Beach Wedding in Ocean City, Maryland

Julie used to ride the bus to elementary school with the "red haired little boy".  In high school, they just happened to sign up for the same trip to Greece and when they returned, Cody (the red haired boy) asked her out on a date.  They've been together ever since.  Cody graduated college with a degree in environmental studies and Julie is an art teacher/artist who created the hairpieces and jewelry and has an online Etsy shop.
The Ocean City beach was a favorite family vacation spot and holds special meaning for Julie's family.

During a pre wedding photo shoot, our attempt at finding a secluded spot on the beach was first interrupted by rookie lifeguards who were in training and then by a Washington DC news reporter covering the beach beat! At least Julie and Cody got their minute of fame on the 11 o'clock news that night.

Cody carries one of his two adorable nieces who served as flower girls.

Their reception was held a day later in Phillipsburg.

DJ: John Tone 

Flowers: Bloomies

Hair Accessories and Jewelry by Julie McConnell at Etsy

Hair: Maureen Meier of Signature Salon Spa

Cake: Lauren Principato

Reception Venue: Flynn's on the Hill
Amusement Park: Trimper's

Real rapture on May 21st at Bear Creek Mountain Resort

I saw authentic rapture in Matthew's eyes on his wedding day and it was exclusively reserved for Sara.  It's the kind of "heaven on earth" feeling you get when you've found the other half of your heart.  It was very clear that these two felt the same way about each other. They not only had found true love for themselves but also for Matt's sister, Lisa, and his best man, Jesse.   Matt and Sara introduced Jesse and Lisa to each other. They soon married and now have an adorable, red haired little girl.
Here are a few photos from Sara and Matthew's absolutely beautiful wedding:

Sara is the third generation to be married at Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church.

Matthew with Jesse (his Best Man) and sister, Lisa.

May 21st has come and gone and, yes, we're all still here....stuck on the sweet flypaper of life ( borrowed from the poet, Langston Hughes).

Professionals:

DJ: Steve Mittman Entertainment (yes, the B104 guy!)

Hair: Artisan Salon & Day Spa

Flowers: The Garden of Eden Flowers

Venue: Bear Creek Mountain Resort

Limo: J&J Luxury Transportation (Thank you, Mike, for keeping me hydrated)

The Interns

Julia

Greetings Blog Viewers!

We've taken control of Armen's blog for a brief post while she is off climbing Mt. Everest and scuba diving in Cyprus.  Actually, she's preparing for her Ocean City beach wedding.

Anyway, we are her two-week interns, Eliza and Julia.  Armen has allowed us to work with her as part of our final project before graduating high school.  During our two week internship, Armen has been showing us the keys to studio portraiture, editing, post-processing, and seeing through a photographer's eyes.  In addition, she has given us tattoos (fake ones of course) to get in the mood for Julia's photo-documentary of tattoo parlors. She also taught us how to play the dulcimer and the secret to whistling at previously inconceivable decibels.

On our second day with Armen, we spent the morning photographing each other using her studio set-up, basking in the glory of being both model and photographer while Armen coached and edited photos from her weekend wedding.  We were so inspired that Armen thought we could take our modeling to a new level, and she bestowed upon us the sacred fan and backlight, as you can see in our photos.  The afternoon was devoted to more portraits using various lenses, editing and post-processing techniques.

Here are a few of the results from our photo session. Photos of Julia were taken by Eliza and vice versa.

Photo of Julia by Eliza

Photo by Eliza

Photo by Eliza

Photo by Eliza

 Eliza

Photo of Eliza by Julia

Photo by Julia

Photo by Julia

Photo by Julia

Jacqueline & Steve (Easton, Pennsylvania)

If Jackie and Steve, both pharmacists, could bottle the chemistry between them they'd make millions!

This iconic image incorporating classical ionic columns was a perfect setting for the groom whose Greek ancestors came from Cyprus.

Jacqueline and Steve were married at Our Lady of Mercy Church on south side Easton, Pennsylvania.

The reception was held on Steve's grandmother's property in Palmer Township.

Steve's buddies surprised the couple with fireworks to end their wedding day.

Videography by: Deswert Productions Thanks Wayne!

DJ : Ricky Lee Kept everyone up and dancing!

Catering: Donna Burdi from Moscato's - Delicious, complex flavors and combinations....wow!

Hair by New Attitude Salon & Spa in Easton.

Engagement Photo Session in Alburtis, Pennsylvania

This past weekend was another fun photographic adventure with Nicole and Greg, two adorable high school sweethearts, who'll be getting married next year at the Brookside Country Club.

For most guys, coming to an engagement shoot is an act of faith.  I can guess how the conversation goes: "Honey, I don't know what I'm supposed to do but if you really want me to...I guess I will."  After explaining what I'm looking for, there's usually great relief and an exclamation of "Oh, so you want us to ignore you!?" After that it's easy, because I've always felt that authentic interactions and emotions make the best photographs.