Blair & Ryan | Philadelphia, New Jersey Wedding Photographer

Really, I love all the couples I work with but I really love couples like Blair and Ryan. No nonsense, to the point kind of folks. They both work crazy-intense jobs out on the left coast but that didn't alter the enthusiasm and confidence they had for turning their wedding into an awesome, fun, beautiful day with friends and family at the Seaview Resort and Spa down at the NJ Shore.

Initially, I met with Blair's mom who was an absolute blast. I rarely meet with parents before the wedding but Beverly was a perfect fit in my world and I knew that once I met Blair and Ryan they'd be great too. It's funny when moms and daughters are similar. It seems that many of the brides I work with have smooth, fun relationships with their moms. Not sure where all this myth of crazy bridezillas and their crazy moms came from. The no nonsense manner has extended past the wedding, I'm seeing the happy couple this week to get their album started, and that is a record that I don't think will ever be topped. Album finalizing in less than 8 weeks after the wedding.

Sometimes, I just really love the classic look of straight black and white toned images. There's something just really timeless about the look of black and white. Then other times it comes off as a bit too sterile somehow and I'll want to bring an extra something to a set of images. As I was prepping these for the blog I got to thinking that they needed some more 'love' so I added a rich warm tone to them. I think it really fits here.

A full highlight slideshow is (here).

Scott! AMAZING work! I didn't expect anything less. You are a true artist. Everyone is raving about the highlights. ...You captured every moment, most of which I didn't realize you were capturing, just as it felt. Thank you, thank you, thank you again.

To reiterate: exquisite work! We are so happy we used you.

-- Blair

Getting in a practice run before....

the real thing....

Leilani and Pete l Philadelphia Wedding Photographer

Leilani and Pete are the third veterans of the War in Iraq that I've photographed as a wedding photographer. As a newspaper photographer, I was often on the darker side of stories of soldiers. Whether it was about a then mysterious nervous system syndrome suffered by veterans of the war in 1991 or soldiers overcoming injuries at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina or an African immigrant serving the U.S. Army in hopes of gaining his citizenship and ultimately dying for a country he only hoped to be a citizen of. Now as a wedding photographer, I get to connect with veterans unaffiliated with their role as soldiers on a rather joyful occasion. Either way, it's always an honor to tell their story.

Theirs was my final wedding of 2008, two days after Christmas. It was a chilly night at Normandy Farm with lots of cross-cultural joking going on between Leilani's large and fun Philipino family and Pete's small Polish-Italian brood. I was also thrilled that Leilani donned that great hat and veil for the reception. It's one of those things that always make a woman look even more elegant and gorgeous.

(Slideshow)







Their ceremony was full of all kinds of wonderful, and important, symbols in Philipino culture including a literal knot of rope draped over the couple by their mothers and the mutual exchange of coins.



Below is a stolen moment between the couple as their families gathered for one of the traditional family portraits. See folks, this is what you get with a veteran photojournalist, always looking for the unexpected moments that tell you something wonderful.

Genny & Jake l Philadelphia Wedding Photographer

Genny and Jake called me soon after they returned from a global trek, and lots of pictures, and said they knew that they wanted a photographer who would be able to capture something real for their wedding. They're a couple who clearly want to experience life, not watch others have all the fun. And so, we were a perfect match for each other.

Their ceremony and reception were held at the Loews in downtown Philadelphia, the renovated historic 1932 PSFS building, the nation's first modern skyscraper.. The ballroom is a reminder that banks were once serious places. A very swank location for a swank couple.

From Genny's mother:

"You have captured the real spirit of my girl. There are shots of her that touch my heart because the little girl she was appears in her grown-up body. I just can't thank you enough for all of the beautiful prints, you caught every special moment, yet I don't even remember seeing you! thank you so much for being so good at your craft, I'm so glad she found you. "

Show (here).