Lindsay Docherty Photography

September Desktop Images

2010-09-01T10:34:00.002-04:00

Please tell me I'm not the only one who would get absolutely psyched to pick out new school supplies. Loose leaf paper, pencils, 3-ring binders, funky erasers, 5-subject notebooks, trapper keepers, LL Bean backpacks… A new school year is upon us. Just thinking about it brings up the nerves of the first day, laying out your clothes the night (or week) before, holding that crisp new schedule, figuring out if you had lunch hour with your very best friends, deciding if your teachers would let you get away with turning in an assignment late, checking the inside of your new books to see if you recognized the names of the former students, and just that rush of NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

Every month I feature new images for download for you to use as your desktop background. Click to download it and see it at its huge size and resolution.

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

“I never let schooling interfere with my education.”
~ Mark Twain

Michelle + Mike: Engagement Session in Medford Lakes, NJ

2010-08-28T14:40:00.002-04:00

Michelle and Mike met in college. He was her cousin's roommate and they spent a lot of time together while her friends went to study abroad. She always thought he was cute, they had a good time together, and she needed a date to a dance. She wasn't looking for a boyfriend at the time but you know how that goes… Turns out Mike had a crush on Michelle all along.

We had their e-session in a place that could have been Plesantville – Medford Lakes, New Jersey, where Mike grew up. If it were any more adorable we would have been given ponies and ice cream upon entering the city limits. Yes, that's how cute it was.

We took some pictures outside of a little chapel named Cathedral of the Woods. I couldn't even make this up.

We strolled across a bridge to a beach overlooking the lake that hosts a canoe carnival every year. I'm told this entails fabulous floats on top of canoes.

I pulled them down to a marshy area with spectacular sunlight.

Walking around some of the little shops, we stopped in front of one of the log cabin storefronts.

We did a quick change and picked up an additional family member: their dog, Bailey! This pup is utterly lovable and can sport a pretty mean mohawk.

Off we went to a big empty field to really frolic around.

I was totally digging Mike's 1971 Jeep (note the awesome hula girl on the windshield).

We finished up over at the country club just as the sun was setting. Michelle and Mike did a fantastic job of color coordinating with the incredible sky that evening.

Michelle, Mike, & Bailey – thank you so much for showing me Medford Lakes. I had a great time with you three and can't wait for the wedding at the Brandywine Manor House in just a few short months!

It is astonishing how little one feels alone when one loves.
~John Bulwer

[Wedding Paper Divas] features Ailene + Jason

2010-08-25T13:41:00.001-04:00

Tell me you've heard of Wedding Paper Divas. They provide all sorts of stylish paper goods for your wedding – invites, save the dates, programs, menus, placecards, favors, etc. And they have a fantastic blog featuring some truly inspirational weddings and engagements.

That being said, I leaned today that they're currently featuring Ailene & Jason's gloriously sunlit engagement session on their blog. I'm completely honored to have some of my work up there. Head on over and check it out!

Katie + Justin's engagement session

2010-08-20T14:49:00.003-04:00

Ice cream-loving Katie met and fell in love with Justin, a guy from Tennessee with a southern drawl and the patience to wander around New York City all day before popping the question in front of the huge Christmas tree this past winter (he was almost forced to do it earlier at NBC Studios but that's another story altogether). They don't recall their first date or when this relationship became real. They met at school in Tennessee (she's from Delaware) and their friendship eventually morphed into something more.

We all met up the other week at Battery Park in New Castle, Delaware for their e-session. This was a fantastic location with trees, fields, water, paths, fantastic light, and a heavenly breeze.

Helloooo, gorgeous skies!

And hellooooo gorgeous smiles. I actually asked Katie if her family was all dentists because her teeth were perfect and white. (FYI, she attributes this to Crest WhiteStrips.)

I love that the changing leaves pick up the exact amber/orange shade of their clothes.

And it really was awesome to have so many different backdrops within a 1 mile walk.

There were actually a ton of people at the park on that Sunday evening but you'd never know it by looking at these two. There's a world around us, really?!

And with the last moments of sunset we got the pier to ourselves.

I'm totally digging those curved lights and the patterns in the wood. And with a cooler color treatment…

You'll be seeing a lot more of these lovebirds next June for their wedding at Hockessin Memorial Hall. I'm going to be working on her to get an ice cream cake or Rita's buffet going on for it. Stay tuned. Katie & Justin, thanks for the great evening!

All love that has not friendship for its base, is like a mansion built upon sand.
~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

[teaser] Michelle + Mike's Engagement Session

2010-08-18T16:05:00.001-04:00

I visited adorable Medford Lakes, NJ the other day for Michelle & Mike's e-session. We had sun, sand, a jeep, a golden retriever, bleachers, and a golf course at our disposal. Yeah, it was good. Stay on the lookout for the full post soon!

My new favorite color: tonight's sky

2010-08-16T21:52:00.000-04:00

Maybe you were stuck in traffic. Or maybe you were getting the mail. Or maybe you were walking out of the grocery store. Or maybe, like me, you were out on a run. Either way, I really hope you saw tonight's fantastical, magical sky. Everything was bathed in this warm amber and all of the cooler colors looked supersaturated and dreamlike. I got home and had to get my camera to capture it.

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
~ Rabindranath Tagore

[teaser] Narmada + Bjoern's Wedding

2010-08-14T21:45:00.001-04:00

It'll be a few weeks but I wanted to show you all how beautiful Narmada looked on her wedding day. It was at Brantwyn Estate in Wilmington, DE and my very first Buddhist ceremony. Stay tuned for more.

Julia + Matt's Engagement Session

2010-08-11T17:25:00.003-04:00

Do you have a zombie contingency plan? No? You'd better get on that asap. Matt and Julia do and they're awesome (and I'm not just saying that to secure a spot for the impending zombie apocalypse).

These zombie-hating lovebirds met at the University of Delaware. He played rugby for the men's team; she played rugby for the women's team. He hollered at her from the sidelines at games and she fell for him. They are two utterly hilarious people. Matt is good at being fussy and cracking jokes and Julia is good at rolling her eyes at Matt. They play off of each other so well. They're partners in crime. They laugh. A lot. And it's magical.

Their e-session had been rescheduled so many times due to the weather that I'm almost amazed it happened at all. We finally met last week in Manayunk to wander around for the pictures.

We definitely wanted to get the bridge in the background. Unless you looked for it, you'd never know there was a cute little path right behind Main Street that runs along the river.

And some great abandoned train tracks.

Then we made our way over to Pretzel Park which is right next to St. John the Baptist Church where they'll be getting married next April.

And because they're really just big kids (especially Matt), we had to play on the swings.

Like I said, partners in crime…

We were really excited about shooting under the train along Cresson St. The whole look of it is so neat with the cobblestone street and teal-painted metal.

As a couple and individually, they're just fabulous people. It can be nothing short of a great session with so much laughter.

I cannot wait for their wedding next year at the Old Mill in Media, PA. I don't want you to get too anxious, but I got a pretty good tip off that they're going to have the most amazing, incredible, awesome cake ever. Ever! And it'll be quite the party too. 2011, hurry up!

Thanks, Matt & Julia, I love you both to pieces!

"But I don't care darling, because I love you, and you've got to let me eat your brains."
~The Return of the Living Dead

[teaser] Katie + Justin's engagement session

2010-08-09T12:23:00.001-04:00

I went a little south yesterday to Battery Park in New Castle, Delaware to photograph the e-session of Katie & Justin. The place was awesome for pictures and these two were naturals! I can't wait to show you the rest!

[teaser] Julia + Matt's engagement session

2010-08-05T22:22:00.003-04:00

I LOVE Matt & Julia! Love them. Despite this, they'll have to wait to see the rest of their pictures from our e-session in Manayunk yesterday. Sorry, lovelies!

[what to wear] family sessions

2010-08-03T16:52:00.005-04:00

Stumped, huh? How on earth do you reconcile all of those personalities into pleasing pictures? Well, it's not so hard.

Sometime in the 90s it was decided that people should all wear white shirts and jeans or khakis for family pictures. Set yourself free from that idea right now! You don't want to dress all in the same exact outfit and look like the Von Trapp family or a soccer team. You're each unique individuals so wouldn't you want that to come out in your pictures? You want to go for complimentary, not mirror, looks.

Here are some tips:

* Take the location and season into account. That sundress may be cute as can be but it's just not going to cut it 50 degree weather.

* Dress in similar styles. Everyone should be going for casual or preppy or trendy or fancy.

* Choose a three or four colors and make combinations. You can have fluidity without being carbon copies (here we have brown, yellow, and white with a sprinkling of pink).

* If you want to be a little matchier, pick one color and go for shades within that color. I think this combination is perfect for a barefoot beach session!

* Beware words, logos, loud colors and patterns that might distract from the truly important aspect of the pictures: you! The human eye will locate familiar words in pictures and put them together, taking away from the true subject. Solid colors and subtle patterns are great.
Exception: Words on shirts can work if the word totally fits. A little girl with a pout, hands on hips, and a shirt that reads "drama queen" can be priceless! You might want to bring another shirt too though.

* Be aware from head to toe. Yes, your shoes will be in the pictures so avoid the super-scuffed up ones.

* Accessorize! Think scarves, headbands, jewelry, belts, and hats but keep everything fairly low key and in line with the look you're going for.

* Sparkles, sequins, or especially shimmery makeup may cause glare so use them sparingly, if at all.

* Wear something you can sit, walk, run, lay down, jump, kick, and play in.

* Pets can make great additions too but please only include them if they are well behaved off leash.

* If you're self-conscious at all about your cleavage, arms, or legs, cover them up.

* You don't need to spring for an updo, but it might be a good idea to get those roots re-colored.

* Themed sessions can be awesome. Use your imagination to come up with creative props or activities. A countryside tea party with antique dolls and teddy bears or a vintage picnic with a page boy cap and old books or a backyard birthday party with dozens of balloons and a cake. And I'd love do a shoot in a field with an old fainting couch and a little girl in a big, frilly tutu. Let's make it happen!

A note on toys:
Let me know if you're bringing them and please keep them hidden at first. We want some pictures with eyes to the camera, not focused on the toy. Also, make sure it's a toy that you'll be happy seeing in your picture in 10 years – a favorite blanket or a teddy bear is great, something with a lot of neon colors and buttons… maybe not.

In the end, be true to yourself. If you or your kids are not comfortable, it will be obvious in your pictures. If these suggestions don't feel like you, break all the rules and show up in something that is completely, and totally you.

“A sly rogue is often in good dress.”
~Irish Saying

[Brides Philadelphia] features Garnette

2010-08-02T10:57:00.002-04:00

Garnette's out there again! Check out the latest edition of Brides Philadelphia magazine to see which Philadelphia vendors she used to complete her awesome vintage look.

I gotta say, it's pretty sweet to currently be printed in magazines from coast to coast!

August Desktop Images

2010-08-01T09:56:00.000-04:00

It feels like that time of year when changes are about to happen, but not quite yet. It's like the calm before the storm. Summer vacation is ending and school is starting soon. We're going to begin seeing those vibrant color changes in nature. Our wardrobe is going to go through that teenage state of dealing with hot days and cool nights after dusk. But right now we can still bask in calmness, in serenity. So I've picked some images that make me think "serenity".

Every month I feature new images for download for you to use as your desktop background. Click to download it and see it at its huge size and resolution.

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

"Boredom is the feeling that everything is a waste of time; serenity, that nothing is."
~Thomas Szasz

Katie + Seth's e-session

2010-07-31T14:28:00.002-04:00

Katie & Seth met at work, fell in love, vacationed in Mexico, didn't yet get engaged, and then went to Morris Arboretum where Seth proposed. (She said yes, by the way.) Katie and Seth have a 110 year old house and a Jack Russell terrier. They also have a whole lotta love and yours truly as their wedding photographer for their Radnor wedding at the Willows this September.

The three of us met up last week in Chestnut Hill to go wandering and take some engagement pictures. It is a great little town – the storefronts have oodles of character and the main street is cobblestone.

I gasped when I saw this fantastic green door half-covered with ivy.

And Katie had scoped out the area earlier and took us to a monstrous playground.

We found our way around to an old water tower as well and meandered through the neighborhoods.

We stopped outside of cake, an adorable greenhouse/café that we all committed to checking out some other day.

We took pictures with some of the fierce local wildlife. Seth, what did you name him?

And I had them playing chicken with the traffic. We all came out unscathed but don't think that photography sessions aren't fraught with danger.

All in all it was a great evening and I'm really looking forward to what they have in store for the wedding. Check back frequently because it's coming up soon! Thanks, Katie & Seth!

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love."
~Albert Einstein

Just one more slice...

2010-07-30T10:00:00.002-04:00

I wasn't much of a cake girl until I became a wedding photographer and was opened up to all of the majesty that cake can be. Beautiful and delicious. I've seen my share of cakes: red velvet cake, cheesecake, carrot cake, ice cream cake, and the myriad of toppings and fillings is enough to make my mouth water just thinking about them. But I'm not here to talk about wedding cake. Not really.

I am thrilled to announce that I've been invited to join Cake & Pictures, a website dedicated to highlighting select wedding photographers to brides and other vendors all over the world. The site is gloriously clean and easy. This fresh new company has both a site where you can search for a photographer by city/country and a blog that features fantastic images from the members. I am delighted to be listed alongside the likes of Cliff Mautner, Anna Kuperberg, Jim Garner, Meg Smith, Jose Villa, and so many more fantastic photogs. Talk about great company!

Though you can't actually get any cake from Cake & Pictures (false advertising?), I assure you you'll find incredibly awesome photographers who can photograph a cake like it's their job. Because, well…

So check them out!

Here is the official press release for some more background:

Cake And Pictures Launches Boutique Wedding Photography Portal For Brides And Wedding Professionals

(Philadelphia, PA – USA) – Cake and Pictures is an exclusive directory of wedding photographers designed to connect discerning brides with the most talented wedding photographers in the business. The company, based just outside of Philadelphia, is the by-product of the hugely successful Wonderful Machine, a web-marketing portal for commercial photographers.
Unlike other websites, Cake and Pictures presents only a limited number of photographers in each location, allowing the work of all of its members to stand out and making it easy for brides to find what they are looking for. The Cake and Pictures web interface is simple and intuitive, so brides can browse photographers from around the world quickly and without the distraction of banner ads or pop-up windows. Cake and Pictures hand-selects the photographers that appear on the site specifically to appeal to brides for whom photography is a priority.
Cake and Pictures lists award-winning photographers in 50 cities and 24 countries around the world specializing in all types of wedding photography including fine art, traditional and photojournalistic. Brides can be confident they will find a photographer to match their style, whether their wedding is a quirky backyard affair or a black tie gala.
Philadelphia-based wedding photographer Shea Roggio started Cake and Pictures because he realized there was no single place for brides and wedding professionals to find a comprehensive list of the best wedding photographers in the world. He teamed up with wedding photographer Cliff Mautner and Wonderful Machine’s chief executive, Bill Cramer, to establish a boutique web portal that lists only the best wedding photographers in the business.
The result is a website like no other. Cake and Pictures is the new, one-stop shop for high-end wedding photography – baked goods not included. All Cake and Pictures photographers handle their own scheduling and pricing and can be contacted directly for rates and availability.
Visit www.cakeandpictures.com to start searching for the perfect wedding photographer. For more information, please contact Jean Murin at (610) 260-0234 or jean@cakeandpictures.com.

Oh, and don't forget to save me a slice at your wedding… for purely photographic purposes, of course!

If the people have no bread, let them eat cake.
~Marie Antoinette

[teaser] Katie + Seth's e-session

2010-07-29T13:10:00.000-04:00

Chestnut Hill was gorgeous last week for Katie & Seth's engagement session. Here's just a teaser but I promise a full post soon enough!

[Elizabeth Anne Designs] features Garnette + Hamza

2010-07-27T15:00:00.001-04:00

Elizabeth Anne Designs blog is on my list of must-read blogs. It is jam packed with gorgeous real weddings and tons of creative ideas for every type of wedding. I was flattered and thrilled when Ami chose to feature more of Garnette + Hamza's vintage wedding at Philadelphia's City Hall on her blog today.

So don't hesitate for one more second… click on over and check it out!

Michelle + Alastair: A Casual Wedding in Ithaca, NY

2010-07-26T12:53:00.000-04:00

Last month I was in Ithaca, NY for the wedding of Michelle and Alastair (you may remember their engagement session at 30th Street Station). Though they live in San Francisco, and had their engagement session in Philadelphia, their romance began about 15 years ago at Cornell. Years pulled them apart and brought them together again but they finally ended up tying the knot on a rainy day in June among 93 adults, 7 children, and 10 babies. There were vows, a wedding gown, rings, and toasts but this celebration was gloriously low key, just as Michelle and Alastair wanted it. Read on for creative jewelry, little ones everywhere, BBQ, board games, and outdoorsy fun.

We started the day with Michelle's family and the girls in Trumansburg at a house the family had rented. Michelle had some of the most thoughtful details…

The bridesmaid's gifts were the most creative I've ever seen. Each bridesmaid got a necklace with a pendant of a map where she and Michelle first met. Michelle's only jewelry was a similar necklace with a map of Ithaca, where she and Alastair first met. I love this!

The rings were made of recycled wood – granadilla, to be exact. This is the same wood that clarinets are made of. Al's ring was lined with blue spruce and Michelle's was lined with purple heartwood.

The ladies wore cocktail length, v-neck black dresses. The flowers in vibrant pinks, yellows, reds, and white were from the garden of Alastair's mother.

Love Michelle! Love her!

For someone who usually has it tied up, Michelle let her hair down (literally) for her big day. She looked lovely.

If rain on a wedding day is good luck, Michelle and Alastair should have played the lottery that day. Moments before the ceremony was to begin at Cayuga Nature Center the fun really began with buckets upon buckets of rain. Very quick shuffling and the ceremony was moved from the field to the tent.

The ceremony was awesome. Alastair had the crowd in stitches as he walked in to the Star Wars "Imperial March". Michelle to Train's "Hey, Soul Sister". Readings were equally amusing – the wedding speech from The Princess Bride and snippets from Robert Fulghum's "All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten".

This was raised when the officiant asked if anyone knew any reason why these two should not be joined:

There was good eatin' by all. Dinosaur BBQ, a New York institution, catered the event with cornbread, grilled veggies, shrimp, beans and rice, and, of course, barbecue. Guests were able to help themselves to BBQ ponchos ("You know if you need one"), wine, Coca Cola from the bottle, punch, and assorted beer. Check out the huge Dinosaur BBQ smoker that was brought on site.

Dessert was served up as two ice cream cakes, one with a camera for Michelle (a huge shutterbug) and another with a pig for Alastair (really likes his BBQ).

The rain finally passed and everyone was able to spread out and enjoy the paths and scenery. There was a live falcon, peacock, and red tailed fox to check out. And Michelle and Alastair brought plenty of games and cards for guests to enjoy picnic-style.

Despite the wet start, the rest of the evening was gorgeous. I was able to get some shots of Michelle and Al against the spectacular natural backdrop of the venue.

They danced their first dance to Nina Simone's "Feelin' Good" and invited their parents up halfway through.

the rest of the evening was spent mingling with the friends and family that came in from all over the country. It was a perfect summery family wedding.

Michelle & Al, thanks so much and all the best!

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
~ Nina Simone, "Feelin' Good"

[San Francisco Brides] features Jessica + Cassidy

2010-07-19T17:47:00.005-04:00

For all of my lovely west coast family, keep your eyes open for San Francisco Bride's magazine out right now.

Okay, now flip to page 54 and 55 and check out the two page feature on Jessica & Cassidy's fantastical and pink wedding celebration at San Francisco's City Hall last October. It is a true honor to have a place in this prestigious magazine.

For my east coast buddies (and those not interested in those antiquated paper thingies), you can see it here.

Congrats Jessica & Cassidy, your wedding was truly magazine worthy!

Special shout out to Maxine Andrew of Instead of You for bringing this incredible vision to life! You can see more images from their wedding right here.

[venue] the Chestnut Club

2010-07-16T15:19:00.005-04:00

Every other month I get together with a large group of local wedding professionals to talk shop and see what everyone is up to.

This month we joined together at the Chestnut Club at Arcadia Theatre in Philadelphia. This is a fresh new venue in the city and you certainly will want to put it on your short list when considering locales. Located on the upper portion of the former 1915 Theatre Auditorium, this place has 7000 square feet of event space. It has kept so much of the original décor including the original proscenium arch and ceiling dome as well. It has great brick walls along the entrance and gathering areas and huge floor to ceiling windows overlooking Chestnut Street. They can arrange valet or discount parking and they welcome any licensed caterer (bonus!).

I loved the sheer, silvery swaths of fabric, candlelight, and it was so easy to see this venue transformed into just about anything. You're not constrained by ugly carpet or horrid wallpaper – it really feels like an upscale blank canvas. Check it out and let me know what you think:

I can't believe I forgot to mention that they have this gorgeous piano too.

The uplighting was created by Eventions Productions (see how it can make such a difference in a room?!).

We were also treated by Ilonka of Ilkona Floral Decorator to beautifully unique floral arrangements of zinnia, curly willow, and peacock feathers.

The shimmery table linens were from Select Event Rental.

Fleur de Lys Catering provided our tasty meal.

If you want more Chestnut Club and Lindsay Docherty Photography, come by on September 19th for Rock the Aisle Bridal Show at the Chestnut Club. I'll be there. I'd love to photograph a wedding at this superb venue so give me a ring!

Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated.
~Paul Rand

Inspire Me, Inspire You

2010-07-15T00:05:00.005-04:00

Things I'd love to photograph at a wedding:

• Different religions and traditions (so far I've covered Catholic, Jewish, Christian, Military, Non-Denominational, Quaker, Chinese Tea Ceremonies, and will get to shoot a Buddhist wedding this August)
• Same Sex wedding
• Man of Honor or a Best Woman
• Bridesmaids with parasols
• Swaths of fabric draped from the ceiling
• A big barn wedding reception
• A wedding dress in a nontraditional color
• Any place I've never shot
• Groom/groomsmen with fun socks
• Bunting flags
• A wedding dress with frills and ruffles out the wazoo
• A flower girl with wings
• A creative getaway (bicycle built for two? dogsled team? rickshaw? hot air balloon? magical glass elevator?)

And I always love:

• vibrant colored shoes peeking out from under a bride's dress (bonus points for the groom w/ matching socks)
• Ring bearer pooch
• Stripes or polka dots galore

• Photo table numbers (great use for those e-session pics)
• Uplighting and other lighting effects to enhance a room

• Veils – especially birdcage and cathedrals

• "Living room" lounges

• Lots of big paper lanterns
• Shockingly awesome reception wedding dresses
• Outdoor spaces and natural light

• Tea length wedding gowns

• Candles and twinkle lights everywhere

Basically I love photographing weddings with quirks. I like seeing new things. I like weddings that aren't your standard wedding celebrations. Long wood tables with burlap runners and candles everywhere? Count me in. Big white modern room with brilliant splashes of color and custom cocktails? Oh yes. Italian countryside-inspired outdoor fete at sunset? Si per favore.

Any of these themes strike your fancy?
50s era
Daffodils
Pinwheels & Lollipops
Skeleton Keys
Tumbleweeds
Lavender
Spanish Moss
Apples
Antique Typewriters
Seersucker
Alice in Wonderland
Cotton Candy & Lemonade
Poinsettias
Bumblebees
Starry Night
Bastille Day
Rock-n-roll
Grandma's Rose Garden
Apothecary Jars

Pick an idea and indulge! It's your wedding day so make it yours. Hire a wedding planner to help you realize your vision. If one is out of your budget, get elbows deep in the world of weddings and play around. Ask friends who have been married, ask your vendors, ask me!

For a little inspiration, here are just a handful of the wedding blogs that I follow:
Style Me Pretty
Wedding Paper Divas
Once Wed
The Wedding Chicks
100 Layer Cake
Snippet & Ink
Elizabeth Anne Designs
The Bride's Café
Polka Dot Bride
Offbeat Bride
Something Old, Something New
Classic Bride

So dish... What inspires your wedding vision?

“Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.”
~Bo Bennett

Lindsay + Steve's e-session

2010-07-13T12:25:00.002-04:00

Lindsay and Steve first bonded over California fries (bacon, ranch & mozzarella cheese, fyi) while attending Drexel University. She demanded they watch Boondock Saints (great movie, fyi). With a beginning like that, can you really expect anything else?

They're currently living in Houston, TX but having their wedding in Philly next year at Top of the Tower. I am so excited about this wedding and am really hoping time will speed up because that's just sooo faaar away! (/whine)

So they stopped into University City the other week for their engagement session to cover some of their old Drexel haunts and we had fun. A lot of it. These two are awesome. Fantastically so. Fantastically awesome? Yeah, I said it. Lindsay came up with a walking route of the area to make sure we covered the most important locales.

First up, the New Deck Tavern where they had many a good time.

We danced past Mad Mex's and made our way to the subway on Market St.

We hopped onto Drexel's campus so they could change into something more casual while taking advantage of some great backdrops. We were quite lucky to have found a campus guard so accommodating to our needs.

We wandered over to Powelton Ave where Lindsay, Steve, and a few friends shared a house for 4 years. Classic college with furniture out on the sidewalk and such but it was their history and I LOVE that we went there. It was special and meaningful and them.

Since they lived there a new park had popped up right across the street. There was a great view of the city skyline past the train tracks. We were there while the sun was just glowing for us and the clouds were divine.

They walked me through a beautiful community garden as well.

Then we got to our grand finale location – The Drexel University Quad Fountain. Cold, wet fun!

Lindsay & Steve, thanks so much for a glorious evening. I seriously can't wait for the wedding. It'll be a blast.

So what's the symbology there?
~ Boondock Saints

Celebrate the US of A!

2010-07-04T10:00:00.001-04:00

Hello and happy Independence Day! Wave those star spangled banners high and watch for brilliant displays in the sky!

We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
~The Declaration in Independence, July 4th, 1776

[teaser] Lindsay + Steve's e-session

2010-07-03T18:09:00.001-04:00

The other day I wandered around Drexel's campus to photograph Lindsay and Steve's engagement session. We had such a good time and they were fantastic. All smiles, these two!

Here's one from our time together. I can't wait to show you the rest!

(Oooh, and it's red, white, and blue, too. Bonus!)

July Desktop Images

2010-07-01T10:35:00.000-04:00

Oh how I love these long days. It just feels right that I should wake up to sunshine early in the morning and have a full evening of light. I remember being a little kid and being put to bed at 8pm and thinking, "Seriously?! There's still plenty of play left in this day – just look outside!" So get out there and play. Use all of this light for a picnic, a bike ride, time at the dog park, wandering around Manayunk or South Street, open-air dining, or just plain old cloud watching.

Every month I feature new images for download for you to use as your desktop background. Click to download it and see it at its huge size and resolution.

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

In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?
~ Robert Louis Stevenson, "Bed in Summer"