This Blog Doesn't Live here Anymore =)

Hello everyone! So, I've moved the blog and revamped my website. My website will now feature all new blogs as well as have featured weddings and galleries. The galleries are still in the process of being updated but for all future blog posts please go to www.CindyGuessfordPhotography.com

Thanks and see ya there!

Anna & Jared - A Proposal Session

It was a crisp 35 degree evening with a wind chill of 26 degrees. I'm bouncing around from one dark and shadowy corner to another as I try to envision the best spot to shoot from. I sip my hot coffee and as I exhale I can see my breath leaving my lips in short puffs of smoke like air. City hall shines like a beacon in the night and the city is beautifully illuminated. It is quiet except for a few over zealous visitors running up the Art Museum steps, hands thrusting to the air in Rocky like fashion, I can hear the "Yo Adrianne"s," along with giggles from those that are actually entertained. A family approaches the tree and as the father lines up the children they attempt a family portrait. I offer to take the pic and soon they are on their way to a warmer setting. A woman approaches the top step and I watch her with her camera shooting and it clicks in my head! Here's my alibi!!! Oh yeah!

I ask her if she is going to be around for a few minutes would she mind pretending that I am taking pics of her? You see, I have a client who is proposing tonight and It was essential that I did not use a flash because the proposal is a surprise in the dead of night on top of these very steps. She agrees to be my accomplice. So like ninjas we wait and from a distance I see headlights approach and then the car parks. As two figures clad in dark coats stroll towards the tree I knew that the time was now.

Hmmm, doesn't the tree look beautiful Anna? Oh wait, this isn't just a beautiful stroll after dinner and we aren't just here to see the sights.... Jared drops to one knee and you guessed it, proposes. I was full of adrenaline, snapping away at my accomplice who was standing near the tree(but really at the unsuspecting Anna.)


I just love this pure and beautiful reaction!


Will she say yes?


Of course she does!


As Anna admires her ring, I think she notices that the camera is now on her and she smiles this smile that just genuinely grabs my heart and I feel so happy for the both of them.








Congratulations Anna & Jared! I'm am so thrilled to have been a witness to this amazing moment in your lives and I wish you both many more warm hugs and smiles on seemingly cold winter nights!

10-20 Tina & Bill The E-Session

Sometimes it's nice to get out of the city! Now don't get me wrong, I love the city, urban locations, textures and all that comes with being in and around any major city. There is however a wonderful vibe that you feel when you venture into the country. It's a different pace. A lovely and calming feeling. The sun on a crisp fall day warming your face, the farms, horses and fields creating a picturesque backdrop perfect for a session! Tina and Bill love the country. It's easy to see why. It's even more apparent that Tina and Bill love each other... Their fun interactions, you know the kind that you only have with people who you feel a real closeness with, are definitely fun to watch. I could have traveled throughout all of southern Delaware with these two and shot all day, that's how easy it is to be around them. I don't know what I love more, Tina's fun-loving personality or Bill's smiling eyes. I can say that when around them, you feel like you are just hangin out with friends, a welcome feeling and I can't wait to hang out again on their wedding day! Oh and let's not forget to give a shout out to Melanie, Tina's sister! I photographed her fabulous wedding and that's where I met Tina. So Holla & thanks Mel!

10-18 The Wedding of Tracy & Andy

Today was one of those days where I felt like things just came together so beautifully. When Val and I arrived the house was bustling with getting ready festivities. The kids hangin out, boys being boys, & Tracy at ease getting her hair done. We scoped out the area and found such beautiful light everywhere we went. Details, Details, Details! I especially love this first shot. Tracy found her 1st Communion Dress and we incorporated it in one of the detail shots. I love the similarities and contrasts that these two dresses represent. Working with Tracy and Andy has been such a joy. I knew it would be from the experience I had shooting their E-Session. Just two really amazing people who have found each other and have formed a beautiful family and are surrounded by such a loving and supportive family!

It's a wonderful thing to have 3 sisters each helping you all at once to get ready! Wouldn't that be great every weekend! I just love the look on Tracy's face as she reads a card from Andy.



The ceremony was filled with wonderful smiles, laughter and even some good tears. I'm constantly surveying the situation, anticipating actions and reactions.

Spinning around and looking to my right, I captured this moment shooting through the arms of the Videographer. Family...Their reactions...priceless...











Thanks to you both so much for your trust in me, for letting me scout the area along our travels and choose locations that may have been unconventional at first to shoot but produced gorgeous results and for truly enjoying the many moments that made up your day!

10-17 Sarah & Rebecca - A Sister's Session

Can I say that I love hangin out with Sarah. I've had the pleasure of shooting her E-Session, Wedding, Trash the Dress and now a special session with her sister to give to mom as a gift. The sessions are always fun, easy and we always end up with more great pics to choose from than we need. Today was no exception! Add Rebecca to the mix, she is equally as fun loving and amicable as Sarah. It's funny how when siblings are together time can stand still. We can revert back to our roles as children. I reflect back to when I was younger. The oldest of 3 children. My two younger brothers often subject to the "life lessons" that I was teaching them... It's a wonder they even speak to me after all of the stuff I used to get us into. I can still remember John, who was the youngest, writing on pieces of paper all the things he was gonna tell mom and dad once they got home. Ha, ha... only he couldn't write yet so he had lines of scribble on paper.... Funny now, funnier then.

I digress as usual=) Back to Sarah and Rebecca! We spent the afternoon roaming the park that sits in their backyard. Walking the paths and climbing the trees that they did so frequently when they were young. What a beautiful glimpse to capture for their mom. Her girls are older now but the sights are the same and in these images I am sure she can see their childhood reflections. Here's just a few =)

10-15 Jessica A Maternity Session

Ahhh Jessica! You are fun and Sassy and I love it! Thanks for a great session and just letting go. By the time you read this your little man will have entered this world and you will know the feelings of motherhood. I know you are gonna be a great mom and I wish you the very best of luck and love! And Courtney, don't spoil the baby too much. I know it will be hard since he's your first grandchild and all but resist girl! Just kidding, that's what grandparents are for, atleast that's what my dad told me as he fed mass quantities of sugar laden treats to Kris before giving her back to me. So have fun, good luck but most of all take a breath and a few moments when you can to enjoy =)

10-14 Lauren & Wayne The E-Session

Not everyone can rock the red shoes but Lauren you wore them well!!! I really had fun interacting with Lauren and her two men today. Who can resist seeing big strong arms wrapped around the people that they love. I can imagine the feeling of safety and comfort that comes from a hug like that one. Especially when you are together as a family. The dynamics of mother and son have always intrigued me. I have a daughter and our bond is sometimes an unspoken closeness that I just can't explain. If I tried I would not do it justice. So watching Lauren interact with her son led me to believe that it must be a maternal thing. Knowing when to hug closer or give space. Slight gestures or twinkles in your eye that aren't meant for the benefit of others. A Caring nod or word of encouragement. Those little things that you do for and with your kids. It touches my heart strings! We had fun, jumped and rolled in the grass and strolled about the city and as I pulled away after the shoot I thought to myself.... This was more than an Engagement Session. This was a Together Session. The three of them, Together, documenting their family love now and once again on a very special upcoming date in
May =) Here are only a few of my faves!

10-11-08 The Wedding of Kristen nd Brian

A small gesture to some could be a huge deal to others... You would have thought that Lori and I had just received the Holy Grail when Kristen handed us 2 matching red bags filled with snacks and drinks to hold us over until dinner. It was as if light came beaming from the insides as we opened up the care packages to find a variety of calorie conscious yum yums. Is it still calorie conscious if you eat all of them at once? Hmmm, probably not, huh. Regardless, in that simple but oh so thoughtful gesture, Kristen set the tone for that warm & fuzzy feeling that a Wedding Day should have. A beautiful ceremony followed by ginormous hugs from her students and tons of dancing and fun. We had an amazing time with both you and Brian today and I want to say Thank You! Thank you both for your thoughtfulness, sincerity and genuine love!!! Oh and Brian, the shades look good! =)