Lori Prashker-Thomas of Pennsylvania on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Lori Prashker-Thomas shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Lori, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Yes, I have stood up for someone when it cost me something. For me, doing what is right has always been more important than doing what is easy. I believe that every person deserves to be treated with respect, kindness, and dignity. When I have witnessed unfair treatment or seen someone without a voice, I have stepped forward, even when it meant I might lose opportunities, friendships, or comfort. In those moments, I reminded myself that integrity is not about convenience; it is about courage. Standing up for others has sometimes come with personal cost, but I would rather carry that weight than the regret of silence.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Lori Prashker-Thomas, and I am the owner of Ceremonies by Lori. I am a Certified Professional Wedding Officiant, life-cycle Humanist celebrant, co-owner of ShadowCatcher Photography, award-winning author, and speaker. What makes my work unique is the way I approach each ceremony as a deeply personal story rather than a script. Whether it is a wedding, a vow renewal, or a celebration of life, I take the time to truly listen and learn about the individuals and families I am serving so that every word reflects who they are.

My journey has been shaped by both joy and challenges, and I bring that honesty and compassion into my work. Beyond ceremonies, I am also the author of “From Mistakes to Miracles,” where I share my personal story as a Jewish birthmother, domestic violence survivor, and suicide survivor, and I am currently working on 2 books that explore adoption ethics and the importance of integrity in the work that we do.

At the heart of everything I do—whether officiating, writing, or photography with ShadowCatcher Photography—is the belief that every story matters and deserves to be honored with respect, authenticity, and love.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work was my father. He was a man of quiet strength who believed that hard work and honesty spoke louder than anything else. I remember watching him come home tired after a long day, but he never complained. Instead, he reminded me that when you commit to something, you give it your all, no matter how difficult it may be.

Even though I was very young, I remember how he treated everyone who worked with him—from the secretary to the foreman—with the same respect. He showed me that true success is not just measured by what you accomplish, but by how you treat people along the way. Even when he had to eventually close his business, he kept going, continuing to show up and do his best, even when he did not want to. From him I learned that work is not only about earning a living, it is about building integrity and character.

Those lessons have stayed with me in every part of my life—whether I am officiating a ceremony, writing, or working with families through photography. My father’s example continues to guide me, reminding me that showing up with honesty, compassion, and commitment is the best kind of work any of us can do.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power when I grew tired of pretending that my story did not exist, or that the challenges I faced somehow made me less than. For so long, I carried the weight of experiences that were deeply personal, believing that to share them would be too heavy for others, or that they would change the way people saw me. I tried to shrink myself, to fit into roles and expectations, to appear whole and unbroken. But the truth is, I was whole because of everything I had lived through—not in spite of it.

There came a turning point when I realized that hiding my pain was only keeping me from my purpose. The very experiences that had been painful—the heartbreak, the loss, the mistakes, the moments of uncertainty—were the same experiences that gave me empathy, courage, and clarity. They shaped the person I am today: someone who can honor stories, celebrate life, and stand firmly in authenticity. I began to speak my truth, to share my story openly, and to use my experiences to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered.

No longer hiding meant embracing my full self, even the parts that had once felt shameful or too heavy. It meant turning my story into power—power to connect, to create, to celebrate life, and to serve others with compassion. It is still a journey, but every time I lean into my truth, I feel the freedom and strength that come from living unapologetically, fully, and with purpose.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. What you see is what you get. I do not hide behind a façade, and I do not pretend to be something I am not. I am authentic in everything I do, and that authenticity extends to the way I work, the way I write, and the way I connect with people. That is also why I tell all prospective clients that I am not for everyone, and that everyone is not my client—and I am truly okay with that.

I have learned over time that trying to be everything to everyone is not only exhausting, it is also untrue to who I am. When I show up fully as myself, I attract the right people—the ones who resonate with my values, my voice, and my approach. Those are the people I can serve best, and those are the relationships and experiences that are most meaningful.

Being fully public and authentic does not mean I share everything about myself, but it does mean that I do not pretend to be perfect, or to have all the answers. I am open, honest, and committed to showing up with integrity and compassion, whether I am officiating a ceremony, writing my books, or capturing memories through photography. The people who work with me know that they are getting someone fully present, someone who values honesty over convenience, and someone who believes that every story matters and deserves to be honored. That alignment—between who I am and who I serve—is at the heart of everything I do, and it is what makes my work meaningful and fulfilling.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am gone, I hope the story people tell about me is that I lived my life with honesty, courage, and purpose. I hope they remember that I did not hide from my struggles or pretend to be someone I was not, and that I used my experiences—both joyful and painful—to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered.

I hope they recall that I celebrated life fully, in all its messy, beautiful complexity—whether I was officiating a wedding, guiding someone through a ceremony, writing my story, or capturing memories I hope they say that I stood up for what was right, that I treated people with respect and care, and that I believed in honoring every story, no matter how big or small.

Most of all, I hope they remember the heart behind my work—that I cared deeply, showed up fully, and left a little light wherever I could. I want the story to reflect not just what I did, but how I made people feel: seen, valued, and a little more understood. That, to me, is the legacy worth leaving.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Tilli Photography
Emily Taylor Photography
Jen C. Bonin Photography
Zak Zavada Photography
Francine Rambousk Photography
McGlynn Media, LLC
ShadowCatcher Photography, LLC

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