The Pridie Family | Outdoor Fall Family Portrait Session | Berks County Pennsylvania Photographer
This is the time of year when I get a lot of requests from potential clients for “just one quick photo for their holiday card.” I’m going to let you in on a secret - I’m not a fan of mini sessions. Yes, sometimes I cave in to peer pressure and offer them, but I try to avoid doing them except for very isolated occasions. (Like when Santa stopped by my studio a few weeks ago, because I wanted to give as many clients as possible the chance to hang out with Mr. Jolly himself!)
The real reason why I try to avoid scheduling mini sessions, especially around the holidays, is because I don’t want my clients to miss out on opportunities to unplug and temporarily forget about all of life’s distractions, and to just exist in photographs - and moments - with their loved ones. My photoshoots give them a chance to do that, so I want the experience to last longer than 10 minutes. My portrait sessions typically last between 45 and 90 minutes in length. During this time, I explore the chosen venue with my clients, as I try my best to capture them being themselves. Sometimes those interactions happen naturally, sometimes they require some prompting. I always have tricks up my sleeve to bring out the best (and most authentic) expressions and interactions in my clients. And being able to capture that amount of incredible, real moments during a full session outweighs the convenience of a rushed mini session, 100% of the time. During a mini session, parents often feel rushed and stressed, kids often feel rushed and stressed, heck… even the pets feel rushed and stressed - and all of that makes me feel sad. All of that anxiety gets thrown out the window when we have extra time to relax and to just “be.” I want you to look back on your photos with fond memories of the time we spent creating them together.
Another advantage of scheduling one session per morning and one per evening is that all of my clients are scheduled during the best light of the day - not just the lucky one who happens to snag that mini session timeslot on that given day. (You’ll see what I mean when you get to the images I’m sharing!)
My photoshoots don’t just involve asking my clients to stand (or sit) and smile at the camera in unison. They are so much more than that. As a very busy wife, mother of three, recent Ph.D. graduate, business owner, and consultant, I know how hard it is to find a date and time when everyone is available. And on top of that, trying to perfectly coordinate outfits provides a completely different set of challenges and stressors (for most of us, at least). So, it is my hope and ultimate goal to capitalize on the valuable time you have chiseled out of your schedule to spend with me, and to provide you with the best photographs - and memories - that I am able to during our time together.
So, if you are looking for a photographer who will “take just one photo for your holiday card” at a super-discounted price, that’s not me. I value my time, and I value yours, and I schedule (and price) myself accordingly. If you are looking for a photographer who will take the time to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and who will provide you with not just images, but also memories of time spent laughing and smiling and hugging and playing together, then I’m your girl.
In conclusion, I will leave you with the original reason for this post - some images from one of my recent “non-mini” sessions with the Pridie Family. Their session took place at a friend’s private property in Oley, and it was the perfect spot for them to stretch their legs, open up their arms, and chase that Golden Hour sun. Thank you, Pridie Family, for giving me the honor of freezing time for your family on that chilly afternoon! And, thank you to all of my clients (like these) who continue to trust me and my artistic vision. I am so grateful for you. These sessions fill my heart so much more than you know. I hope to see even more of you in front of my camera next year! (P.S. If this was a mini-session, about 3/4 of these images would not have been possible due to the time restriction placed on the session. I can’t decide which images I would eliminate - can you??)
Tabitha + Jason | Blue Marsh Fall Engagement Session | Berks County Wedding Photographer
Tabitha and Jason are getting married next Halloween, and they wanted a moody fall vibe reflected in their engagement portraits. We met up recently at one of their favorite spots around Blue Marsh Lake and we absolutely killed their session. (I might be biased, but I bet you’ll agree with me after viewing this selection of images!)
Mother Nature was definitely on our side that evening, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that! We had the most stunning golden hour light, followed by a breathtaking sunset. I really feel like this session was gifted to me for making it halfway through my annual busy season - not only was the weather and light perfect, but Jason and Tabitha are so naturally cuddly and adorable - I feel like they made it too easy for me! (I’m definitely not complaining.)
While we were together, I also captured a few photos of some of their dearest family members who tagged along to help out. Tabitha and Jason have so many cheerleaders excited for this wedding to take place - I don’t know who is looking forward to it the most! And, you can add me to that list! I know their wedding day is going to be absolutely fantastic.
Without any further delay, I present to you Tabitha and Jason (and a few of their closest loved ones). Congratulations again, and I’m so thankful that we found each other! I know we’re going to make an amazing team.
Morgan + Mikey | Barn at Silverstone Wedding | Lancaster Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
In September, Morgan and Mikey were married in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, at the Barn at Silverstone. Their wedding day had a romantic and semi-formal vibe, with decorations and details that were rustic and shabby chic. Morgan thought that my “moodier” editing style would be a great fit, so she asked me to add that touch to her wedding photos (which I was happy to do!). The weather has been rather turbulent this year, but we lucked out that day. We had a few showers in the morning - perfect for some extra wedding day luck - and then were gifted the most incredible weather for the rest of the day. Admittedly, it was a bit windy, but they rolled with it like champs!
Morgan, Mikey, and their bridal party were so much fun! They were there to celebrate, and that’s exactly what they did. There were a few emotional moments, too, especially during the first look, wedding ceremony, speeches, and sentimental dances. I was laughing and crying right along with them. And their first dance - they were literally on Cloud 9!! (Wait until you see it!)
I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from their Day #1 as husband and wife. Congratulations again, Mr. and Mrs. Antolino!
Huge props go out to the following vendors for making their dream wedding a reality:
Photographer: Carrie Kizuka
Venue: The Barn at Silverstone
Wedding Coordinator: Christine Helwig, Scarlet Runner Catering
Videographer: Rola Cinema
Florist: The Autumn Olive
Cake Artist: Krystal Moran
DJ: Vince, East Coast Event Group
Hair Artist: John Sentell, Alchemy Studio Hair
Makeup Artisti: Nicole Moeser
Wedding Dress Boutique: Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo; Casablanca
Bridesmaid Dress Boutique: Ashley’s Bridal
Groom and Groomsman Tuxedo Boutique: Men’s Wearhouse
Officiant: Theresa Gilberti
Longwood Gardens Engagement Photoshoot | Jess + Sean | Berks County Wedding Photographer
Last Sunday, I met up with Jess and Sean for their engagement session. They picked Longwood Gardens for the backdrop because it's one of their favorite places to visit together... and I was really excited, because it's one of my favorite places, too! They booked me as their wedding photographer a few weeks ago, and this session was the first time we actually met in person. I was so excited to meet them, and I had a very strong feeling that they were going to be really fun in person. Oh, was I right!! We were chatting and laughing during their entire session, and my face hurt when I left from smiling so much! For every serious pose I got out of them, there were about 15 more silly poses - which I think is awesome! My favorite pictures are always the ones where I capture my clients being themselves!
I hope you enjoy this collection of photos from their engagement session. I'm looking forward to their Florida destination wedding next fall!!
Sinking Spring Backyard Wedding | Hillary and Eric | Berks County Wedding Photographer
I have a Starbucks problem - I need at least one "venti no water chai" each day or I can't function properly. While feeding this addiction and becoming a Starbucks regular, I had the honor of meeting Hillary. When she asked me to photograph her upcoming wedding to Eric, I was ecstatic!! Fast forward to a few weeks ago -- Hillary and Eric got married in their backyard in Sinking Spring, PA and threw an incredible party to start their marriage off properly! I had such a great time documenting their day, tasting incredible food, and laughing along with their friends' fantastic stories!
This was one of the most intimate, casual weddings I have ever attended, and I loved every second of it! I enjoy photographing all types of wedding ceremonies, but my favorites are the ones that really reflect the couple and their unique relationship and love for each other. Everything about Hillary and Eric's wedding day did exactly that - from their DIY decorations to their self-uniting marriage to their iPod music playlist to Eric's blue velvet sport coat. Everything was about them and their personalities and their loved ones, and it was perfect.
I hope you enjoy a few photos from their Day #1! I'm so honored that I was able to celebrate with them!
Catering: H20 Kitchen (Jason Hook)
Cake/Cupcakes: Secrets Bakery
DJ: Spotify and bluetooth speaker ;)
Hair and Make-up: Hillary did them herself!
Bride's wedding dress: Kimono purchased on Etsy!
Groom's suit: Velvet sport coat purchased from Kohls!
Mohnton, Pennsylvania Fall Wedding | Mary Beth and Jesse | Berks County Photographer
Mary Beth is a very talented Berks County photographer herself, and when we met last year and she asked me to photograph her upcoming wedding to Jesse, I admit I was a little intimidated at first. I always feel an extra layer of self-induced anxiety when I'm creating art for another photographer. But I was also honored that another artist would want me to capture their wedding memories for them, so I excitedly agreed!
One of the best parts of photographing another photographer's wedding is that they always allow lots of time for portraits throughout their wedding day. Mary Beth and Jesse have an amazing property, which was also the site of their wedding ceremony and reception, and we took full advantage of the time we had! I was so surprised to show up and see that the soybean field where their ceremony took place was still nice and green so late in the season!! (All of the other fields I had seen in Berks County that week were already brown and/or cleared out!) Oh, and their incredible home (you can see a little bit of it in the photos below) was built by the two of them!! That's yet another reason why their backyard was the perfect place for them to start the rest of their lives together!
I'm so grateful that they asked me to be their photographer, and I'm glad that I agreed! Their wedding day was perfect in every way. It was super laid back and casual, and the DIY elements Mary Beth and Jesse included were gorgeous and fun! Mary Beth and Jesse even retrofitted their old truck into a beer tap! Cult Status, a local band made up of Governor Mifflin Senior High School students, played during the reception and did a fantastic job! The reception was catered by Crow Wagon, a local food truck, and the food was delicious. The bride and groom looked incredible (and so in love), and their little boys (Coleman and Caleb) were so handsome!!
I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from their wedding day. Congratulations again, Nocera Family!!
Videography: Cory Slifka
Cake Artist: Roxanne Shupp
Band: Cult Status
Hair Artist & Make-Up Artist: Jayda Hampton
Officiant: MaryBeth's father!
Catering: Crow Wagon
Glen Onoko Falls Engagement Session | Becca and Joe | Jim Thorpe Wedding Photographer
Fall in Jim Thorpe is amazing, and I was so lucky to have experienced it recently with Becca and Joe! We met at Glen Onoko Falls for their engagement photoshoot a few weeks ago. It was the perfect location since that's where they went on their first hike together when they began dating! We started out by hiking up a bit to one of the waterfalls, then turned around and stopped at a few of their other favorite spots just in time for sunset. To be completely honest, I was a little winded at a few of the steeper sections on the trail (I'll blame my heavy backpack and not the obvious reason that I'm a little bit out of shape) - but Becca and Joe were champs! Becca even hiked it in dress boots, and was putting me to shame! The hike was beautiful and was absolutely worth it. I love how their photos turned out, and I'm so excited to shoot their wedding next October!
Here are a few of my favorites from our session! (Be sure to check out Becca's stunning engagement ring that she made HERSELF!)
