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“I’ve had a lot of big decisions to make in my life, Sophie isn’t one of them. Being with her is hands down the best and easiest decision I have ever made.” Yossi said as my heart melted into a huge pile next to him. The best word to describe Yossi and Sophie’s love is absolute. They are absolutely best friends. Absolutely supportive of each others hopes and dreams. And absolutely and completely in love with each other.

It is one of the coolest feelings in the world to see someone you grew up with build a beautiful and strong relationship with their one and only. I have known Yossi for years, we went to Middle School together and I can still hear his shocked gasp as he stuck a hairpin into a wall outlet in the middle of our morning prayers. If you told me then that I would have the pleasure of witnessing his absolute love for Sophie, I would not have believed you.

For their engagement session, we walked around Dumbo Park on the hottest Sunday in January, It was an incredible day, we created a ton of awesome photos, talked about our lives and sipped on some kick-ass Brooklyn coffee. As I drove back home to Philadelphia that night, I was grinning from ear to ear.

Sophie is one the kindest women I have met in a very long time. Her energy and her genuineness makes you warm from top to bottom. Her smiles brightens the room, her wit makes you laugh, and her excitement for life makes you excited for life. She has this way of talking to you that makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room.

Yossi is just as kind. He has this ability to relate to everyone and anything. He is sharp, sincere and very funny. He had me laughing the entire engagement session and more importantly, he had his Sophie smiling and giggling the entire time too. There is just so much love between the two of them. It is so real, so strong and so very absolute.

I was sitting at a family brunch on New Year’s Eve when I received a text from Brittany asking about a photography session for their save the dates. It was a text I was hoping to get. Since I started dating Robert, I have heard so much about this driven, easy to talk to, incredible woman, Brittany and this vibrant, sweet and totally charming man, Greg. Now, not only do I get to meet them, but I also get to photograph them! Nothing could make me happier. As I answered Brittany’s text, I couldn’t help the butterflies; I was as giddy and as excited as a school girl.

A week later, as the snow was covering the ground, I found myself sipping my favorite tea at La Colombe and chatting with the lovely Brittany. We ended up sitting there for hours talking about everything and anything. From wedding plans to Law School. From us both having a horrible sense of direction to hearing all about Greg’s big proposal. And from Philly styled pretzels to favorite cafe orders. We just clicked and I left our meeting feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Brittany, Greg and I decided on an engagement session at the end of January. I was mentally preparing myself to be freezing, all three of us were.  Luckily, with our crazy East Coast weather, our winter session ended up being 55 degrees. I was in awe. It was meant to be! I grabbed my gear and my light jacket and headed to Center City towards their apartment. The city was bustling and vibrant. There were people everywhere and I just couldn’t wait to start clicking that shutter.

From the moment Greg opened the door a feeling of warmth and familiarity rushed over me. I’ve met Greg in passing before, but this was my chance to really get to meet him. Just like Brittany, he was even better and even more personable than expected. I felt like the luckiest photographer in the world. I got to spend a beautifully warm January day with two new friends doing what I love the most; capturing love. And let me tell you, there was plenty of love to capture. Those two could not stop giggling from the moment we left the apartment to the moment I showed them their photos. It was a sight to see and I loved every second of it. Brittany and Greg have this incredible energy, independently and together. It was an honor and a joy walking around Center City, creating photos together, eating Philly Styled Pretzels and getting to know two wonderful people who I wish nothing but the best to.

Brittany, Greg I hope you have the happiest ever after and I can’t wait to spend many more afternoons laughing and chatting with the two of you.     

“I’ve been giving her toy rings for the last 10 days” Adam said with a smirk. All I could do is laugh, I could not even imagine what I would do if my boyfriend gave me toy rings when I was ready for the real one. Adam had it all figured out, he was going to mess around with Nicole all the way up until New Years Eve morning. Then, as they walk casually to dinner through Rittenhouse Square, Adam would get down on one knee and ask Nicole to spend the rest of her life with him. His plan was thoughtful, unique and fun. Let me tell you guys, nothing beat the look on Nicole’s face when she finally got her diamond ring. Complete and total joy.

Adam and I met up the day before, we planned it all out. Where I was going to stand, where he was going to propose, which way Nicole was going to be facing and where Robert, my second shooter for the day, was going to be standing. We even spent our time, watching as the sunset and the lights turned on, picking the perfect time for Adam to propose.

Adam and Nicole are what I consider one amazing couple. You could tell from just looking at them that their house is never boring, they are always laughing, messing around and having a great time. You could feel the love, happiness and respect is between them from a mile away.

Witnessing their proposal warmed my heart on so many levels. Adam and Nicole’s excitement made me giddy for the rest of the day.  Once we took a few engagement photos, we all went to grab a cup of coffee from La Colombe. Nicole pulled me aside and showed me a toy ring she bought Adam. Those two are meant to be.

It was the perfect fall morning, the trees were finally showing their colors after what must have been one of the warmest falls of my life.  I could not wait for our Old City engagement session; Old City is one of my favorite Philadelphia neighborhoods and it was a quite Saturday. The weather was right, the location was right and now I just needed the couple!

As I was sipping my coffee, I looked up from my parked car right next to Race St. Pier and I couldn’t help but smile. I saw the sweetest couple getting out of their car, laughing with each other, having a great time. I knew from that instant that Lauren and Tony made one kick ass couple but I could never have guessed how awesome they truly are.

Lauren’s positive, easy going and lovable personality shines through with just “hello.” Tony’s humor, intelligence and kindness are evident in his eyes and even from 30 feet away, you could tell that he has the biggest soft spot for his bride. Tony’s dance moves and carefree nature had Lauren laughing up a storm and I could not be happier with the joyous and gorgeous moments I was honored to capture.

Lauren, Tony, I am so excited to capture your big day! I know your wedding will be just as cool, just as fun and just as amazing as you guys are!

Courtney was one of the first people I met at the University of Maryland. I remember like it was yesterday, we were sitting in the kitchen at Cornerstone Grill and Loft during my second training shift when we started chatting about this guy named Gary…apparently “he was super cute.” We bonded quickly and I felt like I finally made a friend at college and I could not have be happier.

All through school, I remember running into Courtney and Gary either at the court yard near our apartments, at the local bars, on the beautiful campus, in the cafe at the library, etc… Everywhere I turned, there they were, being cute and in love.

As time went on, I had the chance to really get to know Courtney and Gary. Courtney turned out to be the best, first friend a college girl could ask for. Courtney is smart, easy going, intelligent and always fun to be around. Gary ended up being way more than just super cute, he is definitely one the sweetest guys I met during my time at UMD and his excitement for life is contagious. Watching the two of them together has always made my heart smile.

Fast forward a few years and there we were, the three of us, back in College Park, MD walking across the mall towards the kissing bridge and all I could feel was complete and total joy to be back there with those two. Maryland meant a lot of things to me, but the people I met, the friendships I made, are irreplaceable.

Seeing Courtney & Gary together, planning their wedding, talking about their future felt as right as peanut butter and jelly. You could tell, by just looking at them, that they have been through thick and thin and nothing will knock them down. They are best friends, partners for life and each others biggest supporters and it was an honor photographing their engagement session. It really felt like I was capturing the past, present and future all in one moment and in one very special place.

Courtney, Gary… I cannot tell you how excited I am to be able to continue to witness and capture your love story on June 16th when you finally tie the knot!

Love always,

Yael

Where do I even begin with these two…

When Jalen first emailed me, I could tell, even via email, one of the most toneless ways of communication, how much he loves Katelynn. It was evident. It was real. And it was beautiful. The way Jalen described Katelynn, their relationship and his plan to propose made my heart dance, my eyes smile and my creative mind excited. I knew from those emails that witnessing their love for each other would make me one of the happiest photographers out there… and I was right. 

We spent one of the hottest days of the year, thus far, on an Army Base in New Jersey. We walked, we drove, we got lost. We laughed, we danced, we smiled a lot. It felt like I was spending the afternoon with two old friends and it gave me all the feels. Watching a couple love each other in such a natural and full way like Jalen and Katelynn do is truly an amazing experience. Seeing them together, capturing their genuine, unconditional and real love, felt like I was photographing the 8th wonder of the world.

Katelynn, Jalen, your love for each other, your commitment to one another is inspiring. Being a part of your proposal and this exciting time in your lives is an honor. 

Cannot wait to spend your wedding day together as well : )

-YPP

As my second shooter and I walked in to the gorgeous suite at the National Harbor, I only noticed one thing, a beautiful bride getting her hair and make-up touched up right before she was ready to start one of the best days of her life. Coreene’s smile and elegance shined through and through on her wedding day and I couldn’t be more delighted that we were the ones to capture it. Her dress fit her perfectly, her nieces were dancing the entire time and her handsome Groom, Brandon, couldn’t take his eyes off her.

The ceremony was stunning and intimate, the smiles were full and warm and the bridal party was full of laughter and happiness. When I was driving from the church to the venue, I was thinking to myself, it couldn’t get any better than this… then I saw it, the magnificent reception tent, decorated in a sophisticated and tasteful manner, and now I thought to myself, “WOW.” Coreene and Brandon sure know how to throw a party.

After heartfelt toasts, parent-dances and the cake cutting there was only one thing left for Coreene and Brandon to do… dance their guests of out the reception tent. Let me explain myself, they didn’t just dance, they danced, marched and led the crowd as the two of them held these awesome umbrellas while all of their family and friends followed them swinging embroidered handkerchiefs in the air.  Let me tell you, this New Orlean’s tradition blew this East Coaster away. I loved every second of it. The energy and vibrance of the crowd as they marched the Bride and Groom out of the tent and into the next stage of their lives was incredible to witness.

It was a gorgeous wedding, with incredible people and left me feeling all warm inside the entire drive back up to Philadelphia.

Thank you for the memories Coreene and Brandon : )