2017 was unpredictable and challenging for the world. As the year wound down, it seemed so many of us were just eager to put this chapter behind us. For Gregg and I, things ended with a bang—or, more accurately, a cloud of black dust from a roofing repair that forced us to pack Coda and as many of our belongings as possible into the car to evacuate on the first frigid night of the year! Suffice it to say, things haven’t been easy. But amidst the obstacles, there’s been a whole lot of light. Weddings have been celebrated, babies have been born, and joy continues to navigate as a steady stream, narrowing at times, but always regaining strength and speed on its way to vast possibilities.

As wedding photographers, the majority of our year revolves around capturing some of the happiest moments of people’s lives, which makes it that much easier to find the light. I am consistently overwhelmed with gratitude towards every couple that chooses to make us a part of such intimate moments. Every time I’m asked to photograph a wedding I’m acutely aware of the trust that’s necessary for such a decision to be made, and I always want to do everything I can to exceed my client’s expectations. Each year, The Knot publishes its “Best of Weddings” list based on customer reviews. We were once again honored to be included on that list, and because our incredible clients have put us on that list five years in a row (!!!) we also received the “Hall of Fame” award! Knowing that these awards are entirely determined by customer satisfaction makes this an especially meaningful honor.

Year after year, your support inspires us to find ways to push ourselves and improve. I am thrilled to share that, this year, we were selected to shoot our first Editorial Feature for Philadelphia Wedding Magazine! The ladies at Philadelphia Wedding are some of the hardest working gals in the business, and I loved working with them on the Spring/Summer 2018 issue. The editorial was incredibly beautiful and best of all we got to spend the day collaborating with some of our very best “friendors”: Clover Event Co, Hello, Bird., Vault + Vine, Maggpie Rentals, The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, Styled Bride, Carly is Inspired, Faye + Renee, Rabbit Rabbit Crew, Devon & Pinkett, and Laurel & Elm! In addition to the editorial, we received eight magazine features in publications including The Knot, Grid Magazine, Elle Taiwan Weddings, and Main Line Today as well as several online features on 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Wedding Chicks, Red Oak Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes, and Ruffled.

This business is an adventure, and thankfully one I get to navigate with my best friend—my husband, Gregg. Together, we push the boundaries of the business further and further. Work and pleasure took us to Iceland, Italy, California, and Sedona this year! Back at home, we sought ways to venture outside our current scope and shot some commercial work in collaboration with a new fashion line, Voloshin. Creating e-commerce and lookbooks for the line was new, exciting, and has us both eager to see where the river of possibility might lead.

All of this certainly would not have been possible without the incredibly talented team behind Emily Wren Photography. We have a superb team of second-shooters that we have come to rely on. They are all passionate, super hard workers, and regularly exceed my high expectations on jam-packed wedding days. Our associate photographers Lauri & Gabby have grown and expanded their talents to new heights this year. It is such a blessing to know we can put our trust in them to provide a fabulous level of service that we are proud to put our name on. Reading all the happy emails and reviews coming from their couples fills me with a huge sense of gratitude. Not only that, but they’re both such genuinely great people who bring a positive spirit with them wherever they go. Thank you also to Caroline, who has stepped up her role behind the scences as well as running our photo booth! 

I would like to give a special shout-out to Nick Antony, who over the last 4 years has really become my most trusted right-hand man on wedding days. Nick shot over 45 wedding with me this year, and he did each one with an enormously contagious smile on his face. His positive attitude can light up an entire room, and literally recharges me throughout the course of a long day of shooting. I can’t even tell you how many times guests have come up to me at the end of the wedding and told me how much they loved Nick. I’ve even had future couples personally request him to be the 2nd shooter at their upcoming weddings. Whether he’s out on the dance floor bringing out everyone’s best moves for the camera or setting up lights for technically challenging night shots, Nick has become a vital and irreplaceable part of the Emily Wren Photography team. Thank you, Nick!

Moving into 2018 there’s a lot to look forward to, including an actual move to Jasper Studio! Gregg and I have enjoyed working from home these last few years (it’s hard to beat the “staircase” commute), but we are so excited to make ourselves at home in our new light-filled space where we can expand beyond our wedding photography work. Personally, I can’t wait to host more families, newborns, maternity, and boudoirs sessions! Gregg and I are committed to making this next year one of our best yet, and with that intention, there will be some big announcements to come! For now, we extend a deep and heartfelt thanks to our team, our many friends in the industry, and of course to our clients and supporters. Here’s to finding plenty of light and oceans of joy in this next chapter!