Tess

For those of you who think that all I do is photograph weddings in life, that's way off. So, here is a super fast recap to get you up to speed as to who Tess is.

T.J. started selling t-shirts in college for a mission's trip fundraiser. People liked them. He started selling more. We got married. We started selling them at our local mall. Then we raised 30K and opened our first retail store. Two years later we are opening our second store - this time in Stone Harbor, NJ. Who doesn't love the beach, right!? We had to hire more poeple to work at our new store. One of those fabulous people is Tess. This is Tess.

Ya follow? You can actually read about Tess on the walk in love. blog, right HERE. Last night I shot a few photos of Tess to introduce her to the world and wanted to share some of them with you. As we were walking towards the sunlight, before I'd shot anything of her, she said "So, I'm pretty awkward and strange in front of the camera." I told her she'd be fine. And HECK! She looks amazing and so comfortable! One of my absolute favorite things about being a portrait photographer is taking amazing shots of people who think they're "not photogenic". It's so rewarding.

Have a great day! -Brooke

Wedding Bouquet Inspiration

Spring. If only it was spring. Technically it is spring... I get that - but it does NOT feel like spring outside my windows right now. This morning it was snowing. So I thought a round up of my favorite wedding bouquets from the last year or so would help my life feel a little more springish. Yea?! Some of these are just so darn beautiful. The perfect inspiration for a day like today. -Brooke

Luke + Kara

I've shot a handful of weddings at the Landis Valley Museum, but never in the winter. It's absolutely beautiful. Besides the cold weather, which everyone bravely fought, I fell in love with the barren trees on the property.

Their ceremony took place in the firehouse and I loved seeing the light seep in through the windows. Through song and prayer, it was beautiful seeing the love that both parents shared with each other and with their children. But there is something way beyond just the "I do's" that made this such a special wedding to be a part of. Luke + Kara are an inspiration to me. They've been through a long distance relationship beyond what I'm currently experiencing. Luke is in the Army and spent time serving our country in Afghanistan. When Kara shared her vows, which she had written herself, she explained how she feared her wedding day would never come. I'm so glad it did, they are such a kind and beautiful couple.
 

One of my favorite moments throughout the day was when it came time for them to cut their cake. Except they didn't use a traditional cake cutter to divvy up a piece. They used a sword and I found myself stumbling over the words when I asked them to "both of you hold the… knife… I mean sword… and look here!"

Through the months leading up to their wedding, Kara would comment on an Instagram photo of mine and say "You're shooting my wedding in [this many] months!" Her excitement lead to me being extremely impatient for her big day to come. Well it's come and gone and it's been a great start to the 2013 season! Here are some of Tori and my favorites from the day! -Jeff

Charles + Lauren

Charles + Lauren were my first wedding of 2013 and I couldn't have picked a better couple to start with. When T.J. and I arrived at Congress Hall and made our way up to Lauren's room, we had no idea what "the plan" was for the day. As we were introduced to Lauren for the first time ever, she laughed at how she forgot to send us an itinerary or anything. "Okay, you know the ceremony is at 4... and..." she said. T.J. and I both shook our heads no, "News to us! But that sounds good!" And Lauren laughed even harder. That's when I realized I was really going to like Lauren. She was organized, but laid back about the entire day. She and I chatted alone, for over and hour in the bathroom, while she did her hair and makeup. We talked about our jobs, families, dating in New York City, their clever wedding day hashtag (#laurles) and many other things. It was so enjoyable to get to know her during the hours leading up to the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, family and bridal party headed outside to the lawn for photos. And that's when the wind hit us. Like freezing-cold-block-from-the-ocean wind. In that moment T.J. and I looked at each other and had one of those silent conversations that went something like this. "It's freezing." "I know." "We need to do all photos in 30 minutes." "I agree." "Then why are we still staring at eachother?" "No idea." "GOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" We snapped into action and completed all family, girls, guys, bridal party, and bride + groom photos in 30 minutes. I must say I was quite impressed. Both by us and the cooperation of their wedding party. T.J. and I have worked under tight time schedules before on wedding days... but the wind and cold were just too much to take... so we went into hyperdrive.

The reception really allowed T.J. and I to see how truly genuine and full of personality Charles + Lauren are. Their first dances were sweet. Their bridal party and family speeches were touching (and short!!). Their cake cutting was hysterical. (Note photo below.) And the dance floor wasn't emtpy all night long.

I often tell my team that if you'd shoot it all over again, it was a good wedding. I must say, if Charles + Lauren are any indication of what's to come for my team in 2013, we couldn't be happier. 

Enjoy some of my favorite photos from their special day. Comment with your favorites. -Brooke

Working At Work (V4)

The time has come for Volume IV of our Working At Work blog series. It's basically all of 2012. I find some of these photos to be so funny! And while there are only two photos of Jeff below, one of them might be my favorite ever. He looks crazy standing on the dance floor.

Leave comments and let us know which ones are your favorites! I'll be back shortly with another post from our most recent wedding! -Brooke

Brian + Susie

As of last Saturday, wedding season (2103!) has officially begun for me. Crazy! And I am very excited to be posting Brian + Susie's wedding as my first wedding of the year . When I met Brian and Susie for their engagement session I knew that both the session and their wedding day was going to be a great time! The second they said they were getting wed at the Cork Factory, I was so giddy! Always a pleasure working there. When Sam and I met up with Susie at the hotel, we were entranced hearing about her dress. It was the actual dress her grandmother wore at her wedding! With a few alterations, it was perfect for Susie's big day. It took a lot of help of a few bridesmaids to drop the dress over her, which was one of the best moments of the day. Brian + Susie are such a sweet couple and it was a blessing to be a part of their wedding. Here are some of our favorites from the day! -Jeff

Kyle + Sam

One time when I was a kid, I got so mad at my little sister Sam that I wrote on the bottom of my bunk bed, "SAM CAN NEVER PLAY NERF EVER."  I don't remember what I was mad about and I know that after that incident Sam was still allowed to play in the family nerf gun battles, but it has forever been a joke between the two of us. And I love that. I have literally known Sam for her entire life. I have watched her be super cute when she was little, go through those really awkward and ugly years, rebel a little and then become the beautiful, passionate, loyal young woman she is today.  When she first met Kyle I wasn't sure about the guy. He didn't say much and I thought he looked too much like the vampire from twilight. Plus, he was dating my baby sister so I was destined not to aprove at first. As I have seen them grow together the past few years Kyle has won me over a million times through his devotion to my sister. I couldn't be happier for the two of them and when they tie the knot on July 5th I can assure you that I will be a sniffling, crying mess.

Now a little about the photos. Kyle is currently living in San Diego for work, so when they FINALLY got engaged Brooke and I thought we could be sneaky and politely suggest that they shoot their engagements in San Diego. My mom is a flight attendant, so one stand by flight later we were in beautiful San Diego shooting photos, eating burritos and quoting one of the most famous surfers ever. It was a great two day getaway for Brooke and I and we love the way every photo came out. Sam and Kyle - We couldn't be happier for you and can't wait to see all the amazing things you two will do together! - T.J. (and Brooke)

Mitch + Emily

There's something about intimate weddings that I absolutely love. And this wedding did not disappoint. Mitch and Emily were wed at the Lawrence Miller & Company silversmith shop in Alexandria, VA. Tucked into the second floor was a beautiful space with tons of natural light beaming in. It was an emotional moment for close friends and family as they shared their I do's. Out of all my weddings in 2012, I think this ceremony had me smiling the most. One of my favorite parts of the day was the fact that it was pouring. Usually the rain would put a damper (pun-intended) on the day, but "old town" feel of Alexandria was perfect for the weather. Mitch and Emily came prepared with cute clear umbrellas. They were a great touch to the beautiful brick road where we shot. It was a lot of fun maneuvering around in the rain and after seeing the photos I'm so glad we took the time to capture it. The rest of the day was celebrated at the luxurious Lorien Hotel & Spa. It was a casual reception as everyone came together to show their love for this adorable couple. I couldn't have been any happier to be a part of this day. Here are some of our favorites. -Jeff

Adam + Nicole

When Sam and I drove onto the property that the Bedford Springs resorts lays on, our jaws dropped. It is gorgeous. And both Adam and Nicole were gorgeous as well. There are too many words to describe this amazing wedding so I'll let most of the photos do the talking. The light that seeped into the ceremony was stunning. And during their reception, Adam and Nicole shared an absolute wonderful first dance. One of my favorite moments during the reception was when Nicole's father introduced two owls into the room. Being her favorite animal, he wanted to surprise her with them after plans to originally have them come fell through. It was such a touching moment to see her reaction (and excitement!) when they entered. It was such a beautiful day and here are some of our favorite images from the day! -Jeff