Philadelphia Engagement Shoots Archives - Black White and Raw Photography

Socially distanced wedding

PANDEMIC WEDDING POSTPONEMENT

The pandemic wedding postponement will always define this time in my career. When Yvette and Aaron emailed me that their May wedding would have to be postponed due to the Covid 19 quarantine, I was devastated. Not because I was losing another wedding, but because I was RIDICULOUSLY excited about theirs.

HOW WE CONNECTED

We met the couple at the Love Sick Expo. We had a giveaway for free engagement shoots and I was thrilled when they won. They even found an engagement shoot location that I hadn’t been to before, The Glen Foerd. It’s a beautiful location that I continue to use. We discovered we had also photographed a good friend of Yvette’s wedding at the Penn Museum of Archeology and it was one of our favorites. I was thrilled with the engagement shoot, which you can check out here.

The next wedding expo we did was at one of our very favorite venues, the Historic Aldie Mansion. We’ve photographed some gorgeous weddings there, so I was thrilled when the two walked in to check it out for their wedding. They ended up booking the venue and us. Yvette and I got Facebook friendly and when she sent me photos of her dress, I was pretty sure I’d died and gone to wedding photographer heaven. It was EVERYTHING. And I’m not going to tell you anything about it because I WILL still photograph her in that dress, even if it’s a year away.

A GLOBAL PANDEMIC STRIKES

The Covid-19 virus struck globally and Philadelphia was quarantined. Pandemic wedding postponement affected approximately 45 of our clients, some up to two years away. It was dizzying and scary and awful. I felt like I was in free fall with no net or ground in sight. (Still looking for that net, btw)

THE BRILLIANT SOLUTION

Not a couple to let anything stop their love, the two had a brillant idea. Yvette made a facebook post that she and Aaron would be doing a Vow Exchange ceremony on Race Street Pier on FaceBook Live for all their friends to see. I’m pretty sure I BEGGED them to let me come take photos. We found a spot with the bridge in the background where Aaron could set up his phone for the live shot and we could stay socially distanced from others. We wore our masks, and they did too, except for the actual ceremony.

They shared vows and readings as a crowd gathered to watch. Strangers applauded and cheered during their kiss as if they were invited guests. It felt as though everyone was craving seeing genuine connection as much as I was. Their vow exchange was something extraordinary and beautiful in the midst of utter chaos and uncertainty. At the end of the day, the newlyweds invited all of their quarantined wedding guests to post their “reception meal” photos from the homes which was a wonderful way to end the day. I can’t wait for their big wedding with all their friends, but this was an afternoon I will truly never forget.

Engagement shoot in front of Philadelphia’s City Hall

It would be impossible to pick my favorite location for a classic Philly engagement shoot, but the Race Street Pier and Broad Street Engagements would definitely top the list. The secret to both locations is the time of day. Race Street Pier gets super harsh light mid-day, with little shade, so it can be rough to deal with. Golden hour is what you’re looking for at the Pier. Since we love back lighting our couples on Broad Street, late afternoon and evening is our favorite. We love taking advantage of all the city lights for a more cinematic feel. It’s even better when there’s moisture in the air and the streets are wet. Lately we’ve also been going back to our street shooting roots and dipping into a nearby alley afterwards, for some grittier Philly.

We met Jane and John at the Lovesick Expo, where they signed up for our Philly engagement shoot giveaway. They were the second names we drew. (Check out our first Philly Engagement shoot winners’ here). The two drove all the way in from Maryland to shoot with us. I couldn’t be happier with the images we got. Jane and John are such an elegant couple, who have been together since high school. I love the way John makes her laugh. And can we talk about how perfect her blue dress was at the Pier? I LOVE blue at the pier.

I can just see some of these images as Save the Date cards. They’re modern, romantic and sophisticated. I can’t thank Jane and John enough for coming in. We still have a few more winners that haven’t claimed their complimentary shoots. What are you waiting for? We’re ready to document this joyful milestone in your journey.