Shawn + Shelbey - Married!

It was divine intervention that Shawn + Shelbey found + chose me to be their wedding photographer. Firstly, they are so beautifully unique to photograph but I also LOVE being around them! I could laugh with them all day!

There were so many opportunities for me to be creative with their portraits at their winter Harmony Hall Wedding. The flower girl dresses were the most gorgeous I had ever seen (oh, + of course so were the girls themselves!) + what’s crazy about that is Shelbey made them! I had to have a little extra fun with the flower girls because of that. The reception + ceremony was meticulously decorated with a gorgeous evergreen backdrop with dangling lights - SO UNIQUE but that’s exactly what I would expect from them!  Also, the day before their wedding we had a snowfall so we still had some snow to photograph in + a beautiful winter glow in their portraits. The best part of Shawn + Shelbey’s day was the tears shed at their ceremony + the easy connection these two have with each other. There wasn’t a moment in the day where they weren’t smiling + holding each other close.

This was the last wedding of my 2017 season. Somehow, each wedding has become a favorite of mine.  This one is no different.  My heart bursts seeing the happiness + flawless love between Shawn + Shelbey. I hope this gallery I’m delivering to them will always remind them of that!

Enjoy some favorites of my final 2017 wedding!

Jonathan + Shawnika - Married!

My last wedding of the 2017 Fall Season! Whoaaa, what an amazing one!  Jonathan + Shawnika’s wedding was at the beautiful Harmony Hall on one of the most gorgeous days of the year. Their wedding was filled with so much love from their friends + family + ended with a party that was out of this world. When I had met with Shawnika at her wedding consultation she had stressed how important family was to her + how that is what she wanted to focus on in her wedding gallery. Well, Shawnika - we definitely accomplished that! I kind of feel like after editing this wedding that the whole dang Santana family needs to enroll in modeling because HOLY GORGEOUS!

Most importantly, Jonathan + Shawnika’s wedding was filled with so much joy. They didn’t wipe the giant grins of their face the whole night + I’ve never seen friends + family SO happy for a couple. The new Mr. + Mrs. Santana got ready in Harmony Hall’s beautiful farmhouse which was extra special as Jonathan + Shawnika’s children helped them get dressed. And then there wasn’t a dry eye as Shawnika’s dad walked her to Jonathan at the top of the small waterfall on the property. Picture time was, of course, soooo easy with this good looking crew! And MAN - let me tell you about this reception… Their reception gallery is bigger than some wedding galleries combined! I’ve never seen people have so much fun in my life!

So to wrap up the final wedding I will posting this year, I just have to say what a privilege it was working with these beautiful individuals and the family they have created. They have a beautiful life together ahead of them + I am so happy I could tell a little part of their story. Enjoy some of my favorites!

 

Andrew + Emily - Married!


I have had such a good time with Andrew + Emily ever since I met them at their beautiful Hershey engagement session. I love their style. They’re classy, hilarious + just downright good looking! Most of all, they are the most beautiful people inside + out + as I often say in these blog posts - that shows in their portraits!

They had a gorgeous fall day starting with getting ready portraits. I diedddd over their wedding look. Elegant, classic.  They both shared sweet gifts from each other + gifts to their parents, as well as many portraits with their wedding party. Their ceremony was at a beautiful old church that had such unique character, perfectly fitting the style of their wedding. They even arranged a visit from their fur baby for a few shots at the church! Lastly we ended at The Links of Gettysburg where we snapped some of my favorite wedding day portraits, ever! (Their gallery is definitely a contender to end up on my studio wall!)  Their reception was so full of energy + some of the best toasts of this wedding season.

As I’m starting to finish up my 2017 wedding galleries, I can’t help but feel so blessed that I was chosen to work with couples like Andrew + Emily.  I was able to capture such a beautiful gallery because Andrew + Emily’s relationship IS the epitome of beautiful - even if Emily is a golf widow some of the time ;)  I have no question that they are going to have a strong marriage + I can’t wait to stalk their lives along the way! :)  Enjoy favorites from one of my all time favorite weddings. Congrats, Andrew + Emily!!!

Colin + Chelsea - Married!


Colin + Chelsea are two of my favorite people to photograph + Drumore Estate is one of my new favorite venues to photograph now, too! I knew this wedding was going to be something special.  I know from chatting with Chelsea how terribly hard they worked to make this day perfect. And I’ve got to say - it was exactly that. PERFECT.

Colin + Chelsea arranged for several sweet moments to take place on their Big Day. Colin reading Chelsea’s card + opening her gift, Chelsea’s First Look with her dad + Chelsea’s dance with her brother are just a handful of wonderful moments that we captured. Drumore Estate made for a stunning backdrop for their ceremony. Once portraits started - we couldn’t stop! The lighting was just so beautiful + we could not get enough of the grounds! The reception was equally flawless with tons of personalized decor from the bride + groom including a beautiful memoriam to family that were watching from Heaven that day. There wasn’t a dry eye in the audience as Chelsea’ dad, her MOH + Colin’s BM gave their toasts… and don’t even get me started on the emotional parent/brother dances! We ended the night with Chelsea getting a few shots of portraits of her mother as a beautiful tribute to a woman that was dearly missed that night.

To see Colin + Chelsea together, you sense they find home in each other. There is such a warm comfort between the two of them + what could be more beautiful in a marriage? They’ve overcome so much already + I don’t believe there is anything that can ever stand in their way if they are together. Congratulations Mr. + Mrs. Plank … you are truly adored by all who know you! Enjoy some favorites!!

Jim + Hannah - Married!


I could say a lot about Jim + Hannah - like how their zest for life is contagious, how they are the most beautiful couple with the most beautiful souls. I could talk about how I traveled to Philly for their engagement session because I just KNEW we were making photography magic together. Or even about how I will never forget meeting them at my studio for their consultation + while discussing whether they would do a First Reveal or not, I made the comment “Whether you see each other before the ceremony or not, it doesn’t matter because when she’s walking down that aisle you will be seconds from being husband + wife + it is still a beautiful moment” - + Hannah’s big blue eyes welled up with tears! Everyone has a lot of wonderful things to say about these two, but words aside lets just say I’m sad to see this gallery go + was either smiling or tearing up the whole time I was editing it.

Jim + Hannah had a big wedding party which made for some really fun getting ready pictures. Historical Acres of Hershey is one my absolute favorite places to photograph, ESPECIALLY the bridesmaids in the farmhouse.  The lighting was perfect + Hannah was stunning in her bridal gown. I can’t leave out Jim + the groomsmen though - whoa, were they dapper! Jim + Hannah did opt for a First Reveal + thank gosh because it was SO sweet. Jim was literally stunned into silence over his soon-to-be beautiful bride. Afterwards we did TONSSSS of portraits. I mean TONS. I can’t even pick a favorite because the colors, venue, people - everything was perfection! The best thing is the connection the bride + groom had with each other + their family + friends. You can’t pose that magic!

It was also drizzling on Jim + Hannah’s wedding day.  Everyone was starting to chat about doing the ceremony indoors (which just tore my photographer heart apart with how beautiful the ceremony site looked!) + I casuallyyyyyy mentioned - hey, we have clear umbrellas if you’d rather try to risk it . And of course, because Jim + Hannah are just awesome, they TOTALLY did their ceremony in the drizzle with Jim’s best man holding the umbrella for them (sorry about that, buddy! I hope your arm recovered!)  This is the second time I had ever tried to sway my couples to do this and both times I did this, it made for my absolute favorite ceremony pictures. Who says rain has to ruin your Big Day? ;) Their ceremony was beautifully said + their obvious adoration for each other shows in their eyes the whole time. Then off they went to what I call The Party of the Year. Their reception had the most intoxicating live band + the party started the second they walked in!

As I said before, I’m at a loss for words when it comes to such an amazing couple. At the end of the day, my hopes are that these two never change except to grow together.  They are the epitome of all that is good —— AND THEY BETTER COME BACK TO SEE ME SOMEDAY! Enjoy many many many favorites.

Michael + Christina - Married!

 

Michael + Christina are the sweetest, smartest people I have ever met so it’s only natural that I adored photographing their wedding (and engagement session!). Their Big Day was at a beautiful venue called the Mercersburg Inn. It was full of beautiful character, history + it fit Michael + Christina’s classy style wonderfully. The Acela wedding felt like a big party among best friends + made for the sweetest gallery.

Michael + Christina were married outside surrounded by beautiful mums, family + friends. Then we explored around the beautiful property that was bursting with autumn colors.  I had a lot of favorite moments from Michael + Christina’s wedding - their First Dance song being “Nothing Else Matters”, the fact that Christina had a framed portrait of Cinderella as her bridal inspo, the fact that Michael had an extra awesome person in his grooms party - his sister!   Oh, + of course the very hardcore dance moves that happened at the end of the night ;)

Most of all, my favorite thing in Michael + Christina’s wedding is the giant smiles the two of them had while they were together.  If anyone deserved this flawless wedding, it was this incredibly brilliant + fabulous couple! I have LOVED getting to know them. Enjoy some favorites!

Wayne + Jessica - Married!

Wayne + Jessica have a special kind of love that people dream about having their whole lives. They’re gentle with each other, they’re each others’ biggest fans, she goes along with his crazy ideas + he never wants to stop kissing her. Then they have their sweet little girl who, I’m pretty sure, has the best parents in the world in her corner.  Their wedding day was wonderful. It had it’s stresses, like all weddings do, but the best thing was how they were unhindered by these things. The most important thing to them was that they got to marry their best friend that day + everything else just fell into place.

I always have a great time with these two. They love horses, joking around + having a good time - what more could you want from a couple!? Their ceremony + reception took place on their grandparents’ beautiful farm which was wonderful because their horses were able to attend, too. They had the COOLEST idea for their ceremony. They branded a piece of wood with their initials + people were later able to sign it so they could hang it in their home. The whole property was picturesque but I personally love the portraits we took in the bean field.  We had lots of romantic shots + hilarious shots that will not be shared on this family friendly blogpost - haha. Their first dance was held after the sun had set and lit by sparklers being held by their friends + family, then they shared dances with their parents + Jess even had a special dance with her Pap.

I would wish the new Mr. + Mrs. Jenkins luck for their future but I know they don’t need it. I had asked Wayne at their engagement session what poses he would want and he said, “Anything where I can kiss her.” Well, there you go. Now you get to kiss her for life, my friend. Enjoy some favs!

Quin + Karly - Married!


This wedding was so, so good for my soul. Quin + Taylor are naturally hard workers + it is no surprise they put everything into this perfect day. Gorgeous weather, gorgeous wedding party, gorgeous decor, + gorgeous new Mr. + Mrs.!

Quin + Karly chose The Susquehanna Manor Inn for their wedding day. It was unique + had great characteristics which went with their shabby chic, classy style. The getting ready suite was my favorite all year! With big windows + a stunning bride like Karly, what more could you want?! We captured some of my favorite getting ready pictures here, of all time.  Their wedding day was full of sweetness like Karly’s gifts to her parents, the fact that Quin couldn’t decide whether to get Karly pearls or diamonds so he gifted her BOTH, the cutest ring bearer + ring girls, a wedding party that was *full* of entertainment, THE BEST wedding vows I have ever heard in my life!!! (I mean, I was a bawl bag), a wedding reception that took place as the sunset began to set, + can we talk about the beautiful light during Quin + Karly’s portraits?!

Words don’t express how much I’ve enjoyed working with Quin + Karly. I knew last year, when we did their engagement session in negative temperatures + we still had a blast, that their wedding would be a favorite of mine. Here’s to the new Mr. + Mrs. Taylor + to my new favorite gallery!

Mike + Jamie - Married!

Mike + Jamie are the world’s cutest couple so it was only fitting that their wedding day was the cutest day, too! Jamie got ready at her parents’ home with her best friends, family + pup surrounding her (some of my favorite getting ready shots, ever!) while Mike was ready at the church that they attend together. Their ceremony was held at their church and beautifully decorated with 1 Corinthians 13:4 signs + mums lining the aisle. Although technically it was a fall day, it was HOT! And we just barely got their wedding portraits done as rolling clouds hung above us.  I know I say this all the time about my couples - but Mike + Jamie just flow together. To see them belly laugh + the way they seek comfort in each other is what all beautiful marriages are made of.  Jamie is now also officially the stepmom to Mike’s adorable daughters but you can tell they have already loved that woman for a long, long time (the pictures of them cuddling with her while she was getting ready - to DIE for!)

We finished off their wedding day at a nearby fire hall and words don’t express HOW MUCH decorating went into their reception! The details were endless! We all shared some laughs, some tears + before I knew the night was over for us.  When I said good-bye + congratulations to them, I felt like I was saying it to good friends. Mike + Jamie (and their family!), in the short time that we’ve known each other, have shown me such unconditional kindness + it’s obvious they give that to everyone they come across. They are truly such a blessing + how wonderful that they found each other. Enjoy some favorites of Mike + Jamie’s wedding day!

 

Jake + Nath - Married!

What a memorable wedding. When I met with Jake + Nath for their consultation, I immediately could tell that they liked to do things out of the norm and that they were highly creative. I drove to this wedding, prepping my second shooter, saying I just KNEW this was going to be a good one. I was right!

There were a few things that made this day pretty incredible. Firstly, Nath is a talented make up artist (that’s how we met in the first place!) and she helped do hair + make up, as well as did her own. Also, the families at this wedding were such a good time to be around! I’ve never been at a wedding where families weren’t fun, but I mean sisters-posing-in-cornfields-with-cheese-and-beer-in-their-mouths fun. Thirdly, the details that Jake + Nath put into their wedding left me speechless. Gold beer barrows. A unique ceremony site simply designed with fabric + a beautiful tree. Weathered + gold leafed books + bookmarks for seating. Chandeliers that JAKE DESIGNED AND MADE HIMSELF.  All on Jake's family's property which makes it a little extra special. Lastly - the couple. One second Jake was deeply staring into Nath’s eyes, the next he was licking her. They are just a perfect duo + I love the portraits we captured together.  The romantic, the happy + the funny.

Congrats, Jake + Nath! You two are fabulous! And Jake, I’ll be hitting you up for one of those chandeliers the moment I buy a new house ;)

Enjoy some of my many, many favorites!

Kevin + Alyssa - Married!


Kevin + Alyssa - gosh, what a wonderful day they orchestrated. When I arrived on their Big Day it felt like it was approximately 300 degrees outside and both of them were rushing around getting all of the special details ready for the ceremony and reception. What I love about Kevin + Alyssa is they don’t take things too seriously - besides the things that really matter to them. And this day was one of those things.

Getting ready pictures full of delicate love that made me jealous I never had a sister? Check. A First Look with a sweet groom reaction? Check. A flawless looking couple despite the crazy heat at a lovely venue? Check. But the ceremony - SO sweet. Kevin’s brother gave him a light punch to the shoulder as Alyssa and her dad walked down the aisle and you could see Kevin was just beaming. He wiped a few sweet tears from Alyssa’s face and couldn’t help but rub his fingers on her hands and give her kisses if another tear fell. Their vows were beautiful and nothing - not even a train roaring down the track behind them - could ruin this moment. A lot of time we don’t give the ceremony enough credit. That IS the whole reason for a wedding afterall, and theirs was especially lovely to watch.

Then for the reception! Complete with a donut smash and a family who just loves to dance. There was lots to capture and I know Kevin + Alyssa had a blast.

So with that being said - congrats again, Mr. + Mrs. Gorman! I couldn’t imagine a more complimentary couple - from your jokes to your love of fun and your deep passions for hard work. I know you will have the time of your lives together.  Enjoy some favorites!

Matt + Abbey - Married!

What a beautiful day it was to celebrate Matt + Abbey.  Abbey got ready in the comfort of the home she grew up in with her best friends + close family, Matt did the same at their home. The thing I liked most about this wedding was how obviously adored these two are and how sweetly humble they are about it. This wedding was a labor of love for everyone involved.

Matt + Abbey’s smiles were a mile wide from the beginning until the end. They are just such a happy, wonderful couple! They were wed in a beautiful Catholic ceremony + then celebrated at the West Shore Country Club. They had a BIG wedding party which was so much fun.

We snagged Matt + Abbey’s couples pictures right as the wind was picking up + the clouds were getting dark. A fewwww more minutes and we would have had rain wedding pictures. The rest of the evening was equally flawless as they ended their day dancing the night away with those they loved most.  

The highlights for me at their wedding was the First Look between Abbey and her dad (such a tear jerker!), Matt + his mom’s fun dance, the groomsmen’s hilarious antics (which I didn’t see until later on my second shooter’s camera) + Abbey’s beautiful princess-inspired dress. I wish these two nothing but happiness together but I know they won’t have any problem achieving that on their own.

Enjoy their day!

 

Jake + Kristina - Married!


Jake + Kristina met while she was in college through a mutual friend and the rest is history. Throughout their wedding day I was overwhelmed with the love from their family + friends - proving that these two are something very special.

Historic Shady Lane is a beautiful - one of my absolute favorites! - and fit their classy style so well. We captured dreamy getting ready portraits; full of special gifts from the bride to the parents, happy tears after said gifts, classic details + a hilariously fun wedding party. The ceremony site at Historic Shady Lane is to die for and was perfect for Jake + Kristina’s sweet nuptials. We managed to capture a GIANT gallery for these two.  A great mix of funny, romantic, loving + classy.

The funny thing about Jake + Kristina’s wedding is that the amount of reception pictures in their gallery is the same amount as the average wedding gallery.  So much was going on at their reception + we captured it ALL! We ended the night with a beautiful send off with sparklers.  I was not caught on fire + the pictures came out beautifully so I couldn’t ask for more!

I wish you a lifetime of happiness with each other, Jake + Kristina! You are truly a beautiful couple inside + out.

Ryan + Janelle - Married!

It was the first wedding of the season and I was like a giddy little kid with my camera gear sitting by the door, exploding with excitement about seeing these two get married.  Ryan + Janelle picked their perfect wedding venue. The Links at Gettysburg was classy + offered beautiful views for their wedding day.

I am torn between some favorite parts of the day: I had the best time with the girls as they got ready - SUCH a fun wedding party!  Janelle’s beautiful tears during her dance with her father + the way her Maid of Honor held her veil during a breezy ceremony. And even the way Ryan is such a poised person until he is hoisted on his friends’ shoulders during the reception, fist bumping his son, or looking at his beautiful new wife. Speaking of Ryan’s son - that kid has some DANCE MOVES!!


There is something so beautiful about a couple being so honestly + easily in love with each other. Ryan + Janelle are exactly that. I know this wedding is just the beginning to a beautiful new adventure for them.  Enjoy some favorites!

 

Shane + Maureen - Married!

This is a love story … about how much I LOVE Shane + Maureen! Unlike most brides + grooms, I was booked by these two before they ever even worked with me after seeing the work I did for a past JSP couple (shout out to Chris + Liz!!).  That can sometimes be worrisome for photographers. What if they work with me + it isn’t anything like they expected? What if they don’t like my corny jokes or crazy ways to get legitimate smiles?! I had nothing to fear. I met with Shane + Maureen just before their wedding + not only were they fun + super compatible but Shane offered me a full course meal instead of a vendor meal making him my favorite groom, ever ;)

By the time I got to Maureen on her wedding day, she was already glowing + I knew this day was going to be PERFECT (That's also thinks to the AMAZING Makeup by Chelsea! Loveee what she does for my beautiful brides!)   I had the best time with Maureen, her girls + her mother but my favorite “getting ready” moment was when Maureen’s dad saw her for the first time. I mean - HOW ADORABLE IS HE?! The whole room was moved to tears. My second shooter covered the guys getting ready + I heard Shane was being very responsible by passing out water bottles to all of the groomsmen. Sorry I missed that, haha!

Shane + Maureen married in a gorgeous Catholic ceremony + we were blessed to have access to shoot all around the church during the ceremony.  Then we headed to a location into Gettysburg for some bridal party shots. Lastly, we ended at The Links at Gettysburg for a beautifully set up reception. To top everything off, we were able to snag some romantic portraits with a rainbow after some drizzle + then the sunset.

I can’t tell you enough how wonderful it was to be a part of Shane + Maureen’s day. To know the Storms is to love them + as much as I love their wedding gallery, it still doesn’t give justice to how genuinely wonderful + in love these two are. Shane, I wish you a lifetime of kisses from Maureen ;)  Enjoy!

Colin + Chelsea - Engagement


THESE GUYS! <3 I had SUCH a good time laughing, exploring + getting poison ivy with these guys! We were so worried about the weather leading up to their session but the sun came out + it was the perfect day - they SO deserved it! Chelsea had such cool and interesting photography requests (helllllloooo, gorgeous sunset on top of a peak!) so we took a hike to get those for her! We also played around with some gorgeous blossoming trees + laid in some flowers. SO romantic, these two! Colin + Chelsea have an obviously fun, easy-going and loving bond and it was a great time capturing that for them. If their engagement pictures are this good, can you imagine what their wedding is going to be like?! Enjoy some of my favs (even though I wish I could post them all!)

Jim + Hannah - Engaged!

I just ADORE these guys. So much that I traveled to Philly for such an exciting session with these two! The Franklin Bridge, Philly skyline, some incredibly beautiful walls, + the street corner where they had their first kiss all make an appearance in this eclectic session.  I’ve gotta say - I LIVE for sessions like these where my couples trust me to push the limits with creative posing + unique spots.  Jim + Hannah are so in-sync with each other and it shows in their posing. Natural, soft, loving <3They also had me laughing hysterically (I won’t mention any drunk stories, Jim) and feeling like I was hanging with friends during their session. I’m counting down the days until I get to photograph these two become husband and wife. They are already 2017’s power couple in my book! Enjoy some (or many) of my favs.

Tim + Laura - Married!

Tim + Laura’s wedding couldn’t have been more perfect. They had their special day at a venue I absolutely adore (And I mean REALLY adore - I got married there a week later!) and the weather was the best of the season. Tim + Laura brought a lot of fun to their Big Day. I loved their royal blue colors, Laura’s unique dress, their hilariously adorable ring bearer and son, their epic gun picture request, and man, do these guys and their friends/fam know how to party! The reception was too much fun! Don’t even get me started on their superhero boutonnieres and fabric flowers. But one of my ABSOLUTE favorite parts of this day was when Tim’s son Gavin brought Laura a flower while she was getting ready and told her how beautiful she looked in her dress.  I think everyone was in tears!!  This was my last wedding of the season and I went out with a bang. I wish this little family nothing but happiness and love!

Ira + Chelsea - Married!

I am such a lucky person to have met Ira + Chelsea and even luckier to have been able to work with them on one of the most meaningful days of their lives. These two are just lovely, creative souls that truly just. GET. IT. In a world full of flash and fakeness, it is a breath of fresh air to meet a couple so truly genuine and meant to be.

Ira, Chelsea and their family worked their BUTTS off for their wedding. The whole thing was completely made from bare hands and big dreams. It was truly unbelievably to see. Chelsea’s dad HANDMADE their dance floor and ceremony site. UNREAL. The food was also homemade and delicious.  And the swing, teepee and Photo Booth?! With my own wedding only being a monthaway, I wanted to just pick up the whole dang thing and use it as my own wedding.

So I might have put a little extra shots in here that weren’t necessarily needed for this blog post. But little things like the cutest/funniest flower girl and ring bearer, a song from the groom to bride, and a cat walking down the aisle just had to be shared. It’s a part of Ira + Chelsea’s story and they have created a beautiful one for themselves.  Enough babbling. I will leave you with a quote that Ira dedicated to his new wife before singing to her in front of all of their friends and family.

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!” - Jack Kerouac