Photography by Erik Matey » Erik

Megan and Sean – Rehoboth Beach wedding

Erik — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:25:55 +0000

This year seems to be taking me lots of places other than Philadelphia for weddings. I’ve been to Arlington, VA, Ocean City, NJ and now Rehoboth Beach, DE. Megan and Sean had a lot of fun with their engagement session in Northern Liberties and Old City in Philly, but their beach wedding was very nice. With the ceremony just up the road in Lewis, on the inlet. The reception was at the Salero at the Henlopen Hotel on the boardwalk.

As the sun set, I “borrowed” the newly weds for a few fun portraits on the beach. Take a look at the festivities

Cammy and Luke – Ocean City Wedding

Erik — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:50:51 +0000

Heading down the AC expressway again, took me to Ocean City for Cammy and Luke’s wedding. Their engagement session a few months back at Valley Forge National park was very easy going. It’s a great way to get to know everyone before the wedding and get more comfortable and relaxed too.

The weather was spectacular the day of the wedding. Bright blue skies and lots and lots of guests to share in the memories. The whole day took place at The Flanders Hotel, right on the boardwalk. They did a wonderful job with the room and ceremony, and the food was delicious too! After a short ceremony, we did some family pictures and then took the whole bridal party to the boardwalk and beach for some fun portraits.

As the reception kicked off, Sid Miller and his crew (one of my favorite Philadelphia area bands) kept the crowd dancing the whole night – phenomenal job! Thanks also to my friend Ashley Bartoletti, for coming along and getting some spectacular images too!

Thanks Cammy and Luke, it was a blast!

Willeatha and Jason – wedding

Erik — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:35:07 +0000

On July 4th, my friend Cindy Guessford accompanied me to Stroudsmoor Country Inn, to photograph Willeatha and Jason’s wedding. Their engagement session in Brooklyn, at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge was a lot of fun, and I could tell then that this wedding was going to be a work out

The bride and groom both looked great, and despite the heat wave we have had going on, everyone stuck together and stayed in great spirits. From the time that they first glanced at each other, they were full of smiles and love in their eyes (the way a wedding should be). It was a very emotion filled ceremony, that overlooked the valley below – what a scene!

Through out the night, there were fireworks going off in the distance in each direction we looked. Both families packed the dance floor and kept dancing all night.

Make sure you also take an extra close look at Willeatha’s dress. It came from Kleinfelds in New York City! It is a stunning dress.

Lisa & Mike – Wedding

Erik — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:33:30 +0000

Last week , I drove down to Ocean City, New Jersey for Lisa and Mike’s wedding. The weather was beautiful – lots of sun, and very warm! my good friend Mark Gardner rode with me to help out. Mark hung out with the guys, and I got to meet up with the girls. Everyone looked amazing and I could tell it was going to be a fun day. Lisa and Mike rented a Jitney, instead of the traditional limo. After a traditional mass service and some family pictures, we headed to the beach for the bridal party session. The whole group was a treat to work with. Everyone helped out and were very willing to experiment with different shots. Now, Mike is a lifeguard and firefighter for Ventnor City. That meant that we basically had free range of the firehouse… and trucks After a stop there, the reception was next. WHAT A PARTY. can’t say much more that that.

Here are a few pics from the day. (careful, some of them are pretty steamy)

Kathleen and Tommy – Wedding

Erik — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:11:15 +0000

Last Weekend, I was in Wilkes-Barre, PA for Kathleen and Tommy’s wedding. It was an easy drive up the northeast extension, on a beautiful day. I met up with Kathleen and her brides maids as they were just finishing up getting ready. The dress was stunning, and the girls all looked great. Soon after, I headed over to the Luzerne County Court house. Inside, is some awesome architecture (every court house should look like this). As the ceremony started, the girls made their way down the main staircase to the waiting crowd below. Tommy’s look, as he watch Kathleen and her dad come down the stairs was just full of happiness.

After a short round of some family photos, we headed over to the reception. The crowd was ready to dance, and lots of people took center circle to show off their moves! Congrats Kathleen and Tommy!!

Here is a few from the day.

Lisa and Mike – Engagement

Erik — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:02:49 +0000

Last week, Lisa and Mike came up to Manayunk for their engagement session. This part of Philadelphia, has lots of different areas that can be used as backdrops. We choose to use the walking path. One that that I look for when I start shooting, is not only the first smile, but the reaction of a laugh or something that each will say to the other. Look at the first image, then the second Mike definitely had a good laugh after the first!

Megan and Sean – Engagement

Erik — Sat, 15 May 2010 16:24:21 +0000

I met Megan and Sean at their place in the Northern Liberties section of Philly. From the second I walked in, I knew it was gonna be a lot of fun! Their puppy, Kells, greeted me right away with a big sloppy puppy kiss. I love dogs, and when engagement sessions include pets, it adds a level of fun and another member of the family .

After a short walk around the block. We headed down to Standard Tap, for a quick drink (who doesn’t like to loosen up a little bit). We hoped in the car and drove down to Old City for the second half of the shoot. While it was really windy out that day, it was otherwise a beautiful day!

Cammy and Luke – Engagement

Erik — Sun, 09 May 2010 23:48:53 +0000

It’s definitely the middle of engagement session season!!

I love getting to know each of the couples, before the wedding. Whether at parks, in the city, at bar (check back in a few days ) or where ever and nice and relaxed!

Cammy and Luke’s was no different. We met up at Valley Forge park during some AWESOME light (about an hour before sunset). We walked around the Washington Memorial Chapel for a bit and just had fun. Their wedding at the end of July, in Ocean City, is going to be a blast… I can’t wait!

Kathleen and Tom – Engagement Session

Erik — Sat, 08 May 2010 17:50:42 +0000

Last week, I met up with Kathleen and Tom at Valley Forge National Park for their engagement session. With only about a month left before their wedding, the three of us enjoyed a nice stroll around the park, talking and really getting to know each other… oh yeah, and a few pictures were taken also.

Their wedding will be in Wilkes-Barre in the rotunda surrounded by the magnificent architecture of Luzerne County Court House.

Lots of laughs and easy going makes for the best engagement sessions, and there certainly wasn’t a lack of laughs between these two for this one

Enjoy!!

Jess & Daryl – Engagement Session

Erik — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:42:56 +0000

Last week, I went back to high school. . .

It’s been a long time since I have walked through the halls of Council Rock High School (I still refer as if there was only 1), but that is where Jess and Daryl wanted to shoot their engagement session. Since I try to recommend that engagement sessions are done somewhere that has meaning between the future bride and groom, it was a perfect scene, since these two met in high school, in band.

Their wedding in October at Normandy Farms is looking like it will be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait!