Jennifer Rotz Photography

Meagan + Jeff: Engaged!

2012-02-12T12:06:00.003-05:00

I am seriously blessed with the best couples. Ever. This was such a fabulous session - Meagan + Jeff are two beautiful people and created some beautiful images. They are so cute together, I could just pinch their cheeks! I met them while shooting Jade + Jeremy's wedding in September. Jeremy and Meagan are siblings, obviously right? Good looks run in the family. Clearly.

Meagan + Jeff tied the knot about a month after this session in Jamaica. By the way, if any bride and groom want to take me with them to a warm, sunny, sandy destination wedding - please feel free!

Congrats again on your engagement and wedding guys, I wish you all the happiness in the world!

Gavin got in on the action too!

Love love this shot!!

Another favorite - it just has that somethin'- somethin'.

Dani + Jeff: Engaged!

2012-02-05T18:46:00.001-05:00

I love this couple! They are so much fun to hang out and chat with, it barely felt like a session at all!! Dani + Jeff have a great comfortable relationship and I can tell they are so very much in love. Their wedding will take place in June of this year and I can't wait to get these two in front of my camera again. They braved a brisk fall morning in November, but had no problem warming up to the camera! Congratulations again on your engagement Dani + Jeff and I so look forward to your wedding this summer!

This is a really cool place called "High Rock" by the locals. But what wasn't cool was how cold and windy it was..no, make that blustery! They are doing a great job of hiding it, but my camera bag almost blew away and my fingers were seriously froze in the camera holding position for a while. It was worth it for this cool shot!

Jeff is such a lucky guy - Dani you're beautiful!

This ridiculous cuteness is their puppy. Appropriately named, Thor :)

They both love football, but clearly love different teams.

They love this little man!

All of my brides have the most beautiful rings. Lucky girls...or maybe luck had nothing to do with it and they dropped some great hints!

Operation Smile Mini-Sessions

2012-02-01T11:39:00.000-05:00

I'm SO excited to share a charitable mini-session date! I don't have the full details yet, but I wanted to let you all know now so you can plan accordingly. Here's what I do know: When? April 21. What? Mini-sessions that will benefit Operation Smile. How? For a donation of $24, you will receive a 20 minute session and a 5x7 print. Of course you will have the option to purchase additional products if you like. This will be one day ONLY and spots will be limited. If you're the least bit interested at this point, please email me at jenniferrotz@gmail.com or simply use the contact tab above this post. Once I receive the $24 donation, I will reserve a spot for you. The sessions will take place in Franklin Co., PA, but an exact location will be determined in the coming weeks.

This is such a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved. The goal is 10 sessions/$240, which is the exact amount of money to perform the surgery needed to repair a child's smile. Any portrait accepted: child, senior, family (immediate family only, no large groups please), couple, pet, business head shot, etc.! I will follow up with more information when it becomes available.

Kristin + Eric: Engaged!

2012-01-29T17:42:00.002-05:00

When a bride is excited about her engagement photos, I get excited about her engagement photos! There's just something infectious about it. Kristin had so many great ideas and she knew exactly what she wanted. And in turn their photos are unique, personal, and beautiful....just like Kristin + Eric.

Kristin + Eric will be tying the knot June 30 of this year at my alma mater. As if that wasn't already perfect enough, they topped it by having their reception at The Luhr's Center on campus: the same place Aaron and I celebrated our big day! To say I'm excited for their day is an understatement.

This is definitely one of my favorite sessions to date. They are so comfortable and in love with each other it made my job crazy easy. Their love is sweet, tender, and caring...and it's evident in the way they interact. Plus it doesn't hurt that they are so beautiful! Congratulations again on your engagement guys and I cannot WAIT for your big day!!

Seriously, J.Crew called and was wondering if you guys are available??

One of Kristin's ideas was to incorporate Scrabble. I was lovin' this idea from the very beginning and it turned out perfect. They are both avid players, but the verdict is still out on who's better!

Love this next set. Everything about it is extremely swoon-worthy! The funny part is that even though this session was shot on January 7, it was almost 60* that day. But they still did a good job of cozying up!

Eric loves to fish and Kristin loves to hang out with him while he's fishing. So they incorporated that into their photos as well. Super cute!

New Product

2012-01-25T09:20:00.002-05:00

I am so so so excited to be offering Asukabook's DVD Presentation Book. I found out about this company during our trip to New Orleans for the ImagingUSA Convention. Recently I have been looking for more to offer my clients and when I saw this product I had that "aha" moment!

Today's consumer wants the disc of images from their session. I get it. When I was married a million years ago (okay, 5) this was a new concept and I had. to. have. it. I didn't know why, I just knew that I wanted access to all my wedding photos all the time. And the same goes for today's weddings and family/children/newborn sessions. However. I also believe that you should have a tangible product in your hand after the wedding or session. Not just a digital product. Many would argue that they make prints from the disc and that is a tangible product, but are they making the right prints? As in NOT from Walmart/Target/any other not-so-great printing service. Okay I'm getting off track, BUT please please please make prints from a local lab or Kodak's Professional Printing or Mpix. Those are the only two I can really vouche for, but their paper and printing process will make your beautiful images even more beautiful and last much longer than any other form of printing. Okay, so back on track. The presentation book meets this need by not only giving you the disc of high res. images, but a 10 sided book of your favorite photos. And this is why I love it! Plus it's totally customizable with your name/date/anything you want on the cover. And the best part? When DVDs and CDs are loooong gone, books will always be around. Below are a few examples from Asukabook's website, these are not my images :)

Here are the colors you can choose from: Cream, black, pink, light green (even though it looks blue it's not trust me I saw it and loved the soft green color!)

The book is removable in case you want to take it with you, but leave the DVD at home.

I'm going to start offering the DVD presentation book ASAP. Please contact me if you would like more information or if you're interested in adding it on to an existing wedding or session!

2012 Wedding Wire Bride's Choice

2012-01-24T08:41:00.002-05:00

We are so honored to have received the 2012 WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award! Without the amazing brides and grooms this would not have been possible. So thank you thank you sooo much from the bottom of my heart!

The WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards ™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ are awarded solely based on the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds. Awards are determined by a combination of four factors: Overall rating (quality), total number of reviews (quantity), review performance from 2011 (recency), and consistency of reviews from year to year (consistency). This year’s recipients represent the top 5% of WeddingWire’s vendor community, across all service categories and all regions throughout the US and Canada.

New Orleans

2012-01-21T19:29:00.001-05:00

What a week! New Orleans lived up to everything we hoped...and so much more. The photography conference was so inspiring and eye opening, I can't wait to implement all the wonderful ideas and, best of all, start offering a few new products that I fell deeply in love with.

But first, here's the city. I took this shot from a 20+ mile bridge that crossed a gigantic lake. Seriously, if you have a fear of bridges...definitely don't take this one!

We drove down. Yes I know most think it's crazy, but Aaron and I LOVE road trips and I have a major fear of flying. But I'm okay with bridges. The next two photos were taken with Aaron's camera (a mini point and shoot) with not-so-amazing quality :)

16 hours later we finally made it and I was sooo ready for a sit down meal and drink..haha!

Day one of the conference! We were pumped :) And Aaron is such a model - it comes from years of me asking him to just stand there so I can test out a shot!

The conference consisted of classes and a trade show. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take any photos during the classes, but I did get a few from the trade show.

Some of the booths were so elaborate. This is the lab I use and I loved their set-up.

I found this amazing album company called Leather Craftsman. I am soooo in love with their wedding albums and I plan to start offering them ASAP. The quality is the absolute best in the industry and I know my bride and grooms will appreciate that!

The conference only lasted three days. So for the rest of our time there we took complete advantage of everything the city had to offer:

This cafe had some amazing breakfast and since we were there we tried the Beignets. Basically it's just a fancy French form of a donut. It came out warm and was loaded with lots of confectioner's sugar. Good thing we walked a ton!

And speaking of food. You CANNOT visit New Orleans without trying a Po' Boy. There are many variations of this sandwich, but I'm pretty sure I had the best one.

I am a huge fan of seafood so lucky for me this city did not lack in that department. I ate some sort of fish or seafood every night we were there and loved every second of it.

In addition to great food, I love architecture and houses...a lot. I'm pretty sure if I wasn't a photographer I would somehow try to work it in as a career. Aaron and I really enjoy taking an ugly house and making it pretty. It has to be older and have pretty good bones, but there really isn't a house that I don't see some sort of beauty in. Anyway, the architecture in New Orleans is so unique. Instead of intricate wood work there is a lot of intricate iron work. Here is just a small sample of some of the amazing homes and buildings:

New Orleans is right in the middle of Mardi Gras. The parade isn't for several more weeks, but the decorating and festivities start right after the New Year.

So Bourbon Street is crazy. If you've been there you know EXACTLY what I mean, if not, well it's not easily explainable, but just trust me when I say it's crazy.

We also went for a swamp tour. Unfortunately there's not too much going on in the swamp in January, but we did get to see one alligator!

Captain Dave - he was super cool.

Aaron was so proud of his shot. What can I say I taught him well!

We rode one of these 150 year old street cars.

Aaron managed to sneak in a few shots of me in action. I never get to see this, but you guys do!

Wow - what a dork.

We absolutely loved this city and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to truly experience it. The culture and pride of the people who live there is so evident and strong. And I loved that. I don't think there would have been a better place to inspire me this past week as much as New Orleans did!

Out of the Office!

2012-01-11T16:07:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited. Not to be out of the office of course, but the reason WHY I'll be out of the office. Aaron and I are road tripping it down to New Orleans for the fabulous PPA (Professional Photographer's of America) Conference Imaging USA. This is a yearly conference where the best of the best in the Photography world come together and help each other out, learn new ideas and techniques, see wonderful products, and just talk about photography nonstop! Nerdy, right? This is my first year as a member of the PPA and I thought what better way than this to meet some great people. Of course I maaaay end up looking like the new girl on the block :) And to sweeten the deal, it's in New Orleans. I mean, come on, what better place to immerse yourself in culture and food. Yes, food is a HUGE deal for us and we love to indulge in all the great options a city has to offer. So expect a gigantic blog post when we get home about the conference, the city, and of course the food!

So to be official: Jennifer Rotz Photography will be closed from Friday Jan. 13 through Friday Jan. 20. All emails and/or phone calls will be returned immediately upon our return home. I even made an automated reply for my email, now that's official!

Also, expect a blog post on this fabulous session when I get home...Lovin' all my 2012 brides + grooms!

Brittany + Eric: Married!

2012-01-03T16:08:00.001-05:00

I couldn't have asked for a better couple for my last 2011 wedding!

Brittany + Eric are one of the nicest, most down-to-earth couples I've ever had the pleasure of working with. They are just so easy going and have the sweetest family and friends. I enjoyed getting to know them over the past year and learn more about them as a couple. They have a refreshing, free flowing sort of love. It's like a tall glass of water on a hot summer day. It's simple and uncomplicated. I love that! They were married on November 12, 2011 at Liberty Mountain Resort (Ski Liberty) in the super cute town of Fairfield, PA. Their ceremony and reception both took place in the Alpine Room, which is this cozy space with exposed wood beams and a huge stone fireplace. Because of Brittany's fabulous organization skills, the day went off without a hitch and was perfect.

Congratulations again Brittany + Eric and best wishes, you guys truly deserve it!

Adored this bouquet, even more so when I found out her sister made it.

I love this shot. I only *wish* I had a shot like this when I was a bride!

Hands down my favorite bridal portraits of the year. I'm not sure if all brides consider wanting portraits of themselves, but I make it a must have. I know brides look back at their photos and relish in the moment of that shot of themselves looking their most beautiful. And that is why I insist on it. I longingly gazed out the window at these willows knowing it would. be. perfect. The gorgeous bride, the light, the tree....swoon.

These bridesmaids were the best! They were a super fun group and really into the photos. The bridesmaid on the far right is my first ever bride, Hannah :)

To see each other or not before the ceremony is an extremely personal decision. Brittany was very adament that the first time Eric lays eyes on her will be as she's walking down the aisle. The only caveat to this decision is that the sun set before they said I Do. We made the best we could with what little light we had and immediately went outside after the ceremony for a few bride and groom portraits. It doesn't matter if it's dark, light, early, late...this is a definite must have on your wedding day!

2011: A Year in Review

2011-12-31T15:29:00.002-05:00

On a personal note: 2011 has been, without a doubt, one of the most life changing years for me on a personal level and on a business level. In just one short year my life was turned upside down with the passing of my father and Jennifer Rotz Photography has gone from 0-60mph. Dealing with just one of those events is enough for one person in a year, but both has certainly been challenging. My Dad is my biggest hero. He built a successful business from a hole in the wall with the support of his family and without even a high school education. I watched, learned, grew and took in his every word for 8 years as I worked by his side. And I can fully attribute my love of business to him. I fuel my business with the same passion and want that went into his business. Through the darkness of this year, I had no choice but to persevere, learn, and grow. I had to persevere through the father/daughter dances, learn to make choices and decisions without my Dad's guidance, and grow my strength in order to support the rest of my family left confused by his loss. It's been almost a year since he passed and I can confidently say that I am a completely different person than who I was then.

Photography has provided such an outlet for my sadness and has managed to bring light into my life. I can honestly say that you would have a hard time finding a career that brings you more joy than this. I am constantly surrounded by loving families, proud parents, fun-loving children, brand new additions, hopeful dreams, first kisses, first dances, best friends, and big smiles. It's the best and I love it. This is where I belong and what I am supposed to be doing.

On a business note: Wow. I have been 100% blessed with the most amazing clients in the world this year. And I know ALL photographers say that, but I really do mean it from the bottom of my heart. I feel blessed with each session I shoot, every email I receive, and all the brides + grooms I get to meet. Jennifer Rotz Photography has truly grown in 2011 and will continue to do so in 2012. I have a year full of weddings to shoot at exciting new locations with the most fabulous brides + grooms a photographer could ask for. And I am completely in utter thankfulness to the brides + grooms who believed in me and allowed me to document their amazing day this past year. In 2012 I will be launching a new website + blog and doing general business cleanup to make things more streamlined and efficient.

But before that, I have to share some of my amazing clients from this past year (in no particular order). Thank you to each and every one of you. YOU helped make this company where it is today and I will be forever in your debt.

Here's to a fabulous and successful 2012!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T17:19:00.000-05:00

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!!

Our very adorable nephews, Jack + Carson

Now that I look at this photo, it appears the tree is leaning. It's not, just a wide angle shot!!

Marielle: A Christmas Session!

2011-12-24T09:48:00.002-05:00

Since it's Christmas Eve I figured what better time than today to share this super cute Christmas session! Marielle is so adorable and so sweet that our time together seemed to breeze by with no problem at all. The session was shot at her parent's beautiful home and surrounding property, which was the perfect backdrop. And even though we didn't have snow on the ground, the frosty morning helped it feel a little more season-appropriate! Enjoy!

When I asked her what her favorite ornament is, she did not hesitate one bit to find Minnie!

Loved these oversized ornaments her Mom found. We later discovered they're breakable :)

Beautiful early morning light coupled with the frost = perfection!

Ashlee + Josh: Married - Part 2

2011-12-21T12:15:00.001-05:00

As you remember from Part 1, Ashlee + Josh are a fabulous couple and had a beautiful ceremony in St. Michael's, MD. The ceremony just included their close family and friends. However, they still wanted a big party for all their friends back home. And party they did! Their reception was located at the beautiful Green Grove Gardens in Greencastle, PA. We had time before the reception to get a few photos of just Ashlee + Josh and it was so laid back and fun since all the stress of the big wedding day was far behind them. Plus, Ashlee had the opportunity to wear her wedding gown again, but this time with a different hairstyle and bouquet. Come on, how much fun is that ladies??!! I don't know about you guys, but my wedding gown has been in a bag hung in a closet since our wedding day (almost 5 years ago..whoa!).

Thanks again Ashlee + Josh, your reception was super fun and I couldn't have asked for a better couple to spend two wedding days with!!!

Such a beautiful couple..

Ashlee, you are gorgeous and so know how to work the camera!

So, is it a good idea to give the mic to your friends for an open toast AFTER they've been drinking for several hours????

Well, lets just say it's entertaining and I get to learn so much about my couples this way!!

Everyone secretly learned this dance behind Ashlee's back, but she caught on...eventually :)

Love receptions that look like this!

Last Minute Gift Ideas

2011-12-16T11:00:00.001-05:00

Just in case you're looking for a few last minute gift ideas for that budding photographer in your life, I comprised a short list of must have items. Of course the list could be much more expansive, but if your loved one is trying to take great shots with a point and shoot and he/she is growing frustrated (that was me many many years ago!) and wants to take the next step - this is the perfect collection:

It all starts here. In order to make great images, you MUST have a camera that you can manually control the aperture and shutter speed. The Canon Rebel T1i is the perfect camera to learn on since you have the option of auto and manual modes, but it's not a huge investment if you realize that manually controlling a camera isn't as easy as we make it look and you'd rather just shoot in auto. Plus, it's still small enough that you can hide it in your purse and not look like the paparazzi. My first camera was a Canon Rebel and I loved it. I did, however, outgrow it much faster than I imagined and moved on to this as my backup and this as the second love of my life, Aaron being #1 of course :)

Not sure what aperture, shutter speed or ISO is?? Perfect. Then that makes the next gift a great idea! When I invested in my first camera I read the manual front to back, back to front and practiced on everything! Poor Aaron, my family, my mom's horses, dogs, nieces, nephews, flowers, trees, houses, buildings, books, things in my house, bugs, etc. The list really could go on. But after a while I grew a little bored and wanted more info on things like lighting, shooting in full manual (I did take a class that accelerated this need, I must admit), general posing of people, etc. So I started reading. Everything. And I came upon these books. Scott Kelby is a professional photographer and a wiz at Photoshop. His books are easy to read and he uses photos as examples (unlike your camera's manual, but I still recommend you study this too!).

So after you read your manual, shoot everything with your camera and kit lens (lens that comes with your camera body), and read more about photography, you'll realize that you need a better lens. In comes the Canon EF 50mm F/1.4. This lens is without a doubt the best bang for your buck. I bought this lens a few years ago when I saved up my hard earned money. Little did I know, that this lens would carry me through the beginning of my photography career and be worth every pretty penny I invested in it. Here's why: not only is it a wonderful portrait length lens and a great walk around lens (this blog post is a good example of this - please ignore the horrible layout, this is really going back!), but it works wonders in low light conditions. The f/1.4 part means the aperture can be stopped down to 1.4, which means wide open, which means a lot of light coming in, which means good things when shooting in a house, museum, church, etc. Also, when shooting at 1.4 it allows for the blurry background that everyone loves. It's tricky though because with all the good comes the bad. It's a little more difficult to focus at such a wide aperture and if you're not careful you can produce not quite in focus photos. But that comes the fun part with LOTS of practicing. And when you do get it right you can produce some of the most amazing images. Here is an example of a session I shot entirely with this lens. I have since shelved this lens for this lens (Canon EF 50mm F/1.2 L) - the third love of my life, but I will still take it with me for personal use and as a backup for my new 50mm.

So after all the hundreds of photos you take you'll need software to process it. Adobe Photoshop Elements is the perfect solution because it's way cheaper than it's big brother, pretty easy to use, and there's so much you can do with it!!

If you get more in depth with your editing and need cataloging capabilities, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a great option. I love Lightroom and use it for everything, but it is geared toward the professional photographer.

So there you have it. A few great items for the aspiring shutter-bug in your life. Or maybe this list is for you! Either way, everything here is a great tool for learning and expanding knowledge. All the items listed can be purchased through B&H Photo, which is a super company for all your photo needs!!

Bobbi + Dave: Engaged!

2011-12-15T09:13:00.003-05:00

This engagement session is at the top of my favorites list! I had an absolute blast wandering around Penn State's beautiful campus (where, by the way, they are both studying to become Industrial Engineers!) with this wonderful couple. Bobbi + Dave have this sweet love that is so free-flowing and cute that you can't help but be pulled into it. Not to mention they both have the sweetest personalities. Ever. And to make them even more adorable, they are high school sweethearts. I know. I just gave you a cavity, right?

I am SO looking forward to their May 2012 wedding and I know it's going to a beautiful day with so many gorgeous photos!!!

Until then, enjoy this fabulous engagement session!

I told you. Adorable. I could just scoop them up and carry them around in my back pocket all day!

The Fletcher Family

2011-12-07T11:44:00.001-05:00

I had so much fun spending an evening with this family at their beautiful home! Jeron and Jace are two of the cutest kids I've seen. And so photogenic! Mom and Dad aren't bad either :) Thanks again Fletcher family!!

This guy was pretty tough to catch, but when I did I felt like I truly accomplished something!!

The End of the Season!

2011-12-06T15:16:00.003-05:00

The last wedding of the season is out so I finally feel like I am able to breathe, regroup, and gear up for next year! I have a few more sessions to shoot and wrap up and then my brain will be here:

and spending more time with my favorite person....

{Because I can't help myself, these photos were shot with our teeny tiny little point & shoot. Just sayin'.}

Apparently I wear a lot of plaid shirts...yay haha! Stay tuned for lots of fall sessions and weddings up on the blog!

Ashlee + Josh: Married! Part 1

2011-12-01T14:28:00.001-05:00

Ashlee and Josh are one of those couples that will always hold a place in my heart. They were married on October 1, 2011 at the Miles River Yacht Club in St. Michaels, MD. St. Michaels is this perfect little town where I see Aaron and myself someday. Yes, that's a goal!! There are many little shops, quaint bed and breakfasts, fabulous restaurants, so many gorgeous old homes, and that nautical feeling of being right along the Chesapeake. So you can only imagine that I was filled with pure elation when Ashlee announced this is where her wedding will be held. Her family has ties to St. Michaels and she spent a lot of time there while she was growing up (especially at the Yacht Club where her parents had a boat).

When I first met Ashlee and she informed me that both of her parent's passed away my heart ached for her. Knowing what it's like to lose a parent, I cannot even begin to wrap my head around the thought of losing both within such a small time frame of each other. It was then and there that Ashlee and Josh were etched into my heart.  It immediately became apparent how strong their love must be to have endured such pain. But they did. Together. Only their nearest and dearest were in attendance to witness them exchange vows in a beautiful, amazing, intimate ceremony right along the water where Ashlee spent many summers with her family.

I became a wedding photographer because I love photography and capturing amazing moments. But I had no idea that the best part is the relationships that I form with my clients. Ashlee and Josh: I wish you all the very best in your lives together and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me with your special day!

Part II will be about their gorgeous reception at Green Grove Gardens several weeks later. And check out their engagement session, also in St. Michaels!!

A huge thank you to Jane at The Cherry Street Inn for allowing us to use her beautiful bed and breakfast for all the getting ready shots. The alternative was the yacht club's bathroom - these photos would not have been the same if we didn't have a fabulous location. Brides - something to think about!!

There are some shots that you take, look at the little LCD screen on the camera, and then do a little happy dance inside!

'Tis the Season for Giving and....

2011-11-21T14:32:00.002-05:00

Receiving!!! Starting today through next Monday (11/28), for every $1 you spend on a gift certificate for that special someone (or that special family, couple, and so on) YOU will receive $.50 to spend on anything Jennifer Rotz Photography! It can be applied to sessions, prints, canvas wraps, frames, albums, etc. So to break this down in super simple terms, if you purchase a $25 gift card YOU receive $12.50. If you purchase a $50 gift card, YOU receive $25. Just. That. Easy. You can contact me at jenniferrotz@gmail.com OR go to the top of this page and fill out a contact form. And because it's almost considered a sin for a photographer's blog post not to include a photo, here are a few families (big and small!) I've been blessed with recently:

Preview: Brittany + Eric

2011-11-14T11:31:00.002-05:00

More to come on this beautiful wedding at Ski Liberty in Fairfield, PA!

Like An Old Boyfriend....

2011-11-01T16:07:00.002-04:00

You know the type, he says he's going to do this or stop doing that and he never changes? Well please don't think of me that way! I'm truly working on some full blog posts, I promise to stop promising and not following through! I'm not fully to blame though, I've been blessed with some of the most amazing clients this year and not to mention my weddings...I just love them all! So much so that I pile work on top of work and, in an effort to be timely with my clients, my blog takes a back seat. Enjoy a few of my most recent sessions and stay tuned for some more to come!

Amy + Lewis: Married!

2011-10-18T10:57:00.005-04:00

Amy and Lewis were married in a beautiful garden wedding on September 17 at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, VA. I had been looking forward to this wedding ever since I met them for their engagement session last November. They instantly make you feel like you've known them forever and have a fabulous outlook on life. I knew their day was going to be perfect! And it was. Amy is such a classic beauty and Lewis is her handsome compliment. The bridesmaids carried fans instead of bouquets, which was such a breath of fresh air. I love flowers, don't get me wrong, but this was something out of the ordinary and it really made a statement. The reception room was uplit with purple lighting and I loved every second of it. I don't want to go on a light tirade, but if you want to add major visual interest to what could be a bland reception venue, add some purple uplighting! One more great detail of this wedding was when Amy and her Dad broke from their traditional father/daughter dance into a fast dance number - loved it! Amy and Lewis, I wish you guys all the best and thank you so much for the opportunity to document your special day! Enjoy!

They decided to see each other before the ceremony and I'm so glad they did! I love this set and we had so much extra time for photos, which makes me a very happy wedding photographer!

One of my favorites from the day!

Although this took a while to set up, it was completely worth it!

Lewis + Amy - you guys are goregous, like Brad + Angelina gorgeous!

Love Amy's bouquet - the peacock feathers were perfect

This was one of the most fun receptions I have shot - they have the best family and friends!

Now this is how all receptions should look!!!

Happy Fall!

2011-10-10T11:59:00.000-04:00

Don't you love this time of year? The crisp air, the cooler temps....the fabulous fall sessions! Since I'm a teensy bit bogged down with weddings and sessions, here are a few previews from this past weekend's sessions. The colors and lighting are simply stunning...I do love Pennsylvania in the fall!

This is my most favorite black and white ever. These girls are simply beautiful!

Preview: Ashlee + Josh

2011-10-02T18:13:00.001-04:00

Ashlee and Josh were married October 1 at the Miles River Yacht Club in St. Michaels, MD. Their wedding was so intimate and beautiful, I can't wait to share a full blog post. For now, a preview will have to hold you over...enjoy!

Preview: Amy + Lewis

2011-09-19T09:22:00.000-04:00

Amy + Lewis were married at The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, VA this past Saturday. This couple = amazing. Full blog post to come soon, but for now enjoy these preview photos!

Jade + Jeremy: Married!

2011-09-14T09:26:00.002-04:00

Jade and Jeremy were married on September 3, 2011 in front of 200 of their closest friends and family. It didn't take me long to realize what a wonderful family these two have! In fact, the venue was at Jade's cousin's gorgeous home. Putting on a 200 guest wedding for a family member - now that's love! The heat was excrutiating that day, I clearly remember being soaked with sweat more than once (wedding photographer = not so glamorous job!), but everyone had a fabulous attitude and put up with me all day. The ceremony was beautiful and her Dad's speech just about brought me to tears. Hearing his sweet words recalling her childhood and seeing Jade's reaction was almost more than I could handle. The best part was seeing her look to Jeremy for support and he was right there to wipe her tears. It's clear these two will be there for one another through thick and thin.

This was the first time I met Jeremy. Usually I meet with the bride and groom prior to the wedding, but this was not possible due to Jeremy's demanding work schedule. This made me super nervous since I had no idea how they would interact with each other. Well I quickly learned that these two interact very well! Jeremy is completely smitten with Jade and vice versa. It shows in the naturalness (yeah, made up word) of their photos and especially in their body language. Not to mention they are both so gorgeous. I loved working with these two and they made my job super easy! Same goes with their wedding party and family. Everyone was easy going and just so warm and friendly. This is a long one...enjoy!

Yeah, this is where I was all teary-eyed like...

Best first kiss ever.

Love. If this were me I would so get a huge canvas of this!

These two could definitely be models!

Love.

Fall Mini-Sessions!

2011-09-08T08:25:00.005-04:00

I'm so excited to announce fall mini sessions! This is a great and affordable way to capture some memories of your family or grab some couple and/or maternity images. The Christmas season is quickly approaching and if you usually do photo cards, this is the perfect opportunity to get that perfect shot. If that's not your thing, it's still a great way to update your family photo album or that wall gallery with some fabulous images! Also, photos of the kids make great Christmas presents for Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles, etc.

Spots are limited and are given on a first come first serve basis. Session prices cannot be combined with the referral program discount. To reserve your spot, email me at jenniferrotz@gmail.com with a first and second choice time slot and mail the deposit to the provided address. All sessions will take place at one location and I will update this post when spaces are reserved.

Details
$100 ($50 due at the time of booking)

Your mini session includes:
25 minute session
Custom editing of images
10-15 high-res images on a custom printed DVD with full printing rights

Date + Times
October 16 (location: Renfrew Park - Waynesboro, PA)
1:45pm - BOOKED
2:30pm - BOOKED
3:15pm - BOOKED
4:00pm - BOOKED
4:45pm - BOOKED

Ella + Maggie

2011-09-07T14:21:00.001-04:00

These are two of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen! I had so much fun with Miss Ella and Miss Maggie, who happened to just turn one. I've seen so many one year olds this summer and they are all so different. Maggie talked more than most, didn't quite walk yet, but crawled really really fast! Ella was such a good big sister and it was so plain to see she was enamored with her little sis. Mom joined in on the fun for a few photos while Dad was out taking care of their farm, which by the way Ella so firmly informed me they have beef cows not milk cows! The lighting was gorgeous for this session and it's up there as one of my favorites. Ella and Maggie's Grandma was nice enough to let us use her gorgeous property for the session. Enjoy!

I really loved their outfits!

This is one of those photos that is beautiful in color, but black and white managed to make it even more beautiful. Love. Love. Love. A definite favorite from the session.

Another favorite. And, yes, I believe these girls could be models!

I love this driveway shot - it seems like it should be in the South!

Preview: Jade + Jeremy Married!

2011-09-04T15:03:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to this ridiculously good-looking couple! I'm pretty sure yesterday was the hottest day ever, but everyone had a super attitude and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to share more from this fabulous wedding! But for now, enjoy!

Jake + Hannah: Maternity

2011-08-24T17:02:00.001-04:00

This couple is very near and dear to my heart. I'm sure they look familiar - they were only plastered all over my blog and website for the past year! In fact if you check out my blog header, one of their wedding photos is currently up there. In addition to them placing their trust in me for their wedding photography, they've also allowed me to be part of their growing family as well. I could not be happier for Hannah and Jake. This couple radiates happiness and every time I'm around them (I've had the honor of photographing them 4 times now!) I leave with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. This session was from earlier in the summer and they just welcomed little Lucas into the world 2 weeks ago (more on that in a later post!). Congratulations guys, you deserve all the happiness in the world!

These two are so photogenic!

One of my favorites!

Gorgeous lighting...

Hannah - you are absolutely beautiful!

Coming Right Up

2011-08-23T10:46:00.001-04:00

Lots of great posts on their way from the many fabulous newborn, family, children, and senior sessions I've been blessed with recently! I had to share a few previews because I'm impatient like that. I promise all my posts won't be previews of what's to come...there will be actual full posts coming right up! But for now enjoy this ridiculous cuteness!

Payton + Family

2011-08-14T15:57:00.000-04:00

Back in July I had the pleasure of meeting Payton and her family in celebration of her first birthday. I loved working with this family - they are super nice, fun, beautiful, and full of love! I was overwhelmed with Payton's cuteness during this session, but how could I not be? She's one of those children that pull you in with those big brown eyes - I'm sure glad I'm not the one who has to try and tell her no!

See, I told you!

One of my favorites from the session!

Loving this yummy morning light

She was so good and the perfect little model!

Wonder if she's a Daddy's girl? I'm going to have to go with "yes" on this one!

Some Mom and Dad time. Such a good idea to get a professional photo just as a couple...especially since the last time was, more than likely, at your wedding!

Success

2011-08-06T12:25:00.005-04:00

First Fridays in Greencastle was such a huge success! I was able to meet so many great people and chat about everything from photography to St. Bernards (which by the way, I fell head over heels in love with a giant St. Bernard that consequently slobbered all over my dress and table cloth!). The turn out was way better than I expected and it enabled a wide variety of people to take a gander at my work. Other than the business side of success, it's a huge personal success to sit behind your work and believe in it (and yourself) enough to showcase it to the public. In person....and not hidden behind a computer.

For those of you who don't know, here's Greencastle.

It's a nice quaint little town. I love small towns with a fabulous downtown. Chambersburg and Greencastle are certainly on the right track.

Here's my set up! Right in front of a shoe store...smart, I know!

And here's me! I think this may be my first time on the blog! Photo taken by the fabulous Aaron Rotz :)

I'm pretty awkward in front of the camera...I have no idea what to do! Thankfully I'm blessed with clients who are waaaaay cooler than I am. This is why I'm behind the camera, not in front!

Here he is. This man is everything. He helps picks me up when I fall, pushes me when I can't, and encourages me to reach for the impossible. Without him half of what I do could not be possible, so I think he earned a little spot on the blog!

LOVE those frames in the background. They come from a company called The Organic Bloom and I sell them!

Some sweet photo goodies.

In addition to photography, I love gardening! These hydrangeas came straight from my garden.

I was lucky enough to have some of the cutest visitors. Look at how proud Uncle Aaron is!

I just couldn't resist taking a photo, it's a disease I swear, but with all this beauty how could I resist?! And check out those eyelashes...what a lucky girl.

And the other cutest kid in the world. I'm such a lucky Aunt!

So all in all it was a great experience and next month I will be in Chambersburg for First Fridays. I will update with more information as I have it!

Come Downtown!

2011-08-04T11:10:00.000-04:00

On the first Friday of every month a lot of small towns hold a "First Fridays". It's the perfect way to get people downtown! Too often we forget about the small boutique stores and mom and pop shops and go straight for Target. Don't get me wrong, I love Target, but it's vital to a town's economy to support these stores and restaurants. And more often than not, the downtown stores and restaurants offer speciality items and quality services that you can't find anywhere else. Sort of like custom photographers vs. mall studios....but that's another blog post for another day! Anyway, not only are the stores participating in First Fridays, but local artists get to set up in front of these fabulous shops as well! So, I'm excited that I have the opportunity to participate in Greencastle's First Fridays for August! This event is taking place tomorrow (Fri. Aug. 5) from 5-8pm downtown Greencastle. I will be set up in front of E.L.M. Shoes and might even get all dressed up for the occasion! If I didn't already give you enough good reasons to come visit me, here's a better one: if you book a session during this event (as in, you come down say hi and pick a date) you will receive 10% off the session fee! It's that simple! Fall is coming and is the absolute perfect time for family photos (think sweaters, boots, beautiful fall colors, no more heat wave or annoying bugs!). Don't hesitate if you've been thinking about this because I am only able to book a limited amount of sessions in September and October due to a busy fall wedding season. I hope to see you there and if nothing else stop by and say hello!

And because it's sinful for a photography blog to write a post without photos, here is a sampling of the family, maternity, children, and senior sessions I've been busy with and will soon be blogging:

Madisyn + Adalynn

2011-07-30T16:32:00.003-04:00

Adalynn turned the big ONE and got to celebrate with a photo session of her and her sister Madisyn! These girls are so much fun and definitely little models-in-training. Adalynn kept me on my feet the whole session and I was actually sore after our session..yes, that's pathetic, but with little to no time for exercising these quick one year olds keep me in shape! And Madisyn was such a good big sister and loves her little sister so much!

I love how Madisyn snuck in a coy glance here!

See, I told you they are so sweet - wonder if it'll be like this when they're teens and stealing each other's clothes?!

This is one busy (and fast!) one year old - she had places to be and things to see! Certainly no time for some silly photographer with a camera in her face!

Beautiful just like her mom!

One of my favorites from the session - absolutely gorgeous. I don't do too many black and white outdoor photos, but this one was too good to resist!

Madisyn is so full of life! She gave me a big hug when I arrived at their home and I knew from that point she was going to be so much fun. It's also worth mentioning that she is without a doubt the most intelligent kid I've ever held a conversation with. She was so inquisitive about my lenses - I was almost worried she might ask a question I didn't have an answer to!

Oh and she thought this was so cool - well, I do too!

Another favorite! Love these girls - they're so cute it's ridiculous!

Coming Up For Air!

2011-07-26T10:02:00.001-04:00

I'm here! I'm okay! I did not abandon all you fabulous blog readers! I'm very, very busy right now, which is a great thing, but not such a great thing for the blog. I promise to update soon with all the great sessions I've had this summer. I've been blessed with the most amazing clients who have withstood this horrible heat wave and the annoying gnats that threaten to eat us alive during our sessions! It's impossible to comprehend that it's almost August. (Hello, where did July go?). However, fall is on it's way and I can't wait to shoot some amazing weddings at some amazing locations this year. Stay tuned, I promise session updates and business updates soon. Until then, head over to my FB page for all the latest and greatest!

Sarah + J.R: Sneak Peek

2011-07-03T13:13:00.001-04:00

More to come on this 4th of July inspired wedding!

The Hann Family

2011-06-29T19:44:00.003-04:00

This family is one of my favorite families to photograph. Not only are they are all gorgeous, but they are super sweet too! In fact this session was entirely dedicated to their Dad (and husband) as a surprise for Father's Day. I bet he was so excited to have these photos of his beautiful family to cherish forever. Thanks again for a great session Hann family! Enjoy!

Sarah + J.R.: Engaged!

2011-06-19T16:11:00.001-04:00

I had so much fun walking around with Sarah and J.R. for their engagement session! We met up at a campground that Sarah, J.R., and Sarah's family were camping at during Memorial Day weekend. Sarah and her family have been camping here since she was young, so this location has special meaning to her. Now it's so wonderful that J.R. can join in on that tradition! Thanks for a great session guys and I look forward to your 4th of July weekend wedding! Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T15:12:00.004-04:00

To all you hardworking Dads out there: today is your day! Soak it in, relax, and, best of all, enjoy that gorgeous family of yours! Happy Father's Day!

Brittany + Eric: Engaged!

2011-06-02T09:38:00.002-04:00

Love. Love. Love. I love this session, I love the location, and I love how this couple loved on each other. Brittany and Eric are one of those couples that seem to exude happiness; it simply pours out of every ounce of their being. The session took place on Eric's family's property, as well as Eric and Brittany's property. They (Eric is a builder!) are building a big beautiful home with unbelievable views and were so nice to show me around. I have been so anxious to shoot a session with a gorgeous setting such as this: amazing light, tall wispy grass, and tons of old trees. Brittany and Eric's love is so natural and free flowing...and they are a dream to work with! I can't wait for their wedding in November - I have a feeling there will be much love to spread around. Enjoy!

One of my favorites - light like this makes me a very happy photographer!

LOVE this! I did not pose them, they just really really really love each other!!!

I love that they'll always have this photo to cherish the building of their home.

Free Session Giveaway!

2011-05-19T12:13:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited to announce that Jennifer Rotz Photography will be giving away a free session! This session will cost you zero, zilch, nada and it's completely up to you to win it. The requirements are simple: just go to Jennifer Rotz Photography on facebook and click "like"....and if you want to be extra super sweet you can click "share" on the left side of the page and share the page with all your favorite people. Once our page hits magic number 300, it's time to randomly pick a winner. But, remember, you can't be chosen if you don't like the page. Simple enough, right?! The hard part will be deciding what type of session you would like...it could be:

...Family...

...Children...

...Newborns...

...Engagements...

Or anything else your heart desires...

Don't forget to find and "like" Jennifer Rotz Photography on Facebook and good luck!!

The Mellott Family

2011-05-15T16:28:00.002-04:00

So excited to share this sweet sweet family. The Mellott family is blessed with three of the cutest kids and they all have the most incredible blue eyes. So even though it's easier when newborns are sleepy for their sessions, it was a blessing in disguise that baby Matthew did not want to sleep so everyone can see those big blue eyes. Congratulations on your beautiful family and thanks again Mellott family - enjoy!

Engagement: Ashlee + Josh

2011-04-27T19:43:00.003-04:00

This is a pretty bold statement, but I don't think I've ever met anyone as genuine as Ashlee and Josh. From the moment I met them, I knew their wedding was going to be amazing. Not because it's in St. Michaels, MD (though this can't hurt!), but because the bond between these two is solid. And although life has thrown Ashlee a few curve balls, I can tell that he has stood by her side and held her hand...tight. Love like theirs doesn't come around everyday, but when it does thank your lucky stars! I can't wait for your wedding in October, Ashlee and Josh, and I have a feeling I better keep the tissues handy! Enjoy!

In case you're wondering where this ridiculously gorgeous location is, it's at Ashlee's property on the Eastern Shore near St. Michaels, MD. Loved shooting here!

Gorgeous ring - nice job Josh!

One of my favorites!

Ashlee - you are gorgeous!

Sneak Peek: Ashlee + Josh

2011-04-18T08:45:00.001-04:00

More to come on this amazing session on the eastern shore!

The Shives Family

2011-04-06T19:19:00.001-04:00

This session was all the way back in February and I've been so excited to share it, but somehow time has gotten away from me! The Shives family is an amazing family. Just by walking through their gorgeous home and glancing at the many photos, it became immediately apparent to me that they're pretty darn proud of their precious babies. And why wouldn't they be - the Shives children are absolutely adorable! It always excites me to see wall galleries in my client's homes and know that the photos I shoot that day will soon be gracing those very same walls. Thanks again Shives family! Enjoy!

My favorite - the lighting in this room made my heart go pitter patter!

The Houp Family

2011-04-03T16:47:00.000-04:00

There are so many reasons I love my job, but this family really made me step back and reflect on how blessed I am to be invited into people's homes and capture their love. It was so blatantly obvious how much love this family had for each other and for their daughter, Lydia. Sessions like this keep a smile on my face the entire day and remind me how lucky I am to be a photographer. Enjoy!

Grandma sent the ears for Lydia - so cute!

This is one of my favorites!

Another favorite!

Sneak Peek: Amy + Bernie

2011-04-01T10:04:00.002-04:00

More to come on this fabulous wedding!

The Bloomer Family

2011-03-24T16:44:00.003-04:00

Have I mentioned that I love this family?! Well despite the fact that they're family, they are just all around fabulous people. AND they seem to make the most gorgeous babies! Claire has been my model a time or two, but now I'm lucky enough to have two gorgeous nieces! Meghan Elizabeth was born February 19th in the evening following a (thankfully!) uneventful pregnancy and labor. Half of the photos are from the hospital room when she wasn't even 24 hours old yet (!) and the other half are from the comfort of her home. Enjoy!

And just because a Bloomer family post isn't complete without Claire! Seriously, she's a model!

You Want Me To Do What?

2011-03-15T14:41:00.000-04:00

As I may have mentioned here, I do not shoot any of my sessions in a studio. Therefore, when I go to shoot a session, I either A) scout out fun areas ahead of time or B) work quick on my feet to find some great natural props. Usually, B is the option that gets picked most of the time since I shoot at many unique places and don't necessarily have a specific "go to" location for sessions. Afterall that would make for some pretty boring photos if all my sessions were shot at the same place! My goal is to make sure your photos are unique as well as visually interesting. So it's possible that I may ask you to do something that seems weird at the time or may not even make sense, but I always tell my couples to trust me because I know they'll love it!

Why Custom Photography?

2011-03-11T10:10:00.006-05:00

Because you want to look back at your photos from years gone by and cherish each and every moment. I'm well aware custom photographers cost a bit more than a portrait studio, such as Sears or JCPenneys, but the attention to detail that goes into every image is priceless. For me, the sheer fact that you can have your own personal photo shoot in your home, on your furniture or at your favorite park where he popped the question or where your children love to play is the most important thing when investing in your memories. Not to mention that custom photographers are just that...photographers ...please don't think for a second that a person who presses a button in a mall studio is considered that. Photography is a lot more than just pressing a button - first and foremost it's about the use of light and secondly it's about interesting composition. After all, can you really achieve this in a mall studio?

Mop Chop

2011-03-10T10:14:00.002-05:00

In an effort to save my sanity, I finally found a spare hour and got my hair cut yesterday! Thank God because it was starting to look awkward and actually kind of embarrassing. I've always had long hair, but within the past several years I decided it's time to chop it off and have an actual cut - as opposed to long and sometimes stringy. Anyway, having short hair requires frequent trips to the salon. This is something I struggle with since I'm always racing to keep up with the minute hand, but it's soooo very important to carve out a few minutes of your day (or an hour in my case - I told you it was majorly grown out and weird looking!) just for you. (This is going somewhere I swear) So I cannot sing the praises of Warm Springs Day Spa in Chambersburg, PA enough. The salon is gorgeous, relaxing, professional and best of all they do an amazing job! I've been going there for a long time and highly recommend it. I even had my hair bridalfied (yes that is a made up word for the ornate styles brides come up with) for my wedding at Warm Springs and I dug up a photo to show you guys (I spared you a kissing shot!).

Photo credit

Wall Galleries

2011-02-25T10:12:00.005-05:00

I'm a lover of many things, but beautiful photography and beautiful homes top my list. I'm drawn like a moth to a flame to older homes, especially those in need of fixing up. But that's a whole other story for a whole other day! In addition to loving older homes, I love to beautify or at least think of how I could beautify them a little more. So that brings me to the topic of this post: wall galleries. You have all these photos of your gorgeous family, but keep running out of 5x7 frames and tables to put them on. Why not incorporate your lovely photos on the walls of your home. Not only are your adorning your home with your favorite people, but you are creating a fabulous conversation piece as well. Check out these amazing examples of how to do it right:

credit

And here is a great blog post from the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) about wall galleries as well. If you are interested in a wall gallery, please let me know and I would be thrilled to help find the perfect spot in your home and recommend the perfect photos from your session!

Maternity Session

2011-02-23T09:29:00.002-05:00

I couldn't wait any longer to share this maternity session! I love the lighting, the laid back feeling, and best of all the mom! She is one of the most beautiful pregnant women I've ever seen and looks absolutely fabulous (this is her third pregnancy!). Enjoy!

The Rupp Family

2011-02-22T20:16:00.006-05:00

Early one Saturday morning I had the pleasure of meeting The Rupps. They way I came about photographing Cameron is very unique and all thanks to a great Uncle! Back in July Cameron's Uncle contacted me to purchase a session for his nephew's Christening and I couldn't wait to hear from the Rupp family. So fast forward to January when Cameron was the perfect age for photographs (7 months!) and I finally got to meet this wonderful family. I had such a great time getting to know Cameron and will not soon forget those big blue eyes! Thanks again for a fabulous session Rupp family and Cameron's Uncle for the great gift idea!! Enjoy!

Checkin' In

2011-02-22T09:55:00.004-05:00

Hello out there! I profusely apologize for my extended absence on my blog. I have many excuses, some good some bad, but many nonetheless! 2011 has, without a doubt, been one of the most influential years of my life so far...and it's only February. I've had personal strife when my Dad lost his battle with Leukemia early in the year, personal growth when I learned (and will continue to learn) to cope and function without him, spirtual growth when I finally understood the true meaning of someone else being in control of our destinies, (re)learned all about time management with the many sessions and weddings I've been blessed with this year, and, finally and most importantly, thankfulness for the friends and family in my life who continually support and guide me and my clients who are the most amazing, trusting, genuine, and interesting people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

My photography has, without a doubt, been a constant in my life that continues to bring me so much happiness and fulfillment. I have a coffee mug that says "Do what you love. Love what you do." That couldn't be more true! If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life! After each session I am so excited to import the files on my computer and share with the family their love that I captured, that curious look in their baby's eye, the mischievous grin of their toddler, or the magic of their newborn bundle of joy. I will be blogging a few of my sessions soon and I cannot wait to share their beautiful lives with the world!

{Happy New Year + a Maternity/Family Session!}

2011-01-02T16:22:00.005-05:00

What better way to ring in the new year than with a brand spankin' new post?! I really can't think of any other way myself! I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing, enjoyable holiday season with your family, friends, and loved ones. And I really hope you enjoyed a lovely hiatus from work! Lots and lots of new things are coming this year (including a new and improved blog!), but there will be a whole other post on that in the near(ish) future.

For now I want to share with you a gorgeous family. There is a little of everything in this shoot! Claire has been my model since the very beginning so I enjoy photographing her oh so much. She's practically growing up with my lens in her face. Now when I pull my camera out she knows exactly what to do! In addition to a few Christmas photos, I had the honor of shooting my first maternity session. Nothing is more intimate or beautiful than the creation of life. I had so much fun with Heather and hope to start shooting more maternity sessions in the future. Enjoy!

{Thank You!}

2010-12-14T09:44:00.019-05:00

Without you, I wouldn't be here. The clients I had this year were the best - they believed in me and trusted me with their most important memories. I met so many great people and had the opportunity to peek into your lives and see the amazing love that you share with your family, children, and loved ones. I am forever in debt to you for allowing me to start my dream and pursue a journey into the world of photography. This year has held many challenges for me personally, but knowing that every time you look at your photos and smile makes my heart burst with happiness. And it reminds me that, although I have a long road ahead, I'm exactly where I need to be. Thank you for an amazing 2010 and I look forward to 2011 and all the love that it holds.

To all my past, present, and future clients - I wish you all the best in the New Year!

{Amy + Lewis: Engaged!}

2010-11-13T08:58:00.011-05:00

Amy and Lewis...all I can think of is wow! This couple was so much fun to photograph (not to mention gorgeous!) - not only are they willing to do anything (even if it sounds weird at the time!), but their love is so apparent and free flowing that I probably could've just set my camera up on a tripod and let them do the rest! It's so refreshing to be around a couple that has so much vibrance and love for life and it reminds me how important it is to loosen up and allow myself to laugh a little more -even when things aren't always in my favor. The location was a dream for me because it combined my two favorite things: old architecture and photography. Add a couple as awesome as Amy and Lewis and the end result? Perfection. CANNOT wait for their wedding in September 2011 at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, VA. Check out those gardens....photographer's dream! Until then, enjoy!

{Amy + Bernie: Engaged!}

2010-11-05T10:24:00.004-04:00

Amy and Bernie are such an awesome couple! We had so much fun exploring the grounds at Green Grove Gardens in Greencastle, PA (which is quickly becoming a popular destination for weddings in the south central PA area!). Despite the windy chilly fall morning, this couple made themselves right at home in front of my lens and blew me away with their natural, easy going love for each other. I'm looking forward to their wedding this coming March in Thurmont, MD! Enjoy!

{Hannah + Jake: Married!}

2010-10-17T16:24:00.003-04:00

After our engagement shoot Hannah informed me she was planning her October wedding reception outdoors. I was SO excited...there is no better time of the year for an outdoor reception: the air is crisp, the leaves are colorful, and the sun is golden. That was until a certain tropical storm decided to inundate the eastern seaboard with buckets of rain for 3 days straight! And those 3 days happened to fall the week of her wedding.. But as luck would have it (and many many prayers from the bride!) the rain stopped, the ground dried, and the sky parted and made way for the most vibrant clear blue autumn sky that I have ever seen!

Jake and Hannah were married the first weekend of October surrounded by their closest family and friends. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was a blast! The feeling of energy and happiness that radiated from the bride, groom, friends, and family was so contagious that I couldn't stop smiling the whole way home! Congrats again to this amazing couple and all the best in your furture together!

{The Hann Family}

2010-10-14T20:56:00.007-04:00

I had so much fun photographing this family! They are overflowing with energy and happiness...not to mention how beautiful they all are! We met up at a local horse farm where their horses are currently being trained and this turned out to be the perfect backdrop for some country fall photos. I love the sun drenched natural feel and after talking with them a few times I knew this was the perfect direction. Enjoy and thanks again Hann family!

how could you resist this sweet and innocent looking face?! impossible!

I grew up with horses so it was very hard to resist smooching their squishy muzzles off!

{Sneak Peek - Hannah + Jake}

2010-10-05T09:41:00.003-04:00

More to come on this beautiful couple...

{Carson + Jack: Chambersburg, PA Photographer}

2010-09-27T08:45:00.004-04:00

As the saying goes, boys will be boys.... These busy little guys didn't have too much time for the camera, but I definitely captured a grin here and there. I love the photos of them interacting together as brothers and best friends. They may not realize it today, while they're busy fighting over toys, but someday they'll be so thankful for the bond that brothers share. Enjoy!

This one proves your older brother always has your back!

{Quick Check In...}

2010-09-20T10:31:00.004-04:00

What a fast month September has turned out to be...and no that is not a good excuse for the lack of posts, but honestly last I remember it was Labor Day! Next up is a fall wedding in Waynesboro, PA with an outdoor reception. Nothing beats crisp fall weather or beautiful fall lighting! I'm also excited to share the beginnings of a new office. It's definitely different from the rest of our house, but will be the perfect place to get my creative juices flowing and eventually a place to meet and greet clients! A post with no photos? I know, I know, but said office renovation = my external hard drive meeting it's maker...hopefully a trusty computer repair shop will have it up and running in no time! Be back soon!

{Lily, Miles + Family | Chambersburg, PA Photographer}

2010-09-01T08:39:00.014-04:00

What can I say, I think the photos speak more words than I can write! This family is officially perfect! Lily is an on-the-go 3 year old, Miles is such a well behaved perfect little newborn, and Mom and Dad are such wonderful doting parents! We had a fun session at a local park and finished up at my house. Enjoy!

{It's Right Around the Corner...}

2010-08-27T09:34:00.005-04:00

Christmas that is! Hard to believe I know..it seems like every year it comes sooner and sooner. So why not check one to do off your ever growing to do list this season and start thinking about your Christmas cards. These gorgeous cards are 4"x8" flat, come in either glossy or matte and are available in 20, 50, or even 100 count! Christmas cards don't just have to show off your children, you can also show off your entire family, engagement, wedding, pets, anniversary..the list goes on! In fact, I'm so excited to offer these Christmas and holiday cards this year, I am offering 15% off my regular session price with the purchase of a set. Not to mention you still receive a disk with all your high res. fully edited images, copyright release, and a fresh set of memories! Below is just a sampling, after your session I'll give you a book of 15 options to take home and choose from. If you're interested, contact me today!

{names have been changed to protect the innocent!}

{Old dogs, Butterflies, and the Flag...}

2010-08-22T11:05:00.004-04:00

Put them in a blender and pour yourself a nice refreshing glass of summer... Enjoy these last few weeks because fall is right around the bend (okay by me - I LOVE fall!!).