Heather O'Mara

My Buddy, My Boy

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:43:02 +0000

We’re slowly settling in here in Roma. Oh, yeah, after a quick text session with a friend he asked how my vacation was. My husband’s job uprooted us here. Thankfully, we’re living here in the land of my ancesters. But, I have ben remiss in updating my blog. Lots to update, but in the meantime, here is a my little man…looking more like a big man.

The Wedding of Jane and Quinn

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:54:56 +0000

When I met Jane and Quinn, I knew there was something about them, that was a good fit. I got that feel at our Engagement Session as well. It was a session that I honestly lost track of time and had so much fun spending time with them. Jane was immediately easy going, Quinn was a bit reserved when it came to having a camera in his face. I don’t blame him. At the tail end of the session, we even clinked glasses at McGrogan’s, the place of the first date.

I’d be lying if I said I was not worried about the weather for Jane and Quinn’s Wedding. It was so odd, the two days leading up to it. Never deciding if it wanted to be cold or warm, sunny or cloudy, rain or shine. Even the morning of their Wedding, the weather seemed to be undecided. However, just fifteen minutes before their ceremony they had the most beautiful sun break from behind the clouds. It was amazing. Sweet Ceremony, followed up with a great celebration with family and friends. It really doesn’t get better than that.

Special thanks to Abbey Bradshaw for second shooting that day!

The R Family :: Valley Forge Park

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:40:50 +0000

Lauren and Tim were so excited to be experiencing the Fall in the Northeast. I never understood hearing that, until I spent a few years away. Then I knew. The colors are so beautiful. It is such a nice thing to share across the country. Oh and can I tell you how darn cute their dog was? I don’t have to, just check her out!

Jamie and Tim = Engaged :: Wanamaker Building

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:30:37 +0000

Upon meeting Jamie and Tim it felt like meeting, well, old friends. I could not put my finger on it. Perhaps the fact that they themselves, had been a comfortabe together for so long. But they were now moving to that next level. I loved hearing about them going to the Prom together, awesome story. Better yet, I loved that they were able to take me off the beaten path, to the top of the old Wanamaker building–great view of City Hall.

Take a look…

Beautiful Fall Weather for this Family….

admin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:26 +0000

What a gorgeous Fall Weekend in the Northeast! It is so hard to believe that just two weeks ago we had snow. However, this weekend we did not have one cloud in the sky–ideal.

When you look at the image below, I think this says it all about this family. The sweetest kids, fun parents and the fact that they are doing “1-2-3, swing” brings me right back to my childhood. Makes you wish that children could always stay this way, well at least their parents can have this image to remind them.

Minh + Deena = Tradition meets Modern

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:34:49 +0000

Honestly, shooting a Wedding for Minh and Deena should have been a walk in the park, right? These were Individuals with confidence in my work. Minh and I had the same love of photography that I did and admired similar photographers. It actually made me a little nervous, Minh laughed. Better yet, Minh and Deena also were having a ceremony that I had never shot before, a Tea Ceremony. Deena gave me all the details as I wanted to make sure I captured it correctly for them. I found it to be so interesting. To witness it, it was so much more than that. It was smaller, more intimate that what I was used to in Western traditions. Yes, it was the coming together of two families, but of all the extended parties also wishing the newlyweds well. I loved being part of it and that is what it seemed their families made me fee like, a welcomed guest viewing their tradition.

The shift to Modern came when we went from the Ceremony, in which Deena had changed for the Reception to her Bridal gown. This included the change of her sisters, which all three were bridesmaids as well. Lovely! We then proceeded had some fun with capturing some great “Mad Men” Shots at the request of the groom.

It was then off to the Reception, which was a truly a major throw down. In all, I can say that both families made ME feel so welcome. Mr. Dinh and Mr. Nguyen were determined to make sure I was cared for. I found that to be so sweet and kind. Deena’s sisters were entirely too much fun, Minh and his Groomsmen were wonderful as well.

Thank you so much Minh and Deena for allowing Courtney Apple and I to be part of your day. I wish you all the best!

Finding a little friend…

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:01:22 +0000

A few weeks ago I went on a crazy trip. I met my husband in Rome and was there a bit earlier than him. When I arrived I realized I had brought only $150 in US dollars, which means only $75 Euros. Not quite enough to take me to a hotel, get me meals for the time I was there, it was crazy. What I had were 2 credit cards instead of one credit card and one ATM. Without a cab, without really knowing that much Italian except come pleasantries and a few curse words, thanks for my grandfather, I was in a bind. It would take $70 Euro to get to But was I really? I mean, couldn’t I just figure this all out? I had a hotel room to go to for crying out loud, it was just the question of rationing my money and how to get there.

So I devised a plan. I sort of figured out the train line, bought a ticket and decided that the center of town was in close proximity to my hotel…roughly. Yes everything was in Italian, but I put on what my husband calls my “European face”. I have no idea why it works but people come up to me and start speaking the local language, they ask me directions–it’s crazy. So, you guessed it, at the train station, all sorts of people were asking me things in Italian, with Australian accents and even some poor Americans that I had to break it al to them that I too was an Ignorant American in Europe. But, I got on the right train and met a nice older couple. I got ripped off by my cab driver by an additional $10 Euro, but made it to the hotel. I was never so relieved and was so blessed to have such a nice staff. Brilliant. Man, was I going to head right to Vatican City and give thanks.

After all my red eye travel, I finally had a good honest rest for 3 hours. I then went on a long thoughtful walk. Roaming the streets and squares of Rome, taking it in. I grabbed some dinner in a square, did some people watching and did some lovely night shooting. I was lonely and missing my husband, lots. But he would be in that night and I could hardly wait. I stopped for my favorite treat, Gelato and met a little friend. He was cute, rather handsome actually. Meeting him there with his big brown eyes, made me not so lonely any longer. He too, in the crowd of passersby, seemed a bit lonely in the big world himself. He was there with a street performer, but I just wanted to take him home. He looked like he would not mind. What do you think?

Just to Brighten my Day

admin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:46:50 +0000

I think we have all had those days. Maybe they have been a rough couple of weeks, where you have been overloaded with work and trying to do your best. Sometimes the weight can just get to be too much, you may even get cranky too. So as I drove down my driveway I saw something by our door. My sweet husband sent me flowers with a note telling me to take some needed “me time”. Love that guy.

Today’s the Day for Jen & Ken

admin — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:00:07 +0000

So excited to capture Jen and Ken’s special Wedding Day!

The Weekend that was…

admin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:01:33 +0000

This weekend was definitely not for chillaxing. This time of year it seems, with the falling leaves, Photographers in this area are doing double time. With two Weddings and an Engagement shoot, I was quite busy, to say the least. By Sunday I was hoping I could get a IV of coffee. But hey, you know what, I would not have traded a minute of it, I was loving what I was doing.

With the first minutes of seeing Jane walk in she gave me a hug. I cannot tell you how much that meant to me. First, I was so excited to shoot her Wedding, second, she looked absolutely stunning. Her makeup was incredible, matching her beautiful personality. I had shot her cousin Meghan’s Wedding in March and was excited to see the family again. A family that made me feel so welcome. Here is a shot of Jane and her new husband Dennis, who she lovingly calls Quinn. In fact, I don’t think he even responds to Dennis, which cracks me up.

Next, I was able to second shoot a Beautiful African Wedding at Valley Forge Military Academy with Dami Odetola. The weather was amazing and the experience was so unique. I was honored to be a part of Nene and Maxwell’s day.

Lastly on Sunday, I had a great Engagement shoot with Jamie and Tim. We were able to have it on the rooftop of the old Wanamaker building in Center City Philadelphia. I absolutely love this sunset image below. Many more to come!