Tiffany & Jacob | Elysburg, PA

Tiff and Jacob tied the knot on Jacob’s family property near Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Right behind the red barn, they decorated a handmade altar and ceremony area with dusty blue and navy accents. It started out as a warm, beautiful day however just as we ended our first look and portrait session, the rain came. It torrentially down poured for about 15 minutes, bringing dark skies and dampness to everything. “It’s like rainnnn on your wedding day…” I sang.

It did not deter the fun of the day at all! As soon as there was a break in the clouds everyone scrambled to take the remaining photos and start the ceremony with as many umbrellas on hand as possible. The rain held off literally the perfect amount of time because it started pouring as soon as we all entered the reception.

With favors of moonshine and shots of whiskey waiting for the wedding party, they were all ready to get down! A perfect way to end the night - dancing and drinking with all your closest friends! :)

Snowy Days

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
― Lewis Carroll

Our fuzzy pup, Betsy!

She sniffs the snow and gets a snow beard. She loves it.

Can you see the snowball coming right at me?!

I used a cover for my camera and shot through it sometimes. It gave the images this dreamy affect.

Betsy loves the water anytime of year.

These geese came it so close! I love that they left the snow on their backs.

Snow Adventures Day 2

Snow beard is out!

Dead coyote

Betsy living her best life.

One of my favorite pictures of Betsers :)

The Dawes Family at Valley Forge

I loved hanging out at Valley Forge with the Dawes family this past November. I couldn’t ask for more a more gorgeous autumn afternoon - perfect colors and sunlight! My boyfriend also brought along our doggo Betsy to meet Sage - scroll down to see the wrangler at work!

My bf was the dog wrangler for the day!

Pennhurst State School & Hospital

Pennhurst State School & Hospital or Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic was an institution for mentally and physically disabled individuals from 1908 until 1987. You might know it as The Shame of Pennsylvania but the people inside called it Hell on Earth. If you want to know more about the history I recommend reading Weird NJ’s article.

Today I listened to a new podcast, Real Life Ghost Stories, stumbling across this episode about Pennhurst. Based on the book, Ghosts of Mayflower, it recounted Tamera Lawrence’s experience working in 2011 as an orderly in the Mayflower building, one of the most spiritually active on campus. I recommend listening to the entire podcast but enjoy some snippets alongside images I captured when Zack and I “ventured” on the grounds early one morning. Happy Haunting!

“Night One: It started with a desperate cry. A tiny whispering, whimpering cry. Mommy? Tamera checked the hallways and stairways but was met with nothing but darkness. She wondered if perhaps one of her coworkers was playing a prank. A hazing of the new girl. But the tiny desperate cry seemed so real.”

“Night Two: Howie, come out to play! James cried out from the darkness. C’mon Howie come out to play! They were setting up the attraction pre-guests and James was obsessed with finding Howie. Howie haunts the Mayflower. He is said to be a lost child and he owns all the toys in the building. If you are in the Mayflower long enough you may find a ball roll and knock against your feet. Howie’s invitation to come and play, however if you take Howie’s toys, he’ll come and get you.”

“James approached again, his face full of glee. Hey! Hey! Guess what? I got tapped on the shoulder again! Twice this time! I just love it. Tamera was concerned. Something didn’t seem right. She scolded James and told him to stop taunting Howie and James skidded off down the corridor singing Howie, come out to play!”

“That night Tamera went to check on Laurie. They were both mothers in their 40s who just wanted to make a few extra dollars so they had a natural affinity to each other. Laurie seized her arm when she saw her.

Tamera, there’s something in the bathroom. Please, please, honestly there’s something in the bathroom. I kept seeing a shadow pear out from behind the stall in the bathroom. I swear I’ve seen it four or five times now.”

“Night Three: It wasn’t unusual for the orderlies to share experiences. Thus far James had claimed to have seen shadows running from room to room, a face appearing in second floor window, and being tapped on the shoulder twice. James desperation to have an experience didn’t make him the most credible witness and Tamera took his claims with a pinch of salt.

Today though, James was not his usual self. He was quiet and subdued. It was this night that the noises started on the third floor. Furniture being dragged, things banging and crashing, and little footsteps running up and down the corridors.

The guests likely thought that it was part of the experience.

It wasn’t.”

“Night Four: James had been talking about venturing up to the third floor but he was afraid to do it on his own. He finally got another employee to venture up there with him. Tamera listened closely for sounds of their movement on the third floor but there was no sound. Eventually they returned and James’ face was different. For the first time he look frightened. Properly frightened.

How did it go? Did you see anything? Tamera asked.

Something stabbed me. He stammered. It felt like something stabbed me but with a needle.”

“It was all as normal as it can be working in a haunted asylum, when a group of women arrived desperate to see something. They made their way towards the bathroom where Laurie had seen the shadow. Their screams reverberated around the hallways and they ran pale-faced and terrified to Tamera.

There’s a man! They cried. There’s a man in there and we thought he was a worker but he’s not!

They refused to continue on the tour and eventually Tamera sighed and agreed to check it out. She walked flashlight in hand with the group of women huddled behind her. She checked the bathroom. Nothing.

She ran to the corner in the common room and there it was. The tall black shadow of a man standing against the wall. The shadow was just not black, it was blacker than black. Standing as if it was almost waiting for her. It moved across the wall and melted into the corner.”

“The night continued with groups becoming smaller and smaller. Hardcore paranormal enthusiasts turn up in twos to explore the most haunted building in America. Tamera continued her shift almost forgetting the incident earlier. Almost.

Two men arrived. They were well versed in the paranormal and stopped to chat to Tamera before moving on to explore the rooms. They exited the first room almost as quick as they entered. One of the men looking pale and the other shaking his head in disbelief. The man who had turned pale was rubbing his neck. Tamera asked him if he was ok.

I swear something was just jabbed into my neck. It felt like a needle.”

Laura + Kevin

This has been a crazy year y’all. It has been disappointing in so many ways however it showed us the things we truly value. Love is always at the top of that list in many forms. I’m so glad that we were still able to celebrate Laura + Kevin. Despite changing plans due to the pandemic and crazy summer thunderstorms, the day was filled with so much love. With their friends + family surrounding them, Laura & Kevin created a beautifully intimate ceremony complete with a bubble finale. It was an honor and a pleasure to photograph their special day. Congratulations you two!

Skies started to grey and rain droplets began to fall!

Abbey + Austin's Summer Session

Yesterday Abbey celebrated her bridal shower and TWO months until her + Austin’s big day! Here are a few photos from our session around the family’s beautiful property. Enjoy!

SHS Reunion: Jen + Mike Are Having a Baby!

I’ve known Jennifer + Michael for a long time. Mike was one of my first friends when I moved to Springfield, PA in 6th grade. Jen + Mike met at Springfield High School. Actually we were all in marching band together! Now they are expecting their first little one :) It’s exciting and sad because we recently found out that our old high school will be demolished and transformed into a more modern facility. Jen + Mike had the awesome idea to photograph the meaningful place where they grew up and loved together. And you know I was totally on board to see (especially document) the place before it’s gone forever. Go Cougars!

The band room!

Jacqueline & Chris' Chadds Ford Backyard Wedding

Jacqueline + Chris' wedding was filled with so much joy and warmth. They held their wedding in the backyard of a family member, who lived in Chadds Ford. They had a dreamy ceremony literally minutes after a summer rain storm. She wore a beautiful floral headband and the bouquets were a mix of soft romantic pinks. Her bridesmaids wore long flowy, blush pink gowns in all different styles. I loved all the details of their day- from Jackie's floral crown to the baby's breath bouquets to the rainbow colored kids table- it was all adorable. One of the best parts being Farm Truck Philly, a local farm to table food truck. Not only do they have a rad-ass truck, they also had a delicious short rib cheesesteak. Speaking of food, is it dinner yet?

The day started out bright and hot. But just like that Alanis Morissette song, the rain started to pour right before the ceremony. Only being a passing summer storm, the clouds parted and God-like rays beamed out, a perfect dreamy backdrop. Jackie's Aunt Chrissy became ordained online and when we visited the day before she was brushing up with the handy manual they gave her. The ceremony was beautiful with both of their kids not too far away, ready to jump in and join them at any time. Congratulations Jacqueline + Chris!

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Food: Farm Truck Philly | Music: DJ Howard | Bridesmaid Dresses: Vera Wang Bridal Gown: Melissa Sweet

Buck Hill Inn | The Heart of the Honeymoon Capital of the World

The Poconos are still thought of as a vacation destination, but the “Honeymoon Capital of the World” is not what it once was.  Many of the luxurious mountain hideaways have closed, but that doesn’t mean these spaces in nature should no longer be enjoyed. Buck Hill Inn will soon be demolished by Smart Recycling Inc. rather than renovated or preserved.  We are grateful to have been able to collect these images before it was too late.  It is sad to lose such a historic landmark, but we can only hope that in doing so, more people will be able to enjoy nature responsibly.  

Buck Hill Inn is a quintessential representation of the decay the resort industry has undergone in the Poconos.  Built in 1901 with a number of large additions over the span of its 89-year life and surrounded by natural attractions including waterfalls and swimming holes, its age and size is unmatched among the abandoned resorts.  

The resort property is owned by Buck Hill Falls company and is not open to the public.  The grounds are patrolled by security guards, so this large swathe of developed land and a vast amount of the surrounding forest is not open to the public.  Those curious about the "Honeymoon capital of the world" will soon not have the chance to explore and enjoy the beautiful architecture, while imagining the potential for such a space.  

We decided to explore the series of waterfalls and swimming holes along Buck Hill Creek first.  Trails ran from the Inn down to the stream, so visitors could take a short stroll for a swim.  We hiked in from High Acres Park off of Creek Road, Barrett Township.  

The following morning we explored the inn at sunrise.  Hiking from PA-390, Cresco.

Flooded structures across the road from the Inn.

The view from our approach.

We found a floor plan from 1985, helping with navigation through the dimly lit estate.

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Overlooking the West Wing

The Observation Roof

Indoor Pool

Walking up from the complete darkness of the below ground first floor.

One of the main halls on the Lobby Floor.

The Greenery Luncheon Restaurant