Archive for November, 2008
Jessica + Vito 11.01.08 (Part 1)
Some of you may remember the amazing engagement portraits I did of Jessica and Vito last summer at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. I thought nothing could top those portraits for their artistic mood, but I was wrong. Jessica and Vito gave me so much more to work with on their wedding day. Thank you! I thought I’d start out with some of the couples very unique details. I’ll share the portraits later in the week. Jessica and Vito definitely made their wedding their own. To start with, the bride wore white cowboy boots! Amazing! She combined them with a most lavish Pronovias gown. Checkerboard was one of the style themes of their event and one way they incorporated this was in their bridal party’s shoes. The bridesmaids all wore outrageously hot checkerboard stilettos from Gwen Stefani’s shoe line LAMB and the groomsmen all wore checkerboard Vans. How comfy! Jessica is an artist and like many artists she delves into many mediums. One such medium is jewelry making. For her wedding she not only made her own jewelry but that of her groom and bridal party. I especially loved Vitos cufflinks with their initials made from antique typewriter keys. Jessica and Vito departed the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia for some really incredible locations for portraits. Stay tuned!
Jessicas mother got a little emotional seeing her daughter - bride.
Vito sees his bride for the first time.
Jessica and Vito say they are off to have some fun around Philadelphia!
Liz + James
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I thought the Autumn feel of Liz and James portraits really said “Thanksgiving” to me. They have been happily married for over a year now but they wanted some fun portraits of their married life on the campus of Princeton University.
Roseann + Paal 10.25.08 (The Party)
When event planner Kendall Brown of Eclatante and floral designer Donna O’Brien of Beautiful Blooms team up I always know I’m going to get a very innovative event. Check out a recent “Color Story” shoot we did recently on Kendalls blog. I must admit, this wedding blew me away. The reception was held at F.U.E.L. in Philadelphia and for those of you who were fans this was the MTV Real World house in Philadelphia! Remember??? It’s now a totally cool urban gallery and event space. It’s a total blank pallet that Roseann, Kendall and Donna put their unique stamp on. Roseann wanted the space to glow in fall hues of bronze and copper. I LOVED the cocktail bar by Feastivities Catering of Philadelphia. Roseann and Pall just danced the night away and their joy was just contagious to all!
My second shooter Jill did these amazing detail shots while I was off doing Roasann and Paals portraits at the Penitentiary. Marvelous job Jill!!!
F.U.E.L. has a marvelous wrap around balcony. My assistant Megan R. captured the same dance on top as I photographed it from the bottom. Great job Megan!
Great time, great party, great life!
Roseann + Paal 10.25.08 (The Portraits)
Well, the rain just went on and on and Roseann and Paul had such hopes of relaxed portraits around Old City. Thanks to the foresight of their wedding planner Kendall Brown of Eclatante, it did not rain on their portrait hopes. Kendall arranged for us to go to the Eastern State Penitentiary, where beautiful skylights and artful decaying walls offered the perfect backdrop for very artistic portraits. Thanks Kendall! On our way to their reception the rain finally subsided and we stopped by Broad Street for a very windy signature Philadelphia shot! Stay tuned for an equally “artistic” reception.
Roseann + Paal 10.25.08 (The Ceremony)
Roseann and Paal exchanged their vows at the very historic Philadelphia church, Saint Augustines. The church offers such wonderful photo opportunities as it has a balcony that wraps around 3 sides of the church. My second shooter Jill took some amazing overhead shots. The couple had hopes that the rain might cease during their ceremony so they could walk around Old City Philadelphia for some fun couple pictures, but as you can see none such luck. In my next post you will see that the rain made them even luckier. Stay tuned!
What a gorgeous ceremony location!!!! HOT! 
That is one seriously gorgeous ceremony!!! 
Roseann + Paal 10.25.08 (The Preparations)
And yet another Monique Lhuillier Gown, but with a twist… Roseann fell in love with her exquisite lace gown but she felt it was not quite lavish enough for her ceremony at the historic Saint Augustine’s Church in Philadelphia. Her salesperson at The Bridal Garden had the perfect solution; an overskirt that made the gown so much more formal but could be easily removed for the evening’s party. Brilliant! Roseann chose a pair of bronze Manolo Blahnik shoes in keeping with the warm tone theme of her day. Claudia Seyler was provided hair and makeup so you know she was going to look FAB and dresser, Cindi Deal from the Bridal Garden was there the entire day to make sure every stitch was in place. Stay tuned for part 2!
A map for all their out of town guests to find their way around “Center City”!
A very special locket for Roseann… images of her father, who was dearly missed on this special day! This beautiful bouquet was by Beautiful Blooms! More of their work to come….
Roseann was being all fixed up from top to bottom….Claudia on top and Cindi on the bottom!
Paal prepares with cuff links from his bride.
Something blue…
OK, so now you know….. this is going to be a wet one… and you will see just how pretty a wet one can be when planned right!
Erin + Dan 10.24.08
The big day for college sweethearts Erin and Dan had finally arrived. The couple had been planning for this day and Erin recants how she has been trying on her bridal gown for two years! The woman was ready! Erin and Dan exchanged their vows at Erins home parish, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary in Linden, NJ. A most beautiful church and the first time I’ve photographed a wedding there! We were then off for pictures on the campus of Rutgers College in New Brunswick, the place where their love bloomed! Erin and Dan wanted a picture on the College Ave University bus. Dan said he would be riding the bus daily for his visits with Erin. The couple celebrated all night at a reception at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick NJ
Erins mom was having a “moment” after seeing her daughter for the first time all dressed up!
Erins brother was able to attend her wedding before being deployed to Iraq for a second tour.
Professional Photographers Association Winner!
I don’t post all my winners but some are really special. The Professional Photographers Association (PPA), of which I’m a long time member had their first Cover Contest for their monthly publication “Professional Photographer”. They had over 50,000 entries from all around the world and one of my images came in third place. I think I did pretty good and I promise to do better next year.
Alisa + Frankie 10.18.08 (Part 4)
In the final chapter of Alisa and Frankies remarkable Philadelphia wedding, we were off to Bellevue at Park Hyatt to Party the night away. Donna O’Brien of Beautiful Blooms did a marvelous job with the décor, flowers and lighting. The ballroom just glowed in golden opulence! Last Summer I photographed Alisas beautiful bridal shower at The Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia and you may remember the amazing Sylvia Weinstock Cake. As promised Alisa and Frankies wedding cake would not be shown up. Check out the 55″ Sylvia Weinstock wedding cake all with hand made candy flowers. WOW! As a real treat for their guests the couple had an appearance by the South Philly String Band Mummers Brigade. Red umbrellas were handed out for their guests to have a true Philly parade!
Alisa + Frankie 10.18.08 (Part 3)
This was my first time shooting at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia. All I can say is WOW!!! What a great location… so dramatic!!! Alisa is employed by Urban Outfitters so we were able to get permission. We found beautiful spots all over the campus. Of course we had to do the classic Board Street Shot before the couple and their bridal entered the Bellevue at Park Hyatt for a most fabulous party!
The lovely bouquets were by Beautiful Blooms. Alisa tells me that the rosary on her bouquet was blessed by the Pope!
I had no idea she made all the jewlery! Now I need to know where I can buy some for myself?! I think this ended up being my favorite wedding this year…I may have even liked it more than my own! Everything was so unique!