Rebecca Barger Photography Blog

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www.rebeccabarger.com/blog

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Hi there, I'm very busy working on my new blog! It should be on-line in the next week or so.  If you would like a personal reminder inviting you to visit, drop me an e-mail or post a comment and I'll let you know when it's live!  I hope you are having a great summer.

rebecca barger

Trish & Sean, A Love Story

Trish & Sean met a couple of years ago at work. Sean had a rough day, and asked Trish for a happy hour beer.  Two days later, Trish had a lousy day and reciprocated the gesture, which turned into a five hour sushi dinner surrounded by conversation. 

The next day, a bouquet of stargazer lillies arrived for Trish with a note that said:

"Hope this brightens your day" 

Your Secret Admirer 

Well, there was no doubt who sent these flowers!

It was time for an official date, and Sean told her the restaurant would be a surprise.  Trish, being an avid "foodie" was thrilled to go to Stephen Starr's Tangerine.  They had a luxurious meal of Kobe beef and scallops, by the time the dessert arrived, the two were smitten...

Valentine's Day, 2009, Trish was anticipating the possibility of a proposal.  They had dinner and wine, and Sean made a toast, "To the sheep farm"!   What?  Why in the world would he toast the sheep farm where they took their country walks? 

The weekend after Valentine's Day, they took their Sunday walk in the February air, to the Cutaloosa Sheep Farm, Trish's favorite place in the whole, wide world.  All of a sudden, Sean was on one knee holding the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen...with the sheep and geese as witnesses she said yes. 

Trish and Sean will be married in August, 2009 at Lookaway Golf Club.

Trisha & Tom, Rittenhouse Square

Trisha & Tom, from Cambridge, Massachusetts married at a private residence in Rittenhouse Square.  

Preparations were  held at the Sofitel and Trisha and her girls had there make-up done by Beke Beau.

The guest of honor was Trisha's 89 year old father.  

It is recommended to meet your photographer prior to wedding day so that you can feel comfortable  with them,  however, it is not always necessary! The photo session below is from 20 minutes after we first met face to face.  Don't they look great? 

Yana & Ashley, Colonial Dames, Philadelphia

It is always flattering and ambitious to accept the challenge of  photographing another artist's wedding. I met Yana, the bride, when I was an Documentary Photography Instructor at the University of the Arts in 2000.  Yana was  working in the Photo Department, now she is a Director at the Manhattan based Peter Blum Gallery

Make up by Beke Beau.

Shoe design by Manolo Blahnik

Yana waits for for her groom, Ashley. 

Yana & Ashley first see each other... I love the space between their profiles. 

The soft focus and sunlight behind them is a perfect combination for a romantic photo sequence.

I love the way Yana's gown is shown in motion, and her toes  peek out from underneath.  

The couple spent some private time together in the dressing room at Colonial Dames. I can only imagine the stories the woman in the painting could tell. 

Ashley's father was the officiant. 

Colonial Dames  has a wonderful private courtyard for a ceremony and an outdoor cocktail hour.

Yana & Ashley spent a moment by themselves inside Colonial Dames  after their outdoor ceremony.

Cake by Ciao Bella Cakes .Custom Cake stand by Clara French Ceramiques. 

Catering by Peachtree & Ward

Yana wore a lovely floral gown for the the reception. The couple went on a "mini-moon" to Cape May and will spend their honeymoon in Paris & Venice, later this summer. Thank you, Yana & Ashley!

Krystin & Keith's Engagement Story

Almost a decade ago, Krystin Sagady & Keith Kunz  both worked at FOX news in Philadelphia. After working late on the 11:00 news, friends would go out for drinks as young hard working journalists are known to do.  One evening, Keith & Krystin found themselves alone in the pub, and Keith wondered aloud how "one" might go about asking Krystin for a date...should "one" be interested...Apparently, the guy needed some coaxing!  Later he walked Krystin to her car and finally asked her for an official date. 

Their first date was to a Phillies game, and Krystin can't remember who the Phils'  played against!  Let us remind you, Krystin has made a career working in sports, you would think she would know this detail!  The girl must've had other things on her mind!

Fast forward to 2009, The Phillies are doing great, and deep into the World Series. Krystin & Keith were doing great also...Keith asked herto spend the afternoon watching the ducks in Fairmount Park. However, it was freezing cold!   Apparently, the girl would need some coaxing!  The ducks had the sense to fly south, so Keith suggested they sit at a picnic bench.  Why in the world at the park in the blustery, unkind autumn winds?  Keith got down on one knee and produced what Krysin refers to as "the perfect ring"!  On that day, Krystin said "YES" to Keith's marriage proposal!   The next day the Phillies won the World Series and all of Philadelphia said "YES"!  The Phils' won and so did Keith!

The photographs below are from our "get-to-know-you-session" otherwise known as an engagement shoot. The couple and I work together deciding location and timing.  I help the couple decide the style, tone, and formality of the shoot.   Then we work together and keep it fun!

This is the picnic bench where Keith proposed in fall of 2008. 

Krystin & Keith's nuptials are to be held in spring 2010 at Radnor Hunt  in Malvern. Note:  Keith purchased two engagement rings, prior to the third ring, "the perfect ring" !

Featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer

Jo Rosenberger & Adi Altman's February wedding is featured in Kellie Patrick Gates  LOVE column in the May 6, 2009 edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Regarding the below photo, the technique used was photographing directly into the sunlight, producing the circular sunlight flares. Winter sunlight can provide long shadows in mid-day, which I emphasized, using the couples' shadow as a critical element in the composition.

For more photos from Jo and Adi's wedding, see my February blog post!

Cherry Blossoms in the 'Hood

At least I think they are cherry blossoms, my bookkeeper, Bonnie, claims they are flowering crab apple trees!  Any horticulturists out there?   Each spring, in late April, these incredible trees bloom in my neighborhood and when they are done blooming and fall off of their branches, it rains pink. 

Baltimore Adventure

One of my favorite museums in the USA is the American Visionary Art Museum located in Baltimore, less than a two hour drive from Philadelphia. 

Wikipedia:  Visionary art is art that purports to transcend the physical world and portray a wider vision of awareness including spiritual or mystical themes, or is based in such experiences.

Due to artist's copyright,  photography is only permitted in the outdoor sculpture garden, shown below. 

A 55 foot whirligig by Vollis Simpson, AKA the Don Quixote of North Carolina.

THe Wooden Meditation Chapel by Ben Wilson.    Dig the pants!

We spent the following day at the National Aquarium  in Baltimore. Below is a Diamondback Terrapin.

World's smallest prison?  

Photojournalism, Temple University

While still shooting at The Philadelphia Inquirer, frequently I was contacted by students wanting to ride with me on assignment for their school projects.  This could prove quite interesting depending upon what projects I was working on and what editors I was negotiating with.  After accepting a buy-out from the Inquirer in 2005, I have not heard from many students until being contacted by Temple photojournalism's  Maureen Costello who asked me if she could do an entire web-site on my career path.  (could my head get any bigger, I thought?) After she promised a painless interview, I agreed.  Maureen Costello's web-site about RebeccaBarger. 

Maureen's instructor is Professor Edward Trayes.

I was never quite the traditional sports photographer, which was why I was always assigned sports. My favorite sport to shoot was boxing, even though I would leave matches with blood splattered on my shirt since I sat ringside... I liked shooting sports that the player did not wear helmets, because I usually liked seeing faces.  

The above news photo went with a story on severe drought conditions affecting the Philadelphia region. Assignment:  Show weather conditions from an aerial perspective.  I always loved photographing from helicopters, the unique perspective was awesome and  the thrill of hanging out the helicopter was always fun. The pilot would remove the door at my request as it would give me more photographic range. 

Above was a famous drug corner in the N. Philly Badlands, this was right after a huge bust that the police invited me to go with them on.  The youngster in the photo, was a "look-out" he made sure the coast was clear prior to transactions.  He couldn't be charged with anything concrete.  He was just a kid, about 11 or 12, sobbing on the street corner, after all his big time buddies got hauled away in the police van.  

Assignment:  Go to the beach, photograph whatever you want but  bring back a page one photo.  This was one of the first assignments  I had during my photography internship at The Miami Herald in 1983.  It made page one of the Ft. Lauderdale section. 

More photojournalism at a later date! See Maureen Costello's web-site for more!

Inspired Flora, Abington Art Center

Inspired Flora Celebrating Seven Decades Forever Young was held at the Abington Art Center, a non-profit community art center in Jenkintown, where I frequently attend events at.  I also photograph many weddings held there. My favorite thing about the art center is that it allows a formal event  to incorporate both nature and art. "Inspired Flora" invited various florists to create arrangements inspired from a particular piece of art.  Floral arrangements and their art inspiration were displayed together. 

 Penncora Productions Inc.  created the lily arrangement inspired by pieces from ceramic artist Leora Brecher. 

Below, Joan Verdon, of Precious Petals  puts finishing touches on her creation to go with a clay and oxide sculpture by Syd Carpenter.

At below right,  is a creation by Kremp Florist   to go with a terra cotta piece by Nicholas Kripal.

Below, A floral creation by Rose In Bloom, artwork by Dierdre Murphy.

Artwork on display until July 26, 2009. 

The Palmer Family

I met the Palmer family last July when shooting their son Tom's wedding to his bride, Becky.  She was a particularly beautiful bride, see Becky below on her wedding day last July. 

Above, is  Stephanie Smith and her mom.  Stephanie is the owner of Pawsitively Pictures, a mobile photo studio specializing in fun, candid pictures of your pet.  Based in Tampa, FLA.  See her blog!

The Dr. Charles Syms Family at The Huntingdon Valley Country Club

The extended family of Dr. Charles Syms, are shown gathered at the Huntingdon Valley Country Club.To view the rest of the family photos, please register at this link.  You will then you will be notified by 

e-mail when the rest of the photos are ready for viewing.  Thank you.

Featured in Bridal Showcase Magazine, spring 2009

 

Samantha Strike, a writer for the Suburban & Wayne Times, and her wonderful fiance, Gregory Hansell, married on a crisp and sunny October afternoon in 2007.  Their ceremony was at the Buckingham Friends Meetinghouse  and the reception was at the exclusive Barley Sheaf Farm Estate & Spa in Holicong, Bucks County, PA.

Sam & Greg worked closely with the designers at Two Paper Dolls to create their custom hand pressed invitations and place cards. The interesting Two Paper Dolls studio is located on the Main Line in Wayne, and I've seen the actual presses that some of the stationary is pressed on. The unique stationary options from Two Paper Dolls ia a great way to start your guests through a unique 

and different wedding experience.

These two photos are in Sepia Tone, which simply translates to a brown and white instead of black and white photograph.  Sepia is reminiscent of when black and white photography was not properly cured 

in the darkroom and then yellowed  or turned brown through the years.  Sepia became a "toner" in the 1970's -90's and is now an easy computer process.  Sam and Greg chose to use Sepia prominently  in their wedding album.

After arriving by horse drawn carriage, Sam chats with her bridesmaids prior to being escorted down the aisle of the Quaker Meetinghouse.  I like the contrast of the transportation options of the limo and the horse.  Please note the intense copper shade of the bridesmaids gowns; browns & copper tones were used throughout the wedding, in the invitations, in the sepia toned photographs, in the lighting in the reception tent below and in the floral arrangements. 

The aisle in the Buckingham Quaker Meetinghouse had a large wood burning stove that Sam and her father had to navigate around!

During the carriage ride en route to the reception, Greg never took his eyes off of his new bride. 

During cocktail hour, Chef Lynn Buono from Feast Your Eyes Catering,  showcased a game table with venison and other wild game.

Again, the Autumnal shades of brown were also displayed in the tent lighting, many individual lanterns were also candle lit throughout the tent that was on the Barley Sheaf Farm Estate & Spa property.

The favors for the guests consisted of edible dates packaged in tiny  book shaped boxes

that when lined up, appeared like a miniature antique library.

The floral arrangement colors were in lavender and shades of brown.  The arrangements consisted of thistles, cattails and cabbages, quite unique. 

I love how comfortable this couple is with each other!

Happily Every After! Thanks for staying in touch, Sam & Greg! 

Happy Birthday, Bride! Jo & Adi, Crystal Tea Room

Jo & Adi were married on Jo's 29th birthday, February 15, 2009 at The Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia. Jo, a center city attorney, and Adi, in hotel management, had a long friendship before suddenly falling in love overnight. 

 The below photos are a "preview" of their wedding gallery.  To view their entire wedding gallery

Click Here to Sign Register, and you'll be notified when the photos are ready and the after the couple has returned from South Africa. 

    

Jo's dress was The Sample Rack at La Fourno at 636 South Street, Phila.  The designer was 

Jasmine Bridal.  The shade of white was a warm ivory, perfect for Jo's lovely skintones.

Jo's cosmetic application was done by beke beau.  Beke (pronounced Becky), is well known for her redheaded complexion expertise here in Philadelphia, but Beke works in NYC also. 

    

     

Jo & Adi's Florist was Petals Lane in Philadelphia.  I loved the simplicity of the lillies of the valley. 

The diamonds in Jo's engagement ring were from passed down from Jo's grandmother and Adi's grandmother. The ring was designed by the most interesting Henri David  at his Center City jewelry shop.  

      

    

    

      

     

     

     

      

    

Adi's Grandfather, Saba, in his 90's,  flew from Israel to participate in the celebrations! 

I believe it's called the Crystal Tea room, referring to the lovely crystal chandelier... the couple came quite close to it as you can see!  

Congratulations, Jo and Adi!  Thanks for a wonderful day full of fun and wonderful photos. Hope you have a great time in South Africa!

Women Through the Lens of Time Exhibition- Moore College of Art & Design

This exhibit is organized and curated by Moore students from various majors participating in an independent Study project with The Galleries at Moore.  The curators 80 photographs in the exhibition feature people , subjects, issues and events from around the world that the student curators feel have reflected or shaped women's lives: in the past, in the present and future.  (taken from press release)

Gloria Steinem photo taken by my former Philadelphia Inquirer co-worker Sharon J. Wohlmuth, co-author of 11 books including the best seller, Sisters.  Photo of National Organization for Women members, Molly Yard (left) and Olympian Judy Blumberg carry torch of equality on Market Street, July 17, 1987 taken by myself and included in exhibit.  Please note the blue crayon crop marks! Other photos taken by myself are included in the exhibit.  I will include a copy of them as soon as I can get to the show myself... Exhibit  is up until March 14 and is free. 

Click here to read the article in the Inquirer.

Click here for gallery information.

Jessica & Braden, January 17, 2009, Holly Hedge Estate

Thank goodness for the roaring fire and the hot pizza to keep the girls warm while they prepared in the manor house.  Jessica's & Braden's pup, a happy thing named Nigel, came to visit as Jessica put on the final touches.  Jessica, who works in social services, and Braden, an attorney, married in the fieldstone barn, lit by candles and warmed by the hearth. The couple was surrounded by 120 loved ones, many from the Poconos area where they grew up together.  Thank a bunch, Jessica and Braden, particularly for braving the chill for some arctic photos!  Also thanks to the lovely Holly Hedge Estate, for keeping us all warm.

 A Perfect Blend of Rustic Glamour at Holly Hedge Estate in Bucks County, Pennsylvania 

Jessica and Braden enjoyed a few weeks honeymoon in Brazil, what a fabulous country!  Which reminds me, I am going to do a blog post of vintage Brazil photos including Carnival and the Amazon.  I'll also tell you about my artwork for sale at Target! True!

Cristin & Drew, December 27, 2008, Cescaphe Ballroom, Philadelphia

Where's The Bride?

The ceremony was supposed to start 45 minutes ago! The bride is out front in the limo, I know, because I have a photographer with her and that photographer is texting me...the bride is waiting for Pop-Pop, her beloved grandfather, whom is escorting her down the aisle. Pop-Pop, it seems, has been held up by I-95 Eagles game traffic, and nothing is starting without Pop-Pop! 

Cristin, an art teacher, and Drew, a center city attorney, were married, a few minutes later than planned, at St. Augustine's by Father Stephen Leva, Drew's cousin. The afternoon was brisk, and Cristin borrowed a fabulous vintage mink from her mother-in-law that accented her honey blonde hair. The happy couple topped off the day with a reception for 270 at the Cescaphe Ballroom. Chef Joe Volpe had an incredible spread of food as always! Cristin and Drew did some fabulous dancing, which included her Godfather, late into the evening.  Thanks for the fun day and great photos, Cristin and Drew! Give your Dalmatians with those silly names a hug from Rebecca.

Cristin & Drew had a wonderful and safe honeymoon to Costa Rica, despite the ominous stories I told them regarding my tales of when I  attended a Spanish Language Immersion School there in the 90's. Long story short, late at night, I was chased down a jungle path by a machete wielding crack dealer. I never did learn much Spanish...but it was a great reason to go to Costa Rica for a couple of months. Lots of lessons from that trip. Ask me directly... 

Elva & Keith, Scranton, PA, Winter 2008

Elva & Keith, both attorneys, met in law school.  At present, I have 9 clients whom are lawyers! Anyway, Elva & Keith were wed on a lovely overcast winter day. For photography, sometimes overcast skies can be just as glorious as sunshine. When it comes to light,  I want variety!  Elva and her girls had their hair and cosmetics done at Alexander's Spa, a first class salon right in the heart of Scranton.  Elva finished preparing at the historic Lackawanna Station Hotel, formerly a passenger train station.  A steam engine went by her boudoir window and gave a long whistle blow exactly the moment she finished dressing! 

The couple snuggled on the shoreline of Lake Scranton, then we whisked away to a combination  Jewish / Presbyterian ceremony.  Note the congregation wearing yarmulkes. I always enjoy photographing ceremonies where couples combine religions. Elva's extremely cool brother, Blythe, a guitarist with the band The Clouds,  provided the instrumentals. The church was warm and cozy, decorated by John Mackey Design. The candles lining the aisle were so romantic.

The reception was held at the landmark Lackawanna Station Hotel in downtown Scranton.  The ballroom was decorated fabulously with flowing white drapery.  Elva & Keith and their families all had fun.  Thank you so very much Elva & Keith!

 

The Costonis Family

I had fun photographing the Costonis Family Portraits in late fall 2008 on their Montgomery County property. The setting sun provided flattering light for the family members!  Thank you, Costonis Family, especially for sharing your crabcakes with the photographer!

Costonis Family