Monday, January 13, 2014

Susquehanna River Ice Build Up Images Featured on PennLive | Harrisburg,

I am so excited to say that a couple of my images of the Susquehanna River and all of its icy glory from this past weekend are featured on PennLive.com!

Much thanks to my friend Adam for tagging me in the post on Facebook and thanks to journalist, Kari Larsen for selecting these two images to share with the Central PA readership.

Cool, huh?

Go check out the slide show and leave some BVP love for image 29 and 30!


Be Blessed.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Susquehanna Ice Build Up | Photographer Bella Vita Photography Harrisburg, Pa

Wow.  Once again, the river has flexed its mighty muscles.

After our -20 wind chill during the Polar Vortex on Tuesday (Jan. 7, 2014), I was eagerly anticipating what the river would look like once it was warm enough to venture out!

The Susquehanna River never ceases to amaze me.

Huge chunks of flash frozen river water are spiking and spilling over the banks of the Susquehanna from Dauphin, Pa all the way to Middletown, Pa as the river waters start rising due to rains and snow melting.

I stopped by City Island later in the evening and I was pleasantly surprised by what I found.  There was a heavy fog, hanging close to the ice on the river, which helped to perfectly highlight the light walking bridge and ice.

What I wasn't expecting was the loud, cracking sound coming from the waters as they flowed passed my perch on the banks of the island.  I just sat, quietly listening to the creaks and groans of the thousands of pounds of ice, jockeying for the perfect position to flow between the hundreds of ancient arches decorating the river's many bridges.

If you are in Central Pa and Harrisburg is only a short drive away for you, I would highly recommend you hop in the car and head out for a Sunday drive to see this magnificent site.  It isn't too often the river is this icy and beautiful.

Be Blessed.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Wedding Wednesday: DIY Wedding Details | Bella Vita Photography Wedding Photographer York, PA

Since it is Wednesday, let's start off 2014 with some encouragement for my brides to be!

Anyone feel overwhelmed by Pinterest and all of the gorgeousness that abounds?  *slowly raises hand...and the other hand...and a leg, or two*

I am sure many brides feel the same way: a wedding to plan, great food to taste (one of my favorite parts!), booking a fabulous wedding photographer- you know, all those details that go into planning the wedding of your dreams!  Who has time left over to make some decorations?

Well, I'd like to share why making your own decorations (or at least a few personal touches) will make your wedding memorable, unique and in the process, perhaps save you a couple dollars!

Pinterest- full of great ideas, especially the ones "everyone has tried."
So you have found a couple of great ideas on Pinterest, but I encourage you to make each decoration your own.  Change colors, designs, themes, etc to make the ideas a lot more meaningful to your wedding.  After all, you are looking at someone else's "perfect details from their perfect day" if it has been pinned on Pinterest, right? 

Take a look at Abbey's personal details in the collage above.  She saw the Instagram hashtag idea and designed the sign to match her weddings theme and colors.

P.S. secret of her design and keeping the "chalk" from messing up?  Colored pencils.  Pure genius.  Bet that Pinterest pin didn't tell ya to do that, now did it?  :)

She pinned a very special grandmother pin to her bouquet.

Custom made grey/white bridesmaids' clutches.

Mr. and Mrs. mason jar wine glasses.

Be unique.  Get creative.  Have fun doing it!

Memory Maker- Ideas Found: HELP WANTED!
Now that you have found a couple of ideas (and of course pinned them!) the big question becomes: "How do I accomplish this?!"

Best way I've found?  Enlist help!

This is a great way to make really special memories, whether you enlist help from your bridal party or those special women in your life- mom, grandma and your sister.

Call a girls' night at your place, share a bottle of wine, tons of laughs and make your decorations together!  I promise you will have tons of fun, make some really sweet memories from your wedding preparations and be able to pass that story on for years.

Have you decided you wanted to make some sweet treats as guest favors?  However, you have NO idea how you are going to make that happen in a timely fashion at the last minute?  No problem.  Call up those ladies that have been tirelessly supporting you and your wedding dreams: "Hey Mom, so I have this idea..."  Cook them a little dinner (hint, hint pasta and wine!) and get started making some sweet treats and memories with the ladies that have supported you throughout your life!

Etsy- Hidden Custom Gem
I just love Etsy!  I cannot sing enough praises of this darling little site full of custom, made to order, gorgeous and uber creative gifts.  With a few swift searches you can type your item, color or pattern and find 1,000s of items, ready for the ordering!

Abbey knew she wanted to incorporate grey (she loves chevron as well!) into her bridesmaids' gifts.
She found this sweet little shop: www.oatmeallace.com
McKay the owner creates these custom made clutches in any imaginable pattern.  They are so gorgeous that I am dying for one myself!  Abbey ordered a clutch for her bridesmaids to carry for the wedding with her grey and white theme, each individually patterned.  Love. Love. Love.

P.S. Follow {@oatmeallace} on Instagram to see all of her gorgeous custom creations!

Publish my wedding?  Say WHAT?
Wouldn't this be really fun?  To have a unique wedding, full of great details and your favorite wedding planning magazine picks it up?

This can definitely happen and you know the key?  Individual, unique details.  :)

Are you up for the challenge?

These are only a few tips to making those fun Pinterest pins yours. I've enjoyed blogging these ideas.  What do you guys think about a running Wedding Wednesday date here, at the blog, with new posts and ideas? 

Be Blessed.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

A New Look for 2014!| Harrisburg, Pa Wedding, Family and Newborn Photographer

Hi Everyone!

I am beyond excited to share this post with you, because it means my website is officially up and running!  Not only is it a new website, but I have a new logo and branding as well (hallelujah!).

I will be running my blog through my website going forward, so please head on over for all your pricing inquiries and to catch up on the latest of our adventures.

Thank you so much for being loyal followers of BVP's photography journey and I hope that you continue to follow us into our 2014 phase and beyond!

Here is the link:  www.bellavitaphotopa.com




Be Blessed.