photography by john michael cooper and dalisa cooper, blog post by dalisa cooper

Do you recall that delicious post about our Philly adventures?  Within our first hour of landing in Pennsylvania we were already in heaven.  We had no idea of what was in store just a few days later… Gwenn and Brian’s wedding was a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.

After a peaceful morning with the girls as they all got ready for the day, we headed to Doylestown for portraits at the unbelievably gorgeous property called the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works

This is a fire place - it’s the most fascinating fire place that I have ever met.  Gwenn and Brian adorn it so well!

The night before the wedding we had driven from Philadelphia to Doylestown and absolutely fell in love with this majestic town.  It was a must for a few quick photos downtown as well.

Then on to the garden ceremony at The Manor House at Commonwealth

The ceremony was followed by a cocktail and reception, a lot of laughs and a heap of memorable moments - this might be a bit mushy but I feel so lucky that we were chosen to capture it all.

photography by john michael cooper, blog post by dalisa cooper

JMC is still slightly obsessed with John Singer Sargent’s El Jaleo painting which has shown in his work over the last 3 or 4  years.  This is the closest he has come in remaking the famous painting it which he was able to do after finding the perfect couple for such a project.  Joyce and Rick’s story just happens to come together over a flamenco dance and now they are soon to be wed.  You can certainly feel the romance with this couple.

And a few portraits for everyone’s viewing pleasure…

Lori White on Hair and Make up

blog post and photography by john michael cooper

It’s always a pleasure to have your expectations of a shoot to just change right when you start shooting. That was exactly the case with Jane, just after a few clicks of the shutter this portrait session seemed to turn into a fun fashion shoot around the Wynn hotel, on the Strip and then into the beautiful light of the desert.

photography by john michael cooper, blog post by dalisa

We were delighted when Karin contacted us for photos of herself and her husband while they were in town all the way from Maryland.  The occasion?  Karin’s 40th birthday - I have my fingers crossed that I look half as hot as Karin when I reach 40 - Wowsa!  Heath, your a lucky man…

this last set is my fav… JMC can really work those hot lights.  Hair & Make Up by the Lovely Ms. Lori White

blog post and photography by John Michael Cooper

Natalie and Chris, a vow renewal after 10 years.   Looking closely at the chapel photo from ten years ago and then at Natalie and Chris now, all I can say is WOW!  If a decade of time and marriage has this kind of affect on them, then I can’t imagine how they’ll look after 20…

An Altf Commercial Shoot - say hello to the Eric Andrew Jewelry Collection

Model: Jamillette Gaxiola
Stylist: Christine Steele
Hair and Make up: Lori White
Lighting: JR Lighting
Photography: John Michael Cooper
Product: Eric Andrew Collection

A few years ago this family allowed us to put a spin on the traditional family portraits by transforming into super hero’s for the day.  This year, they are stars walking the red carpet.

Tivon, Kiera, Willie, Randi & Naazir.  If you know this family than you really know how suitable this is for them as they are real life super stars - amazingly giving, ethical and passionate with all that they do.  I believe the red carpet was made just for them.

Thank you to RSVP for the set up and to Tuxedo Junction for dressing the men so handsomely!

Delight in Disorder by Robert Herrick

A sweet disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness:
A lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction–
An erring lace, which here and there
Enthrals the crimson stomacher–
A cuff neglectful, and thereby
Ribbands to flow confusedly–
A winning wave, deserving note,
In the tempestuous petticoat–
A careless shoe-string, in whose tie
I see a wild civility–
Do more bewitch me than when art
Is too precise in every part.

We seriously can’t get enough of the gracious Ms. Ricci.  We photographed her wedding and bridal session, her pin up session and now her anti-bridal photos.  Now all we need are maternity and newborn;)  As you may or may not know, JMC has been coined as the “godfather” of the Trash the Dress phenomenon. Considering we actually don’t even offer “Trash the Dress” sessions, we find it humorous.  But we do offer anti-bridals and we do not offer them to just anyone.  Not only is there a hefty price tag attached to these but this art is more about the concept and about finding the right person.  John Michael Cooper came up with this idea just under a year ago while photographing a live concert.  Ricci was the perfect subject and when she arrived for her pin up shoot, we explained that we had finally formed the concept for her very own anti-bridal.

Make up by Jolana Adamson

While on the road we decided to put together this little blog post about this BIG adventure.  Finally, it happened - we experienced Pat’s Vs. Geno’s while in Philly.  Our wonderful clients, Gwenn & Brian, who’s wedding was just a day and a half away picked us up from the airport and shuttled us directly to South Philly where 9th Street and Passyunk cross.

VS.

As the story goes, In 1930 it was Pat Olivieri who created the steak sandwich and began selling them out of pushcarts.  Business took off and somewhere around 1940 he opened his restaurant.  It wasn’t until 1966 that Joe Vento opened up Geno’s just across the way claiming that he “perfected” the Philly Cheese steak.  We ordered a “Whiz With” from each location along with some fries and JMC’s favorite - a diet coke and compared the two.  My opinion?… they both had their own “special touch” so you will have to decide for yourself.  A word of wisdom?… learn how to order before you actually get to the window and do not, under any circumstances, expect to be greeted kindly - they just want to get their steaks in your hands, leaving no time to talk about the wonderments of life.

Just after our rendezvous with Philly’s iconic competitors we were taken to the gorgeous Loew’s of Philadelphia.  As I could not get enough of our panoramic view from our suite, JMC was infatuated with all of the architecture, vaults and other treasures that were preserved in the building from the days that it use to be the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society, founded in 1816.

More to come from this Pennsylvania adventure including Gwenn & Brian’s delightful wedding!

photography by john michael cooper, blog post by dalisa cooper

Jessica and Matt had a gorgeous Four Seasons wedding so imagine how psyched we were when Jessica decided to do a bridal session.  Where, you ask?  Only one of the coolest places in Las Vegas… should we have you guess?

love her Louboutin’s…

If you have ever seen Cirque Du Soleil’s Love, you might recognize a few of these pieces.  Yep, we shot this session on the Love stage.. we are really, really lucky.

Add a smokin’ hot couple and we admit, we are beyond lucky.