This session is one of the most special ones I’ve had the honor of capturing and I’m so excited to share it today on the blog! I first met Susan, a NJ wedding photographer, a couple of summers ago when she was looking for a Spanish-speaking second photographer for an upcoming wedding. She mentioned that the groom was Guatemalan and that she wanted to have someone on her team who could communicate with his family throughout the day. I thought this was so thoughtful of her and, since I was available that day, I immediately reached out to her. It’s not every day that my Spanish comes in handy, so I was happy to put it to good use! Susan and I met in person shortly after and connected right away, and a few weeks later we shot our first wedding together. Susan was so fun to work and I loved seeing how much she genuinely cared about her couples. Since then, Susan has become a good friend of mine and we have continued to shoot together on several occasions.
During the time I’ve known her, I’ve gotten to see how authentic, talented, and joyful Susan is, and I was so honored when she asked me to photograph her and her husband on the occasion of their first wedding anniversary! I, of course, said yes right away and we planned their session well ahead of time so that Susan and Derek could have their photos taken during their anniversary celebration weekend in the very place where they tied the knot: the Southern Mansion in Cape May. I always love documenting couples in a place that is truly special to them and I also love shooting in new locations, so this session was a real treat! Enjoy getting to know the happy couple and discovering their love story, too!
Cape May Photographers | Southern Mansion Anniversary Photos
We started out the session inside the mansion in the very room where Susan and Derek exchanged vows. It was such a gorgeous room and I could tell right away why Susan and Derek chose it as the place they would be married.
If you ask Susan and Derek how they met, Susan will tell you it was online in 2012 and Derek will brag that Susan messaged him first. It seems that right from the start, these two had a relationship that was always full of smiles and laughter. Proof of this also lies in their affinity for photo booths, which allowed Susan and Derek to document their relationship in the fun way that fits their personalities and their love story so well. In fact, when it came time to propose back in December of 2014, Derek found a restaurant in Philly with a photo booth and pulled out a ring during the second frame. How’s that for a well-planned, thoughtful, and adorable proposal story?!
Love this quote from Susan when I asked her about her favorite part of her wedding day: “There were so many, it was truly the best day of my life. I think my happiness was the best part. I couldn’t stop laughing and smiling!”
From Susan, when reflecting on their first year of marriage: “We did a lot our first year. I think our biggest accomplishment was purchasing our home. Being married is easy! We just enjoy every day and are looking forward to what the future has in store.”
Susan and Derek, it was such an honor capturing you two! I loved getting to know you as a couple and look forward to following your marriage adventure! Thank you for allowing me to get a little peek into your marriage and for sharing your story with us. May you celebrate many more years of marriage, and may you continue to smile as much as you are in this favorite image of mine:
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