Archive for May, 2009
Janell and Jonathan 05.16.09 (Part3)
Usually my favorite wedding images just happen. You just can’t set them up. As a wedding photojournalist, you just have to “be there”. When we finished photographing Janell and Jonathan’s portraits, their flower girl Carly sat between them and directed the couple to “Kiss for me!” I love this image!!! The reception was held in the Ballroom at Jasna Polana. The beautiful circular glass surround ballroom used to house the indoor swimming pool when it was used as a home. With marble floors added it makes a stunning setting for the reception with unlimited views of the beautiful grounds of Jasna Polana. Magnificently executing the couple’s classical wedding style was Janet Makrancy of Janet’s Weddings and Pretty Parties. It was also wonderful to work with the band Elegant Ensembles again. Love their music! The night would have not been complete without some Greek dancing for Janelle’s heritage and Spanish dancing for Jonathans Peruvian heritage. Such fun! I always enjoy my Jasna Polana weddings!
Janell + Jonathan 05.16.09 (Part 2)
The grounds were just so magical, you can see why I enjoy photographing a wedding at Jasna Polana. Much of the ironwork and marble surrounding the home were from old European estates.
Janell + Jonathan 05.16.09 (Part 1)
I just adore photographing weddings at Jasna Polana in Princeton, NJ. It’s simply magical and one of my favorite venues in NJ. The neoclassical mansion was built by world-renowned architect Wallace Harrison as the country home of J. Seward Johnson and his wife, Barbara. It brings me back to all that I love about European architecture. It was the perfect setting for Janell and Jonathan’s classic style. I loved Janells Pronovias gown. So classic, it reminded me of a formal gown from the 1950’s. Her Stuart Weitzman shoes were a nice contemporary touch. It was the first time I worked with hair and makeup artist Michelle LoConte of Pink Comb Salon, but I do hope to work with her again. She did the most beautiful hairdo for Janell. Top notch! The couple was married at Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Skillman, NJ. After the ceremony we returned to Jasna for their couple portraits. At Jasna Polana there are so many beautiful areas that I am going to devote tomorrows post just to their couple portraits.
Michelle + Alex - Waiting for Babies
I’ve photographed some babies in the past few months and I must admit I have really enjoyed it. I really want to explore newborn portraits as I can see such potential. There are some really great baby photographers out there today and their work really inspires me. When Michelle contacted me regarding photographing her newborn twins this Summer I was excited about the possibility. When meeting with Michelle I took a few maternity portraits of her and her husband in their neighborhood. It was my first try at maternity portraits! I really enjoyed it! Can’t wait for the arrival of her twins!
awwww congratz to the parents…cant wait to see the upcoming baby photos 
Wedding Inspirations 2009 Comes to Philadelphia
I’m so excited to be taking part in an upcoming event in Philadelphia where brides will have the opportunity to hear from and get one-to-one advice from one of the most highly respected wedding experts in the country! Anne Chertoff is the Senior Editor of Brides.com. She began her career at Martha Stewart Weddings where she was a key part of that amazing editorial team. She is also the author of the amazing wedding blog From “I Will” to I Do”. Her wedding expertise has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, the New York Daily News and InStyle Weddings, to name just a few. You will be treated to spectacular table-tops, decor ideas, fabulous invitations, and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and cakes from Philadelphia’s true A-team, as well as a great experience with the very best wedding professionals in Philadelphia who will help you understand the ins and outs of putting together a truly unique, beautiful and stress-free wedding. I was honored to be asked to participate in this event. For those couples or vendors who want to see more of my work I will be displaying some unique albums of some special events I have photographed. Please drop by and we can chat about photography, weddings or life in general! If you are a bride (or groom!) in the planning stages of your wedding, please join us for this amazing event on June 7th. Please consider this to be your invitation. We really look forward to hearing from you! You can RSVP Leila Miller if you know you would like to attend. I look forward to meeting you all!
ooooooh…i’m not getting married, but i’d love to go just to meet you 
Mindy + Ben 05-02-09 (Part 3)
After their ceremony at Broad Street Ministries, Mindy and Ben stepped out onto the center median for a classic Broad Street Philadelphia shot. I adore the timeless classic portrait of Mindy! We were then off to a very creative, urban venue in Philly named Crane Arts. It was a former plumbing warehouse that now houses artists’ workshops and a large space for events that used to be a giant refrigerator! The room is called the “Ice Box”…how cool! Following the theme of origami cranes, the design team of Kendall Brown of Eclatante and Donna of Beautiful Blooms really out did themselves of the décor. Hundreds of Cranes hung from the ceiling awash with beautiful yellow and tangerine hues. I wonder who did all that folding! Check out the amazing place cards with letterpress origami cranes by Two Paper Dolls. Mindy and Ben danced the night away as all their dance lessons really paid off!
Mindy + Ben 05.02.09 (Part 2)
After a few portraits in front of Robert Indiana’s LOVE Sculpture, we found a cute little cobble stone street for some couple portraits. A resident told us that Napoleon Bonapartes brother had slept at one of the homes on the street. I LOVE the old streets of Philly! Mindy and Ben practiced their first dance in front of a red wall. Check out the faux painting of a window with a woman looking out, how cute! We were then off to the Broad Street Ministries for Mindy and Ben’s wedding ceremony. The ceiling was lined with hundreds of origami cranes. The afternoon sun light them so beautifully. Stay tuned for many more cranes to come…. at Crane!
Mindy + Ben 05.02.09 (Part 1)
Finally, my first wedding of the 2009, and what a grand start it was! I was off to the Sofitel in Philadelphia to photograph the wedding of Mindy and Ben. There were so many unique and special details I’m going to share their wedding in several posts. Mindy’s “something blue” was the cutest pair of Kenneth Cole “tie dyed” flats. Loved them! She and Ben were the same height and this was the perfect solution for the day! She found the perfect hairdo in a magazine and her makeup and hairstylist Claudia Seyler was able to bring it to life! A reoccurring style theme for their wedding was Origami Cranes. Vanessa at Two Paper Dolls found the perfect envelope liner with origami cranes for their invitation. You will see many more “cranes” in future posts! I love the joy on Mindy’s face as her bridal party zipped up her dress. Finally a bride! You can see from the back of her gown how perfectly it was fit by Suky Occasions. We were then off to Philadelphia’s iconic Love Park for some bridal party portraits. Check out this most unique peony bouquet by Beautiful Blooms. I LOVE May because it Peony time! Check back for some very fun couple portraits!
Baby Portraits of Aiden!
Babies are so darn cute, especially when they have the sweet disposition of little Aiden. I was at the grand opening of Eclatante and Beautiful Blooms new Boutiques in Liberties Walk in Philadelphia and Kendall Browns adorable little grandson Aiden was there to wish her well. I snapped a few photos of the little doll. I really should photograph more babies. It makes me smile!
Proud grandpa!
Rachels Amazing Bat Mitzvah 04.25.09
It’s not often that I get to photograph Bat Mitzvahs. My wedding photography keeps me so very busy that it’s rare that I’m am ever available for one. I was very fortunate to be commissioned this most beautiful Bat Mitzvah. Last week I shared some images of the beautiful centerpieces from this event. The party was held at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia and Kendall Brown of Eclatante had so many fun activities for the guests I heard many of Rachel’s young guests saying it was the best party of their lives!!! I was just so impressed with Rachel’s grace and poise during the lighting of candles. What fun she had singing with her band Paris. Will we be seeing her on American Idol in a few years?
That flower girl is the cutest…