Bella and I met up at the Reading Public Museum last week for her senior portrait session. (Her original session date ended up being 40 degrees and super windy, so we decided to reschedule. I’m so glad we did - this particular afternoon was absolutely perfect!!!) Bella is a member of Wilson High School’s Class of 2022, and she is off to Pitt in the fall! I had such a fantastic time strolling around the park with her this evening, chatting about her future plans and snapping photos in the stunning golden hour light. Here are some of my favorite portraits that we created. Congratulations, Bella and family! Best wishes on your next adventures, and thank you for trusting me to celebrate this milestone with you.
Cameron - Class of 2022 | Reading Museum High School Senior Session | Berks County, Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer
Meet Cameron, a proud member of Wilson High School’s Class of 2022! We met up at the Reading Public Museum this past fall for her senior portrait session, and she absolutely nailed it! She has so much personality, and I’m incredibly envious of her style! (Seriously, I wish I had half of her fashion sense!) Between her outfit choices, her natural charisma, and the beautiful fall colors and weather we were gifted, all of the pieces aligned perfectly for her session. Cameron is such a talented, well-rounded young woman - I know she is going to accomplish some pretty fabulous goals during her lifetime. Congratulations again, Cameron! And congratulations to your family - it really does take a team!
Colleen + Chad (+ Lola) | Reading Museum Engagement Session | Wyomissing, Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
This past weekend, I met up with Colleen and Chad at the Reading Public Museum for their engagement session. This was our third attempt, due to Mother Nature gifting us with torrential downpours and extreme heat and humidity on our other previous dates. They brought along their newly adopted puppy, Lola, and I couldn't have been more thrilled! I love animals, especially dogs, and Lola has just the right amount of sweetness and sass to make anyone's heart melt!
I love how their photos turned out, and I can't wait to photograph their wedding next summer. I have the most amazing, laid back, fun couples, and I am so thankful for that! Colleen and Chad patiently navigated through some record-breaking crowds at the museum grounds that evening... including a zombie film-making crew! In spite of the crowds, zombies, and uninvited gnats, we made so many great photos together. Scroll down for a few of my favorites!
(Big thanks to my mom for assisting me on this one! It's an added treat when my own loved ones can be a part of my sessions!)
Gabe | Wilson High School Class of 2017 | Berks County Senior Photographer
Meet Gabe, a member of Wilson High School's Class of 2017! Last weekend, Gabe and I met up to create his senior portraits. (We wanted to do them earlier, but Mother Nature had other plans for us!) I met Gabe and his family back in 2004, the day we moved back to Pennsylvania from California (we shared backyards). That also happened to be the summer before he entered kindergarten, along with our oldest daughter. It means so much to me to have been able to capture his senior portraits for him and his family! It feels like our families have come full circle. I'll be in the bleachers cheering for Gabe when he graduates from Wilson High School next weekend (not only because he's a great guy, but also because my oldest daughter will be graduating, too)! Gabe, Temple University is lucky to have you joining them in the fall!!
Our photoshoot started at the Reading Museum and ended at the Wyomissing Park. I think it is awesome that he chose to wear three different outfits, and brought his dog along... as well as a duck decoy. You'll have to ask Gabe about the duck sometime... I hope you enjoy this selection of my favorite photos from his session!
Jackie + Dustin | Neag Planetarium + Reading Museum | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
Happy Mother's Day! I thought it was the perfect day to post this fabulous, romantic, unique, and FUN wedding on my blog!
Jackie and Dustin got married on Earth Day, and it was out of this world! (Pun intended.) They opted for a galaxy theme for their nuptials, and it was amazing! All of their details and decorations fit the galaxy theme perfectly - their constellation invitations, the groomsmen's constellation socks, their hand-painted galaxy guest sign-in canvas, their vow exchange under the planetarium dome, their constellation table placards, and their stunning purple, blue, and pink flowers! When you see their photos, I'm sure you will agree!
That morning, I met up with Jackie and Dustin at the Crowne Plaza in Wyomissing for some "getting ready" and detail photos. Then, we headed to the Reading Museum and Neag Planetarium for their first look. Let me tell you about that first look - it was my favorite one yet, even in spite of the falling rain!! Jackie walked up behind Dustin ever so slowly, the anticipation of seeing her soon-to-be husband visibly building on her face. The instant Jackie tapped Dustin on his shoulder and he turned around, Dustin set his eyes upon her and spurted out some obscenities that shouldn't be repeated on my blog! He just couldn't contain his excitement, or his love! It is so obvious that they are crazy in love with each other, and it was so much fun to witness! They couldn't take their eyes off of each other, taking each other in and realizing that they were going to be husband and wife in just a few short moments. I posted a bazillion photos of the first look below, so you'll be able to see for yourself!
Everything about this day was all about Jackie and Dustin - as it should be. They had their first date at the Neag Planetarium, so they decided it would be the perfect location to exchange their wedding vows. As Jackie's "something blue", she painted the bottoms of her stunning heels a gorgeous shade of blue. Dustin provided all of the groomsmen - and Jackie - with personalized karate belts. They threw tradition to the wind, opting for an ice cream sundae bar over a cake, including their own signature ice cream flavor! Even their wedding rings reflected their unique love for each other, bearing infinity sign designs. Their officiant was a close friend of theirs who actually joined them on their first date at the planetarium! And, they exchanged vows in the planetarium underneath a starry sky... which turned to fireworks as they shared their first kiss as newlyweds!
I'm so honored that I was able to celebrate this special day with Jackie, Dustin, and their loved ones. Big thanks to my friend and fellow photographer April Westhafer for second shooting with me for part of the day!
Congratulations, Jackie and Dustin! I hope you enjoy this selection of memories from your Day #1.
Here are the vendors that helped make Jackie and Dustin's wedding day a success:
Getting Ready: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Reading, PA
Florist: Holly, Froggy's Garden
DJ: Nick Talarico, The People's DJ
Hair Artist: Michelle Fischer
Makeup Artist: Fawn Monique
Wedding Dress Boutique: Bijou Bridal
Groom & Groomsmen's Tuxedo Boutique: Men's Wearhouse
Caterer: Laurin Fegley, Simply Smooth Catering
Wedding Coordinator: Laura Oswald, Reading Public Museum