Weddings by Susquehanna Style

A few months ago, while on our way to IKEA, T.J.'s answered his phone and the converstaion went something like this - "Hello? Yes.... Yes... That'd be awesome. Yes...!!" In my mind I'm thinking "I have no idea what this conversation is about, but it sounds awesome!!" Susquehanna Style was calling to ask if they could use one of our images for the cover of their Weddings magazine! We were honored that they'd even ask us - and of course said yes! They asked to use a handful of our other image too! So awesome!

And so, here it is! A huge thanks to Lori from Wildflowers By Design for styling the entire shoot that made the cover. She's seriously amazing. Thanks to Maddie (our fabulous intern) for being our model. Also a big thanks to Love, Jessica and In White for their contributions. If you missed the entire Bohemian Shoot, check it out here!-Brooke

Karl + Kristen

Last week I posted Karl + Kristen's day-after portraits and mentioned that their wedding photos were on the way... and here they are!! I edited these in less than two days, I just couldn't stop! T.J. and I had a great time in Jamaica and was such a priveledge to photograph Karl + Kristen's wedding. Their wedding day was laid back and beautiful. Kristen was absolutely gorgeous and Karl is absolutely in love with her. The day started in the spa, then went to the beach for the ceremony, followed by a champagne and appetizers under the gazebo. After a few bride and groom portraits, everyone split up for the afternoon to swim and enjoy some down time. Then just before sunset, T.J. and I shot the bridal party and a handful of portraits of the newlyweds. A beach-side bonfire was held after sunset with drinks and dancing, followed by the reception in the french gardens. How beautiful are those pink lanterns, right?!

I'd go on explaing how beautiful Jamaica and the wedding was, but I'll let Karl + Kristen's wedding photos speak for themselves. Enjoy! -Brooke

Roadtrip

In November, I flew down to Savannah, Georgia to help my girlfriend Liz come home from school. We had decided a few months prior to go on a road trip and do some random sight-seeing. Now, I've never actually planned a trip or vacation or what have you, so the pressure was on to make this fun! Thanks to Google and National Geographic, I searched and searched for days trying to find something cool that Liz and I could visit. When I finally took the gamble and chose the locations we would eventually visit, I had no idea just how breathtaking they would be. Our first stop was Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina. When I googled this park, all I knew about was a cool marshland boardwalk. But what I didn't know was that on the other side of the park there was a gigantic maritime forest, lighthouse and gorgeous beach. The second Liz and I drove into this park, we were in love. We also made a second stop along our trip to Hanging Rock State Park in Danbury, North Carolina. The name alone is what sold me. And after the long hike up this mountain, the view was breathtaking. Liz and I sat up there, squeezed in-between two rocks and let all of our worries go. It was a memory I'll never forget. Here are some or my favorite photos during the trip, which turned into a lengthy portrait session with Liz. -Jeff

Matthew + Ali

The day after Black Friday was my last wedding of 2011. It was a chilly, grey day... but beautiful nonetheless. Matthew + Ali created a charming wedding for themselves and it was awesome to be a part of it. My friend Lori did the bouqets and centerpieces - which never fail to be absolutely breath taking. I love when she and I get to work together!

Matthew + Ali's day was a little bit different than most - with the sun setting before their ceremony even began - but I wasn't one to complain! I love doing photos before the ceremony. T.J. and I did all of our photos before the ceremony, and it was great.. I actually have several memories from our portrait session (!).. the rest of our wedding day was just a blur!

Aren't the colors below just gorgeous? I'll say it again - a beautiful wedding for a deserving couple. Enjoy! -Brooke

Day 16: Portrait Session with Maddie

Congrats to Shelby Taylor, you won the copy of Curious Cats!! You're gonna love it! Please email T.J. at tj(at)brookecourtney.com with your mailing address to claim your prize!

Today we're giving away a portrait session with our lovely intern, Maddie. Remember when she and I shot these awesome photos together? To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment telling us what you'd like to have Maddie shoot for you if you win! Your family? Or maybe senior photos next summer!?

We will draw a winner randomly and announce the winner tomorrow! :) Good Luck! -Brooke

Giveaway made possible by: Brooke Courtney Photography

Day 12: Portrait Session with Amber!

Congrats to Kari McMichael, you won the copy of Everything Is Going To Be Ok. Please email T.J. at tj(at)brookecourtney.com with your mailing address to claim your prize!

Today we're giving away a portrait session with Miss Amber Jacoby. Trust me, you want to win this one! To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment telling us your favorite image from Amber's blog. Click HERE to view Amber's blog.

We will draw a winner randomly and announce the winner tomorrow! :) Good Luck! -Brooke

Giveaway made possible by: Brooke Courtney Photography

Day 9: Southern Weddings Magazine

Congrats to Jennifer Hamilton + Angela Louro! You've each won a copy of Nick Onken's book, Photo Trekking. You're going to love it! Don't blame us if you decide to leave everything behind and travel the world with your camera. Heck, maybe we'll all join you!? Please email T.J. at tj(at)brookecourtney.com to claim your prize!

Today we're giving away three (3) copies of Southern Weddings Magazine. It's seriously the best and most beautiful wedding magazine I've ever seen. In fact, you can see some of our work on their website too! To enter today's giveaway please leave a comment telling us your favorite part of a wedding you've been at. Maybe you just loved your best friend's wedding ceremony, or your neighbor's wedding gown, or your own wedding shoes?!? Let us know! It'd be really hard for me to pick a favorite thing about a wedding since I've been to so many. However, the weddings with little details everywhere make my heart so happy. And my photos even happier. :)

A lot of you have been leaving your full name and email within your comment - that's not necessary. You just need to make sure when you login to leave a comment for the first time you use a real email. Most of you do. :) If you're worried, just Login with Facebook instead! :) Good Luck! -Brooke

Matt + Allison

Matt + Allison tied the knot earlier this month at the Cork Factory Hotel. Super cute tote bags filled with lots of Lancaster County goodness greeted guests as they checked in the hotel before the celebration began. Allison and the girls got ready in one of the rooms, which was filled with beautiful sunlight. The girl's helped Allison touch up her lipstick and tied her big bow before we headed outside for some group photos. The guys were also a delight to be around. Sometimes it's hard to get a group of guys to cooperate for photos, but Matt's men were awesome. And FUNNY! Such an enjoyable group.

The ceremony was held in the ballroom, which was then converted to the reception room during cocktail hour. Friends and family laughed and told stories over drinks and hors d'oeuvres. And before you knew it, Matt + Allison were being introduced back into the ballroom and shared their first dance as husband and wife. Following their first dance, Allison and her Dad had one of the best father/daughter dances I've ever seen to "Shake, Shake, Shake Senora"!

The morning after the wedding, Matt + Alliosn met up with T.J. and I at a local park to shoot their bride + groom portraits. Although it was pretty cold out, the light was fabulous and we had a great time. In fact, the second image of them (vertical photo, kissing) has already made it into my top 10 favorite images of 2011. I love it!

Enjoy the photos. It was such a beautiful celebration. Let us know your favorites! -Brooke

Ryan + Laura

I don't often write the blogs for weddings.  I usually let Brooke handle that, she is better at it and remembers more details than I ever do but I told her that I wanted to write the blog post for Ryan and Laura.  Every year there are a few weddings that impact me in a greater way than others, and this was one of them.  It was because of how important the photos were to Ryan.  I remember him calling me to talk about photos, our availability and to make sure I wasn't a (total) weirdo.  He asked a bunch of questions about how we work, what we shoot with, how we edit, what the Smilebooth is and so on.  I deal with brides 98% of the time, so it was refreshing to deal with a groom.  It was so awesome how important his wedding photos were to him.  Men and women obviously show their love in different ways and I felt through my e-mails and conversations with Ryan that this was the way he was showing he loved Laura so very much.  He wanted to make sure that the memory of this joyous day was captured and captured well - so he did his homework.

Brooke, Maddie and I were so honored to be a part of their day.  It was such a beautiful occassion with two wonderful families that treated us so well.  Laura looked beautiful and the details were great.  I know I say it a lot but I am so thankful to be a part of such a special day in two families lives. Enjoy some of our favorites from the day and let us know which ones you like the most! - T.J.