Photographing outdoors in meadows and the woods is my favorite place to be. I really love photographing natural, outdoor engagement sessions around Philadelphia in places like Valley Forge.

I will, however, admit to sometimes losing my sense of self-preservation when I get too deep into shooting. Case in point – while photographing Chloe and Chris the sun had just hit that sweet point where you perfect light for just a few minutes. While directing Chloe and Chris into position, I turned and without hesitation charged right into a meadow with thigh-high grass only to realize a moment later it was actually not grass. Not grass at all. Actually, it was a patch of nettles. Huge nettles. The biggest, tallest patch of nettles I’ve ever encountered. Do you know what giant nettles feel like? Being stung by bees. Lots and lots of bees.

I came back out of that nettle patch so fast, hopping and dancing and wanting to scream. And yet, that light was still sinking so what did I do? Like any crazy photographer,  I went right back to shooting. When there’s perfect light, you use it. It was actually a good distraction because as soon as the session with Chloe and Chris ended, I wanted to go right back to hopping around screeching (for the next 24 hours in fact, a long stinging 24 hours). All worth the pain, this light was gorgeous!

I posted a few other favorites here and keep a look out for their wedding at Grace Winery which is this weekend!