One of the best parts about being a photographer is getting to create memories for the people I love. My cousin Becky was planning her daughter Izzy’s Sweet 16 with a Tangled-inspired theme. At first, she considered a historic location in Pennsylvania, but I asked her what she truly wanted in a backdrop. She described something old-fashioned and beautiful, ideally with a castle or tower. I knew exactly where to go.
Cross Estate Gardens in Bernardsville NJ is a stunning location with manicured gardens and a historic stone water tower that looks just like Rapunzel’s. When Becky and Izzy saw photos of it, they immediately agreed it was perfect.
The day of the shoot was gorgeous, but for me, it was also a personal challenge. At the time, I had a temporary colostomy bag from a serious medical condition that had taken a third of my colon. My stoma had been difficult to manage and I often dealt with leaks and accidents. That morning, as soon as I arrived at Cross Estate Gardens, I felt a leak. I told my cousin to wait, quickly stepped behind a building, and changed my bag in the open air. I refused to let it stop me from doing what I love. I finished the change, secured everything, and carried on with the shoot. I refuse to let anything stop me from getting work. Things in life don’t always go well but you need to accept things and push for the best
The rest of the afternoon was perfect. Izzy’s purple gown looked incredible in front of the stone tower and among the flowers. We moved through the gardens, capturing a variety of portraits that matched the Tangled theme beautifully. Becky later used the images in the most creative way, printing giant banners for the party and smaller prints for each table.
Photographing a Sweet 16 at Cross Estate Gardens in Bernardsville NJ is always special, but this session reminded me of the strength and determination it sometimes takes to make beautiful moments happen. No matter the challenge, I will always show up for my clients and my family to create images they will cherish forever.
