Seton & Marc ~ June 4, 2011

I don't do much advertising, my business is primarily referral based. I often photograph weddings for former couple's bridesmaids, family members, friends, wedding guests, etc. Sometimes I forget how incredible that is and take it for granted. It's one thing to get a call from a girl who has happened upon my website, or from someone who was given my name from a coworker or acquaintance but a sister is an entirely different thing. A few years ago, I photographed a wedding for Deirdre and Kevin. I fell in love with the Dugan family, 4 brothers, 3 sisters, lots of love and Irishness. On June 4, I had the opportunity to photograph Seton's wedding, the youngest Dugan sister.  It was outstanding! There is an extra level of comfort when I get to work with the same family twice and I really felt it. Thank you so much to the entire Dugan family. I am so glad I was able to document another of your family's monumental events and hope to work with you 4 more times! 

Seton and Marc each exude confidence. They are self-assured and determined and intelligent people. When they stand alone, you can see their strength.  The thing that will make you catch your breath is that together, they melt into each other's arms, they just fit there, just right, like sand. 

Thank you Seton and Marc for choosing me to document this day for you, for giving me a chance to get to know your family even better and for being so much fun! I wish you all the very best. 

Robyn & Kevin ~ May 29, 2011

Fairy tale! Robyn and Kevin have been together for  9 years? If I have my facts straight, Robyn was just 14 when she met Kevin and they've been in love ever since. Kevin graduated medical school two weeks before the wedding, TWO WEEKS! I know what kind of stress is involved in planning a wedding, no matter how carefree you are and I know what kind of stress is involved in final exams and graduation. The thing is, I went to school for art, not saving peoples lives, so I would imagine you could multiply that stress by what, 8 billion? So, here are Kevin and Robyn, working, graduating, major life changing and planning a wedding all at the same time. You would think after all this time and change and stress, they might be tired of looking at each other. Instead, they had this smile that they reserved only for each other. It's my job to watch people interact, to focus on their expression and their reactions. These are two very friendly people, they have countless friends and family members who obviously love and support them. They made it clear that they love their family and friends just as much in return. But there was something different about the smile they gave each other. It was deeper, like there was a level of understanding more significant than most. These two grew up together, supported each other and made it through a monumental transition together gracefully and with gleaming smiles! Robyn and Kevin, I hope you always look at each other the way you did on your wedding day! Thank you for choosing me to be there to help you remember that look forever. 

Tara & Andrew ~ May 15, 2011

Tara and Andrew have got to be the two nicest people in the world.  If there was a show that was the total opposite of Bridezillas, Tara would be the star. She took every opportunity to compliment her girls, praise her vendors, point out details that she loved, thank everyone she could for everything they did and all with a constant smile! All the things that a bride isn't expected to do because the day is about her, Tara made a point to do.  When Andrew saw her walk down that aisle, a big neon light seemed to appear over his head flashing how in love he was.  He was an absolute gentleman with his heart displayed proudly on his tuxedo sleeve.  If these two always give each other even a fraction of the love and respect shown on their wedding day, there will be nothing they can't do together! Tara and Andrew, it was such a pleasure to work with you both. I hope the world is as good to you as you are to everyone else. Thank you for choosing me to share this day with you, your family and your friends! 

Freddie and Rossella ~ May 12, 2011

My mom's immediate side of the family is very small. I have one grandmother, one aunt and one cousin, Freddie. We spent a lot of time as kids at my grandmother's house (aka Rita, Rit, Mom Mom) and Freddie was more like a big brother to me than a cousin. We grew up, up and apart but now that we're older we've got much more in common, most recently our love for weddings. I needed to write a little background info just so when I say "I have never seen Freddie so incredibly happy" it has a little more impact. I have never seen Freddie so incredibly happy. I can understand this because Rossella is right. The first time I met her, I felt like I knew her forever. She was genuine, comfortable, strong, independent, beautiful, just what Freddie needed...and those eyes! Rossella's family is wonderful and large, lots of aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents and as happy as I am that Freddie has Rossella, I am just as happy that he has her family to call his own.
Now on to the wedding...
HOLY SMOKES! It was awesome. Rossella looked better than beautiful, ravishing, exquisite, whatever word means the prettiest.  Freddie looked more handsome than I have ever seen, I want to say dapper or debonair, whatever word means the handsomest. Just a side note, their flower girl was the most gorgeous little girl I have ever seen in my entire life.
A while back I wrote about how focused these two were on their marriage in "my mission". I think what was most impressive was that they remained that focused on their relationship and still had this incredible event with countless details and no loose ends.
Thank you to Fred and Rossella for choosing me and trusting me to document this day for you. I am so looking forward to the next chapter in your life together and wish you all the very best. I love you both!
Thank you so much to my very good friend T Alimario who was there to document Freddie's preparation while I got to spend time with the ladies. T Alimario = Bomb.

My girl

Every day my children do something that make me thank God for how blessed I am. Once in a while though, they do something exceptional that makes me feel like I might just be on the right track. My job is demanding and challenging and I think that it's a  mother's obligation to feel guilt. If I spend too much time working, I'm not spending enough time with my kids. If I spend too much time with my kids, I'm not getting enough work done. It often feels impossible to find a balance and I sometimes  wonder if my daughter resents what I do. Today was kindergarten career day. Oriah is extremely ambitions and plans to be a singer, dancer, hockey player, Princess on Ice, mother, wife, doctor, animal rescuer and the list goes on.  Mrs. Foti, Oriah's teacher, told her she could only choose one career to share with the class. Talk about a proud momma when my girl told me if she had to choose one, it would be photographer. She put together a collage of the equipment she will need to do her job and dressed the part. She also had to answer two questions. 

What kind of responsibilities does your future job have?

Oriah - "To take pictures of brides and grooms, babies, animals and families. To make pictures for people so they can remember things forever." 

Why did you pick this kind of job? What do you like about it? 

Oriah - "I like to take pictures. It seems like it would be fun and I like going to weddings. Making memories for people is important. I want to make people happy."

she also stated that she is "the bomb" at taking pictures. 

So, today I am writing about my daughter. Today I feel a little less guilt. Today I feel like my daughter, the person who's opinion of me I value most in this world,  views my career as an important one.  No matter what she chooses to do, no matter what path she may take, I will support her and be proud of her and love her with my whole heart. But to know that she supports me means more than I could ever explain. Thank you Oriah, my dream girl, for making this world all right. 

Brenda & Stephen

I was given several good reminders last weekend. 

1- We can stick Mary in the window, we can pray, we can wish on eyelashes, but ultimately, we have absolutely no control over the weather. 

2-Family can be whoever we want them to be. They are the people who love us and support us and are there when we need them. They could have been strangers last year. Depending on our situation, blood is not necessarily that thick. 

3-Cape May is romantic no matter what. 

4-Hotel Alcott has amazing food and treat their vendors incredibly well. 

5-Some brides choose unbelievable shoes. 

Enter Brenda...

The most awesome shoes award was given on Saturday, April 23 to Brenda Nichols. Dorothy would have been jealous, so would Oprah. She always wears those red bottom shoes but hers never have this kind of spark. 

Brenda and Stephen were a different kind of couple. Have you ever seen people in love who are nervous and when they look at each other, they seem to calm down? Well, Brenda and Stephen were like that only when they looked at each other, the whole room seemed to calm down. Their relationship appeared effortless and safe and peaceful. They laughed together and held each other close and supported each other with such strength. I was so fortunate to witness this kind of love and have the opportunity to document it. Thank you so much Brenda and Stephen, your family and your friends, for letting me take part in this wonderful day. 

Jenn & Mike

Speaking of strong women who aren't afraid to be different...
Jenn and Mike got married on Good Friday, and good it was! Everything was hot, hot couple, hot style, hot sleeves, hot pink. There were meaningful touches everywhere but the flowers were enough to throw anyone over the sentimental edge. Amazing. They were hand made by the bride and her girls and embellished with generational keepsakes and endless significance.  I could go on for days talking about this wedding but I'm going to go order their proofs instead! Congratulations and thank you, Jenn, Mike, Haley, Michael and all your family and friends. You were an absolute joy to work with and I couldn't ask for a better start to the wedding season!