Its that time of year for me where I have my daughter and my sons birthdays all in one week so I'm busy planning their parties. I really enjoy coming across all the fun and unique party ideas. I wanted to share these spinning pinwheels with you because I thought how pretty they would be for a spring or summer wedding. And sure enough, Shana has found so many fun ways they could be used at weddings from place cards, napkin rings or favors. So many beautiful paper choices to choose from, Shana will custom make them for you. Check out her site at www.pinwhirls.com . I would have so much fun photographing these at a wedding.

Since I began photographing weddings about 15 years ago, I always looked forward to those extra special touches and elegant ideas that wedding couples add to their special day. These are the touches that bring out their personalities and their journey together as a couple. I know I will have a lot of outdoor weddings to photograph, some with the stunning landscape of a beautiful tree line and an old stone house in the distance. Very romantic. I'm going to post ideas that I have found or photographed to help add that special and unique touch to your wedding.

First, I saw these beautiful cut out butterflies that were cut from "Anthology of Romanticism" book and I thought would look so pretty scattered about a table in a beautiful garden wedding. You can find them and more at Peacocky at www.peacocky.etsy.com.

Well I am one lucky photographer to be able to photograph Fiona. She is 6 months old and just about sitting up with just a little support. She received an adorable purple tutu from a special friend and her mommy and daddy bought her the cutest hat for her big photoshoot. Clare and I knew we had a limited time because she is teething and wanted her binky. However, she did wonderful and we had so much fun. Check out this beauty!

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And its my sister-n-law Gretchen and brother-n-law Mike. We are so excited for them. Gretchen has been on bedrest since early December. She is to always be on the couch on her side and she can only get up for bathrooms breaks. She was so excited for her shower to see people. I was able to get just a couple shots of Gretchen on her bathroom break at her baby shower and I look forward to getting some more when we go to visit. She looked beautiful and had that prenancy glow.

Gretchen has been busy on bedrest and has published her first book with fabulous recipes that you can make and freeze. You just take them out of the freezer in the morning and by dinner time you can pop in the oven and have a wonderful meal all ready (minus those extra dishes). Check out her blog at www.savorysecrets.blogspot.com

Here are some photos from her baby shower. It was so much fun spending time with Mike and Gretchen. My daughter Gianna was there and it was her first baby shower. She was so happy to help Uncle Mike open all the presents. She will make a great baby sitter in the future.

Jaclyn and Rob got married in January and had a beautiful reception at the Pen Ryn Mansion. Jaclyn looked beautiful and was such a sweet and wonderful bride to work with. The girls were troopers going out for shots in just their dresses on a very cold day. The flowers were gorgeous by Michael Bruce. Everyone had a great time at the reception. I'm really enjoying working on their photos, here are some shots from their day.

When the bride and groom dance to their first dance, I stay off the dance floor and out of their way of course. I never want to intrude or be one of those in your face photographers. I find my angle and capture your emotions naturally.

I was asked by a potential client if she could see more of my reception work. When I photograph the reception I always like to get the reactions of family and friends. This is always so nice for the bride and groom to see in their photographs. They can see the emotions of mom and dad while they dance their first dance, or the smiles while they cut their cake, or the crazy dance moves while everyone has a great time on the dance floor. The day can go by so fast for the bride and groom so seeing these photographs always brings a smile. I like to use a longer lens at the reception so guests are not aware of me taking these photographs. This allows me to get those natural emotions. My experience in wedding photography has given me the ability to anticipate those moments and capture them when they happen.

The Groom and Groomsmen are always alittle more nervous in front of the camera. This is why I like to make things a little easier on them and just make the shots more casual and fun. I also like to use a longer zoom lens on them so I can sneak natural smiles and reactions. Here are just a few samples.

I always look forward to all the details that a bride and groom put into their wedding day. This wedding was at the Collanade in Scranton, PA. This place was just beautiful. Here are some of the details my bride put into bringing the color scheme together. More to come...