Ferretti Family Portraits

I photographed the Ferretti family session at Valley Forge National Historical Park this fall. The Ferretti family are my guardian angels! You see my home, husband and dogs are in Central Pennsylvania. I had previously been a photographer for the military at an army base near my home and this year I started working as the photographer at a navy base but the job was in Philadelphia. My husband can not move at this time so I am a commuter during the week and come home on the weekends. When I first started my new day job in Philadelphia (which is almost 3 hours away from my home each way), I was driving nearly 6 hours, plus working 8 1/2 hours, every day. It was brutal. I had many of my friends from church reach out to their friends and family in the Philadelphia area to see if anyone would let me stay with them temporarily during the week until I could find a permanent living situation (I now rent an apartment). It was a dear friend's cousin, Dan and his wife, Michelle, who said they would let me stay in a room in their home. I lived with their family from July - September of this year. I can never thank them enough for their generosity towards an almost total stranger! They are just incredible people! 

I wanted to find a way to thank them for all that they did for me (though I could never do enough) and I learned they had never had professional portraits of their whole family. So I knew I could remedy that!    

This was my gift....

The Ferretti's - Michelle, Katie, Lauren and Dan. 

This is my favorite photo of the four of them -

they look fabulous!

Katie

Lauren

 Another great shot of the whole family!

David and Rebecca Get Engaged!

David is a special person in my life. I first met David the day after Labor Day in 2005 when I walked in to a newspaper to start my new job as the staff photographer. His desk was beside mine and David was one of the talented writers on staff. As co-workers we had a lot of assignments where we would go together and while David was doing interviews and asking questions, I was walking around trying to find the shots that we needed. From that working relationship it would grow into a wonderful friendship. David was there to help me after my father passed away, he was there for me when I first started dating a new boyfriend (it was the man who would become my husband) and the two of them would also become friends. David was at our wedding and I am so excited that soon we will be at his and Rebecca's wedding. I was wonderful that my husband, Toby, and I were able to go down to Baltimore and meet Rebecca (it was before their proposal) and we just all got along so well. Recently, Toby and I got to go to Baltimore again to see David and Rebecca, but this time it was to photograph their engagement session. We all met for lunch at Nick's Fish House. Toby and I along with David and Rebecca ate at this fantastic seafood restaurant. We just loved it! So afterwards, we decided to strike out to the marina to try and get some of their engagement photos.

That's the restaurant in the background.

There was a live band playing at the restaurant so 

David and Rebecca couldn't help themselves but 

to cut loose and dance. The next few photos are a series 

of them having a blast. Too funny!

Later, we went and did photos at their apartment 

building and their street. This is special because it is their 

first place together. This was David and Rebecca's favorite 

photo. I agree! You two look fantastic! Thank you for letting 

me document your love story! This was in the garden on 

their block and it was so peaceful and beautiful.

We all loved this old, abandoned church in the 

background and thought it would make a great pub 

or restaurant if someone would fix up the place. I couldn't 

believe the size of those flowering containers in the 

background. The scenery surrounding them is just beautiful.

Then we went to a beautiful area a block away 

where there were fountains and more beautiful gardening.

This was another favorite of the happy couple and I love it too!

I love this detail shot of the couple holding hands!

Congrats David and Rebecca on finding each 
other and to Happily Ever After!

Photography for Charity

I recently was asked to help my church and I was so happy that I could donate my services. I attend Carlisle Brethren in Christ Church in our town of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Because of it's very large size, there are so many groups from children's groups, to young adults, to senior citizens, to groups for those you have gotten divorced, or have recently lost a loved one. It is a fabulous church and there is something for everyone! The church wanted to thank two of its long-serving Sunday School teachers who were retiring. They contacted current members of the church and asked them to come for the picture if they had ever been taught by this husband and wife team. So each person in this photo, when they were about 3 years old, were taught by the same couple for Sunday School at our church. The couple had done this for 30 years, so I thought this was a great way to help commemorate their service. We took the photo outside at the children's playground behind the church and the yellow rope has been used by the couple all 30 years to take the little 3 year old children out on walks. All the children had to hold on to the rope so they could all stay together. Later, I added text to the photo thanking the couple for their service and we got it framed. It was given to them on their last Sunday serving as Sunday school teachers. I just love this photo and I think it turned out great!

Tommy's High School Senior Portraits

Tommy is the son of my tax preparer, Pam. In the below post, I talk more about their family when I had the chance to photograph Tommy's grandparents surprise 50th anniversary party/picnic. For his senior portraits wore things that showcase all of his passions - fishing, hunting, his school and football (wearing his jersey of his favorite player - Tim Tebow). He is such a kind person and I can't hope for more good things to come his way as he enters into his senior year and beyond. 

Congratulations Tommy! 

This first photo is my favorite - Tommy you look great!

50th Anniversary Surprise Party

I met Pam in the spring when I heard about her through a friend about how great she is to do taxes! Boy was that an understatement! What's best about her is the personal relationship you get when you hire her! She is now not just a client of mine, but a friend. Please contact me if you are looking for someone who is certified to do your taxes because I can't recommend Pam enough! After she did my taxes she called me to see if I could photograph her parents' 50th wedding anniversary surprise party! It had the down home feel of a huge picnic (but with way better food) and a lot of love going around between everyone in attendance! It was amazing to see and I was so happy to be able to photograph it for the amazing, happy couple who were the guests of honor! Now on to the photos!

The large tent with tables and chairs set up in the 

backyard of Pam's home. It is located in the beautiful 

countryside outside of Carlisle. The day (and the sky)

couldn't have been more perfect for a big party.

Balloons showing how it was a 50th Anniversary Party.

The guest book

Pam paid attention to every detail and decorated every-

thing wonderfully! I love how it all turned out!

Pam and her wonderful family: (left to right): oldest son 

Tommy; husband Tom, and youngest son Nick (along 

with their dog Sapphire).

I love this shot of Sapphire! Just beautiful!

Along with Sapphire, the family had just adopted two 

baby golden retrievers: Here's baby Jasmine sleeping.

and here's little Angel Sahara. They were just precious!

Then the happy couple arrived and they were totally 

surprised! I just love the look on Mary's face!

Mom, Mary, giving her daughter, Pam, a hug! Priceless!

There were a lot of friends and family on hand to 

celebrate the happy couple. Seen here is Mary with 

her friend, Vera. Great shot! The two were just 

giddy seeing each other.

The guests of honor: Mary and Earl.

They cut the cake and fed it to each other just

like from their wedding day 50 years earlier,

only this time they threw cake all over each other !

The cake was really cool!

My favorite of Earl and Mary - Congratulations 

you two on 50 years of marriage!

Katie & Josh Get Married! (the Reception)

For the reception, the guests moved from Mulder Chapel to the Port Ewen Room. The decorations were amazing and so was the display of food. But my favorite place at the reception was the cake table. The cake was beautiful and as the night went on more things started being placed by the cake, first the bride's bouquet, then the groom's Marine sword (they would later cut the cake with it. 

First the bridal party was introduced as they walked in to the 

reception hall, and then the bride and groom walked straight

onto the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.

Here is a detail shot of that moment.

I love the emotion in this picture. Just perfect!

The groom's daughter looking on as her dad dances with

her new step mom. Too sweet!

 Then the toasts were given. First up was the best man, 

who was also the younger brother of the groom.

Then the matron of honor gave her toast.

 The bride and groom really enjoyed the

 toasts that were given in their honor.

 After dinner, the bride had her dance with her father. 

Such a sweet moment!

 Then the groom danced with his gorgeous mother!

I personally love this shot because I had the privilege 

of photographing both of these couple's weddings.

Left to Right: Josh and Katie and Ben and Josie

(Josie is Katie's older sister). I photographed Ben and Josie's

wedding last year in the town of Carlisle, Pennsylvania

(near where I live).

Here's a great family photo of Josh, Katie and Kaylee
all dancing. Little Kaylee was having so much fun dancing with
her father and new step-mother. 

Overall shot of the cake table

 Detail photograph of the cake, bride's bouquet and groom 

Marine sword (which they used to cut the cake).

Detail photograph of the flowers on the cake. 

 Another detail photograph of the cake. This time it is of 

the cake topper - little figurine replicas of the happy couple.

 A fitting shot to end the postings from this wedding.

Thank you Josh and Katie for letting me be a part

of your Big Day! It was truly magical and I hope it

was all you dreamed it would be!