Jim Harris Studios Event and Wedding Photography Philadelphia

Jackie and Brian at The Frankford Torresdale Country Club

2010-01-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

Jackie and Brian were married the day after Christmas at the Frankford Torresdale Country Club in Northeast Philadelphia. They were looking for a simple wedding to balance the potential chaos of having a wedding during the holiday season. They wanted an intimate place for their friends and family and they wanted good music and lots of fun pictures of their daughter Olivia and her posse of Junior Bridesmaids. Thanks to Jackie and Brian for having me along and thanks to Lance for making the connection.

Jackie and Brian at The Frankford Torresdale Country Club from Jim Harris on Vimeo.

Jim Harris Studios: Wedding Photography at The Lake House Inn

2009-11-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

I recently put together this short video for The Lake House Inn featuring some of our wedding photography there over the past year. Enjoy.

Jim Harris Studios: Photography at The Lake House Inn from Jim Harris on Vimeo.

Kristin and Jason at the Lake House Inn

2009-11-02T07:49:00.000-08:00

Kristin and Jason were Married at the Lake House Inn on a gorgeous October afternoon. A lot of my couples seem to be moving away from the mid-summer weddings in Philadelphia and gravitating toward autumn weddings in September, October and even November. When they do, this is the kind of day they hope to dial up.

I've shot a couple weddings at the Lake House Inn in Perkasie. There really isn't another place like it. Their attention to every detail makes our photography better. A photogenic and fun couple like Kristin and Jason make our photography better too.

I think you can tell by the photos how enjoyable it was to be around these two for the day. All I typically ask of my couples is to have fun and enjoy themselves. Beautiful photography typically takes care of itself from there. Congratulations to Kristin and Jason.

Angie and John at Talamore Country Club

2009-10-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

Angie and John were married on a beautiful fall evening in October. We've known Angie since we moved back to the East Coast. She and my wife work together at the American Red Cross and became fast friends. Angie and John were guests at our wedding two years ago. We see them often and enjoy their company. We've been looking forward to their wedding as we were also guests on this particular night.

Congratulations to John and Angie and thanks for a perfect evening!!!

Brigitte and Ryan at the Northhampton Valley Country Club

2009-09-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

Brigitte and Ryan were married at St. Adalbert Church on E. Allegheny Ave in Philadelphia. We were able to squeeze in some photography around the city in between the raindrops. We did the best we could and had some fun with it along the way. Skies cleared by the time we got back to The Northhampton Valley Country Club in Richboro. We had plenty of opportunity to photograph on their beautiful grounds before the reception.

Brigitte and Ryan's first dance was top secret. Not even the DJ, Kim Alexander Walsh, (who also spun the tunes at my very own wedding two years earlier) would let me in on all the details. It was a first dance of all first dances. It had all the elements of every special first dance I've photographed, but this one had an extra shot of adrenaline. In between your standard slow number was a montage of about 10 songs where they took turns on the floor. I'm not sure if I could describe it better if I remembered all the tunes and I hope that you could get a sense of it in only 2 dimensions, but as I told my second photographer that night, I think it was the most fun I've ever had watching a first dance unfold. Clearly Brigitte and Ryan spent a lot of time on it and it showed.

Great day, great friends and family and a great place to have a wedding. Congratulations again to Brigitte and Ryan.

Andrea and Rich at The Inn at Penn

2009-09-25T06:17:00.001-07:00

Andrea and Rich were married this past Labor Day weekend at the beautiful Inn at Penn in Philadelphia. I've mentioned in a previous posting that I really enjoy shooting at the Inn. It's spacious and the light is great throughout. Andrea and Rich saw each other for the first time that day in the Bridal Suite and we all went to shoot portraits through the city thereafter. The Love Statue, Logan Circle and around the Art Museum. These are typical stops for us, but we always try and find something a little different each time around. The backdrop remains the same, but the passers-by, the weather, the lighting and especially the personality of the bridal parties...it always gives us a different look. This group was fun. Start to finish. Andrea and Rich were continually proactive with the pictures which I always appreciate. We were thrilled to be a part of their day and were made to feel very much at home by both families. I think the photographs show just how much fun they had. Thanks!

Farish and Tre at The John J. Audubon Center

2009-09-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

Farish and Tre were married at The Audubon Center underneath apple trees on a gorgeous late summer afternoon. The grounds were beautiful and they couldn't have asked for better weather. Farish and Tre were referred to me by one of my favorite couples from last year, Anna and Jason. A big part of this crew of friends are school teachers and administrators so after a short honeymoon they are probably back in the classrooms already.

Farish and Tre both wanted to keep the photography simple and not labor over the portraits. A lot of my couples feel the same way these days. We got the portraits in as we always do and focused on the real-life moments of the day. Farish and Tre and both their families exude a tremendous amount of joy and genuine emotion so these moments were often and fun to photograph.

Congratulations to Farish and Tremaine on a beautiful wedding day and thanks for having me along.

Ellen and Michael at The Inn at Penn

2009-08-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

Ellen and Michael were married on a beautiful August Saturday in center city Philadelphia. Most of the afternoon and evening took place at The Inn at Penn. The Bridal Suite was open and well lit providing some lush lighting for the getting ready pictures. The reveal (Ellen and Michael seeing each other for the first time) was also in the suite and was a particularly moving moment for them.

The portrait photography was throughout the city at a couple locations including the Love Statue and the Art Museum. More portraits were shot in the 'Living Room' located within the Inn at Penn. The ornate furniture and lighting fixtures made for a beautiful backdrop.

I'd like to thank Michael and Ellen and their family for having us share in their day and making us feel so at home. Thanks for your enthusiasm and pro-active approach to getting some fun pictures throughout this great city we love. I hope you'll enjoy a couple pictures while on your honeymoon in Hawaii. Safe travels and we'll be in touch when your back home.

Sammy and Scott at The Pearl S. Buck House

2009-06-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Sammy and Scott are both Pediatricians from Morristown, NJ. I happen to have been born in Morristown so I think we all thought we were supposed to connect for their wedding in some cosmic way. I'm glad it did connect because they are two of the kindest people I've had the pleasure of working with. Their love for each other and those around around them I think comes through in their photographs. Their special relationship with children is also something that was a joy to watch and photograph.

Sammy and Scott got ready for the wedding at The 1740 House near New Hope, a beautiful B&B located on the River. The ceremony and the reception were at The Pearl S. Buck House in Bucks County. It was a beautiful afternoon. And though the clouds swirled and some thunder cracked just as Sammy was walking down the aisle, the sun returned as they stood together and the ceremony began. Not a drop of rain. I'd hate to use the word cosmic twice in the same posting, but I've really never seen anything like it and those that were at the ceremony would certainly agree with me. I'm pretty sure that both Sammy and Scott brought the sunshine back to this particular Sunday afternoon. Anyone that has met either of these two know that they possess the most positive outlook on life to do it.

Sammy and Scott at the Pearl S. Buck House from Jim Harris on Vimeo.

Carla and Charles at The Villanova Conference Center

2009-06-02T05:42:00.000-07:00

Carla and Charles were married at Our Mother of Good Counsel in Bryn Mawr over Memorial Day weekend. It was a beautiful service in a grand church among their family and friends. A metallic blue Rolls Royce ushered Carla and Charles back to the Villanova Conference Center where they would settle in for the rest of the evening with the cocktail hour and seamless reception. It was the kind of perfect weather you can only hope for when planning your wedding and we had some fun with pictures on the Villanova grounds. I got to know Carla and Charles over the past couple months with our engagement session and it was fun to photograph their special connection. From the first time they saw each other at the church, there was seldom a moment when they weren't next to each other holding hands. They are in Portugal right now enjoying the second half of their honeymoon. Enjoy your pictures and safe travels. See you when you get home.

Carla and Charles at The Villanova Conference Center from Jim Harris on Vimeo.

Dana and Curt at the Morris House Hotel in Philadelphia

2009-05-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

Dana and Curt were one of the most fun-loving and genuine couples I've had the pleasure to be around. Their ceremony and reception took place at the Morris Hotel, a visual gem of a place discretely located in the heart of Philadelphia.

Without knowing the entire story, I do know that their wedding cake didn't make it to the Hotel in one piece. This would have been enough to crumble many a bride, but Dana was unfazed. If it weren't for the un-layered evidence in the bridal suite, I never would have known. You only need to look at the pictures to see the glowing bride I had the pleasure to photograph all day. Dana and Curt's attention was seldom on anything but the other all night long. It was fun connection to watch and photograph. It was also fun to watch my first bride and groom cut and 'smoosh' an Italian canoli in lieu of wedding cake.

Dana and Curt at The Morris House in Philadelphia from Jim Harris on Vimeo.

Nicolas' Phantastic 5th

2009-05-01T06:30:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I was invited to shoot Nicolas' birthday party. His dad Joe is one of my oldest and best friends. There was another very special guest (other than young Nicolas) and you'd be hard pressed to tell who was more excited...the kids or the grown ups!

Nicolas' Phantastic 5th from Jim Harris on Vimeo.

Leah and Tim at Mendenhall Inn

2009-04-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Leah and Tim who had a beautiful early April wedding at The Mendenhall Inn Grand Ballroom. Despite some early morning rain we were able to get outside for some pictures on the Mendenhall grounds. The two balcony shots at the church and ballroom are nice images and a good example of what a second photographer can add to the day. Leah and Tim were a real pleasure to photograph and I'd like to thank them and their family for making us feel so at home throughout their special day.

Kim and Keith at the Hilltop House

2009-02-19T07:02:00.000-08:00

Kim and Keith had a Valentines Wedding Day and I think it was everything they hoped it could be. It was an intimate ceremony at St. David's Episcopal Church in Wayne. The cornerstone of this church was laid in 1715. The reception took place at the Hilltop house just down the road.

I worked in Hollywood for a short time and there was an expression when someone on film would shine. They used to say that the 'camera just loved them.' I feel much the same way about Kim and Keith on their wedding day. Every photograph of them just seemed to look great. I don't think I edited one picture of them because of a blink or poor facial expression. They all looked great.

I was really made to feel that I was part of this special day...even got thanked by the Groom during his speech at dinner, which was a first for me and a testament to Keith's consideration of everyone surrounding him that evening. Everything just seemed to fall into place. We even had a window of snow for about an hour or two that made it possible to get a couple of those beautiful portraits outside the Hilltop House.

Earlier in the day I was photographing the engagement rings as I usually do and noticed the engraving on Keith's ring. It said 'Two Ones'. I think that speaks for itself. Congratulations and thanks to Kim and Keith. I hope you enjoy the first glimpse of your wedding here.

Kim and Keith at the Hilltop House from Jim Harris on Vimeo.

Sarmad and Loubna at the King of Prussia Radisson Hotel

2009-01-07T09:08:00.000-08:00

In between the holidays I photographed the wedding of Sarmad and Loubna at the Radisson Hotel in King of Prussia. I shot a number of Arabic weddings when I lived in LA and almost forgot how much fun they are. The level of passion and excitement at the reception really puts a photojournalist to work. The dancing, singing, roaming drummers and belly dancers are a visual feast for any event photographer. Congratulations and Happy New Year Sarmad and Loubna.

Anna and Jason at the Sofitel Hotel

2008-11-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

Anna and Jason live just down the street from us. We were recommended to them by one of my favorite couples from a couple years back. We've become friendly with Anna and Jason over the last year and they had my wife and I over for their Bike Race party. They live right on the bike route in Manayunk, otherwise known as the Manayunk Wall. These guys are in Jamaica right now on their honeymoon, but maybe they'll take a peek at their email in-between frozen rum drinks! I think it's clear by the pictures that these two enjoyed their wedding day. Didn't surprise me a bit as they are just an incredibly fun-loving couple. Lot's of laughter and lots of joy in this day. Congrats Anna and Jason!

Alex and Michelle at Bartram's Garden

2008-10-14T12:46:00.001-07:00

Michelle and Alex were married at Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia, it's the oldest botanical garden in the country and such a beautiful and quaint little gem in West Philadelphia. Alex and Michelle wanted a Philadelphia Wedding. They met at Logan Circle to see each other for the first time. From there we took a little walking tour up Benjamin Franklin Parkway and took some pictures. I think we all fun. The gardens at Bartram were the perfect place for these two to kick their sandals off and exchange vows in their bare feet. I think that their Philly wedding was everything their guests hoped it would be.

Laura, Glenn...and Taylor on the Sultana

2008-09-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

I've known Glenn since we moved to Philadelphia five years ago. I saw him more regularly when he tended bar at Union Jacks in Manayunk...and we lived right across the street. When Glenn and Laura asked me to shoot their wedding, I knew it was going to be a fun event. I've been shooting weddings for several years now and they may have had the most perfect day I've seen. The ceremony was in Chestertown, MD on a Scooner called The Sultana. The guests helped hoist the sails and we were soon in motion down the Chester River. After the ceremony we docked and were met by the rest of their guests as we walked down Main Street to the White Swan Tavern for the reception. We couldn't be happier for Glenn, Laura and Taylor and we wish them luck as a new family! (Give a shout when you get back from your honeymoon, we'll meet you over at Jacks!)

Steve and Leslie at the Inn Keepers Kitchen at Dillworth Inn

2008-09-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

"May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire."
Traditional Irish Blessing

There is always concern with every wedding I shoot about the weather. I know with my own wedding we were watching as soon as the 10 day window appeared on weather.com. If there is rain in the forecast, the worry intensifies as the date nears. In almost every instance of rain on the wedding day, it seems to be the furthest thing from the minds of the two most important people that day, the Bride and Groom. In this case, Leslie and Steve. Theirs was an intimate wedding ceremony and reception that took place in West Chester at Christ Community Church and The Inn Keepers Kitchen respectively. The rain was present from start to finish, but Leslie and Steve enjoyed every moment of their special day. They enjoyed a moving ceremony followed by a gourmet dinner with their family and closest friends. Leslie and Steve are in Germany on their honeymoon right now and I hope they will enjoy their pictures if they get a chance to look here.

Diana and Jeff at the Merion in Cinnaminson

2008-09-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

I met Diana and Jeff at the Jersey Shore at the beginning of the summer for their engagement session. We had a great time shooting on the boardwalk and on the beach. They are a special couple and I knew that their wedding day would something special as well....and it was. Their affection and joy for each other was obvious throughout the day. I'm very pleased to have been a part of their beautiful celebration.

Danil and Jennifer at Washington's Crossing

2008-08-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

Danil and Jennifer were married at Washington's Crossing this past weekend. It was an intimate ceremony alongside the Delaware River surrounded by family and friends. Dan and Jennifer are both physicians who this summer relocated to Connecticut to attend Yale Medical School. Jennifer on a fellowship and Dan as a clinical scholar. The move and wedding is an exciting start to a new chapter for both of them and their joy was apparent to everyone who attended.
I've just finished working on the images of their gorgeous day and I can't help but mention that there is not one single picture where Jennifer does not have a huge joyous smile. From the start of the day through the entire reception she was a glowing bride. My one year anniversary is this week and I know what's involved in making an event like this happen, so I love to see a couple truly enjoy every second of their day!

Karen and Alex at The Lakehouse Inn

2008-08-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

I know that Karen and Alex are well south of the border on their honeymoon, but maybe they'll get a chance to check out a couple pictures from last weekend. I was asked a couple times by guests if we were friends with Karen and Alex and how we knew each other. Truth is we only met when they booked me several months back. I came out to NYC to shoot their engagement session and we hit it off from there. I really appreciated their enthusiasm for getting good pictures. We simply had fun and as a result the pictures were a lot of fun. The wedding was no different. I think if you know Alex and Karen you feel like your friends. It's just their nature. They made my second photographer and I feel like guests from the moment we arrived. Despite the rain setting in moments before the outdoor ceremony, I never saw either of them express any disappointment. They were simply enjoying each other and the company of their guests. Rain or shine.

Jeff and Lisa in State College

2008-07-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

I always feel like I'm kind of a guest at most of my weddings, but this one I really was. Jeff and Lisa are not only our family, but also good friends. We see them a couple times a year either in Philly or Happy Valley. Every time we're in State College their hospitality is unprecedented...their wedding was no exception. These guys waited 14 years to tie the knot so they had plenty of time to plan their special wedding. It was a full weekend of events including a State College Spikes baseball game, backyard bbqs, pub crawls and college diners. Top it off with a intimate ceremony on campus among family and friends and a rocking reception at the Atherton Hotel. A perfect weekend...and worth the wait. Congratulations!!

Cay and Patrick at Bolingbroke Mansion

2008-06-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

I promised Cay and Patrick to get them a some 'teaser' pictures while they are on their honeymoon. Here are a couple to hold you over till you get home. These two had as much fun together on their wedding day as any couple I've ever photographed. I enjoyed spending the day with them along with their very personable friends and family.
P.S. I really like this first photograph!

Spencer's the Man!

2008-05-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple pictures from Spencer's Bar Mitzvah this past Memorial Day weekend. It was a perfect day for Spencer and his friends and family. At the reception his Mom told him he was glowing and he was from start to finish. I think we hit it off from go. It's a unique age to be thirteen. It's that delicate age when your bordering that stage of still being a goofy kid while starting to understand the whole grown up world. Spencer was both a cool kid and a very impressive young man and I was happy to be part of this special day!

Karen and Alex Engagement Session NYC

2008-05-21T10:51:00.001-07:00

Karen and Alex are getting married in July and we recently did an engagement session in their East Village neighborhood in NYC. We met at Grand Central Station and made our way back to the Village. A simple stroll down St. Marks Place is where we got most of our best shots. These guys were very proactive from the start and as a result I think we all had a lot of fun with the shoot. I'm looking forward to seeing them again in July for the big show!

Joe and Tammy in Jamaica

2008-05-07T14:33:00.000-07:00

In April I had the pleasure of photographing Joe and Tammy's Wedding in Jamaica. With their close friends in attendance they exchanged vows on the shore at Round Hill Resort in Montego Bay. It was a perfect day for a perfect wedding.