Sandor Welsh Photography

After graduating from Muhlenberg College in 1992 with a dual degree in art and psychology, I began working at various newspapers - photographing notable personalities, breaking news, professional sports, politicians and all the routines of small-town and big-city life. I loved being a newspaper photographer. I was doing what I'd always wanted to do - photojournalism - and assumed I'd be doing it for my entire life.

When my wife Laura and I got married, I cared so little for wedding photography, that I let my mother-in-law pick our photographer, a throwback to the old days who brought with him a marbled blue backdrop and stopped our reception every ten minutes to set up pictures. My friends started to get married shortly after. But by then, couples were becoming much more open minded about how their wedding photographs could look. So I began photographing my friends' weddings and then their friends' weddings and so on and so on. I now photograph about 40 weddings a year, love how wedding photography has become so much more exciting and more true than it ever was, and am still the photojournalist I'd always wanted to be.

My philosophy towards wedding photography is simple, guided not by a standard formula, but by each couples' unique desires and love for one another. And while I may offer suggestions, I do not impose my tastes. Color or black and white, formal portraits against a backdrop or relaxed, candid photos in a natural setting - this is your wedding, your choice. My job is to simply stay in the background and let the day unfold.

My work has received awards from the Associated Press, Brides Magazine and the WPJA. It has appeared in Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, The Knot, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Magazine, and The Philadelphia City Paper.

Kristina and Frank – Mallard Island

Thursday, October 6, 2011

I absolutely love this collection of photos from Kristina and Frank’s wedding - such a sweet couple, so cute and happy together. Mallard Island Yacht Club and and its neighbor Bonnet Island Estate are both stunning venues and each time there I discover new things. Like this time – how to balance on the edge of a pier, on one foot, while shooting portraits. Anything for a sunset (see last two photos).

Many thanks to Melissa at Pampered Bride Weddings and Linda at Rose Petals and Lace for making everything so beautiful. And of course to Kristina and Frank for being so perfect together. Congrats again!

Posted in Weddings | Tags: Beach Wedding, Bonnet Island, Bonnet Island Estate, LBI Wedding, Long Beach Island Wedding, Mallard Island, Mallard Island Yacht Club, Pampered Bride Weddings, Rose Petals and Lace

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Amber and Marc – Margate, NJ

Thursday, September 22, 2011

I grew up hating the beach. Really hating it. My parents took me down for a few weeks every summer, for what I was sure was punishment for my school year transgressions. A month of endless sunburn, heat, mosquitoes and no friends. No air conditioning. One year my bike was stolen.

Things are different now. When our daughter was born, eight years ago, we started going down to Margate. She loved it. And so I loved it. I can sit on the sand with her for hours, take walks, swim, fly kites, play games. I’ve even started surfing. And beach weddings – love ‘em. The ocean, blue sky, the light - it doesn’t get much better. I’m sure that’s what Amber and Marc were thinking when they booked their wedding at Bonnet Island Estate for next year. Some people figure things out sooner than others. Below are a few pics from our engagement session last month. Can’t wait until the wedding next year!

Posted in Engagement Sessions | Tags: Beach Wedding, Bonnet Island, Bonnet Island Estate, LBI Wedding, Long Beach Island Wedding, Margate

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Stephanie and Greg – The Downtown Club

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Philadelphia is such a great backdrop for photos, and while I love hitting all the popular spots like Broad Street and the Art Museum, I also try to encourage clients to pick places that are meaningful and special to them, places entwined with their history together. Fortunately Stephanie and Greg’s relationship blossomed around the Art Museum, which has no shortage of terrific spots.

My own history as a newlywed is also linked to the Art Museum area. My wife and I bought our first house there and walked by Logan Square and Rembrandt’s daily, sitting on the same bench and at the same table as Stephanie and Greg are in the pics below – laughing, gazing and planning our future together. We’re now a few weeks away from celebrating our 11th anniversary, and I can’t help but look at these photos and feel warm and fuzzy.

The rest of the photos are from Old St. Joseph’s and The Downtown Club. We’re at both places constantly, and if you read this blog you’ll know how much I love shooting there. Couldn’t help but post Stephanie and Greg’s awesome thank you card too. Congrats again!