Lisa + Collin | Tinicum Park Barn Summer Wedding | Bucks County, Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Lisa and Collin got married in June, and I’m so excited to share some of the photos from their Day #1 as husband and wife! If you are an avid blog follower, you may recognize Lisa and Collin from their Hershey Gardens engagement session. During our pre-wedding planning, they described their wedding vibe as romantic, soft, casual, simple, rustic, and fun. And, that’s exactly what their day turned out to be - with a few extra surprises thrown in for good measure!

I met Lisa and her bridal squad at her parents’ house in Quakertown, where her final preparations were taking place. I felt instantly at home as I saw some familiar faces (including a former bride of mine, Jackie)! Lisa’s engagement session last year doubled as a maternity session, and I was so excited to finally meet her little girl in person! (Violet has the most kissable cheeks I have ever seen, and was just as much a star of the show as her mommy and daddy that day!)

After some getting ready photos, hugs, and tears, we packed up and headed over to Tinicum Park Barn, where the ceremony and reception would take place. Lisa and Collin opted to have a first look, and it was so heartwarming. They are madly in love with each other, and their eyes absolutely lit up when they saw each other for the first time that day. We squeezed in a few portraits with the bridal party, and then it was time for the ceremony to begin.

Lisa and Collin’s engagement photoshoot took place on one of the hottest days of the year, and their wedding day turned out to be pretty warm as well. That heat, plus the excitement, plus the weight of carrying Violet as her “bouquet” led to Lisa fainting a few minutes into their ceremony. Luckily, the officiants and bridal party members acted quickly, and everything was fine. After a brief water break, the ceremony continued - but Lisa and Collin opted to proceed on chairs for a bit, just to be safe. Everything went as planned, and they concluded with a unity ceremony using puzzle pieces that Collin created himself!

After the ceremony, we snapped a few more photos, then gathered in the Tinicum Park Barn for some speeches, dances, and the most amazing dinner! Then, the rest of the evening was spent celebrating over drinks, conversations, and yard games - lots of yard games. (I love photographing giant Jenga and cornhole competitions, and this wedding didn’t disappoint!)

As I was packing up my car to go home, I noticed the most amazing golden hour sunlight peeking over the trees. I grabbed Lisa and Collin for a few extra photos, because that light - and their love for each other - was absolutely breathtaking that evening. I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I left without taking advantage of it.

Thank you, Lisa, Collin, and Violet, for welcoming me into your lives. You have not only become clients, but also friends. I am so honored that I was asked to celebrate with you and your loved ones. I hope you enjoy this selection of memories from your wedding day.

Big thanks to the following people for pulling of Lisa and Collin’s dream wedding day:

Florist: Norma Strothers, Thorn & Petals

Hair & Makeup Artist: Hope Fischer, Images Salon & Spa

Wedding Dress Boutique: Melissa Sweet, David’s Bridal

Rentals: Jodi Fermier, Bucks Mont Party Rental

Officiants: Close friends Dustin Karrat and Renee Jonsson

Caterer: Mary Elcavage, The Cactus Grill

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC

The Youngquist Family | Mindowaskin Park, Westfield New Jersey Family Session | Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer

This past winter, I had the privilege of photographing the Youngquist Family at a (very popular) park near their Westfield, New Jersey home. We made some wonderful portraits together, in spite of the mud and the crowds that decided to join us there at Mindowaskin Park that afternoon. Thanks again, Youngquists! I hope I have the honor of photographing your family again soon.

The Mentrikoski Family | Wyomissing Park Family Session | Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer

Next up on my series of catch-up blogs is the Mentrikoski Family! I had such a great time chasing the sunlight with them and their adorable pup. He is one of the largest - and gentlest - dogs I have ever met!! I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from our time together at the Wyomissing Park last fall.

The Maria Family | Studio Newborn Session | Berks County Pennsylvania Family Photographer

Waaaaay back around Christmas time, I photographed the Marias, shortly after they welcomed their son Donato into their family. Jimmy is one of my favorite local tattoo artists, an incredible painter, and a fellow GoggleWorks studio renter. I was honored when he asked me to capture these images for their family. You can tell by looking at these images how in love Jimmy and Abby are with each other, and with their handsome little boy. (You can also tell by looking at these images how long ago this session took place, and how bad I have been about blogging the past few months…)

Thanks again for the visit, Maria family!

Macy + Merlin | Reading Museum Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Next up on the blog-catch-up marathon are Macy and Merlin! We met up at the Reading Museum for their engagement session this past fall - you can tell by their outfits that this photoshoot didn’t take place recently! This is another session that fell victim to my crazy fall photography and dissertation schedule and was skipped over on my blog - until now!

Macy and Merlin are getting married this coming November, and I am so excited to be able to celebrate with them! They were so relaxed during their session, and so easy to work with. They were also incredibly fun - and even more in love - which is going to make for fantastic wedding day photos! I’m so honored to be the one capturing their love story for them, and I hope you enjoy these photos from their engagement session.

Kelly + Aron | Lehigh Valley Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Kelly and Aron’s engagement session blog was another victim of my crazy fall season… and I’m making up for it now! We met up at a family property in the Lehigh Valley this past fall and spent the evening laughing together (and picking a few of the neighbor’s flowers) under some incredible Golden Hour light. I know their November wedding is going to be so much fun to photograph, and I can’t wait! Congratulations again, Kelly and Aron, and I promise not to slack so badly on your wedding day blog when that time rolls around.

Alyssa + Tony | Kennett Square Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Alyssa and Tony are starring on this episode of ”sessions that I slacked on blogging”! Their engagement photoshoot took place at two incredible privately owned properties in Kennett Square - and it happened way back when there was still snow on the ground. I knew I was going to love this session, even before the huskies and Camaro joined us. Their pups had me smiling and laughing, and I love the outtakes that we got out of them! I am really looking forward to their wedding this August at the Barn at Silverstone - and I promise not to take so long to blog that one…

Emily + Courtney | Outdoor Tampa, Florida "Game Night" Wedding | Destination Wedding Photographer

I met Courtney and Emily a few years ago while I was photographing Hillary and Eric’s wedding. We kept in touch on instagram, and when Emily reached out to me about photographing her own wedding, I was ecstatic! So, a few months ago, Courtney and Emily flew me to Tampa, Florida to photograph their incredible celebration - and I completely forgot to blog it!! I dropped the ball, and I’m so mad at myself. It’s one of a long list of sessions that I failed to blog when life got crazy busy this past fall. I’m making up for it now and sharing a few of my favorite photos from their emotional and ridiculously fun wedding day!

While we were planning together, I asked Courtney and Emily to describe their wedding day vibe and they responded with the following: DIY, casual, simple, unique, fun, intimate, relaxed, personal, low-key, non-traditional, game night turned wedding. Now that their wedding day is here and gone, I have to say that I agree with all of those descriptors - and I want to add one of my own… perfection. Their wedding day was truly perfect, as it was a perfect reflection of their intimate relationship and their incredible love for each other.

Emily and Courtney’s preparations, ceremony, and reception all took place at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa. As it seems to be with most of the weddings I photograph, Mother Nature kept us on our toes that day. There were morning and early afternoon showers, followed by some of the most intense humidity I have ever experienced. If you are familiar with camera gear, you know that photographing in the air conditioning, followed by heat and extreme humidity can be quite tricky. However, I was prepared with multiple sets of gear, and everything went off without a glitch! After the rain left, we were gifted the most glorious Golden Hour light I have ever seen!

This was one of the most emotional wedding days I have been a part of, and I cried more times than I can remember. I was crying (happy tears) when they first saw each other at the beginning of their ceremony, during their personalized vows, as they lit their unity candle, and during the most heartfelt speeches I have ever witnessed during their reception. But, there was no shortage of smiles, either - courtesy of their amazing flower girl and ring bearer with the absolute best personalities, or during the reception which was actually just the raddest game night I’ve ever been a part of, or just the way that Courtney and Emily looked at each other all day long. Unfortunately, there were some loved ones unable to physically attend the ceremony, but you could feel their presence regardless. Love ruled the day, and I am so honored that I was able to celebrate Courtney and Emily’s marriage along with them and their dearest friends and family members.

Congratulations again, Courtney and Emily! I hope that married life is treating you both well, and I hope our paths cross again, either here in PA, down there in FL, or somewhere else fun!

Courtney and Emily’s wedding day was made possible by their own hard work, as well as the collaboration of these vendors:

Venue: Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Officiant: Reverend Patricia (Rev P)

Hair artist: Christopher Trevena, Fame & Foils Color Bar

Makeup artist: Emily’s coworker Bella did her makeup, and Courtney did her own makeup

Courtney’s dresses: Torrid

Emily’s suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Cuban-inspired buffet and cakes: Moreno Bakery

Flowers: Costco & Pinterest

Emily’s bowtie & boutonniere: Etsy

Band/DJ: iTunes and an aux cord

Chair and table rentals: Fiesta Solutions

Lighting: Tampa Lighting

Patsy + Michael | Heritage Center, Gring's Mill Maternity Session | Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer

I met up with Patsy and Michael at the Red Covered Bridge (aka Gring’s Mill, aka Heritage Center) last Sunday for their long-awaited maternity session! (If you follow my blog, you may recognize them from their Alvernia University/Heidelberg Country Club wedding photos here.) I was so excited when they reached out to me and asked me to capture this wonderful time in their lives, and was looking forward to seeing them again.

Mother Nature attempted to throw a wrench in our plans, however, as we were receiving thunderstorm warnings throughout the day - for right about the time our photoshoot was supposed to take place.

We decided to move forward with our plans to hold the session anyway, and I am so glad that we did! The weather was on the warmer side, but we had the park practically to ourselves. The light was fabulous, and we finished the photoshoot just as the thunder began rumbling and the first drops of rain started to fall.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our time together. It was so hard to choose just a few! Patsy has impeccable taste in fashion. She was absolutely stunning, and I know this is going to be one well-dressed - and very loved - baby! Congrats again, Patsy and Michael!!

Miranda + Tom | Wissahickon Park Engagement Session | Philadelphia Wedding Photographer

Miranda and I met virtually a few months ago via The Wedding Connection Facebook group when she was in search of her wedding photographer. During her consultation, I knew we would make a great team! We decided to meet up at Wissahickon Park in Philadelphia for their engagement session. Miranda and Tom were great sports and were open to hiking (and climbing) wherever I asked them to - including over rock walls and on top of waterfalls.

I love their energy, positive vibe, and fun personalities. As an added bonus, Miranda works at a Kitten Cafe and has amazing tattoos! I’m not-so-secretly hoping the kittens find a way of crashing her and Tom’s wedding next year.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from their engagement session last weekend!

(Big thanks to my husband for going along, carrying my gear, and making sure we didn’t get hit by cars, slip on rocks, or drown in waterfalls!)