Lindsay Docherty Photography

Chester County Engagement Photographer | Longwood Gardens | Alexa + Donny

2013-06-18T09:40:00.003-04:00

Alexa knew she wanted a country boy. Enter Donny, a guy who grew up on a farm and still has pedicure responsibilities for the goats.

The met online (hooray!) last year and the connection was clear. Their first date was after a shift of hers that ended at 11:45pm. They closed down the restaurant and talked until 2:30am. Conversation was effortless.

He made her laugh on that night in June and he makes her laugh now. We met up at Longwood Gardens for their engagement photography session. Alexa, being the the nontraditionalist that she is, didn’t want Longwood for its impeccable hand-raised flowers. She wanted to use the other parts of Longwood – the fields and greenery. I have been to Longwood Gardens umpteen times and didn't even know these parts existed! So off we went!

It was pretty hot that day but soooo worth it for these clouds and sunshine! They were such troopers, especially Donny in all black. The heat doesn’t really bother him (he’s a country boy, remember). Alexa, however, is more of a princess. She’s not keen on the extremes of either end of the spectrum. I’m so proud of her for rocking it in that denim jacket, long curly hair (yay!), and that awesome mint tulle frock!

Donny had planned the original proposal for New York while ice skating but that terrible February storm messed up his plans. Instead, he went local. Alexa and her mom were eating at Elizabeth’s Pizza when Donny strode up with wine and asked for her hand in marriage.

They are so smitten with each other.

Love it, love it! These two will be married next May in Delaware and I can’t wait to see what funky stuff they have planned!

Young Melanie: What do you want to be married to me for, anyhow?
Young Jake: So I can kiss you anytime I want.
~ Sweet Home Alabama

Montgomery County Wedding Photographer | John James Audubon Center | Laura + Ryan [teaser]

2013-06-17T09:50:00.000-04:00

You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful wedding than Laura and Ryan’s at John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove this weekend. There were so many details, frames of luscious light, emotional moments, musical splendor, and happiness that my head is still spinning from it!

Yorklyn, Delaware Wedding Photographer | Private Home | Si + Tanard

2013-06-13T14:18:00.000-04:00

Si and Tanard’s wedding was not your normal wedding. Their wedding spread over two days and had one primary focus: fun! Given what I saw when I met them for their engagement session, this was no surprise to me.

A small group of guests were invited out to the family’s farm, Seven Oaks, for a “dress rehearsal” that Friday night. They were told that formal pictures would be taken then so they should dress up.

What they did not tell them was that Friday wasn’t a dress rehearsal at all – it was the actual ceremony. The elated and emotional couple chose to do a first look that day for some uninterrupted time that would allow them to mingle with friends and family later.

I love having time for images like these!

The guests arrived and saw this… A beautiful drink station, a harpist, hay bales with a ceremony setup, a fire pit on the property constructed as a wedding gift, a delicate floral arrangement in a metal fixture that was found in the family’s barn, and many more spectacular details.

The light was incredible though the day did get cold pretty quickly. The ceremony was set against the backdrop of fields and a golden sunset.

The family’s two pugs, Tabor and Digby, were also included though they seemed slightly irreverent about the whole thing.

Si made faces at Tanard to keep him from tearing up. She wanted to jump up and down during the vows. The minister’s sermon focused on the most important thing in a relationship: forgiveness. This was the same minister who married her parents 44 years ago and her sister 9 years ago.

Immediately post-kiss:

It was a intimate and fun and beautiful. The group moved to the Columbus Inn in Wilmington for celebratory drinks and dinner.

The guest list multiplied the next day as even more friends and family arrived for a great big party.

The newlyweds were announced to the group and they went right into dancing in the barn. Their first song was “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz.

Again, the décor was extraordinary. Nikki and the team of LovelyGirls Weddings + Events really outdid themselves! There were flourishes at every turn – floating picture frames, green and Duke blue ribbons, custom menus and napkins, loved ones memory display, striped straws, hay bale lounges.

Tanard and his mother danced an emotional dance together and then Si and her father really got the party going.

The Oh, snap! Studio was well used that evening.

There was even a birthday cake and rousing birthday serenade for Matt’s 25th.

At the end of the night I read the engraving they had put on each others’ rings. Si’s ring had “looking forward to being in love with you for the rest of our lives together”. Tanard’s ring read, “she is love and she is all I need”. Such an great weekend and such a fabulous way to start a life together!

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
~ Jason Mraz, “I Won’t Give Up”

Wedding Ceremony: Seven Oaks, Yorklyn, DE

Wedding Reception: Seven Oaks, Yorklyn, DE
Wedding Planning: LovelyGirls Weddings + Events

Wedding Photographer: Lindsay Docherty Photography

Photobooth: Lindsay Docherty Photography's Oh, snap! Studio
Hair + Makeup: Gloss Hair & Makeup
Dress Designer: Allure Bridals

Florist: Sweet Peas of Jennersville

Ceremony Music: Jeffry Brown Harpist
Band: Brandywine Valley Talent - All About Me

Caterer: Toscana Catering

Chalkboard Art: Kate Farley Design
Paper Products and Menus: LovelyGirls Weddings + Events
Birthday Cake: Liberty Lane Bake Shoppe

Tent: Action Special Events

Delaware Wedding Photographer | Hotel duPont | Angela + Jim [teaser]

2013-06-10T15:56:00.000-04:00

For some reason, fate makes rain for Angie and Jim. There were torrential downpours and flooding all over the region on the day of their wedding.

So what?

Philadelphia Engagement Photographer | Kelly Drive | Megan + Brian [teaser]

2013-06-06T07:18:00.000-04:00

I took Megan, Brain, their pooch, Jake, and some glitter on an adventure along Kelly Drive the other day for their Philadelphia engagement session.

Stay tuned for more soon!

Delaware County Model Photographer | Newtown Square | Leslie

2013-06-05T07:04:00.000-04:00

Don’t come knocking on my door if you want headshots or modeling pictures that include any combination of GlamorShots, white background mugshots, or anything involving a greenscreen. I’m just not that kind of gal. Feel free to show up if you’re Leslie.

Leslie laughs easily and has always had that glimmer in her eye to be a singer. As a singer/songwriter her music is a mixture of folk, blues, and jazz. She contacted me to photograph her for promo images for her upcoming album and I absolutely jumped at the chance. The things that she was describing and showing me – natural, outdoors, warm, summery, backlit, bright, airy – evoked a photoshoot that I was eager to create with her.

We met in Newtown Square at a nature preserve right down the street from house. The land out there was beautiful and we picked a fantastic night. We captured the best parts of the evening from incredible golden light to a breathtaking purple sunset.

Keep your eyes and ears alert for the name Leslie Petruzzi. You can’t miss it!

If people have to put labels on me, I'd prefer the first label to be human being, the second label to be pacifist, and the third to be folk singer.
~ Joan Baez

Philadelphia Wedding Photographer | Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel | Courtney + Ryan [teaser]

2013-06-04T10:04:00.000-04:00

It was really hot on Saturday for Courtney and Ryan’s Philadelphia wedding. That didn’t seem to bother them one bit! My couples are amazing!

Here’s a Rittenhouse Square teaser from their beautiful wedding day. More to come!

Chester County Engagement Photographer | Longwood Gardens | Alexa + Donny [teaser]

2013-06-03T09:42:00.001-04:00

She wanted a country boy. And she got one.

Alexa and Donny had a nontraditional engagement session at Longwood Gardens the other days. More soon!

June Facebook Cover Images

2013-06-02T16:58:00.000-04:00

It’s June!

I apologize for being a day late but that’s because I was photographing a beautiful wedding yesterday. The couple was awesome but the weather left something to be desired. A very, very hot day in an unairconditioned church and outdoor formals meant a melting bridal party. They were absolute troopers and I feel sooo lucky for them. Some people (*cough* Andy *cough*) would not have been nearly as pleasant in that sun and heat.

This leads me to my June Facebook cover images. The first is how I feel just about everyone felt these last few days. As a side note: huge ice cubes are awesome.

As for my second image, I know some people have feet issues. Maybe you have a foot fetish or you have podophobia. I happen to like mine even though they’re too wide and hobbit-y to fit into those beautiful ballet flats. As a runner I feel it’s only fair to get the occasional pedicure in appreciation for putting them through all that stress. I got one today and wanted to show off my new summery paint (Fiji by Essie). Now I’m only missing a tan and a cocktail.

Happy summer!

Every month, I feature new images for download for you to use as your Facebook cover photo. Click to download these images and see them at their full size and resolution.

Please note these images are made available for personal use only.

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."
~ Khalil Gibran

Main Line Newborn Photographer | Collins

2013-05-31T10:56:00.001-04:00

This little bean had an army of love around her since before she was born. Colleen and Karl didn’t find out until game day that Colleen’s baby bump was a little girl. They debated for a while over names and finally decided on Collins Lillian, Collins being Colleen’s maiden name and Lillian for the feminine first name that her mother was given but never used.

I eagerly met Collins about 11 days after she was born and spent a few hours with her. I love that this is the same home in Bryn Mawr where I photographed the Colleen and Karl's engagement session and Colleen's maternity session.

There were times that the session got a bit overwhelming. It happens.

Of course Colleen looked magnificent and was taking lots of walks outside with the little one.

Collins had already received two pair of Stuart Weitzman baby shoes. That blanket was made by Colleen’s grandmother and given to her when she was 11 for her first born child. Unfortunately her grandmother is no longer around to see this little baby wrapped up in it.

I am so looking forward to watching Collins grow up; I just hope it doesn’t happen too fast!

Babies are soft. Anyone looking at them can see the tender, fragile skin and know it for the rose-leaf softness that invites a finger's touch. But when you live with them and love them, you feel the softness going inward, the round-cheeked flesh wobbly as custard, the boneless splay of the tiny hands. Their joints are melted rubber, and even when you kiss them hard, in the passion of loving their existence, your lips sink down and seem never to find bone. Holding them against you, they melt and mold, as though they might at any moment flow back into your body.
~ Diana Gabaldon, Dragonfly in Amber

New Jersey Wedding Photographer | Trump National Golf Club | Katie + Dave [teaser]

2013-05-28T13:49:00.002-04:00

I shot a wedding this weekend at the Trump National Golf Club – Philadelphia in Pine Hill, NJ. They apparently get these sunsets every day. It was Katie and Dave’s day and we all felt pretty lucky to be a part of it.

What's the deal with Wedding Planners? [Weddings 101]

2013-05-24T14:17:00.000-04:00

“The more you know, the more you know you don't know.”
~ Aristotle

And it is 100% true. I have been in the wedding industry for 7 years now and I have my own wedding coming up next year. Does this mean I’ll whip up the event of a lifetime because I’ve seen so much? Lord no! I have experience, connections, organization, and a pretty good design sense but I know that I want an incredibly beautiful, stress-free event that I can’t create on my own. Quite simply: I am not a professional planner. From the hundreds of weddings that I’ve seen, I can tell you that weddings are better when there is a professional planner on board.

I have thought about planners a lot lately since I had to pick mine across the ocean. If even I had questions, I figured I should do some research and share my findings with other engaged couples. I asked some of the best wedding planners in the Greater Philadelphia Area about their jobs. This is what I learned:

1. What is the difference between a consultant, coordinator, day-of coordinator, event designer, planner, concierge service?
Sarah:
Day-of: This is someone who becomes involved in your wedding process a couple months before your day. They gather all of the details you’ve pulled together for your wedding so that they can be “you” on the day-of. They’re aware of what the DJ’s contract says so that they can ensure he remains there for the full 5 hours.
Great for: the bride who has pretty much everything planned, but has started freaking out about how it’s all going to come together on the actual day.

Event designer: This is someone who, drumroll... helps design your wedding. You may know you love the color lilac, but don’t know how to incorporate it in your wedding while maintaining a classy yet “you” vibe.
Great for: the bride who has a Pinterest board with hundreds of pictures of varying designs and doesn’t know how to narrow down her options and pull it all together into a cohesive design.

Planner: Someone who is involved in more than just the day-of. They are typically there from the first step of the wedding process. They assist you with vendor selection, venue selection, and guide you along the way.
Great for: the couple who is unsure of where to begin. The couple who is busy and needs someone to shoulder some of the responsibility.

Christina:
Consultant - someone who gives advice, tips, and guidance for your wedding without doing any planning or coordination. A couple who wants to plan and organize the wedding by themselves may meet with a consultant just to get an idea on where to start their wedding planning. Consultants may also have helpful documents and templates for couples to use during the planning process.

Coordinator / Day of Coordinator - someone who works on just the logistics of the wedding day, which includes event timelines, confirmation of vendors, and managing the wedding day. Typically coordination begins about one month before the wedding. There is no planning involved by the third party. The couple who chooses a day of coordinator has planned the entire wedding without outside help and wants someone to ensure the wedding day is executed as planned.

Event designer - someone who designs the wedding in purely the aesthetic sense. This includes flowers, lighting, linens, and other decor. This is a specific portion of the entire wedding planning process and designers are great for couples who have envisioned elaborate decor for their wedding that goes outside of mere flowers.

Planner - someone who coordinates all wedding vendors and aspects of the wedding. This includes researching and booking all vendors, floor plans, budget management, and event design. Generally the planner is accessible to the client for any and all wedding needs.

Concierge - Someone who acts more like a personal assistant to the couple. This person does not plan or coordinate the wedding but will aid the couple in detailed tasks such as dress pick up, welcome bag creation/drop off, booking appointments, etc.

2. What questions should you ask when interviewing planners?

Tonia:

The budget is important but before you ask the price of their services, get to know their aesthetic, skill set and personality. I always tell my clients that you can hire most of your wedding professionals based on the end product alone, but your planner, photographer, and videographer need to be people that you genuinely enjoy, as well as value their services. Not only will we spend the bulk of your wedding day with you, your planner will help create the day with and for you.

Erin:
There are three main questions:

What are you paying for?
Are they educated- do they have any degrees or certifications applicable to planning events? How did they get started in this industry? Do they have experience working in events in your area and the type of wedding that you are having? Have they worked at your venue or with your professionals before? How long have they been doing events of this particular type? Have they been featured in any respected publications? Do they come recommended by other respected vendors in the area? Do they have references that speak highly of them? Do they do this full time? If so, do their prices reflect that of a full-time vendor? How many PAID events have they been responsible for (not family parties or their own wedding)? Do they speak highly of their competition? Do they have staff? Who is their staff? What are their backgrounds? How many will be a part of planning? Does the team require travel accommodations/any fees for travel? Are there taxes/service charges to consider?

What services do they provide before the wedding day?
Will they assist in design? Will they handle site selection? Will they recommend vendors? Will they establish (and manage) a budget for you? Will they handle deliveries? How many meetings will you have? Will they happen in person, via phone, or skype? What type of communicating is preferred/included (unlimited emails, scheduled phone calls, etc)? How will plans be confirmed with you? (We send clients our completed detail forms to sign off on.) Will the planner confirm your vendor arrangements? Are they handling anything to do with travel arrangements for your guests/you? What about transports to/from hotels? Do they schedule recreational activities/tours for your guests? Who will handle payment of vendors? Will they be a part of planning the rehearsal dinner/after party/nextday brunch? What about delivering welcome baskets or helping with hotel arrivals? Will they plan and coordinate the actual wedding rehearsal?

What services do they provide on the wedding day?
How many staff members will there be? When does their day begin/end? What is their backup plan in case of last-minute vendor cancellations/staff emergencies? What is in their emergency kit? How does their typical wedding day unfold? What is their role during the different parts of the wedding day? Who is responsible for setting up decor? Who is responsible for packing up decor at the end? Who is responsible for paying/tipping vendors? What ISN’T included on the wedding day?

Ask them about situations in which they've been onsite and their quick-thinking contributed to saving the day (see #8). Ask them about a mistake they may have made and what they did to fix it and ensure it never happens again. Find out what their favorite part of wedding planning is (I love fleshing out the logistics and developing timelines) and what their least favorite part of it is (annoying vendors that don’t follow up on our confirmations).

3. Why would a couple need more than the venue coordinator?
Chrissy:
Having worked as both a venue coordinator and also as a planner, I am in a ripe position to explain the difference! As a catering sales manager (or venue coordinator) it was my job to see that the venue ops team and catering crew had all of the information they needed to execute an event properly. Specifically, that means that I oversaw the wedding setup and dinner execution. Whenever possible, I would help my clients with small items, like table numbers and escort cards, but my priority was, of course, representing my employer and seeing that the catering/venue team was successful on the big night.

As a planner, advocating for my clients is my top and only priority, and the work goes way beyond what happens at the reception. I work with clients from start to finish when it comes to tackling wedding tasks- many of which have little or nothing to do with the actual reception setup. Items like connecting them with the right professionals, assisting in communication with vendors, guest list planning, invitations/stationary, transportation, hair/makeup styling and scheduling, attire, ceremony planning, scouting locations for photography and creating shot lists, creating a master timeline for the entire wedding weekend, and personalizing the event design details. These are all things that I did not have a hand in when I worked as a venue coordinator.

4. What kind of experience/background should a couple look for in a planner?
Rebecca:
Some planners come with a background in finance while others might have worked as teachers or in the public relations field. No matter what background they come from it’s important to explore what kind of experience they have specifically in wedding planning and also what kind of education they received. Some kind of education in event planning whether it be a certificate program or associate’s or 4 year degree is important to provide the planner with the foundation and essentials they need to make their events a success. It must be combined with practical real world experience in specifically wedding planning. Corporate events and weddings are very different types of events, each with their own logistical considerations and dynamics so having experience in planning weddings is important to the success of your wedding planner and his/her events.

5. How much do planners cost? How are packages usually structured?
Rebecca:
Each wedding planner you interview will have their service tiers or packages. When developing their packages they will consider their own experience and education, the level of service they offer, and value for their time. The cost for these services which will vary from planner to planner. In the Philadelphia market, Day of or month of packages range in price from $1000-$3000 while full service packages typically range in price from $3000-$6000.

6. What questions should a couple ask themselves when considering if they need a planner?
Tonia:
Where do you need help the most? What's keeping you up at night? What about the planning process interests you the most? What are you dreading about planning your wedding? Are you detail-oriented or a big picture kind of person? Will you DIY, and if so, how much time and money are you willing to invest? (Tip: Pick one or two things to DIY well in advance of the wedding; there's nothing worse than a stressed bride with a hot glue gun the week before her wedding!) Once you have a general sense of where you need help you can start to find the right fit.

Sarah:
I think everyone needs a planner but I’m biased. To me it just makes sense to have someone there for one of the biggest days of your life to ensure everything is going to run smoothly. Depending on a friend or family member may sound like the greatest, most cost-effective idea, but as someone who has done hundreds of weddings, it’s not a good call. So what they need to ask themselves:
* Are you okay with focusing on the details on your wedding day or do you want to be able to just enjoy your day (not concerned that there won’t be enough chairs for the ceremony or that your grandma who is in a wheelchair won’t make it to her seat)?
* Do you want to have a cohesive design/theme of your wedding?
* Do you want someone to organize it all and make your day run fluidly?
* What do you want from your planner: do you want a planner that you can be friends with or someone who comes in does the job then goes home?
Knowing this will help narrow the search down for you and naturally rule some people out for you.

How much time do you REALLY have to put towards your wedding? Let’s be real, everyone starts out thinking you can “do it all” but then you realize: you work a full-time job, you travel, you belong to a sports league… you really don’t have as much time as you thought you did. So be realistic from the get go. And just because you hire a planner doesn’t mean you’re not involved in the planning process.

7. Are there weddings that don’t need coordinators?
Chrissy:
No, I do not believe so. Every bride deserves to enjoy her day! Without a planner, the bride and sometimes the Mother of the Bride will end up fielding questions and calling the shots all day long. Being in the wedding industry, knowing the players and being able to anticipate potential issues for my clients is something that a super crafty, organized girlfriend just doesn't do (and shouldn't be asked to do). I am a BIG fan of working with my clients' friends and family to create personalized, special touches for a wedding. There is really no substitution for an experienced wedding planner looking out for your best interests at all times.

Rebecca:
You may be surprised to find that as a planner I will say yes. I think each bride and groom will need to determine how much time they have in their life for planning and what kind of day they want to experience on their wedding day. Some couples have enough time in their lives to do the proper research needed to plan their wedding. Most couples on average will spend about 10 hours a week planning their weddings. A typical wedding can take 200-250 hours to plan. If you feel that you have the time in your life to commit to that then perhaps you do not need a planner. If on the day of your wedding you are willing to go through the day with the possibility of having to deal with the issues that arise (and there will be issues) then perhaps you don’t need a planner. Think about what is best for you and your family and know that you or they will be the ones handling any problems.

I see the value that experience and knowledge can bring to pulling off a successful and stress free event.

8. When have you saved the day in a way that only a wedding coordinator (not the couple, not “a really organized friend”) could?
Erin:
We have solved literally hundreds of issues behind the scenes during weddings. The craziest wedding day involved a photographer breaking her foot onsite, a groomsman having an allergic reaction and leaving by ambulance, and a fireworks display that caught a bush on fire. Yes, all at the same wedding! Without years of experience dealing with chaos and working under pressure, I don't know that I would've been prepared to handle it all! We were able to get multiple photographers onsite within the hour to cover for our injured photographer, get an epi pen to the allergic groomsman, and thank goodness the local fire department was onsite to put out the fire! We are also ordained in case there are issues with the officiant - the only thing that really matters is that the wedding ceremony happens; the rest of the day is just a party! We have seriously thought of solutions to most problems far before they happen... which makes us the professionals, prepared to tackle any issues that come our way!

9. What would you like prospective clients to understand better about your job?
Christina
Clients should see their wedding planner as their best friend and advocate. I fight hard for my clients. Not to get them the absolute cheapest vendors, but to give them the best value for the money they want to spend. I know when vendors are nickel and diming my clients or trying to be dishonest. Since starting my business in 2007, I have made some amazing connections with vendors, all of whom I trust very much. I don't accept any kickbacks and clients should know this so they can expect honest referrals from me at all times.

As a planner, I am very easy going and my planning process adapts to each client's personality. Every couple is different and wants different levels of control in planning their wedding. I am there to support and to guide them, and my main priority it to make sure that at the end of the wedding day the wedding is exactly how they had envisioned it but better.

The trusted experts:
Sarah Kudlack of Juniper and Dash

Christina Hill of cHill Weddings

Tonia Adleta of Aribella Events

Erin Proud of Proud to Plan

Chrissy Lehman of Truly You Events

Rebecca Richman of Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants

"Good plans shape good decisions. That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true."
~ Geoffrey Fisher

Philadelphia Newborn Photographer | Ciaran

2013-05-21T07:42:00.000-04:00

Ciaran Quinn is kinda sorta (but not by much) Irish. That doesn’t really matter. What matters is that I got to meet him mere days after he was born. I arrived at Lindsay and Andrew’s home in Philadelphia (I’m not good enough to know neighborhoods – it was a beautiful street kinda sorta near Penn Treaty Park). I was welcomed by the new parents and their first children: Dudley, a 6 year old Schnauzer mix, and Stella, a 5 year old Collie mix.

It seemed like only yesterday (2009) that I was photographing the two love birds in their recently engaged excitement in LOVE Park. It was fantastic to see them again all grown up with marriage and puppies and house and baby!

I hardly believe it myself but I was there for hours and Ciaran was wide-eyed for pretty much all of it. He was taking everything in.

Don’t you just love this nursery? I could do an entire post on this room alone – including the handmade maps (Neverland, Wonderland, and Land of Oz), whimsical mobile, and fluffy clouds all over the walls.

He was so amazingly alert. Just 10 days old.

It was a lovely day so we took a walk to a local park to see if that would help put him to sleep. And it did.

…Until we got home.

This was truly a lifestyle session for the entire family. I loved it!

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.
~ Thomas Jefferson

Delaware County Model Photographer | Newtown Square | Leslie [teaser]

2013-05-20T17:01:00.001-04:00

I spent the evening with a gorgeous and talented signer songwriter in Newtown Square the other day. Here’s a little teaser from our session for her promo pictures!

Main Line Newborn Photographer | Collins [teaser]

2013-05-17T14:10:00.004-04:00

This is Collins Lillian. Good luck convincing anyone that she is not the sweetest thing ever.

Main Line Engagement Photographer | Villanova University | Jamie + John

2013-05-16T10:04:00.003-04:00

It’s something pretty awesome when I ask a couple how they mat and the groom-to-be responds, “It was 8 years ago in college. I saw her across the room and I was thunderstruck.” The relationship didn’t flourish right away but they became close, spending a lot of time on the Campus Activities Team at Villanova University.

Lives went on and he moved to New York. The reconnected at a New Year’s Eve party three years ago and sparks flew. Of course he had to kiss her at midnight. They did the long distance thing for a while until he moved down here.

I met up with them on the insanely gorgeous campus at Villanova University for their engagement photography session. The day was overcast and surprisingly chilly but these two were incredible.

There is an archway on campus. Legend has it that anyone who kisses under it will be together forever.

I got quite the tour. There’s also “The Oreo”, a big black and white circular sculpture in the middle of the place.

Jamie grew up in Maine and goes back to visit her family often. She was there last Labor Day and wanted John to come up but he had already made plans with a friend for a concert. She drove up that night and he flew in on the red eye to get there in the morning. There is a beautiful lighthouse in town where her mother told her to go to run an errand. She arrived there to find John with a ring. It’s a pretty classy move to show up at the most beautiful spots in your hometown to pop the question and somehow arrange for the weather to be absolutely perfect. He designed her ring based on her grandmother’s ring.

These two are goofballs. Some conversations are held in animal noises. Cats are currently trending.

Please check out John’s face in this picture! He makes some hilarious faces!

And so studly too! I think it was around this time that we discussed their frequent 90s dance parties, sometimes when no music is playing. Jamie had NKOTB playing through her head during the session.

We had a great time and I am so looking forward to seeing them again this year for their Philadelphia wedding.

I'll be loving you forever
Just as long as you want me to be
I'll be loving you forever
All this love's for you and me, yeah
~ New Kids on the Block, “I’ll Be Loving You Forever”

Philadelphia Model Photographer | Wissahickon Park | Ole

2013-05-14T14:51:00.000-04:00

A German weight loss company contacted me a few months ago about a photoshoot. After realizing that this wasn’t a scam, I connected with Ole, one of their many success stories. Ole happened to be living in Philadelphia and had lost 30 pounds through the program. Of course I had to ask him about it. He said he had been a bit hungry at times but it was actually pretty easy and not so bad at all.

We met at Valley Green Inn in the Wissahickon Park to snap a few pictures to send to Almased (or in English if you'd prefer).

If you’re looking to lose a few (or just want to see my pictures up there in a few weeks), check out Almased - maybe I could see you for your slimmed-down shoot!

Clogged with yesterday's excess, the body drags the mind down with it.
~Horace

Philadelphia Wedding Venue Spotlight | Morris House Hotel

2013-05-14T08:04:00.000-04:00

There is a secret garden of a wedding venue smack dab in Philadelphia and you would never know about it unless you were looking for it. It’s called the Morris House Hotel (home to M Restaurant) – a sweet boutique bed and breakfast built in the Revolutionary era and exudes colonial elegance.

Inside there are 15 rooms, a library, fireplaces, comfy sofas, and a superb staff.

But the real highlight is the courtyard. The courtyard garden can host a wedding that you’d never expect downtown: greenery, historic charm (226 years worth), fountains, flowers, ivy, bricks, and steps away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s absolutely perfect for the couple who wants an escape to a beautiful garden wedding but doesn’t want to leave downtown Philadelphia.

The “tent” is really just a tent by name. The ceiling is as clear as glass, giving you a great, open feeling with sights to the high rises around. I have Synergetic to thank for providing the uplighting (just wait til you see it at night!) and Beautiful Blooms for the centerpieces.

It’s an awesome space. If you end up at Morris House Hotel for your wedding; give me a call!

Philadelphia Engagement Photographer | Kelly Drive | Carla + Ben

2013-05-10T11:54:00.002-04:00

There’s something that happened during my session with Carla and Ben that hasn’t happened before: we were talking and laughing so much that I didn’t even get the juicy details about their relationship – how they met (perhaps gardening but I could have made that up) or even how the proposal went down. Sheesh!

What I can say is that these two are magnificent human beings. We scheduled the session along Kelly Drive for primo springtime nature. I swear it’s one of the most beautiful roads in the entire city. They live in New York (Ben is from the area; Lower Merion to be precise!) and we had originally planned the session for a week or two later. I was worried that we were going to lose our blossoms if we waited so I asked if they could come down stat. I saw them that weekend and we had a blast.

They brought along Salvatore, their rescued Corgi Pitt mix. A canine that I frankly consider far more regal than these two. Carla and Ben are really big into animal rescue groups, Carla running half marathons to raise money for them.

After we assured Carla that there was no third rail to worry about, we ventured onto the tracks.

A strange thing was happening while we were there. It was a big trance/techno party, complete with DJs spinning, food, drinks, hula hooping, tents, kiddie pools, bunting flags, and a lot of color.

They are total goofballs. To give you some indication, they have super hero names: Meldoff (the evil one) and Branman (the good one), combinations of their last names.

And adorable.

But really mostly goofballs. How many couples bring mustaches to an engagement session?!!

As a bonus, I got to get in on the action. Rawr!

It was just too good. I am so excited for their wedding in June at Quarry Hill Farm!

And I will love to see that day
That day is mine
When she will marry me outside with the willow trees
And play the songs we made
They made me so
And I would love to see that day
Her day was mine
~ Beirut, "Postcards from Italy"

[Philly Current] features cover and editorial photography by LDP

2013-05-09T11:21:00.001-04:00

The latest Philly Current magazine has spread all over Philadelphia. I’m particularly excited about this one, the Outside issue.

The cover feature offers up a great article on the Philly Union soccer team. I felt pretty special getting some alone time with players Jack McInerney and the Farfan twins (Michael and Gabriel). Watching the game from the press sidelines a few days later was awesome. The dedicated fan base, the Sons of Ben, put on as much of a show as the team.

My favorite shoot with this magazine so far has to be the other feature in this issue, a gorgeous 5 page spread (+ table of contents) of vintage cars across the decades and one very sexy model. The team on this shoot absolutely rocked it. Bettie Page Clothing provided the wardrobe, the Roxborough Ridge Runners handed over the keys, and Emily of Cheekadee Makeup Artists and Danielle of Crimson Hair Studio transformed Laurel into three lovely ladies set against era cars and Philly backdrops. I am in love with what we got!

Here are a few more from the photo shoot!

I absolutely encourage you to check out this fresh magazine for quirky articles and insights into Philly that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s available in print and online.

Philadelphia Wedding Photographer | Glen Foerd Mansion | Jen + Joe

2013-05-08T10:00:00.001-04:00

We had a few days of strange 80+ degree days and then came the day for Jen and Joe’s wedding and Glen Foerd Mansion. It was chilly and damp, which really only made the grand estate feel more proper somehow. The beautiful venue on the Delaware River was vibrant with green and overflowing with history and charm. It’s a place Jen has known practically her whole life.

Despite coordinating a wedding and four very little ones, Jen looked radiant.

They had a first look before the ceremony. It was great to wander the grounds and spend some quiet time together.

As I said, Glen Foerd is beautiful and oh-so-charming.

The ceremony was held in the drawing room, just the right size to hold the couple’s intimate 35 guests. This room with lush red tapestries, gilded mirrors and chandeliers, and piano player in the background felt perfect. Governor Ed Rendell, a close family friend, presided over the ceremony.

There were little ones everywhere. The couple opted for a low key dinner reception and I stayed through the cocktail hour to get a few images of the day’s revelry.

Congratulations, Jen and Joe, on your happy day! Here’s to many, many more!

“Love is the only gold.”
~ Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Wedding Ceremony: Glen Foerd on the Delaware, Philadelphia, PA

Wedding Reception: Glen Foerd on the Delaware, Philadelphia, PA

Wedding Photographer: Lindsay Docherty Photography

Dress Designer: Demetrios
Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Catering: Conroy Catering

May Facebook Cover Images

2013-05-07T08:22:00.002-04:00

Today is a very important day. It is my little girl’s 10th birthday. 10. 10!

My scruffy, affectionate, happy, cuddly pup has gone from a few pounds of fluff to this tough little beast who has seen me through a myriad of moves, heartaches, states, wardrobes, tears, laughter, and a whole lotta fun.

All through college I visited the local pet shop* to get my puppy fix. What could create more serotonin than floppy, bouncy puppies? I would pet, play, “awww”, and go back to campus.

I am not the kind of person who makes snap judgments. I calculate and plan. I rationalize everything.

A strange thing happened in 2003. I fell in love.

I walked into that pet shop and asked to play with an adorable Jack Russell Terrier / Beagle mix. In 3 years of puppy fun, I had never fallen so hard for a bunch of fur. I had already named her Emma. I gave them $25 to hold her for 24 hours as I thought about it. I came back an hour before closing the next day, armed with toys, food, a crate, a leash, and as much knowledge as I could cram about Jacks and Beagles, and asked for my dog.

Despite the epilepsy, poor bladder control, excessive barking, selective hearing, and ninja-like thievery around food, I don’t regret it one bit. My most impulsive purchase is the best I’ve ever made.

Every month, I feature new images for download for you to use as your Facebook cover photo. I have waited until today to show off my May pictures. Click to download these images and see them at their full size and resolution.

Please note these images are made available for personal use only.

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
~ Anatole France

* Despite my great experience with Emma, I would never buy from a pet shop again. There are far too many needy pooches out there and amazing rescue organizations that deserve all the support they can get.

Yorklyn, Delaware Wedding Photographer | Private Home | Si + Tanard [teaser]

2013-05-06T15:00:00.001-04:00

Si and Tanard turned the tables on everyone this weekend and celebrated a wedding that was totally them. The “dress rehearsal” on Friday night was actually the wedding ceremony and Saturday was all about a great, big party.

They wouldn’t have had it any other way! More soon!

Philadelphia Newborn Photographer | Ciaran [teaser]

2013-05-03T11:29:00.000-04:00

It was a family affair at Ciaran’s newborn session yesterday. He was bright eyed the entire time and showed off his beautiful eyes (and set of lungs) for us!

Stay tuned for more of Lindsay, Andrew, Dudley, Stella, and little Ciaran.

Yorklyn, Delaware Engagement Photographer | Private Home | Si + Tanard

2013-05-02T08:17:00.000-04:00

I have a hard time believing that Si and Tanard ever stop laughing. They can’t even fight without laughing – he will put his finger up her nose. How’s that for romance? They do everything together. From what I can tell, this consists of going for walks, going to bars and restaurants, and watching the League. Tanard will come up with quotes from just about anywhere so you’d better be up on your pop culture references.

Speaking of, these two met in a bar about two years ago. He was wearing a Ninja Turtles shirt; she was in plaid (which Tanard still confuses with flannel). He stared at her for a while, mesmerized, but was too shy to make a move. A friend intervened on his behalf and she walked over to him. Their evening went on to discuss TMNT and short torsos. It was love.

Their family includes two twelve year old pugs, Tabor and Digby.

We did their engagement session at Si’s family’s property in Yorklyn, Delaware. The grounds are gorgeous and will be even more impressive this weekend for the wedding.

I can’t wait to see the big barn transformed into a reception.

I was very touched that I got to share part of their wedding gifts with each other. They chose an inscription on each other’s ring and opened them during the engagement session to read what the other had picked. I decided to wait until the wedding day to see the emotional inscriptions.

This weekend’s fete will certainly be something no one forgets. I can’t wait to see the guests’ reaction to such an awesome wedding.

"Tonight you have learned the final and greatest truth of the Ninja: that ultimate mastering comes not from the body, but from the mind."
~ Splinter, TNMT