{David and Laura | Engaged!}

Sometimes you just happen to be in the right place at the right time.  Nothing could be more true of how I reconnected with Dave and am now their photographer.  Remember a few weeks back I introduced you to Ellen and Phuong?  Well while hanging out at the Rose Bank Winery in Newtown for their shoot, I happened to run into Dave and his beautiful fiance Laura.  Dave and I went to college together and shared a mutual friend but had lost contact in the craziness of life.  They were there that day setting up the details for their wedding day in January and I jokingly mentioning that I’d love to photograph their day.  Two weeks later and a few emails back and forth and Dave and Laura were clients of mine and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

During their session, I joked with them that my memories of Dave all involved him laughing and being silly.  After getting to know Laura, its so easy to see why they fell in love!  She is a sweet soul, with a love of details and even is into photography herself!  (you can check her out here!) She brought along three letters Dave had written her over the course of their relationship, and I for one, LOVE written accounts of love stories.  Words written down are things you can keep forever much like photographs.  Being able to capture that part of their love stories in a photograph is so awesome!

Dave and Laura, I am SO excited for your wedding in January and to photograph that wonderful day in your life.  Your wedding will an awesome way to start 2014!!!  Dave, I am also so happy to see that you have found someone who obviously loves you so very much and I am excited to see where your journey together takes you.  I hope you love your photos – I know I do!!  To view their engagement session in its entirety, you can click here.

{Dan and Stephanie | Engaged!}

I sat at Starbucks waiting to meet with Stephanie back in July.  She had contacted me about shooting her wedding next fall and as with any new clients, I was eager to hear about her wedding and to see if I was the best fit for her.  We had both gone to the same high school (Pennsbury High School) only graduated different years.  Its always so fun to work with people who you share certain things in common with!  As soon as Stephanie and her parents showed up and we began talking details of her big day, I knew that I was going to like working with her.  She was SO excited and genuinely cared about her photos.  After our meeting I went home an scrolled through her pinterest and found that we were drawn to the same cute ideas and personal touches.  As a photographer, getting to work with couples who are excited and willing and creative is a dream and this couple is EXACTLY that.  When you look through their session you’ll find smores and firetrucks and fishing poles and picnic set ups and chalk boards and balloons!  So much fun stuff packed into a session and I was grateful to have Jordan there to make sure everything went smoothly and to even stand in a river with me!  Best friends are wonderful assistants that’s for sure! Stephanie, I know you were concerned you were going to drive me crazy with your texts but you made me feel like you appreciate what I do and saw how much I love doing it.  You and Dan put up with multiple locations and outfits and bright sun and heat but the end result is beautiful.  I CANT WAIT for your wedding next year and to be there to capture even more of your love story.  Thank you for being willing to have me as your crazy photographer and as apart of your lives!  To see Dan and Stephanie’s session in its entirety, click here.

{Frank and Abbey | Engaged!}

A little unknown fact about me – I went to a small private college outside of Philadelphia for three years.  When I went there, it was known as Philadelphia Biblical University (or PBU), however after I left, the name was changed to Cairn University.  While I was a student there, you couldn’t help but know everyone.  Even if you never had talked to them, they were best friends with someone you knew, had a class with you or were someone you had stood behind to get lunch.  Its what happens when you go to a small school.  I knew Frank for many reasons; he was friends with my friends, I had classes with him and he worked on the schools social committee.  After I had left, he started seeing the cutest girl named Abbey, who also went there.  Fast forward a few years and I got a message from Abbey asking about me as a photographer.  We chatted at Panera with her mom and when she mentioned she was still with Frank, my whole face lit up!  A PBU wedding?  I’ve been wanting to do one of those!!

Frank joined the army and so planning his proposal (a post will be coming on this soon!) and their engagement session took some work because he is only here a little bit of the year.  But this past Monday, we met up at Tyler Park and shot some beautiful images of this adorable couple.  The sun set light was perfect, their love for each other evident and end result was perfect.  I feel so lucky to work with such awesome people, to have an assistant like Kate and to get to have this be my job.  Frank and Abbey, I can’t wait to capture your May wedding!  I hope you LOVE your images and know what fun I had shooting them.  If you want to see their session in its entirety, you can click here.

{Family Shoot | Philadelphia Art Musuem}

I’m girl who likes a martini.  Not every day or anything like that but when I go out, I want a fruity, delicious martini and NO ONE makes them better than Caitlyn.  Over the last year year and half, about once a month you’ll find me sitting at her bar at Voyeur drinking one of specialties laughing with her.  I love this girl, not just for her willingness to put up with my indecisiveness but because she is sweet, funny, a little crazy like me and never lets things be dull.  A while back she asked if I would be willing to shoot her man and his two kids as well as her sister in laws family, and of course I said yes!  Little did I know how attractive these families were or how much fun I’d have this past Wednesday behind the Art Musuem shooting these two families.  Between the 5 cousins and the 2 couples, we got beautiful pictures in the glow-y evening light and the kids even got to run around and climb in trees.  I got to bring along fellow patron of Voyeur and Caitlyn cocktails, Jordan, who was oh so willing to do anything I needed, including putting little girls in trees and carrying around lots of stuff.  All in all, it was a perfect shoot if you ask me and I can’t wait to hear how the two families like the results.  To see the whole shoot, you can click here.  Thank you Caitlyn for being not only a wonderful client and bartender but friend as well and I hope to get to photograph you again in the future!

{Happy 2nd Birthday Peyton!}

Yesterday I had the chance to catch up with a friend and her daughter at Tyler Park.  This week is full of shoots at Tyler, and no matter how often I shoot there, I always find new places to love.  Peyton’s birthday was actually yesterday as well, so what better time to have a birthday shoot?  This little cutie and her teddy bear made my morning!  From her two adorable outfits, her sweet smile and the tea party she had in the grass, we had a blast.  If you’d like to see the shoot in its entirety, you can click here.  And I was able to edit and post this shoot in less than 24 hours, a new record for me!  Danica, thank you for letting me capture this special time in Peyton’s life and I look forward to capturing her more as she grows up!  Happy Birthday Peyton!!

{Phuong and Ellen | Anniversary Shoot}

I must admit, I am instantly distracted when I see diamonds.  The phrase they are a girls best friend may be true but as a photographer, I look for bling {everywhere}.  I love happy and in love people and when I see a girl with a rock on her hand, I can’t help but want to ask about her story.  I tell you all of this because this past March I was at a wedding and I happened to spot a stunning rock on one of the bridesmaids finger and well, the rest is history.  Ellen was actually already married and yet mentioned that there were some photos she wishes she would have had from her wedding day.  After a few months and a couple conversations, we set up an anniversary shoot for them in Newtown, PA.  The day was perfect from the weather, to the humor and the people I got to spend it with.  This was actually the first time I got to have my sister along on a shoot (Remember meeting her here?) and let me tell you, she was a trooper.  She had no problem climbing, running around, getting me water and even walking into a lake so I could get the best light.  All in all, this was one of my favorite shoots ever and I think that was because I got to work with a couple who let me direct them, were willing to do anything and kept their spirits up for 2 hours of portraits after a wedding the day before.  Ellen and Phuong, you were a blast and I feel incredibly lucky to have met you and now have you in my portfolio.  You are wonderful, generous people and I am grateful that you allowed me to photograph you.  Enjoy a few of my favorites here but to see their entire album, click here.  Happy weekend everyone!

{Jason and Charise | Married!}

When I first sat down with Charise TWO years ago, I knew her wedding day would be beautiful, and let me tell you, Saturday was just that.  These two have been together for close to SIX years and you could tell all day long, this was something they had been looking forward to for a long time.  All of the details had been carefully planned by Charise for months and as she began seeing it all unfold and look so perfect, her joy was evident.  From the weather and the golden, glowly evening light, their adorable details and the love that was so obvious, I can’t even get over what a wonderful evening it was.  Their heartfelt vows brought tears to my eyes and I loved getting to know their friends and family.  Charise and Jason, I am so happy for you two to finally be husband and wife and it was a JOY to shoot your wedding.

Wanna see more of their big day?  Follow us on facebook to know when the full album is released!

Jody and Rasheen | Married

It was a windy Thursday morning and I was waiting outside a tailor shop in South Philly feeling a little nervous about meeting a new bride.  As much as I love what I do there is still that tinge of, “what if they don’t like me?” that runs through my head in the moments before I meet one of my brides.  Rasheen was getting married in just TWO days and yet once I introduced myself and started chatting about her very quickly approaching wedding I saw that she was so laid back and sweet.  And that is exactly how I would describe her wedding day – full of sweet moments, with a dash of the streotypical rushing around and laid back where Rasheen and Jody interacted with their guests and families.  In the moments before the ceremony I was with the girls getting ready and as makeup was quickly (and beautifully!) applied, her mom and girls helped her slip into her dress and calm her nerves.  Everyone couldn’t help but comment on what I beautiful bride she was!  And when she walked down the staris and into the ceremony space, Jody’s face was priceless.  The joy on his face was evident and one of my most favorite photos is of him after the ceremony where I caught him just staring at his stunning wife!  They had a beautiful bridal party, from the absolutely adorable flower girls to the ring bearer , from the handsome groomsmen to some of the sweetest and most welcoming bridesmaids I have ever worked with, their day was perfect.  Despite the drizzle, they braved the outdoors to capture some portraits and I think the result is beautiful.

Rasheen and Jody, thank you for inviting me into your lives, into your wedding day and for allowing me to capture one of the most important days of your life.  Your families welcomed me like I have never been welcomed on a wedding day and it speaks volumes of you all.  I wish nothing but the happiest of ever after and a beautiful life of love together.  If you wish to view their wedding in its entirety, you can see it here.

Brittany – Eastern Senior

As I am sure you have noticed by now, I have a bond with SO many of my clients, but none of them share the bond I have with today’s client.  Brittany is my little sister (although little perhaps isn’t the right word as she is taller than me!) and being able to to take her senior photos has been something I have looked forward to for quite some time.  There are not words for HOW proud I am of her!  In her 4 years at Eastern University, I have gotten to see her grow into someone who plays Ultimate Frisbee, found a love for Philosophy and even decided to major in it, been active part of the Templeton Honors College, created friendships with amazing people (some of whom I have gotten to photograph!), gotten to study in Spain and surprised even me with getting involved in theater.  Britt has been a hardworking student and I can’t tell you the number of times our mom has told me that she was up late (again!) trying to write another Philosophy paper or studying for a test, but I know in just a few short days when its all turned in and she is done, all those sleepless nights will be worth it.

I think its rather universal that big sisters don’t like to let the younger one outshine them or teach them something they might not know, we of course wanna know more and be better at everything.  And while for much of my life I would say this is true, in the last 4 years I feel as though I have learned so much from her.  Brittany, you have shown me what determination gets you, that you can be beautiful and smart and sassy, and you’ve shown me and probably countless others what genuine love and grace looks like it human form.  You’ve taught me that people change and that sisters can be friends too, you’ve given me hope and you’ve loved me even when I haven’t deserved it.  You accept people and you love them and beyond all the brains, beauty and ability you have, that will be what gets you places in life.  I love that you are goofy and crazy and can dance around our parents kitchen while I cook and that we also have long conversations sitting in the driveway in my car.  I am excited to see where this next chapter of your life takes you and to be there to document it for you.  I know that you are prepared to do amazing things, that your drive and heart will take you far and that not matter what you do, where you go or what happens, I will be right behind you cheering you on, still telling you then how proud of you and how much I love the person you are.    

Let me end with this – I am sure you have heard the new Taylor Swift song 22.  Every time I hear that insanely annoying tune, I smile and get all teary.  When I think back to what it felt like for me to be 22, it wasn’t full of adventure and new beginnings and the world didn’t sit in front of me the way it does for you.  Now, don’t take that as me being all sad and pathetic, that just wasn’t my story.  But when I think of you, I see all the things that being 22 and about graduate should look like and I glad that I get to see all of that in someone I also am blessed to call my sister and my friend.   Go take this world by storm Brittany, go live and dream bigger than you think you can and know that no matter where you go, I got your back kid.  All my love, your not so big big siiiiister 🙂

Neighbors, introspection and “it”

This morning I woke up and I won’t lie, I had zero desire to get out of bed.  Its been a rough few weeks and there are times where I am convinced that this dream of mine will never actually happen.  So as I was scrolling through my facebook feed on my iPad, a post stopped me in my tracks and in moments had me in tears.  When I began New Roots Photography three years ago, I had this desire for it to be more than a photography business and more my life and the lives of those I know, communicated through words and photography.  The last few weeks have been incredible, shooting so many new people and that’s what we want as a photographers, but for some reason I believed what I was doing was not enough.  In my head, the dream life was when I had 50 weddings and a couple hundred clients a year, making tons of money and being able to work out of an office that was beautifully painted.  And perhaps you can relate to that…to you the dream maybe getting that “real” job after college, being married. having a beautiful home, starting your family or your business. Your whole life seems to be waiting for that moment when you finally have “it.”

Yesterday I found myself in my neighbors backyard painting their newly finished walls after much encouragement from Jordan. I have been able to see every step of their backyard renovations project and just like them, I cant wait till its done!  Sitting there painting in sunshine, with the company of the ever lovely Patience, I couldn’t help but find joy in that process.  It was exactly what I needed…to sit and breathe and be an active part of a transformation.  All of that came rushing back to me this morning and I realized that that was the way I needed to approach myself and my business.  Every session I do is completely unique and special and captures something that may only be here for a moment.  Every growing and painful stage of my business is part of the transformation and it is beautiful, I only need to look hard enough to see it.  I encourage you today on this sunny Friday to look at the things in your life that you see as the dream and realize that there is much joy to be found getting there.  Once you have that dream job, you won’t have late nights laughin in a college dorm, once you have that baby your marriage and life will change forever and once that massive home improvement project is done, there will be no sitting on buckets and ladders in the sunshine talking about dancing and laughing.  “It” is now my friends and once you realize that, life becomes so much more beautiful.  You are the only person who gets to see your life and the lives of those you choose to invest in, in pieces, in process and sure the end result is what we are all after but if thats all we see, we miss the moments of upside down buckets and laughter in the sunshine.  So thank you to Katelyn James for introducing me to that link today and thank you to my wonderful neighbors and friends for letting me find myself again in a little painting project. 🙂 And don’t worry – I’ll give you the true introduction to these amazing ladies later this summer. 🙂 Happy Friday friends – go do and be apart of something beautiful!