Sara & Stephen's Chesterton Square Wedding! January 5, 2013

Who would have thought that these two children, shown together in nursery school upteen years ago, were destined to marry some day? Sara and Stephen grew up in Hammond and eventually both attended Southeastern Louisiana University, where they dated, fell in love and planned to spend the rest of their lives together! Sara and Stephen decided to have a "First Look" session before the ceremony, so we crossed the tracks to the Ponchatoula Train Depot for a private union. Their sorority sisters and fraternity brothers were there to share in the celebration, held at Chesterton Square. The Cocoa Bean created a lovely cupcake cake and Especially for You Floral designed the flower arrangements. Thankfully, the rain held out until the very end of the evening, as the bride and groom said their goodbyes and departed for their Mexican honeymoon! See more of these images on our facebook page, and visit our website to see more wedding photography.

Thank you for supporting me in my photography career! It took several years of teaching workshops to other photographers and attending workshops and volunteering at our national photography convention to earn the professional photographer's degree of Photographic Craftsman. I am ready to begin my journey of print competition in order to earn the coveted Master of Photography degree - it will take several years and I will learn so much more about creating great images... Thanks for believing in me and helping me reach for the next level of artistry and excellence in imaging!! Sincerely, Phillip

Phillip Colwart of Phillip Colwart Photography has earned the Photographic Craftsman degree from Professional Photographers of America. The degree was presented to Colwart by PPA President Tim Walden, M.Photog.Cr.Hon.M.Photog., F-ASP at the awards ceremony on January 22, 2013 during the association’s annual convention, Imaging USA in Atlanta, GA. Colwart has met the standards of excellence set by the Professional Photographers of America. He has been awarded the Photographic Craftsman degree in recognition of his service to the photographic profession as an orator, author and mentor. Professional Photographers of America, a worldwide association, exists to assist its more than 22,000 members in achieving their professional, artistic and fraternal goals; promote public awareness of the profession; and to advance the making of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science, and a visual recorder of history. Colwart earned his credential of Certified Professional Photographer in 2007 and opened his Hammond, LA studio in 2003. He is a regular photography contributor to the Hammond Daily Star. Pictured is photographer Rick Najdzion, Cr. Photog., CPP, Phillip Colwart, Cr. Photog., CPP and PPA President Tim Walden.

Phillip Colwart, Craftsman Photographer Certified Professional Photographer Hammond, LA www.phillipcolwart.com 985.542.8216

Amber & Brandon's Ponchatoula, LA Wedding!

Amber and Brandon were wed on October 13 at Chesterton Square in Ponchatoula... the bride prepared for the big day at her parents' home in Cole's Creek, while the groom and the guys got ready in his Pumpkin Center home. The ceremony and reception were both at Chesterton Square, and the DJ was Daniel Costanza. Great lighting, Daniel! His mom's shop, Trish's Formal Affair provided the formal wear, and Amber's dress was designed by her sister, Courtney - fabulous job, ladies! The cakes were create by Cocoa Bean and Bantaa's Le Fleur de Lis catered the reception. The bride and groom honeymooned on Sint Maarten Island in the Carribean. It was an honor to be chosen to document their wedding! We had lots of fun getting to know each other during the engagement portrait session, and Amber's mom, Patricia is just the best ever Mom! She helped me capture Amber's fabulous bridal portraits

. The engagement and bridal session locations are top secret! Congratulations, Amber and Brandon... there are more images on my facebook page.

Katy and Robin are to be married soon at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgard, LA... their reception will be held at Laura Plantation in Vacherie, and we're very excited about the lovely images we'll create there! Katy and Robin live in Uptown New Orleans, my old stomping grounds, and chose to have their engagement portraits created in Audubon Park. Here are some photos from their session!