Brian & Jen's Engagement - Southern NJ and Philadelphia Wedding & Portrait Photographer

What a weekend! 2 Engagement Sessions, 1 Album delivery, and 1 family birthday party. What a weekend!

We met up with Brian and Jen in the late morning. Brian kindly offered to drive all of us. When he open his trunk to put my gear in it brought back all the memories. What memories? Ruth and I were youth pastors in our church before God blessed us with our 5 kids. Seeing Brian's trunk reminded me of how important that job is. On one side was a stack of Bibles and on the other was sports equipment. Brian and Jen are the youth pastors at their church. The stress of working with teens can be high but the rewards can be much higher.

Brian and Jen love the city, so naturally they wanted to take their Engagement Session to Philly. Old City, City Hall, Penn's Landing; we were all over the place. Ruth asked where my favorite place was, I'm still not sure. The hardest thing was trying to find a parking space near 12th & Chestnut. Who knew there would be 2 different cranes blocking traffic. Oh well, I needed the walk.

One of the best part of being a wedding photographer is meeting with these great, young couples and hearing their dreams. I know God is going to use this couple for something great.

Please enjoy the pictures and slideshow below.

Derek & Jill's Engagement - Southern NJ and Philadelphia Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Ruth and I had a fun and soggy time with Derek & Jill. It poured most of the day but we still got their engagement session done. For awhile we hung out in the Central Library in Philly and got some really cool shots in the book racks. The rain slowed down enough for us to go outside to the Art Museum steps and of course the "Rocky" statue. Right behind the museum there is the old Philadelphia Water Works. They built everything fancy back then. Instead of water works it looks more like a Grecian Temple.

Check out their shots and slideshow below.

Have a Blessed Easter!

I played this song in church last Sunday. Do you know how hard it is to play a guitar when your hands are shaking? The words are so powerful! You can listen below.

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

In Christ Alone - Keith Getty/Kristyn Getty

Money Saving Hint

Don't include your vendors(DJ, videographer, and photographer) in your head count for your caterer until you ask. Many caterers know that the vendors don't eat very much and if they're like Ruth and I, they just grab a few bites of something when they can, and they certainly don't sit down and rest. Ask your caterer if the vendors' meals are included in the catering fee. Most times they are, or at the very least, discounted. The money you save could buy you a beautiful Gallery Wrap or Wall Portrait. It doesn't hurt to ask!

FREE STUFF!

How many of you have a Facebook, MySpace, Blog, or are part of some other networking? Let me know when I'm proofing your pictures and I will include some pictures that you can upload to your site or email to your friends; FOR FREE!!!

Simple Fun

Remember when an empty box was the best toy in the world? Yesterday I got a delivery of some new equipment. My 4 year old asked almost immediately; “Daddy, can I play with the box?” After dinner and homework, they went to work. They had a crew of 4, aging 4,6,10, and 12. With an hour, scissors, duct tape, and some imagination this is what they created. We hear dub the “The Engine of the Century”.