Alessia + Ludvik | Surprise Proposal at Longwood Gardens | Pennsylvania Engagement and Wedding Photographer
Happy New Year!!! I know that it is going to be a great one. I have so many sessions and weddings to blog from 2021 (and I haven’t forgotten about those!) but I thought that sharing a surprise proposal at one of my “happy places” would be a fabulous way to kick off 2022. Cheers to authentic smiles, laughs, hugs, and new beginnings!!!
So, I present to you Alessia and Ludvik’s surprise proposal-turned-engagement session at Longwood Gardens. I had so much fun planning this surprise with Ludvik. He was on a mission to catch Alessia off-guard and take her breath away, and in my opinion he was most definitely successful. When you see our images from the proposal itself, and the hour the followed, I think you’ll agree.
December is a beautiful yet especially crowded time of year at Longwood Gardens. Christmas week in particular is the busiest time of year there, so trying to pull off a surprise proposal on the day before Christmas Eve and get decent photographs is not necessarily an easy task. When the moment arrived, we couldn’t have asked for better weather, lighting, or timing - everything came together perfectly. When you look at their photos, it almost seems like we had the place to ourselves…. but the photos are deceiving, take my word for it! I have photographed lots of sessions at Longwood and have become quite skilled at losing crowds when I’m there with my clients. :)
Without any further delay, I present to you some of my favorite moments and images from Ludvik and Alessia’s proposal and engagement session at Longwood Gardens. The excited couple, Golden Hour, and Christmas lights came together to help me create one of my absolute favorite sessions yet. Congratulations again, Ludvik and Alessia! I wish you a lifetime of surprises, laughter, and love together.
(And if anyone else wants to schedule a session at the gardens, reach out to me! I’m happy to use my membership to get you inside and create beautiful images and memories together.)
Kaila + Ryan | Pulpit Rock Surprise Proposal | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
Last week, Ryan reached out to me looking for a photographer to capture his upcoming proposal to his long time girlfriend (and best friend) Kaila. After an uncanny chain of events, we were able to book it and the date was set for the following weekend. Over the course of the week, we chatted back and forth a few times, solidifying the plan. I could tell how excited Ryan was, and I was so excited to be able to be a part of this special moment in their lives.
The plan was that we were going to hike the Pulpit Rock section of the Appalachian Trail and would meet at the overlook. I would pretend to be taking portraits for a personal project and would ask them to pose for me, eventually having Kaila stand alone, looking out towards the overlook. Meanwhile, Ryan would get the engagement ring out of his backpack, would quickly drop to one knee, and would propose when Kaila turned around.
Well, today was the day! They ended up arriving at the overlook shortly before I did, because Ryan couldn’t convince Kaila to postpone the hike any longer - so they got a little bit of a head start. (She actually tried to talk Ryan out of hiking a few times earlier in the day, but luckily he persevered!!) Ryan, Kaila, and their 3 year old German Shepard Hutch were waiting at Pulpit Rock when I arrived, and were sitting on one of the boulders enjoying the view. I saw another group of hikers there with a dog, so I pretended to be capturing photos of dogs (and their humans) along the hiking trail. After taking a few photos with that group, I moved on to Kaila, Ryan, and Hutch. I gave them the same story about capturing images of dogs along the trail, and they happily obliged! Eventually, I asked Kaila to turn around and face the overlook, and to pose with her arms spread out while she took in the incredible view. Ryan quickly got into position, and my husband was with me and freed up Ryan’s hands by holding onto Hutch. (The last thing I wanted was for Hutch to tackle Ryan or Kaila along the edge of Pulpit Rock!!) I asked Kaila to turn around, and she quickly began to realize what was happening. Spoiler alert - SHE SAID YES!!!
After letting them have a few moments to themselves to take it all in, we hiked back down the trail together and I captured a few more images along the way.
I loved being a part of this adventure, and I love the emotion that Kaila and Ryan shared with each other in these moments. Kaila, Ryan, and Hutch - it was an honor creating these memories with you. Congratulations, and happy wedding planning!!!
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!!)
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.
She Said Yes! | Outer Banks, NC Proposal | Destination Engagement and Wedding Photographer
I met Victoria and Dmitriy this past snowboard season at a race at Roundtop Mountain Resort, in Harrisburg, PA. We hung out a few times throughout the season, and were fortunate enough to end the season together at USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain, in Colorado.
A few weeks ago, Victoria and Dmitriy reached out to me to set up a photoshoot while I was going to be spending some time in the Outer Banks. Victoria was hoping for a couple's session, but Dmitriy had other plans. He had been waiting for the perfect time to surprise Victoria with a proposal (and a stunning engagement ring)! The ring was already purchased and was just waiting for the rest of the plans to fall into place.
When they arrived in North Carolina, we met up at my rental house in Waves. While Victoria was distracted, Dmitriy passed off some champagne and glasses to my husband, so we could bring them to the photoshoot the next day without Victoria suspecting anything.
If you live anywhere along the east coast, you know how rainy it has been the last few weeks. The day of their photoshoot was no exception. The forecast looked promising all day - the rain was supposed to clear out around noon, and our evening photoshoot looked like it would go off without a hitch. Well, as soon as we arrived at our intended location, Mother Nature decided to defy the weather forecasting technology, and the rain started falling. We decided to wait it out, because the radar showed that the weather would clear up again in about 30 minutes. 30 minutes later, another rain cloud formed, and there were more following behind it. So, we decided to get back on the road and drive south until we found a dry location. I was looking forward to this photoshoot for weeks, and was determined to hold their session that night!
We eventually found a non-flooded place near Rodanthe to pull off the side of the road and park. I ran up to the adjacent beach area and scouted the location, and it was incredible! There was only one other couple in sight, and the skies and dunes were picture-perfect.
So, my husband grabbed the bag with the champagne and glasses, I grabbed my camera gear, and the rest is history. You can see how the session unfolded for yourself right here...
(Big thanks to my husband for helping, and to my daughter and dog for helping distract Victoria while Dmitriy was getting ready to propose!)
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!)
Kayla + Colin | Berks County Winter Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
Before I decided to follow my dreams of running my photography business full time, I was a high school math teacher. As a teacher, you are supposed to make an impact on the lives of those you teach. However, during that time, I met a a number of students who taught me just as much (if not more) than I taught them. I recently had the honor of photographing one of those students as she and her soulmate celebrated their engagement to each other.
Kayla, Colin, and I met up at Penn State University, Berks Campus for their engagement session. It was windy. It was cold. I think the temperature was somewhere in the teens. But you would never know it, looking at these photographs that we made together. From the way Kayla and Colin looked at each other, smiled at each other, breathed each other in, and had a way of doing something at just the right time that would make the other one burst into laughter, I don't think they even noticed the chill in the air. In fact, I think they hardly noticed me and my camera there at all - which is my goal at all of my photoshoots and weddings. They were so into each other, and it was amazing to witness. One of my favorite parts of this job is being surrounded by so much love, and this session did not disappoint!
Kayla and Colin, congratulations on your engagement. I'm so happy that you found each other, and I'm honored that you asked me to photograph this milestone event in your lives. Kayla, it has been an absolute joy getting to know you over the years, and watching you turn into the incredible woman who you are today. Everything happens for a reason, and those reasons brought the two of you together at just the right time in both of your lives.
On a side note, I've been trying to introduce a new editing style into my work that has been really tugging at my soul. It's difficult to time such an artistic change, but something about the light, the mood, and the energy at this session just made it feel like the right time to do it. So, I took the leap. I hope you enjoy these samples from our session.
Finally, I owe big thanks to my daughter Kaiya for braving the cold with us and assisting during the session!
An Extra Special Engagement Session | Wyomissing Park | Berks County Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer
Last weekend, I had the honor of photographing Rachel and Mark's engagement session. I was one of Rachel's high school math teachers more years ago than I care to share, and I was thrilled when she reached out and asked me to be her and Mark's wedding photographer. I love how my education and photography passions continue to bring and keep amazing people in my life.
We had some extra special guests at this engagement session - Rachel and Mark's son Gavin and pup Venus decided to come along and hop into a few photos! I'm so glad they decided to get their entire family involved, and I am so looking forward to photographing their wedding in just over one week!!
Thanks again for this opportunity, and thank you for putting up with the extra-aggressive bugs that afternoon at the Wyomissing Park! I love how your photos turned out, and I hope you do as well.
See you in a week!
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!!
