Justine & Chris had a beautiful day for their Engagement Session at Historic Smithville Park. This location was special to them since Chris proposed on one of the docks there. I am looking forward to their wedding next year at The Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia!
Smithville earns the Historic in its name. In the 1860s, inventor Hezekiah Smith bought the village along the Rancocas Creek and turned it into a company town for his H.B. Smith Machine Works. The factory turned out woodworking machinery and the American Star bicycle, the high wheel design with the small wheel up front. The best story might be the bicycle railroad, built in 1892 so workers could pedal a rail line from Mount Holly to the factory. Today the village and its grounds are a Burlington County park, and the mix of old brick, water, and woods makes it one of my favorite session spots in South Jersey.
Picking the park was easy. Chris proposed on one of the docks here, so we built the session around walking the same paths as an engaged couple. I love when a location carries that kind of weight. The photographs mean more when the ground under your feet is part of the story, and the champagne at the end felt earned.
The modern part of the session came from Justine and Chris themselves. Clean styling, a little champagne, and two people comfortable being playful in front of the camera. Set that against weathered docks and nineteenth century brick and you get contrast, which is exactly what I am after every time.
If Smithville is on your list for your own session, spring is the season to book it. The trees along the creek fill in, the light filters through soft instead of harsh, and the park stays quiet enough on weekdays that it can feel like you have the whole village to yourselves. Bring comfortable shoes, because the best spots are spread out, and leave room at the end for something celebratory. A turtle rescue and a champagne pop made this one feel like Justine and Chris in a nutshell.
We found this little guy and thought he needed a hand.
Beautiful area for an infrared photograph.
We found some of their old friends to photo bomb as we went through the park.
Next up for these two is a wedding at The Crystal Tea Room, the grand ballroom inside Philadelphia’s old Wanamaker Building, and I cannot wait. If you are still choosing your own venue in the city, my guide to the best Philadelphia wedding venues is a good place to start.