2019: All Things New

With every end of the year that comes, I hear the "New Year's Eve" song playing in my head. I sing Frank Sinatra's famous first few lines...
 

Start spreading the news

I am leaving today

I want to be a part of it

New York, New York...
 

And something about it just makes me a little sad. Perhaps it's the hustle and bustle of the surrounding parties. Maybe it's the whole leaving the past behind and stepping into an unknown future. Or maybe it's just saying goodbye to a whole year of memories.

Ones filled with people that we miss, ones that were so beautiful that we just wish we could go back to if only for a moment to relive once more. Whichever the case, an ending to a whole year always brings me back to all of the wonderful people and moments I was blessed to be part of.

This year was filled with wonderful and new things. I visited my family in Italy and on my 30th birthday, Danilo showed up in Sorrento and proposed.


I've learned that no prayer is ever left unanswered by God. Although we may be impatient, God always answers. Sometimes it's a yes, sometimes no, and often times it's a not yet.


At my age, I always hear people say they want to be successful and their careers are what drives them to be on the top. But the more life I live, the deeper I desire to hear what God says... and I realize that's not what life is about.
 
Life is comprised of tiny fleeting moments, and God gave me such a gift to be able to use a camera to capture those moments for others.
 

// And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. // Ecclesiates 5:9

The people that I get to spend some time with, their families, I get to hear a little of their story... which in turn adds on to mine.

I'm beyond grateful for each and every client that feels more like a friend, that allows me into their lives and stories. You truly fill a big part of my heart. Thank you.

But I know nothing would've been possible without the Lord giving me any of it. And so no matter the cost... I will forever glorify Him through all of it.
 

// Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. // 1 Corinthians 10:31

Perhaps the reason why the song makes me sad is that he says he wants to leave it all behind, his little town, who he was... and wake up as someone else and make it big in the city.

But I say we get back to our little roots. The roots that are deep within that tell me I don't need my name in lights, or be on top of the list... because I've already been made new.
 

// Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. // 2 Corinthians 5:17
 

 A big thank you for my wonderful clients who allow me into their lives to create art for them and document their most special memories.

And thank you, for being here and taking the time to read my words and look at the photographs that mean so much to me.

I can't believe it's going to be 2020!

I hope and pray that we continue seeking out the important things in the upcoming year. His Truth, hope, joy... and live lives worthy of Jesus' love. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

2020: I'm so excited to see what you have in store. ♡

Christmas Session | The R Family

I LOVE photographing Christmas family sessions. I've been photographing Katrina and Mike since they first got engaged years ago and every occasion ever since. 

This year is the first Christmas with baby Joey and so we had a little fun with the session. They dressed him up as the cutest little Grinch, fed him cookies (which by the way Katrina made and is an AMAZING baker for her business Have A Cake My Way, I highly recommend her for any of your sweets needs), snuggled underneath the mistletoe, and photographed them in their totally decked out, magazine-worthy home. 

Here are my favorite photographs from their home session... Katrina and Mike, I can't thank you enough for always entrusting me with your family memories!

Pete & Kasey | Proposal Photography | Edgewater, NJ

Of all the things I photograph, my heart has a special place for couples. Specifically, proposals and engagements. It's a surreal moment filled with excitement, surprise, a bit of nervousness... but full of joy and anticipation. You never know the reaction, and I love being a little fly on the wall of the entire moment. I get to be behind the scenes on this little secret and I get so excited I could almost burst with happiness. 

It's like I'm invited into a private screening of the sweetest love story unfolding right before me. And I get to capture the first moments of it all. The raw, real first few moments of when he asks her to spend the rest of their lives together as one. I grew up watching fairy tales, listening to love stories, and I truly believe God created something insanely beautiful between a man and the woman he chooses to cherish for the rest of his life. 

Most times I'm hiding somewhere with my camera, tears welling up in my eyes as I press the shutter while he whispers something to her, and then the grand moment of getting down on his knee to ask for her hand in marriage. 

Pete messaged me they were coming by the water and so I sat nonchalantly on a bench, pretending to be enjoying the view. We looked at each other as soon as they were in sight... and then he says a few sweet words followed by "Three years is not enough with you... will you marry me?" and proceeds to get down on his knee and propose to Kasey. 

It was the sweetest moment! I teared up of course, slightly because it was cold but also because proposals do that me. The sunset was a hue of pastels that night and we walked a bit longer along the water and took a few photos of them newly engaged. Kasey even did "the Titanic" and I totally laughed and loved it!

Here are my favorites from this sweet moment I got to photograph. Pete, thank you so much for entrusting me with your special moment... I wish you and Kasey so much love and joy!