There are so many things I love about being a wedding photographer, but one of my favorites is getting capture the special moments of people I love or have known for a long time. That is part of what made Dana + Mike’s wedding so special for me.

I grew up with Dana and her siblings as they were friends with my cousins. I’ve known her for as long as I can remember and she has always been the kindest girl in the room. It’s no surprise she met the kindest man in her 20s and they immediately hit it off and began sharing their lives together.

In December 2023, Dana’s sister Tara texted me to see if I was available to shoot down to Cape May to capture the surprise proposal that Mike had planned. It was only natural after having shared our childhoods together and knowing their families well. Even better, Dana was in fact surprised when Mike knelt down by the Christmas tree behind Congress Hall with her entire family present and asked to spend the rest of their lives together. There was no doubt from a single family member that the answer would be a definite yes.

While their wedding day started out as cold and rainy, the skies cleared after the ceremony at St John the Episcopal Church and we were able to take the trolley to Rittenhouse Square to take some photos in the daylight. These photos came out so beautifully and you could absolutely feel the love that they shared for one another.

Their reception was held at Ballroom at the Ben Franklin where Dana and Mike shared their first dance with their guests watching from the balcony above. The magic then continued with their cake cutting and a night full of dancing and people sharing stories about their immediate connection and love for one another.

As an Ocean City native, I saw so many familiar faces that came to celebrate Dana and Mike. It truly was a night of celebration, and one that I was so grateful to be a part of.