Chelsea & Zach: Point State Park Engagement Photos

I can barely contain my excitement to share this downtown Pittsburgh engagement session!! Towards the beginning of Chelsea & Zach’s session, it started to rain - out of no where! But thankfully, it left just as quick as it came, and we were rewarded with the most beautiful evening for their photos!

Chelsea & Zach met in a Finance class in Mervis Hall on Pitt's campus during their 2015 Fall semester! They got this winter in front of the red doors at the Cathedral of Learning - the perfect, most personal spot. Their first date was a Penguin’s game, and they currently live on Mount Washington - you could say that they’re a true Pittsburgh couple, through and through!

We started off their engagement session at Point State Park, then headed over to the North Shore area to get some photos with the skyline and bridges. They brought some champagne (such a great prop!) and were brave enough to dip in the middle of the Roberto Clemente bridge! (Don’t worry - we had someone watching for cars!!!).

Chelsea & Zach, I am SO excited to be a part of your wedding day! Congratulations on your engagement, again!

JHP Engagement Photo Highlights 2019

Engagement sessions are one of my favorite types of sessions EVER! It is so much fun to have people in love in front of my camera, and this year, there were some seriously amazing ones! 💛

To all of the couples who trusted me with their engagement photos: You are the BEST! I am so thankful to be the one you’ve trusted with these precious memories!

If you’re looking for more information about engagement portraits or would like to schedule a session, visit my pricing page here, and my contact page here!

This was my first time photographing a couple at Fellows Riverside Gardens and I totally fell in LOVE! Props to my couple for introducing me to this epic location!

Brielle and Stephen came dressed to kill! An engagement session is always a good time to kick up the style a notch!

Photographing my cousin and his fiance was definitely one of the biggest highlights of all of my engagement sessions this year! And getting to take photos in the sunflower fields at Soergel’s was just icing on the cake!

I mean, have you ever seen flower bushes so beautiful?!

I was wondering why all of the sunflowers were facing in one direction, and learned that they grow facing towards the rising sun. Fun fact!

Winter engagement sessions are always, ALWAYS my favorite. 💕 Specifically when there’s snow!

Technically this was an anniversary session, but we adore these two so I had to include them!

Ed and Meghan incorporated a car that’s been in Ed’s family for quite a few generations. It was so much fun!

This was one of my favorite locations of the entire year! Everything just came together seamlessly - the sky, the light, the couple.

Kele + Max: Highland Park Engagement Photos

Kele and Max met at Penn State in 2010, which their first official date happening on Valentine’s Day of 2013. After six years of dating, Max proposed epically at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France!

These two have such an ease about them. They’re easy together, easy to get along with, and just so easy to photograph! For their engagement session, we started off at their home (which used to be Kele’s mom’s home!), then headed over to the nearby Highland Park, where we found some gorgeous architecture and beautiful yellow leaves (yay for finding the last remnants of fall! 🍁)

Kele and Max, I couldn’t be more excited to document your wedding day! 💛 Congratulations on your engagement!!!

Spring & Summer Outfit Inspiration for Engagement Photos

Spring is right around the corner, which means lots of beautiful, colorful, spring engagement sessions! But, let’s be honest, here - one of the best and toughest parts of any engagement session is figuring out what to wear - especially when you have to coordinate outfits for not one, but TWO people. While an upcoming engagement session may be a good excuse to head to your favorite local boutique, it can be frustrating not knowing what to wear with so many different options!

Today, I want to share some styling tips specific to spring and summer sessions for engagement photos. Below, you’ll find a few ideas to say “yes” to, and a few you might want to consider passing on. Below these two categories, you’ll find a link to my engagement spring & summer inspiration board (which I update on the regular!), as well as some inspiration from past JHP couples. But above any of these ideas, make sure you feel comfortable in whatever you choose to wear for your engagement session. Confidence in front of the camera can be hampered whenever you’re not fully sold on (or comfortable in) what you’re wearing! And trust me… you’ll be moving around a lot for your engagement photos, so you’ll want to make sure you feel comfortable!

Without further ado, here are my top styling tips for engaged couples!

SAY YES TO…

• Bright colors - I LOVE bright colors for spring engagement sessions! Whether you choose a bright top or colorful sundress, your brightly colored outfit will most likely compliment the new spring blooms beautifully! 🌷

• Neutrals - As much as I love bright colors, there’s something sophisticated about some well coordinated neutrals. For example - white dresses and a neutral blazer are both classic and pretty much never go out of style!

• A Light Button Down (for Him) - I’m a big fan of guys in blazers for engagement sessions, especially if the lady is wearing a sun dress, maxi dress, or skirt! They’re SO classy and immediately “upscale” an outfit (and they’re flattering for guys!), but if it’s TOO hot for a blazer, I recommend a nice button down shirt - whether short sleeve or long sleeve (but rolled up, of course, for some breathing room!)

• Three Quarter Length Sleeves - Did you know that three quarter length sleeves are the most flattering type of sleeve length for both men and women? They’re also the perfect length for those temperate spring mornings and evenings!

• Floral (for Her) or Other Patterns (for Him) - Floral patterns for the spring are always a hit! Whether you go with a top, sundress, or maxi dress (my personal fave!), floral patterns (and even other patterns) work well to make someone “pop” off of the background of an image with a simple background. If you’re working on styling your guy, a shirt or tie/bowtie with a slight pattern can add some extra visual interest and make your outfits pop!

• Accessories - Watches, tie clips, bowties, or ties for him, and hats, kimonos, watches, and jewelry for her. Both can go a long way and add a lot of visual interest to your photos!

• Maxi Dresses/Skirts - Maxi dresses and skirts are oh-so beautiful in the spring and summer! They’re light and breezy and do a wonderful job of naturally elongating the body in photos! Plus… they’re fun to twirl! 💃 Which, for an engagement session, is always so dreamy!

• White Jeans - White jeans are a great compliment to a brightly colored or patterned top, and can be nice to throw into the mix if your S.O. is wearing jeans. White jeans are sleek and give a bit of an upscale look!

CONSIDER PASSING ON…

• Fluorescent Colors - Neon colors don’t tend to photograph quite so well, so pass on any colors that are a bit too fluorescent (not to be confused with the aforementioned bright colors - examples in the photos below!).

• Shirts with Logos - Shirts with logos don’t usually look that nice. Try opting for a shirt without a logo to keep your photos classic!

• Being too Matchy Matchy - Focus on coordinating your outfits, not matching them. Coordinating outfits means choosing complimentary colors, patterns, and textures between the two of you - not wearing the exact same thing! (i.e., both of you in a white shirt and jeans)

• Super Short Shorts and Dresses - Shorts and dresses are totally fine (and encouraged!), but sometimes when they get way too short, they’re tough to move around in, especially for engagement photos (you’ll be moving around/sitting on the ground quite a bit!)

• Too Many Heavy Layers - There are few things more uncomfortable then being bundled up in 90 degree weather for an hour and a half while getting your photo taken! Wearing too many layers in the summer particularly can result in lots of sweaty portraits - so be careful how many layers you and your S.O. add particularly for really hot days!

A FEW MORE RESOURCES:

If you’re looking for some more help preparing for your engagement session, check out the posts below!

• 4 Tips for Preparing Your Groom for Your Engagement Session

• 5 Ways to Pamper Yourself for Your Engagement Photos

• How to Choose Outfits for Your Engagement Session

• 3 Must Read Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Your Engagement Session

• Creative Outfit Ideas for Your Engagement Photos

Becca + Dino: Highland Park Engagement Photos

Oh my, am I excited to share this engagement session and this INCREDIBLE couple with you!! I met Becca and Dino on the most beautiful morning at Highland Park in Pittsburgh for their engagement photos on a gorgeous Saturday in September! But my love for these two began long before their epic engagement session.

When I originally met with Becca and Dino, I learned of Becca’s family’s HUGE love for Disney. And if you’ve been following along on the blog for an extended period of time - you’ll know that Disney is one of my favorite places EVER (and one of my bucket list items is to photograph a wedding there!) While Becca and Dino aren’t tying the knot in Disney, we sure had an amazing time talking about all of our favorite spots there!

I was especially excited for this engagement session, because it was in a location I hadn’t even been to before! Highland Park wasn’t on mine or Becca’s radar until she was rerouted past the park right around sunrise on her way to work. And I’m so thankful she was, because this might be one of my new favorite spots!!

Becca and Dino, you two are AMAZING and I cannot wait to be a part of your wedding day! Thank you for being such troopers so early in the morning! 💛

Kayla + Donny: Downtown Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

I met Kayla and Donny on a cool, cloudy, Pittsburgh morning at the end of September for their engagement session. These two - originally from Pittsburgh - were in for the weekend from their now-home in FLORIDA, where they live oh-so close to one of my favorite places in the world (Disney!). We had a great time chatting about how they’ll head over to a Disney park on a weeknight after work, just to walk around, and I tried my best not to be too jealous 😉 As much as these two love their home in Florida, it’s easy to tell that Pittsburgh is where their hearts come alive, which is where they will be officially tying the knot next year!

Kayla and Donny, you two are incredible humans and I am so thankful we were able to get to know each other better! 💛 Cannot WAIT for your wedding next year!!!

Annie + Joe: North Shore Engagement Photos

It is absolutely unbelievable to me that I’m blogging this session today!! I have known these two for quite a while - but I’ve known Joe for especially a long time! Joe is my cousin, and finally popped the question to his long time girlfriend, Annie - and they are getting married next YEAR!! What an incredible honor it was to take these photos for you two, Annie and Joe! I am so thankful for you both!

Why are Anniversary Photos so Important?

Have you ever thought about what kind of legacy you’ll be leaving for your kids? For their kids? For the generations that come after you? Our legacy is what the people we love most and who love us most will remember us by when we’re gone - and legacy is what makes anniversary photos so important.

We all leave behind a little piece of our legacy every day in the way we talk, in how we act, and in how we choose to love the people around us. Those memories are stored in the minds and hearts of current and future generations – but so are the images they carry of us. They say that “a photo is worth a thousand words,” and that statement rings true even more so when someone is gone.

I’ve always seen photos as stakes in the ground, reminding us how where we’ve been and how far we’ve come. These “stakes” of sorts are what hang in our homes, decorate our coffee tables, and remind us of the good times and not so great times.

Take our first wedding anniversary photos, for instance. These photos are so precious to me for a multitude of reasons:

-       We had them taken at one of our favorite places

-       I wore won of my favorite dresses

-       We took them during a time of rest

-       They capture our joy at that time in our lives

-       They show so many elements of who we are as a couple

*Photo by KT Crabb Photography

ALL of those attributes point to a little piece of who Nick and I were at the time we took the photos, at that specific time in our lives. And now, we get to carry a little piece of that with us for the rest of our lives. Jenna and Nick in one of their favorite places, Jenna wearing that dress she loved, and both of them looking full present and joyful with each other.

Not only that, but we’ve changed SO MUCH since our first day of marriage. The way we interact together has changed. The way we move together has changed. What we wear has changed. And in a couple of years, all of that will probably change again. We’ll have grown physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually – and we want to remember that. And someday, when we’re gone, we want other people to remember that, too.

I've had a few couples over the years who have graciously trusted me to photograph them after a number of years of marriage. And let me tell you - those sessions are always some of my FAVORITES! Married people who are still in love are always so easy to photograph. So, because I had so much fun with these people, I reached out to a couple of them to see exactly why they decided to have their anniversary photos taken. And I loved their answers:

"We decided to get anniversary pictures because we think they are a great way to celebrate your years of marriage, regardless of how long you've been married, and reflect on how far you've come as a couple! Your understanding and love for each other grows so much deeper over time. Your wedding photos will always be so special, but there is something even more sweet about having that time together as a couple without the business of a wedding surrounding it. You can just be with each other and focus on how much your love has grown over the years. " - Kim C. (See her and her husband's anniversary photos here!)

"We had not invested in photos of ourselves since our wedding day SIX years ago.  Our treasured engagement and wedding photos hang all over our home. The only problem is that six years ago we were 22 and 23 year olds just out of college. And it shows. We look SO young! But I kept putting off having updated photos done because I believed it was only something to do for the HUGE milestones in life: Marriage and babies. But then I realized that was silly, and our life now is worth documenting. So Naz agreed and we began the process of locking down all of the logistics to making these anniversary photos happen (shout out to Jenna who made the process a blast!). 

Initially it seemed to us like a frivolous investment - which is why we kept putting it off. But that notion could not be further from the truth! It turns out, it was an incredible investment - not only into our home decor of updated, beautiful photos, but also into our marriage! It is so awesome to look at our updated photos and see how we’ve changed, not only in how we look, but in our interactions with one another. We are different people than we were even one year ago, and it's fun to see photos of ourselves in this season of life. Truly, they make us SO happy and we are so glad we decided to make this investment!   When we see our gallery of images, we can't stop smiling. We see two people who are more in love than ever after six years of sharing life through the ups and downs, and growing stronger in the process! 

A side note: It ends up being a BLAST of a date night. You get to get all dressed up and run around snuggling the love of your life. It's worth it to plan dinner or something else fun afterwards :) " - Elisabeth D. (Check out her and her husband's anniversary photo session here!)

So, why are anniversary photos so important? Because they are your physical legacy. They show how you’ve grown as a couple – and that’s something so precious worth remembering.

3 Must Read Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Your Engagement Session

In my house, we grew up with a Bichon Frise named “Chip” (named after Chip from Beauty & the Beast, of course!) who was much more like a family member than an actual dog – ha! He had prime real estate on the couch, had his own mini burger made for him when we had a cook out, and loved taking rides in the car (my dad would drive him around the neighborhood if he hadn’t gotten a ride in a while!).

I always love when couples decide to bring their dog to their engagement session, and throughout the years I’ve collected a few helpful tips for making an engagement session smoother with a dog! So if you’re planning on bringing your furry friend to your engagement session, check out the tips below:

 1.  Bring an additional person with you to help.

As owners, we love our dogs – really, they’re like our little fur children! And more than anything we want to make sure they’re well taken care of, which is why I always love to recommend bringing an extra person to help with your pup. Having someone else at the session to walk or play with your dog while you get a few photos without them can be incredibly helpful!

2.  Have someone pick up/drop off your dog part of the way through the session.

This is actually my favorite option over my #1 tip for a couple of reasons: your dog won’t have to sit through your entire photo session. You’ll be able to relax knowing they are well taken care of. There’s no temptation to check on them throughout the session. Whether dog owners realize it or not, whenever their dog is sitting off to the side on the sidelines of a photo, they tend to constantly be checking to make sure they’re okay. Of course – that’s only natural! But having someone physically take your dog to another location will allow you to focus on spending time with your significant other without worrying what your pup might be up to!

3.  Bring treats and/or a favorite toy.

The BEST way to get a dog’s attention is to have a treat or toy handy! Getting a dog to look at the camera for any length of time can be pretty challenging without! Bonus points for a toy with a squeaker, so I don’t have to bark ;)

Looking for more engagement and wedding tips and tricks? Be sure to follow @jennahidinger on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest info!

Hilary + Luke: Mellon Park Winter Engagement Photos

I am so excited to introduce you to this couple! Hilary and Luke drove in from Ohio for their engagement session and were absolute champs in Pittsburgh's freezing temps! We started off their session at Coffee Tree Roasters in Bakery Square, then made our way to (an empty) Mellon Park where we were able to catch some of that beautiful afternoon winter light.

Hilary brought a beeeautiful dusty blue skirt, which she had tailored from a previously used bridesmaid dress. Talk about some beautiful upcycling! The blue tones complimented the wintery backdrop perfectly. I can hardly wait to photograph Hilary and Luke's wedding in just a little over two months! ♥