Wednesday, I met Andy and Kelly in Elizabethtown for their engagement session. I picked them up and we headed to Masonic Homes to start. The gardens were ok, but I wanted to take them other places. We went to the train station where there is fabulous light and texture. I kept commenting on how they both had a great look when they didn’t smile. Then, they couldn’t stop smiling! Andy had a hard time loosening up due to his background, but I told him I think he’ll be ok by the wedding! Here are just a few from our session.

I have more sessions to blog about, but wanted to get these up first.
Today we went on another field trip. I originally wanted to take the kids to the Baltimore Aquarium, but need more time to plan that one. So instead, we did another mini field trip to the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg. “Aliens” the exhibit is running through the fall. I knew Kobe would enjoy this because he is such a geek for knowledge. For those that know Kobe, know it is true. With the Alien admission, you had access to the science center also. We ran around through that first, until a huge group of kids came in from a day camp and took the place over. So we headed down stairs to the Aliens…….it was interesting, but I think the kids had a little more fun upstairs doing all the weird experiments. But, it was totally worth it to finally hear Kobe say that he had a great time! He is a tough one! He also like to avoid the camera now. So I really wasn’t playing favorites today with the pics!

Thursday, I met Emma and her Mom for Emma’s 2 year session. Emma changed so much since I saw her last year! We wanted to do something fun this time. I let Emma just run around and be herself. She was really excited about getting in the fountain where we were…but once in it, she realized it was a little cold! We had a perfect weather day too. Just as we were about to leave, the rain started. Done just in time! Emma is going to be a big sister in the next few weeks also…so stay tuned!

Yesterday, I met Molly and Josh at the Eden Fire Co. where I found out that they both run for and that is where they met! How great! So, Molly wanted the fire company somehow incorporated in the session. We wandered around there a bit and then headed into the city to where Josh proposed to Molly….in a cemetary…
It sounds creepy, but it wasn’t at all. It was one of Lancaster’s first cemetaries and had the cutest little gazebo in it. That is where he actually proposed. We had a little fun in there while the grounds keeper wondered why we were climbing on things and taking pictures. It started to get super hot, so we went to the new little park in the city where there is a fountain that jumps. It was vey unpredictable, So I told them to just run through it. Molly got a lot more wet than she thought she would and decided we might as well run through it again and be done. At least they were cooled off!! Here are a few from yesterday.

One day, Betty bought a wreath for her front door. No sooner was it hung, a little bird built a nest in that wreath. It laid a few eggs and in no time, 3 birds were hatched. A little time past and 2 of the birds flew away. There was just one baby bird that stuck around for a while. But on Saturday, that last baby bird got enough strength and flew away. Literally, it flew away just as we were about to leave for the church. It was a very symbolic moment. We had the extreme pleasure of being there for that moment and to photograph Jane and Will’s wedding. What can I say, these two crazy birds were so much fun to be around. Jane was so spontaneous and just wanted to have fun. She wasn’t stressed about being anywhere. Our day started at Jane’s parents house where we learned, if you dye your shoes, spray them with hairspray before you wear them so you don’t end up with blue feet!!
We headed out to F&M college where the wedding was held in Nevin Chapel. After a few fun shots of the wedding party, Will and Jane, Jane said, “If we get done early, we can go for ice cream!” We’ll that did it for me! We were off the to the Creamery in Strasburg for ginormous cones!
After a little bit of fun and a sweet little girl wanting to see the “princess” we went up the street to the
Netherlands Inn
. It wasn’t quite time to be announced, so Katie and I took Will and Jane to the playground. Like I said, these two were so much fun! Once inside, the Uptown Band got things rolling right away and kept the party going even after we left. Thank you for letting us share your day! It was a blast!! Here is your show

I just got home from an amazing week in Atlantic City. I went down the DWFU workshop. (Digital Wedding Forum) What was great is that there were only 50 photographers and we have created life long bonds.
We had a class each day on different topics. My main reason for going was to see Tina Wilson . She is an incredible children’s photographer in Tennessee. Right away when she started to talk and describe her life and where it was, I said” that is me!” I knew this was something I needed to work on. I talked to her the next night and we had a life changing conversation. (I am gonna try not to cry again) That made the trip soooo worth it!
Tuesday night, was our “Trash The Dress”. shoot. It was organized by Heather Zawalick and headed up by “Mark Eric”. and “Jason Domingues”.
About 10 brides who wanted to do something a little different, volunteered to come to Atlantic City and have amazing photographers shoot them in their wedding gowns. This wasn’t about ruining a dress. It was about getting the shots you are too scared to do on the wedding day because you don’t want to get dirt on your dress. My group had Lisa. She was so beautiful and the camera loved her. I was so happy when she said we can do anything we wanted….as long as the dress was able to be washed. This was a media frenzy too! Their were TV cameras and news stations everywhere. It was really weird to be on the other side this time….(yeah ok ;)…) I even made the newspaper!! Woo Hoo!!!
The last 2 days we were there, we had a class with Cliff Maunter who helped us with lighting and running a business. Thursday, I got to see John Michael Cooper again. Just a few months ago I saw him in Las Vegas when he did a shoot off in the desert. I had to cut out early to get home, so I missed him shoot this time…. But, I know I will have so many opportunites to see him again. If I wrote everything we learned this week, I would run out of space…..But all I can say is that I met some incredible photographer’s and made some really great friends! See….now I am crying again…..
Here are a few from my Trash the Dress….

I forgot to put up the News Article from the The Press!
Woo hoo!! Supastar!

Ali and Steve were our 07/07/07 couple! When Ali picked her date, she never really realized the significance of the date. So there wasn’t a big deal made about it.
They had their wedding at St John the Baptist church in New Freedom. After the ceremony, we headed to a cute pond for the group shots. With the weather being so hot and all the bugs, we cut it short so they could drive around for a while before the reception. When they arrived at the Yorktowne hotel, we took them to do some shots alone. Much better!!
I knew their reception was going to be action packed from when we talked during their engagement session. Katie and I were cracking up the whole time at the surprise dances and the craziness around us. What a great night! Thanks for letting us be a part of your day! I will have your slide show up by the time you get back from Ireland!! Here it is FINALLY

I will be out of the office until Friday July 13th. I will have limited e-mail access. I will get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks!! Have a great week!

I always love it when I get a call or e-mail from former brides asking me to photograph their children! It makes me excited to know that they trust me enough to continue to document their lives.
Today, I got to photograph Cole. He is the sixth month old son of Heidi and Jeremiah that got married almost 4 years ago.
They wanted me to come to the house so they could document where Cole grew up before they move. He was very easy to work with. Most 6 month olds laugh at everything….then they get tired…..Here are a few from today!