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....

Jilian & Jay | Philadelphia Wedding Photographer

I must admit, I was really looking forward to Jilian and Jay's wedding. Jilian and Jay are part of a great group of friends and acquaintances whose weddings I've been photographing since 2007. I won't go into the details but let's just say it's great to get passed around from one awesome couple to the next. So first, off I owe Whitney and Maurice from 2007 for getting this ball rolling.

Jilian, Jay and I had a great engagement shoot at their home and neighborhood of Northern Liberties earlier this year. I also happen to love the restaurant group where Jilian works in the office for Zahav, Xochitl and soon to come Percy Street BBQ.

I love having couples who fully embrace what I try to do as a photographer. I really hate formulas and love discovering whatever is unique about a couple and their situation and their wedding day and photographing in a style and approach that works for them and their day. There's an extra level of artistic freedom that comes from feeling really in sync with the moment as opposed to putting on a formula approach.

So as Jilian's getting her makeup put on I see she's in front of this gorgeous toned wallpaper with a perfect combination of light from the window and a nearby lamp. It just made for a gorgeous place to follow her range of expressions and emotions as the nerves and excitement progressed toward the big ceremony moment. I played with blur, color, traditional black and white and even some antique wet-plate negative look. (Anything you see here that is blurry is done so intentionally for a more impressionistic or abstract look. There's almost always a non-blurry version as well.)

From there the day, despite the massive rainstorm before the ceremony that soaked the ground, was light and fun and relaxed, just like they wanted. The location of Historic Waynesboro was lovely and gorgeous as the sun set.

A full slideshow is (here).

Woohoo!!!! I love them! Thank you thank you. We were enjoying them over and over together last night. I am especially happy to see that it really reflects us and our personalities, and is a great representation of the party we had. I guess this is "documenting.." :) We were thoroughly impressed and have so many favorites! Thank for for everything - you are awesome!

–– Jilian

Lauren & Josh | Philadelphia Wedding Photography

Non-traditional. That's the way Lauren described pretty much every aspect of her wedding. The dress isn't white, the "rehearsal dinner" is going to be on the evening of the wedding, wedding party pictures were going to be in a cemetery, no aisle, the ceremony is going to be very short – 2 minutes and 17 seconds as it turned out – performed by a friend, in the middle of the reception at some point, no cake, no formal father-daughter dance.

And it was a lot of fun. Non-traditional, in all it's many forms, doesn't have to lack meaning, in many ways it becomes a rather meaningful event. Couples who really go for non-traditional weddings tend to talk a lot more about why they're getting married or what it means then worrying about colors and themes and other more traditional elements. Not to say there's anything wrong with traditional weddings, in all their many forms. Non-traditional is just a fun time showcasing a couple's personality in a very individualistic way. I love 'em both and love it when they get blended together with elements that give homage to something older and bigger than the current moment or trend but also embraces the current moment and uniqueness of the couple.

Enough about me, on to Lauren & Josh.

Full slideshow (here)

This is awesome. I am so excited. It took my breath away when I watched it. Everyone is absolutely blown away by your work. Josh friends typically don't care about this type of stuff but even they are impressed.

–– Lauren