Lindsay + Anthony (+ Khaleesi) | Toms River Engagement Session | New Jersey Wedding Photographer
Last weekend, I drove to Toms River, New Jersey for my last engagement session of 2019! At this time of year, it’s more common for me to be snowboarding in the mountains than photographing on the beach, but I was so excited to finally meet Lindsay, Anthony, and their dog Khaleesi, that I didn’t mind sacrificing a snow day. And, it paid off! We were gifted the most amazing weather and light, especially for December!! It was a bit chilly, but everyone rolled with it like champs.
On my way to their house, I passed this wooded area next to an elementary school that caught my eye. I asked them if they would mind if we started the session there, and they agreed to it without hesitation. (I love when my clients trust my crazy visions!) We stopped there for a few minutes, and let Khaleesi sniff around and get comfortable with me and my camera. (By the way, she is such a fantastic dog, with a heartwarming rescue story. Maybe I’ll tell more of that once their wedding day rolls around…)
Next, we headed to a beach area just down the road from their house. It had the most amazing lighting and was surrounded by tall grasses. This little spot really is a photographer’s dream! The best part is that this area is meaningful to Lindsay and Anthony. They visit this park often, and Anthony proposed to Lindsay on the bench on the dock just a few months earlier!
This was not only my last engagement session of the year, but one of my favorites as well. We made a great team, and I love how all of the images turned out. I am so looking forward to their wedding next fall!!
Congratulations again, Lindsay and Anthony! I hope you love these images as much as I do…
Carlie + Pat | Grounds for Sculpture Engagement Session | New Jersey Wedding Photographer
When Carlie and Pat suggested we meet up at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey for their engagement session, I was thrilled! Although this is a favorite spot for photographers, I had never personally been there. But, I was more than happy to take the two hour trip to get there, in order to diversify my portfolio and capture Carlie and Pat in a location as unique and fun as their relationship with each other.
I had such a great time wandering around this eclectic outdoor art gallery with them, and I am even more excited now to capture their wedding memories for them next year! Without any further hesitation, here are some of my favorites from our time together. It was so hard to choose images for this blog, as I delivered a record number of images from this session! (I spent quite a bit of time picking burrs off of my clothing and shoes afterwards, too, but it was so worth it!!)
Cliff Mautner's Bootcamp | A Workshop Review | Pennsylvania and Destination Wedding Photographer
I am proud to be a lifelong learner. This desire to constantly add to and refine my knowledge base was instilled in me from as young an age as I can remember. Learning not only helps me hone my skills in whatever I am passionate about, but it truly feeds my brain and my soul. I really am in my element when I am in an environment that allows me to apply and improve my passions.
I feel that you can never learn everything there is to know about any given subject. Although I feel that I am a pretty decent photographer, I also acknowledge that I can always keep improving my craft. My commitment to learning is not only beneficial to myself, but also to my clients who put their trust in me to produce the most beautiful art for them that I am capable of creating. In order to continue to grow as a photographer, I try to attend at least one workshop or conference a year. When I heard that Cliff Mautner was offering his Lighting Bootcamp only 1.5 hours from me, I knew that I had to attend this workshop. Cliff is a renowned wedding and portrait photographer, and is also very real and down-to-earth. (That can be a rare combination in the world of wedding photographers, especially for those artists who have won as many awards as Cliff has.) So, I signed up!
Finally, that much anticipated August afternoon had arrived - I threw my camera gear and an overnight bag into my green VW bug, and headed to New Jersey for 2 1/2 action-packed days of learning. The first night started off with an informal reception where Cliff got to know all 18 of us attendees (who had gathered from all over the world), and we all got to know Cliff. Cliff promised to be an open book throughout the workshop, and he kept that promise! No question was off limits, and Cliff personally made sure that everyone was made to feel heard and valued throughout the entirety of our time together.
The learning and sharing continued over the next two days, where Cliff gave us pointers, hands-on demonstrations, and assignments incorporating both natural light and artificial light. We started early in the morning and worked long after sunset. Cliff kept our bellies full and our brains working. I left the workshop about 10 pounds heavier and with more insight and knowledge and inspiration than I could have hoped for.
I would do you a disservice if I gave away anything that Cliff taught us over those 2 1/2 days. You really should attend one of his workshops if you have the chance. So, instead, I'll just show you some of the photographs I created during my time at the workshop. On the first full day of the workshop, we shot in a few hotel rooms in Haddonfield, New Jersey. On the second full day, we ventured into Philadelphia and shot at a few of Cliff's favorite public parks. We had every lighting situation thrown at us during our time together - from dreamy natural light, to harsh afternoon sun, to shade. And Cliff helped us all gain confidence for creating stunning portraits regardless of the lighting challenges we faced. He truly helped us learn to SEE the light.
Big thanks to Cliff, the amazing models that worked with us, and to my fellow artists who showed up and allowed themselves to be vulnerable and humble. And thank you to his talented wife, Susan Stripling, for sharing him with us that week! I knew that taking his workshop would be a game changer for me and my photography business, and I was right.
Nona + George | Longwood Gardens Engagement Session | New Jersey Wedding Photographer
I don't even know where to begin describing this engagement session. It was so incredible, in so many ways. Once you see the photos, you'll know what I mean...
Nona and George live in New Jersey, but wanted to drive closer to me for their engagement session for a little change in scenery. On our original date, we were going to meet up in Lancaster, but Mother Nature had other plans. With their 3 hour drive (each way), we decided to play it safe and call it off. So, we rescheduled for a few days later, and since their original location choice was closed that day we moved the shoot to Longwood Gardens.
We couldn't have picked a better day, time, or location.
We had Longwood Gardens practically to ourselves, and the weather was incredible! It was a little hot and humid, but honestly, I don't even think Nona and George noticed - they were too mesmerized by each other!! They have incredible fashion sense, but that was secondary to their chemistry and love for each other. Everything, and I mean everything, was perfect.
By the way, Nona is a very talented artist herself! You can find her work here: https://www.facebook.com/DesignByNona/ or here: https://www.instagram.com/designbynona/.
I am so looking forward to their wedding this upcoming winter! I hope you enjoy this rather large collection of photos from their engagement session - because I had too many favorites to narrow it down any further.
Congratulations, Nona and George!!
