Deciduous Life | Clothing Brand Commercial Shoot | Pennsylvania Photographer

I recently created a few images for my friends over at Deciduous Life. Click here to get your hands on some of this merchandise, as well as other awesome stuff.

Danielle + Jonathan | FEAST at Round Hill | New York Wedding Photographer

I recently had the honor of photographing Danielle and Jonathan’s wedding. Danielle and I met quite a few years ago when we were both students (and fellow Delta Zeta sorority sisters) at Lehigh University. I was absolutely thrilled when she reached out to me and asked me to be her wedding photographer! I’ve mentioned it more than once before, but one of my favorite parts of being a photographer is reconnecting with wonderful people from my past, via my passion for artistically capturing moments in time.

Fast forward to their wedding day - Danielle and Jonathan’s final preparations and celebration took place at FEAST at Round Hill, a lovely venue in Washingtonville, New York. It was my first time photographing at that venue, and I instantly fell in love with its charm and personality. There was still snow on the ground from a recent storm, and even though that made for a slippery first look, it added just the right amount of wintry romance to the scene. It really was the perfect setting for Danielle and Jonathan’s classic, fun, and simply elegant wedding. The bridal party was small and intimate, but the day was overflowing with love and joy - from the romantic first look, to the wedding vows, to the speeches, to the dances. The entire day was a celebration of Danielle and Jonathan’s love for each other.

I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from Danielle and Jonathan’s Day #1 as husband and wife. I know that I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating with them (and some of my fellow Lehigh sorority sisters)!

Big thanks to the following team for helping make Danielle and Jonathan’s dream wedding become a reality:

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC

Venue, Wedding Coordinator, Caterer: FEAST at Round Hill

Videographer: Reina Stern

Florist: Rene Rodriguez, New City Florist

Cake Artist: Pastry Garden

DJ: A Perfect Blend Entertainment

Hair Artist: Melissa Serraro Walsh, Dutchess County Hairstylist

Makeup Artist: Tiffany Field, Dutchess County Hairstylist

Wedding Dress Boutique: Azazie

Bridesmaids’ Dress Boutique: David’s Bridal

Groom’s Tuxedo Boutique: Foeller’s Men’s Shop

Groomsmen’s Tuxedo Boutique: Foeller’s Men’s Shop

Aspen's One Year Cake Smash Session | Berks County Pennsylvania Child Photographer

With it being Easter, I thought that today would be the PERFECT day to share a few photos from Aspen’s recent cake smash session. (Once you see the photos you’ll understand why!)

Aspen recently turned one, and I had the honor of helping her celebrate this milestone in my studio! Aspen and her mommy stopped by last week with some of the adorable spring-themed decorations from Aspen’s recent birthday party, as well as a gorgeous cake made by one of my favorite bakers, Kakes by Kim! Aspen’s brother came along, too, and was the most incredible helper throughout the session. She love, love, loves smiling for her big brother! (She also happens to love cake.)

This session was so much fun! I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from our time in the studio together.

Violet | Berks County Lifestyle Newborn Session | Pennsylvania Family Photographer

My next catch-up blog is of sweet little Violet. This family is near and dear to my heart, and I was so happy to be able to capture these portraits for them while Violet and her mama were in town visiting Violet’s grandma. I love how relaxed and authentic lifestyle newborn sessions are. They focus on the bond between baby and family, and I think this session demonstrates just that.

I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from Violet’s newborn photoshoot (even though she was actually about 1 month old here). ;)

Nora | Harrisburg Lifestyle Newborn Session | Pennsylvania Family Photographer

Over the past few months, I have cut back on photographing everything except weddings and engagements, in order to dedicate enough time to finishing my elusive doctoral degree. This summer, I will be finished with my PhD (Woohoo!!), and will be regularly booking non-wedding clients again.

I thought it would be a nice time to share some of the non-wedding sessions I have photographed recently.

First up is this sweet in-home lifestyle newborn session that I photographed in downtown Harrisburg. Congrats again, Kelly and Al! Thank you for welcoming me and my cameras into your home.

Kirstie + Troy | Snowy Blue Marsh Lake Maternity Session | Berks County Family Photographer

Kirstie reached out to me a few months ago, wanting to book a snowy maternity session to celebrate her and Troy's growing family. This session was originally supposed to take place on a day when there was no snow to be found, and the only signs of winter were the high winds and below freezing temperatures. It would have been a brutal day to hold an outdoor photoshoot. So, we decided to take our chances and reschedule for two weeks later. Luckily, Mother Nature delivered snow a few days before our session, and the temperatures were cold enough all week that the snow actually stuck around for a while. We met up at Blue Marsh Lake, and the weather was perfect on that particular afternoon - we were gifted with reasonable temperatures, zero winds, and amazing golden hour light. Kirstie was absolutely stunning, rocking her maternity glow! (Troy was a great sport throughout it all as well!) I’m still in awe of Kirstie’s ability to change her outfit mid-session in a pickup truck and hike through the snow in her fashionable shoes! (I think she’s a ninja in disguise.) They are going to be the most amazing parents to this lucky little girl!! I’m so honored that they asked me to capture this wonderful time in their lives. I had so much fun creating these images with them, and am thankful that my husband agreed to come along and assist us that afternoon.

I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into their photoshoot.

Olivia + Paul | Intimate Stirling Mansion Wedding | Reading, Pennsylvania Photographer

Last week, Olivia and Paul got married in an intimate self-uniting wedding ceremony. Their celebration took place at the incredible Stirling Guest Hotel, located in Reading, Pennsylvania. This mansion has so much personality and charm, and I love love love photographing events there! I was honored to document Paul and Olivia’s Day #1 as husband and wife, and I can’t think of a better way to start off my 2019 wedding season. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Marten!

(Olivia, you ROCKED those wedding socks and sneakers!!)

Amie + Greg | Meredith Manor Fall Wedding | Chester County, Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

I had such an amazing time photographing Amie and Greg’s October wedding a few weeks ago! The weather was beautiful, and although it was a bit chilly that day, I remember feeling like it was the first day this year that actually REALLY felt like autumn.

When Amie reached out to me almost 2 years ago, asking if I would photograph her wedding, I ecstatically agreed! I have known Amie for longer than I will admit, since I was once her high school math teacher (in my pre-photographer life). I am filled with so much joy when former students contact me years later, asking me to document important milestones in their lives - especially when they have grown into such incredible adults, like Amie and Greg have done. Needless to say, I have been looking forward to this wedding for a long time - but probably not quite as long as Amie, Greg, and their loved ones have.

On the day of their wedding, we met up with Amie and Greg at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Exton, PA. I hung out with the girls while they finished getting ready, and my second photographer, Eric, photographed the guys. Everyone was so much fun, and the hotel provided the perfect backdrop and lighting for stunning photos!

Next, we headed to the Meredith Manor for the first look, portraits, ceremony, and reception. (The bridal party arrived via school bus - awesome, right!?!) This was my first time visiting Meredith Manor, and it didn’t disappoint! This venue is gorgeous, and has so many fantastic backdrops for photos. The staff was so helpful, and really went out of their way to make Amie and Greg’s day as perfect as it could be. Everything reflected their personalities and their relationship with each other, including the speeches, the decorations, and the excellent officiating by Amie’s own father! Amie and Greg’s wedding day vibe was romantic, classic, and formal, with a touch of rustic thrown in for good measure. When you see their photos, I think you’ll see what I mean!

Amie and Greg, thank you so much for inviting me to document these moments for you, and to celebrate your marriage with you. It was so nice seeing you, and reconnecting with some of my other former students (and couples)! I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from your Day #1 as husband and wife, and reliving these moments.

I would like to acknowledge all of the talented people and businesses who made Amie and Greg’s wedding dreams come true:

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka

Transportation: Metz Wilson Bus Service

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Exton, PA

Wedding/Reception Venue: Meredith Manor

Wedding Coordinator: Mimi Reitz, Meredith Manor

Florist: Bridal Flowers - Jenna Shupp-Kemp, Exquisite Designs

Florist: Ceremony and Reception Flowers - Becky Reitz, B&E Floral Designs

Cake Artist: Bakers of Buffington

DJ: Chet Light, Musical Expressions

Hair & Makeup Artist: Prenup Beauty

Wedding Dress Boutique: BHLDN; Jolie; Catherine Dean

Bridesmaids’ Dresses Boutique: Adrianna Papell

Groom and Groomsmen’s Tuxedo Boutique: Tux by Sarno

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

Connor, Vera, and Justin | Fall Session at Lock Ridge | Lehigh Valley Family Photographer

I recently met up with Connor, Vera, and Justin for a fall photoshoot at Lock Ridge Park. Connor has been one of my tattoo artists for the past few years, and if you are ever looking to have work done, I highly recommend that you check her out over at White Oak Tattoo! She’s not only insanely talented, but she’s also one of the kindest souls you will ever meet. This was one of my favorite sessions to date, and I’m sure once you see the photos you will know why.

(P.S. I can’t believe I captured Vera’s newborn photos 3 years ago already!?!)