Your Wedding Day :: The First Look

To do, or not to do a First Look. This is a question couples often ask me in the beginning stages of their wedding planning. Now when I got married, people didn’t really do them, so I didn’t have to make this decision. I was a pretty traditional bride though, so I knew I did not want to see my groom till I walked down the aisle. But there are so many things I love about including this in your wedding day. Primarily, when you do a First Look you give yourselves more time for your portraits and bridal party shots. This in turn allows you to be present for more of your cocktail hour- you get to start partying sooner! You have a more relaxed schedule so that makes less stress on your wedding day. That is a good thing, for sure. But if you want to stick to the tradition of not seeing each other till you walk down the aisle, then you should. We can talk about ways to incorporate more photography time into your schedule, and use some of that cocktail hour time to get all those bridal party portraits done.

It essentially comes down to your personal preference. I say that you should go with whatever you had your heart set on. No matter what, that first time you lay your eyes on that special someone on your wedding day, it is going to be amazing!

I wanted to share some images of Haley + Nate  who were married this past Fall at the Woolverton Inn in New Hope, PA. They  chose to do a First Look, and I absolutely love the amazing reaction Nate has when he sees his Bride-To-Be. Be sure to scroll down, you don’t want to miss it!

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Friday Favorite :: Laughter

Laughter is infectious. Especially when it is the pure, innocent laughter of a child. These sisters just kept feeding off of each others giggles until they were in a full blown laughing fit. It was great, I couldn’t help but join in. I can still hear them when I look at this photo.

Here’s hoping your weekend is full of laughter and love.

Hamilton NJ Photographer

March 8, 2013 - 9:49 am

Deb - Oh Jenn this is a gorgeous picture, perfectly timed!

Friday Favorite :: The Close Up

This shot. I swear I won’t say “one of my all time favorites” for every photo that I am going to show on my Friday Favorite posts, but this shot really is one of my favorites.

It was an overcast day at the Jersey Shore. I kept thinking the heavens were going to open up and we were going to get drenched, but that never did happen. Emma was running on the beach and as she whipped by me, she gave me a fleeting glance. This shot was that glance. I think the simplicity of this image is what wins me over, it seems to say so much with out having to show much at all.

Thanks for spending another Friday with me, and my favorite photos!

Jersey Shore Photographer

Friday Favorite :: The Kiss

How about we start the day with some love. Can’t you just feel the passion in this kiss? I have documented many couples mid-kiss, but there is something about this one. The combination of the embrace and the fact that they are both so in the moment makes my heart warm. I think this is a lovely way to kick of the weekend!

Jersey Shore Wedding Photographer

February 22, 2013 - 9:26 am

Liz - Just celebrated 2 years on February 12 !

Slice of Life :: Beder Family Fun

When I shot my first wedding I cried. It told me right then, that I was doing something I love. For me, the gauge of whether or not I am on the right path is my emotional investment in it. As I edited these photos, I smiled a lot. I laughed. The images made me feel happy. That was all I needed to know. This was a good fit.

This style of photography is how I document my family life. Whether it is arts and crafts or pizza night, I love having all those experiences captured on camera. I have been wanting to offer a session like that to my clients. One that focused on the beauty of everyday life. It is meant to be about the relationships and the interactions between the family members doing what comes naturally. No need for matching outfits. No special location to find. I just document you, being you.

I discussed the idea with Allison, the mama of these three beautiful girls. She suggested I come by on a Sunday when they do their TV free family day. Allison said I was sure to see some dancing, playing and possibly some baking. From the moment I arrived, I felt like a guest, not like the photographer. The girls were already in the middle of a dance party, and they welcomed me to join them. My part in the day was simple. I just documented what I saw. They were so comfortable in their own environment and they went about their day without much notice of my camera. It was a wonderful experience to get a glimpse of their life.

As you take in their story below, I hope you too can feel the happiness and see the beauty in these images. Welcome to their Slice of Life. 

Be sure to read the tidbit at the very bottom on how you can have your story documented.

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NJ Family Photographer

If this type of session feels like a good fit, please let me know! Do you have something in your everyday life you want to capture  and remember forever? Your weekly shopping trip (I swear, there is beauty in everything!), your Monday music class, or maybe it is your arts and crafts time. The possibilities are endless. If it’s a part of your routine, it’s perfect for a Slice of Life session. Use the contact page to get in touch, and lets make a date to tell your story.

 

February 21, 2013 - 10:05 am

Gaby - I think you are on to something with these sessions. It is wonderful out of the box idea, and your photos are beautiful!

P i n t e r e s t