This is the story of Samantha & Byard’s wedding journey with me. When I work with a new wedding client, we often end up spending over a year together. Not literally, but from the time we say, ‘let’s do this!’ to the time they walk down the aisle…we stay connected, maybe get together and take some awesome engagement pictures, and talk about all the plans and ideas for the wedding along the way. I met Samantha in a silkscreen printing class a couple years ago at the Fleisher Art Memorial where I’d been taking classes ever since I moved to Philly. I’ve always enjoyed taking classes to keep my mind working in creative ways to come up with new ideas for my photography. Samantha was working on a really cool piece incorporating all things iconically Philly into a print of the skyline. It seemed fitting that everything Samantha and Byard chose for their wedding highlighted the meaningful connections they have here in Philly, and I was quite happy to be a part of that.
Their engagement session was nothing shy of that same theme. We spent the afternoon in South Philly, enjoying the tastes and colors of the Italian Market, and even made a stop at Philly’s famous Cheesesteak Meca. These photos are so telling of them, and their relationship. Sweet, subtle, colorful and kind. They are some of my favorites to this date, so I’ve included a couple to start telling their story.
And then, on one of the most beautiful winter days ever, they got married! Looking quite fabulous all over Philadelphia’s historic Society Hill and Old City neighborhoods I might add as well. They are just absolutely lovely, and the photos are here to prove it.
On their wedding day, when the horse drawn carriage pulled up, I just felt like we were all in a fairy tale. Better believe I absolutely ran alongside the carriage the entire way, jumping in and out from one carriage to the other to get some close-ups. It was so much fun. When we arrived at the Church, it was adorned in beautiful Christmas Poinsettias, and for this very special event – they actually lowered the Chandelier and lit up about 50 real candles for the wedding service. My goodness. It was absolutely gorgeous.
Their reception was held at the Power Plant Productions – which is basically a huge photography studio! How cool! Jose Garces Events blew everyone away with some of the most beautiful and delicious food you could ever image at a wedding, and there were about 6 secret service men standing among the crowd since Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey was there dancing the night away since he just happens to be family… No big deal. What an event!
At the end of the night, my partner in crime, and amazing second photographer that night, Russ Hickman and I explored the studio hallways and discovered some really cool colors that would be perfect for that end of the night shot. Samantha & Byard, as always, were up for some exploring too, and we ended our photography era just the way we started it, super cool, colorful, creative, and all to the tune of real love.
Lora Reehling Photography 