When Josh's parents told him he could either have a huge Saturday evening Bar Mitzvah party with all of his friends or he could take a trip with his parents anywhere in the world...he chose the trip.  As soon as his mom shared that story with me, I knew I was about to be introduced to a beautiful old soul.  I soon learned that Josh is a curious, creative and wise young man who loves to read and draw.  In so many ways, Josh reminds me of my own twelve year old self; reading under the covers by the pale light of my flashlight, filling endless journals with poems, stories and tiny sketches, quietly absorbing the fascinating conversation and vocabulary at the adult table during every family gathering.  After learning about Josh's love of reading and drawing, it was short leap to dream up this special portrait session to celebrate his life and the things he loves.  It meant the world to me that several times throughout his session, he told me how much fun he was having.  An old soul indeed.  I'm so very excited to document Josh's Bar Mitzvah in just a few short months, and am thrilled that I get to spend even more time with Josh and his adoring family.

An amazing portrait session with a young old soul...more to come tomorrow!

They sat on the couch across from me, occupying such a small space of nearness I envisioned them as a singular person instead of two. They stared deeply and warmly into each other eyes as they told me their story...how they met while working in the engineering lab at Cornell, brushed elbows in lab coats many times, shared small kindnesses and the kind of quirky, endearing humor that two engineers can truly appreciate in each other.  But it wasn't until Ben went overseas to work in a lab with several of Christine's former co-workers that he really started to learn just who this Christine girl is and how very perfectly matched they are for one another.  Once he returned to Cornell to continue his Ph.D. journey along with Christine...they began dating immediately and the rest, as they say...is history.  They giggled and held hands as they poured over the wedding books I showed them, excitedly sharing their feelings about their own upcoming marriage...it was as if they couldn't believe that in all the world they were brought together so fortuitously, and now that they had found such a perfect mate in one another...they were not going to let go, ever.

Christine's dress was handmade by an incredibly talented gown maker in Singapore. After Christine showed Ben her gown, he gave her this jewelry as a gift (which he picked out himself). It was the most perfect jewelry to compliment her gown. 

I adore the tradition of the bride's mother putting on her daughter's veil. It's such a significant event and a quiet passage of so much hope and love from a knowing mother to her daughter.

Christine and Ben asked their pastor from the church they attend at Cornell to preside over their ceremony.  Not a dry eye in the house...including me.

After this romantic, ever so sweet Rolls Royce ride from the church to the reception...I'm convinced that every couple should have a little alone time on their wedding day. So amazing!!

My absolute favorite image of the day...