sterling, thank you again for a marvelous afternoon. Thank you for being two such wonderful people that make me forget I’m doing work (because it really isn’t work with you two). Thank you for letting me be a part of your life and document it for you. I feel honored to call you not just my clients, but my friends. And, I truly, truly cannot wait to help document the first year of Foster’s life for you.

And then off to a field in Nowheresville, Pennsylvania. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you this, but this park was basically sketch central. I think we were all a bit skeptical at first, but I knew all we needed was 1-2 good directions to shoot in and you’d have no idea. I think we succeeded…

So, more importantly, Meaghan and Jason were married last year in a beautiful wedding in Ambler, Pennsylvania with the reception taking place at Meaghan’s childhood home (which, for the record, was aaaaamazing). Actually, everything about the day was amazing. They had gorgeous florals with bright summer colors, everything was orchestrated flawlessly by the amazing Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants, a beautiful cake baked by her talented sister (!!), and one of the most fun parties I have ever been to (honestly, they were so fun!). Here’s just a peek at their gorgeous day.

Love it when I can catch a groom looking at his bride like that (below, on the right). Tell me that isn’t love.

I seriously adored how much fun these two were. There is honestly nothing like a bride and groom who can be relaxed and have fun on their wedding day. Also, the white loafers? So awesome.

First there is Nicole & Darin, with future little baby Andrew there in the womb. We shot up in Hershey, PA (their hometown) and it was my first trip to the area. To say it’s a chocolate-lover’s paradise is no exaggeration (me = ultimate choc-aholic), but that’s a topic for a whoooooole other post. The morning we were going to shoot, we had one of the only like two snowfalls we got all winter. And, I must say, while it was totally unplanned, it was pretty perfect.

Congratulations, Nicole & Darin, and thank you for letting me capture such a special moment in your lives.

Still pinching myself that tomorrow makes it May. 2012, slow down a bit, will you?

For more information and a full explanation about the self-portrait project, please see this post.

We started out at an adorable little cafe in Northern Liberties sipping on coffee and then worked our way over the 30th Street Station…. but not without a clearing from the rain and a short bout in the park first. What I loved most was that we tried to make the session tell a little bit of a story. You see, when Joanna & Richy first started dating she lived in Philadelphia and he in NYC, so Joanna spent many evenings waiting at 30th Street for her train to go see him. Once he’d stolen her heart, she eventually moved much closer, but it wasn’t without weeks of travel first.

And, as they say, the rest is history…

Seriously, who doesn’t love swings?

Love these so much – Joanna, you are GORGEOUS.

And then on over to the hub-bub of 30th Street Station. I love how these two look like they’re completely wrapped up in their own world despite the hustle and bustle.

Hands down… FAVORITE (below).

This post probably won’t mean much to many people, but to me, it’s huge. Epic, even. This is just me sitting on a sofa. Right? No images on the walls. Pillows looking frumpy. But you know what’s significant? It’s me, sitting in MY OFFICE. With walls that are no longer neon green (we’ll talk about that later). It’s been a month of a ridiculous amount of office-improvement projects, but one that I believe was well-spent. While the office still has a long, long way to go, it’s finally starting to reflect me and my business.

So, consider it far from a “welcome to my office” post, it’s certainly a peek at my new little humble abode. More details to follow, promise! In the meantime, I’m just reveling in this short, sweet little glory. This baby has come a long, long way and we’re just getting started. What about you, have you ever finished a project that has made you want to do somersaults of celebration? That’s kinda how I’m feeling right about now.

For more information and a full explanation about the self-portrait project, please see this post.

And, their engagement session was no different. Plus, when they said they were up for (a) shooting wherever I wanted and (b) loved the idea of wandering Old City, I knew we’d have some fun. As usual, I loved exploring Old City – taking them both to some of my favorite little nooks and crannies as well as venturing out and exploring new ones together. Heck, we even made friends along the way (right Melissa and Jeff?).

We even hit up the epic Franklin Fountain for some amazing old-fashioned ice cream. To you non-Philadelphians, this is a place to visit if you ever come this way. Even the food channel says so… and they know what they’re talking about.

But the lure of tackling one of my goals, and an excuse to explore the awesome Camden Aquarium (WHERE YOU CAN HAVE YOUR WEDDING!) was too much to say no to. So, I asked my first question: can I bring my camera? And, when I was told yes, I knew I was golden. As long as I have that pretty black hunk of metal, plastic, and glass to hide behind when my nerves get to be too much then I can do pretty much anything. And so I went.

And, of course, rather than any of my fears coming true it was quite the opposite. It was a lovely evening and we got an awesome, winding tour of the amazing aquarium and learned a lot about having weddings there. For instance, your reception room can have the shades lifted to reveal giant windows into the shark tank to wow your guests (see below, first two images). Heck, you can even have your ceremony in front of a giant aquarium window. The long winding pathways with glass windows looking in the tank can be filled with cocktail tables or reception tables so your guests can actually even be surrounded by the amazing sea life while they eat. And the photo opportunities? Endless. After getting to hang out there for the evening I am absolutely itching to shoot a wedding there. So, brides, let’s do this!

A huge, huge thanks to the Association of Bridal Consultants, South Jersey, and to Isis of Posh Events. Also, a thank you to the people who made me feel especially welcome…. I won’t mention them all here for fear of forgetting someone, but you know who you are. So lovely getting to meet so many talented individuals in the wedding industry.

See, right here (below)… you can have your ceremony RIGHT HERE. Amazing.

And the final sunset I caught as I left the aquarium. Five-image stitched pano of the Philadelphia skyline.