WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

established 2013

BASED IN Philadelphia, PA

available in PA, NJ, and DE

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Should We do a First Look?

Many times, my couples already know whether they want to see each other before their ceremony. That’s perfect – go with your gut. I’m not here to manipulate your experience. We will design the perfect wedding day timeline for pictures around what’s most important to you. If you’re unsure about doing a first look? It’s all about what will make you feel comfortable, grounded, excited, and loved.

Allentown Rose Garden Wedding Portraits

A few guiding questions to consider:

Are you more introverted or extroverted?  Introverts tend to be more nervous in front of crowds and may prefer the quiet, tender experience of a private first look. However, if you feel more joy at the thought of sharing the moment with your community, it may be more exciting and fulfilling to wait.

Franklin Commons Wedding

Will you be nervous?

This may be hard to imagine in advance, but if you tend to get anxious or nervous, this will be amplified on your wedding day. Seeing your spouse-to-be sooner can help calm those nerves, and a first look may ease some of that weight off of your shoulders.

How much time would you like to spend with your guests during the beginning of the reception?

The main logistical concern when opting out of a first look is that bride and groom portraits, full bridal party, and family photos must happen during cocktail hour, which takes you away from your first chance at greeting guests. There’s simply no way around it. However, you can optimize your time with guests in other ways. Will you be dancing the night away until midnight? Plenty of time to greet guests during and after dinner. Are you hosting a wedding weekend? Maybe consider a day-after brunch to make sure you get as much time as possible with your closest friends and family.

Would you like to do anything special together before the ceremony?

If you’d like to read each other personal letters, exchange private vows, or start a special tradition, seeing each other before the ceremony can create time to do something meaningful together before you join your guests for the official ceremony.

Ash Mill Farm Wedding

 

When will the sun set?

During the summer, waiting until after your ceremony to take the bulk of your wedding photos works beautifully; long summer days mean generous light into the late evening. But in the winter, the sun may be completely set by the time your ceremony is over.

Still have more questions? Ready to work together? Just want to talk shop? I’d love to chat

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Meet Us

WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE LOVE TRUMPS ALL

We’re Tom and Jamie, a husband and wife team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that specialize in wedding photography and lifestyle portraiture.  We’re high school sweethearts who love a good story, whether it’s one we’re watching snuggled up on the couch or the story we’re telling of your wedding day.

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Should You do a First Look?

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