ESSENTIAL IMAGERY, Philadelphia photographer » Philadelphia family photography

IN THE ROSE GARDEN

Kristen — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:19:31 +0000

The Allentown rose garden is important to Charlie’s parents, Laurie and James, who grew up in the area and attended nearby colleges. Turns out the gazebos and landscaping were the perfect background for our family portrait playdate.

Charlie can’t sit up yet, but he does happy kicks and big belly laughs! These two images make me so happy — such love and joy and peace in them…Family portraits straight up knock babies out, sometimes…it’s such hard work, being a supermodel.

BEST OF: STUDIO

Kristen — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:31:40 +0000

MOLLY AND MEGGIE GROW LIKE WEEDS

Kristen — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:41:50 +0000

I’ve been photographing Molly since she was a newborn, and now look at her! Walking, exploring, and giggling all day long…

Big sister Meggie is about to lose a tooth, and is also approximately seven feet (I swear! Seven feet!) taller than the last time we met.

This portrait session was incredibly special, since it’s the first time both Mom and Dad agreed to let me photograph them! I love it when parents hop into the frame to play with their kiddos. It doesn’t hurt that these two look like they’ve stepped out of a magazine, either.

PARENTS PICKS AWARDS 2010

Kristen — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:24:19 +0000

To love me is to vote for me. Or at least vote to nominate me. Pretty please click below and vote for Essential Imagery to be named the Best Family Photographer in Philadelphia. JCPENNEY is listed, people. Please don’t let them win — though I wish the best of goodness and happiness to the other peeps!

For Family Photographer
in Philadelphia

I’ll even bribe you with a cute family portrait…

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE

Kristen — Tue, 04 May 2010 11:46:36 +0000

Henry and his family live high on a hilltop in Radnor with fabulous views. We hung out there for a while, and it resulted in one of my favorite family photos ever ever ever.

And this is Mr. Henry solo-style, serious and sweet.

SPRING IN ALLENTOWN

Kristen — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:26:34 +0000

The Habash family was nothing short of amazing. Loving, playing, running, fun…we went to Allentown’s Lock Ridge Park for portraits. It has gorgeous trees, stone ruins, and lots of open space for racing. (The Lehigh Valley at its finest!)

A BRIEF GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY.

Kristen — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:27:13 +0000

If you’re on the Main Line and feel like taking a quick trip, there’s always New York City! By bus, by plane, by train, or by car, its proximity to Philadelphia makes it a surefire win for a quick getaway. While you’re planning your trip, may I make a few recommendations?

Strand Books, located at 12th and Broadway, is a booklover’s dream. Eighteen miles’ worth of booklover’s dream, to be precise. I ‘popped in’ with friends and discovered the world’s largest art book collection on the second floor. If I had to live in one retail space for the rest of my life? Strand Books. If you need a gift card for a birthday/anniversary/holiday? Strand Books.

Their ability to mix rare, out-of-print, and used books with the latest and greatest literary works blows my mind. The creaking wood floors, the smell of books, and the never-ending treasure hunt for the perfect book will make me a lifelong Strand customer.

Oh, and Strand has extensive $1 bins outside, just in case you thought you could get away without buying anything.

Yup, that’s heaven. For another peek of heaven, travel over to the Gramercy Park Hotel and ask to be seated on the rooftop terrace. Enjoy the ivy, the sunshine, the champagne, and the view. Celebs are often spotted up there, too, making it ideal for people watching. (Oooh, Lindsay Lohan!)

If you’re tasting the New York City life on a weekend, swing by Union Square park and hit up the farmer’s market. Local artisans also display their wares, so you can buy anything from goat cheese to oil paintings while taking a stroll.

Oh, and if you’d like to have your family photographed in the Big Apple, Essential Imagery will swing on up to New York City and take care of you. (Of course!)

ALLENTOWN FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER sydney

Kristen — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:00:44 +0000

Did you know that I’m happy to zoom up 476 from Wayne to be your Allentown family photographer? That was the case with this shoot! The fabulous Shoshana Gosselin of Designs by Shoshana has been working with Haunani and I to spiff up the loft this winter. (Painting, shelf-installing, and rearranging our wall portraits for maximum impact have been weighing on our to-do lists for the past month.) The loft is looking spiffier than ever before, thanks to her fab ideas!

Knowing how fun and stylish Shoshana is, I was super-excited to see her home and meet her family for this shoot in the Lehigh Valley. The miserable temperatures kept us inside, but Shoshana’s style and Sydney’s giggle kept the images fresh. (The gorgeous window light didn’t hurt, either.)

That super-awesome wall has been featured on Shoshana’s blog, and was created using a pizza box stencil. Seriously. Check it out. If only I could convince Matt to get pizza tonight…and then to help me paint!

Sydney and I played games, sang songs, and had a tickle battle. She shyly admitted to being proposed to last week, but the poor guy got turned down. Such is the life of a popular Kindergartner…

Oh, and I totally should have taken a few pictures of the bedroom! Shoshana uses crown molding and beachy textures to bring her master bedroom alive. It’s stunning!

I’ll end with a darling little series of father-daughter portraits. Dads are often shy about being included in our portrait shoot, but with some good old teasing, heckling, and piggyback-riding, all works out for the best.

PHILADELPHIA FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY | COLE + MAMA

Kristen — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:00:22 +0000

Family photography allows me to capture the gorgeous and unbreakable bonds between family members. Being able to capture mamas with their kiddos? It’s my favorite.

I’m always thrilled when a new Mom is willing to hop into photos with her little one…these three images are so very real to me. Playing, emoting, loving.

And my favorite from the session…what’s a six-month-old got to be so sad about? Those lips kill me!

Cole rocked the Essential Imagery natural light portrait studio in Wayne, batting his eyelashes and otherwise showing off his best assets for Mama, Auntie, and both Grandmas! Natural light provides a clean, fresh look to family photography that’s simply unmatched by studio equipment.

MAIN LINE MEDIA NEWS FEATURE

Kristen — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:28:29 +0000

As Giving is Awesome and Essential Imagery are being featured in the Christmas Eve edition of the Main Line Media News publications, the Giving is Awesome portrait giveaway deadline for our studio has been extended until 12/31/2009! Yay!

If you know a family deserving of winning the Main Line’s finest family photography, nominate them by e-mailing kristen@essentialimagery.com with their story and contact information.

Happy Holidays!

The studio will officially be closed (aside from reading Giving is Awesome nominations) through January 5, 2010. We’re excited about the many plans and opportunities the New Year holds!