Fallon & Seth: Preston Park Engagement Photos

She was in ninth grade, he was in tenth grade - and, after switching to a friend’s lunch period, Fallon noticed Seth, a tall boy in the grade above who she had never met before! Because they were both introverts, it took a while for them to begin talking, but finally began doing so after school basketball games where Seth played, and Fallon cheered. They hit it off - and in May of 2018, Seth asked Fallon to marry him! And here we are, summer of 2019, taking their engagement photos at Preston Park in Butler, PA!

This location wasn’t a random choice for their engagement photos, though - Preston Park is a spot this pair has frequented since high school, and it holds so much special meaning to them, as it’s been home to countless walks and conversations throughout their relationship together!

Fallon and Seth - you are an incredible pair! It’s so easy to see your love and admiration for each other - and that you’re truly best friends! I cannot wait to celebrate you two on your wedding day next year!!! 💛

Reva & Alex: Succop Nature Park Wedding Photos

Reva and Alex’s wedding day took place at Succop Nature Park, one of my favorite outdoor venues north of Pittsburgh! They came all the way from Philadelphia to celebrate this new chapter of their lives with their friends and family!

Everyone was watching the forecast the day of Reva and Alex’s wedding. With almost everything planned to take place outside (aside from the reception under a pavillion!), Reva, her four sisters, and her soon to be sister-in-law paced around the bridal suite, watching the forecast, hoping things would change so Reva and Alex could have their dream outdoor ceremony.

After seeing a break in the rain coming 45 minutes after the ceremony was set to begin, Reva and Alex’s incredible planner from Your Big Day made the call to wait it out to see if there would be a break in the weather. And low and behold - there was!!! And we ended up having just enough time for an outdoor ceremony and for some photos before the rain began again. (Side note: this is why wedding planners are worth every penny!!!)

But the rain? It didn’t put a damper on the wedding day, and it surely didn’t put a damper on Reva and Alex’s excitement! The newly married couple radiated joy, even through the rain. Congratulations on your wedding day, Reva and Alex! 🎉

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Vendors: Succop Nature Park, Your Big Day, Holly Hanna Floral, Pennie’s Bake Shop, Chris Stankay from Modern Era, Bridal Art by Marissa Julin (Makeup & Hair), Elizabeth Johns (Bridal Shop), David’s Bridal (bridesmaid dresses), Vista Print (Invitations), Medure’s Catering, Jenna Hidinger Photography

Megan + Richard: Montour Heights Country Club Wedding Photos

A girl (Megan) from Pennsylvania and a guy (Richard) from Wales meet in an online chat room for Paramore fans. They start talking, become friends, and then, years later, begin dating.

Mid-May, they celebrated their movie-like love story by exchanging rings and saying vows in the church where Megan's mom and Grandma both were married, years before. With so many details representing them both, along with their unique relationship, including: Disney music on the violin before the ceremony, the groomsmen walking in to the church to Lord of the Rings music, a small, white Bible with gold lettering carried down the aisle by Megan that was carried by her mother and grandmother before, lilies in the floral arrangements (the official flower of Whales), a sand ceremony utilizing sand from a beach and Whales and a park in Pennsylvania, and a cake topped with the word "cariad" (the Welsh word for "love") - their day was beautiful, romantic, and full of so much joy - and so incredibly personal to them!

Megan and Richard, it was an honor to be a part of your wedding day. Thank you for the incredible honor!

Vendors:

Ceremony: First Presbyterian Church (Beaver Falls)

Reception: Montour Heights Country Club

Florals: Patti’s Petals

Cake: Cakes by Brenda McGee

DJ: Steven Vance Entertainment

Makeup: Marie Miclot

Hair: Revelation Hair Designs

Bride’s Dress: Mary’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Invitation Suite: Blake Pawelec

Decorating: Vintage Alley Rentals

Calligraphy: Simply Stated Lettering

Cupcakes: Batter and Dough

Room Blocks: Courtyard Marriott

Pittsburgh Wedding Photography: Jenna Hidinger Photography

A huge thank you to Taylor Dymond for being an amazing second shooter on this wedding day!

What Does a Wedding Photographer Do During the Week?

Being a wedding and portrait photographer means my schedule is a little different from the rest of the world. Many of my sessions take place in the evenings, and almost every single one of my weddings takes place on the weekend.

One of the first questions most people ask when they find out I’m a wedding photographer is: what do you do during the week?!

Totally a valid question, and I definitely understand why people ask!! If I’m photographing people on the evenings and weekends, it might seem as though I have a tonnnnn of free time during the week, but surprising to most, this isn’t quite the case (though it does come with lots of flexibility!). Ever wonder what a wedding photographer does to keep busy during the week? Here are a few things that keep me busy, even when I’m not shooting:

1.  Editing

Yes, those photos will always need to be slightly tweaked, and editing is probably what takes up the majority of my time – especially the week after a wedding!

2.  Bookkeeping & Taxes

While I’m blessed to have someone who does my taxes every year, my job is to pay local taxes (sales and income) and to keep up with my bookkeeping. I try to make sure I’m categorizing my expenses at least once a month, but I try to aim to do this every other week so I don’t get too behind!

3.  Client Management

There are a lot of moving pieces behind sessions and weddings – answering emails, contracts, questionnaires, invoices, session prep, phone calls – the list goes on and on! Thankfully, I recently implemented a new client management software called Pixifi that allows me to do basically all of those things (aside from phone calls and personal emails) right from the software! It’s pretty stinking amazing and has already saved me a ton of time!

4.  Blogging

Blogging has been huge for me in my business. I try to blog at the very least once a week and blog the majority of senior, engagement, family, and weddings I photograph. Prepping blog posts with images and a cohesive story can take a significant amount of time, believe it or not!

5.  Planning out Social Media

One of my absolute favorite things to work on in my business is social media! Believe it or not, I receive quite a few leads through Instagram and Facebook, which have led to booked senior, family, engagement sessions, and weddings! Having the ability to share my work, showcase my client’s stories, provide tips and tricks to current or future clients, and share a little bit about myself has really helped me connect with my clients (and hopefully soon-to-be clients!) in a personal way!

Two of my favorite apps for social media planning are Grum and Hootsuite. To read more about both, check out this article!

6.  Meeting with Perspective Clients

One of the best ways for a wedding couple to get to know their potential wedding photographer is by meeting with them (or Skyping/calling them!). I LOVE having the opportunity to meet with potential clients so I can hear their story and see if we mesh and would be a good fit for their wedding day!

7.  Location Scouting

If I’m photographing someone in a new location, you best believe I’m going to check that place out beforehand! Sometimes I’ll arrive early to a location before a session begins, and sometimes I’ll make a day of visiting different upcoming locations. Even though location scouting can take quite a bit of time, I love being able to make sure I have a game plan for every location I photograph before the session begins!

8.  Submitting Weddings for Publication

One of the fun perks of being in the wedding industry is having the opportunity to have work featured in various online and print magazines! Believe it or not, preparing weddings for submission can take quite a bit of time – narrowing down the perfect photos, gathering other wedding vendor information, and getting specific information from couples is all a part of the process! Check out a few of my features as the bottom of my home page - click here!

9.  Prepping, Cleaning, & Testing Gear

Before every single wedding and session, I make sure to organize, test, and clean my gear to make sure everything is in tiptop shape and working order. I never EVER want to arrive to a shoot with faulty gear (which is why, just in case, I always bring a backup, too!).

10. Practice & Education

I don’t think I will ever feel like I’ve fully arrived with photography. I’m always practicing poses, looking for inspiration, and working to improve my craft – whether it’s through posing, shooting, or actually practicing certain techniques. Before every single session and wedding, I run through my list of prompts and poses (or, for couples, movements) just to make sure I won’t miss anything during the session!

I also have a couple of classes that I love to rewatch every once in a while: Justin and Mary Marantz's "The Art of Authentic Posing" and Katelyn James' "KJ Posing Course." 

11. Photograph Other Types of Sessions

Aside from being a weekend wedding warrior, many wedding photographers take other sessions during the week - even if they don't promote work from those sessions. Personally, I love to fill my weeks with senior, family, and engagement sessions!

Hard to believe there’s so much to be done, right?! And while there are lots of things to keep track of and take care of even when I’m not shooting, I am SO thankful for all of the flexibility my job has given me.

To stay up to date on behind the scenes of JHP, be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram!

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.

Get a Dose of JHP Straight to Your Inbox!

JHP FINALLY has an email list and I couldn't be more excited about it!! Over the course of the last year, I've had numerous current, former, and soon-to-be clients ask if there is a way they could stay updated on a monthly to bi-monthly basis with things like mini-session dates, cancellations, print specials, the latest blog posts new offerings, discounts, and the like, and I'm finally excited to open up this email list to anyone who would like to join!

With all of that being said, let me tell you a few things this email list is not:

• Spam (I cannot STAND when people send me useless emails!)
• A constant sales pitch (who wants to be sold to all the time?! Not me!)

If you are someone who is looking to stay updated on all things JHP, then this email  list is certainly for you. Sign up below!

Favorite Resources for Planning a Pittsburgh Wedding

Okay, let's be honest: one of the toughest parts about planning a wedding is figuring out where to find the best information! (And I right?!) There are SO MANY vendors to secure, so many locations to look at, so many decisions to make - how can you make sure that you're making the best decisions and getting the most up to date information for yourself and your groom? Well, today I'm sharing three of my favorite tips that, as a former bride AND wedding photographer, I have found to be incredibly helpful and resourceful!

And as a little side note - none of these resources have asked in any way for me to blog about them. I truly just believe them to be some of the best resources out there for planning a Pittsburgh wedding! So without further ado, here are a few of my favorites:

1. BURGH BRIDES (BLOG)

By far one of my favorite resources for Pittsburgh wedding planning for SO many reasons! Burgh Brides is run by a woman named Victoria, who has a heart for showcasing Pittsburgh nuptials in (in my opinion ;) ) one of the best cities ever! From real weddings, to styled shoots, to unique engagement sessions and tons of Pittsburgh inspiration, her blog is a must read for anyone planning a wedding in Pittsburgh! Here's a little more about her blog from her site:

"Burgh Brides is an online publication dedicated to inspiring, showcasing, and celebrating Pittsburgh weddings.  I love to show off the unique nuptials that take place in this great city, as well as to inspire brides and grooms to create their own extraordinary day.  I share steal-worthy ideas, connect couples with awesome vendors, help soon-to-be newlyweds plan a stress-free wedding, and highlight the love that is all across these three rivers.

So why a Pittsburgh wedding blog?  Head to my very first post to find out!  Then watch this video to find out even more about why Burgh Brides is SO special!"

2. PITTSBURGH WEDDING (SITE)

Pittsburgh Wedding is another awesome resource for those planning a 'burgh wedding! From vendors to bridal shows to their blog, Pittsburgh Wedding features incredibly helpful information and a large variety of wedding vendors in the Greater Pittsburgh area, including Pittsburgh, Butler, Cranberry Township, Monroeville, Wexford, and Greensburg.

A little more from Pittsburgh Wedding:

"We have done our best to create a comprehensive website designed with you in mind, Burgh bride’s and groom’s. As you browse through our exclusive wedding directory, Pittsburgh wedding venues, wedding planning tips and wedding ideas, wedding tools, helpful how to articles, and bridal show listings, you will find everything you need to plan an unforgettable wedding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."

And folks - it truly is an incredibly comprehensive site with tons of info!

3. PITTSBURGH WEDDING FLEA MARKET GROUP (ON FACEBOOK)

Blogs and websites are great, but what if you have a question that really only a bride can answer? Maybe you're looking for a service within a specific budget, or want to get a feel for how a particular vendor treats their couples and guests. Look no further than the Pittsburgh Wedding Flea market Group on Facebook! This group was made specifically for couples in the Pittsburgh area to connect and share helpful information (and, bonus: you can score some decor from past Pittsburgh weddings in here, too!).

My Embarrassing Confession as a Wedding Photographer

I have a confession: I disliked planning my own wedding. Granted, the year we got married I was finishing my last year of undergrad with a double major, working part-time, building a business, and holding down an internship (while I slowly drove myself insane). I thought planning would be all cookies and taste testings, but for someone who isn't the best decision-maker on the planet (raise your hand if you can relate 🙋) , wedding planning turned into a constant wearing down of my patience. One decision after another - flowers, seating charts, tuxes, bridesmaid dresses, shoes, hair, makeup - the list went on and on, and sometimes it felt completely endless. Maybe you're in the same boat.

I remember complaining about all of the decisions I had to someone, and then it struck me: the only decision that REALLY matters at all is the decision I've already made: to marry Nick. The toughest, most important one was already done. And somehow, that one realization brought so much peace into my life, not because it made any of the other decisions go away, but because it shrunk down the importance of any other decision I WOULD make from then on out when it came to anything wedding related.

So if you're a bride and you're in a similar season, remember: your choice of venue, direction of details, and even your appearance on the day of your wedding all pales in comparison to the man you've chosen to spend the rest of your life loving, serving, and respecting.

More Than a Wedding Vendor

One thing I hear most from people when talking about wedding photography is their fear of choosing vendors who care only about booking more jobs, not about the couple themselves. But I truly believe that couples deserve more than just a vendor - they deserve a friend and encourager who can come alongside them before, during, and after the wedding planning process - not just on the day of!

"Jenna is absolutely AMAZING. I can't imagine any aspect of my wedding without her. From the minute I found her, to meeting with her in person, to our engagement photos, to my endless emails and her very speedy, friendly, knowledgeable responses, to her meeting me at a local coffee shop and helping me create a wedding day timeline, to my wedding day itself. Also, can we just take a minute to go back to that day at the coffee shop when Jenna met with me? Yes, this wonderful, talented photographer took an hour and a half out of her extremely busy schedule to buy me coffee and help me create a detailed wedding day timeline. Jenna is the most genuine, thoughtful, positive person. Her passion for both photography and people is very apparent. It was a true joy working with her and her husband, Nick. My husband and I consider ourselves very lucky and blessed that they captured so many special moments for us. I would hire her again in a heartbeat. We're so grateful for everything, Jenna and Nick! We truly can't thank you enough." - Lyndsay, 2017 Bride

The Pros & Cons of Scheduling A Photo Session During the Winter Months

Have you ever considered having family, senior, or engagement photos taken during the winter months? Here in Western Pennsylvania, where winters can be long and cold, not quite as many people venture out on location for photos in the dead of winter when they can curl up in front of the fire with a cup of coffee instead (I’m totally putting myself in that group of people!!). BUT if a winter photo session has ever peeked your interest as a possibility, I’ve put together a little pros and cons list to share the good and the not so good of scheduling a winter photo session!

Pros:

We’ll get to utilize breathtaking and unique backgrounds. When I’m driving past a mountain of freshly snow covered trees, I often stare in awe. There’s something so beautiful about freshly fallen snow that makes for a clean, gorgeous backdrop, not just when you’re driving to work but when you’re having your photos taken!

You’ll have that “cozy feeling” in your photos. There’s something about having your photos taken in the winter that immediately creates a “cozy” feeling, especially during engagement and couple sessions where you are going to be close and cuddled up anyways!

You’ll have more times to choose from with a higher probability of weekend dates being available! Because there’s less demand for photos in the winter, I usually have more timeslots available, both during weekdays and on weekends. Essentially, scheduling in the winter means you’ll get a fast pass to the front of the scheduling line!

Cons:

The obvious one: it’s COLD! Consider this test: does thinking about being out in the cold for 60 to 90 minutes make you want to never leave your house again? Then a winter photo session might not be the best choice for you. While some people don’t mind being out in the cold for an extended period of time, others would much rather wait until the warmer months (which is completely understandable!).

There’s a higher chance that your session might be cancelled or postponed due to extreme temperatures or inclement weather. Flexibility is key for winter sessions. There’s a chance your session could be snowed out (while snow is beautiful in photos, it’s not worth endangering your life for) or postponed due to freezing temperatures (who even likes to walk to their car in -5 degree weather?!). Being flexible is KEY!

It might not be the most enjoyable hour/hour and a half of your life. This one kind of speaks for itself – hanging out in the park in 15 degree weather isn’t nearly as fun as watching the sun set on a 70 degree day. The truth is, having a photo session the winter means you might be cold to your core!

What do you think? When considering the pros and cons - where do you fall? I write none of this to persuade anyone out of a winter session, but only to educate based on what some clients wish they would’ve known in the past. If you’re still interested in a winter photo session, be sure to check out my blog post “How to Prep for Your Winter Photo Session” for tips on preparing for a cold weather shoot!