PITTSBURGH FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER: FAMILY PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS 2022

One of the best parts about being a Pittsburgh family photographer is getting to work with so many families with so many different dynamics! This year, I had a mix of immediate family sessions, extended family sessions, and some mini sessions! Specifically, I hosted Spring mini sessions at Moraine State Park in April, and Christmas mini sessions at Lake Forest Gardens in November. Both mini session events were so much fun and allowed me to work with so many families who I’ve had the privilege of photographing previously!

Enjoy some of my favorite images from this year’s family photos!

Fall McConnell's Mill Family Photos

Every year, it feels like a bit of a guessing game to figure out when the best fall color will hit Western Pennsylvania. For this family's session a few weeks ago, we truly had some of the prettiest fall color I've photographed yet this year! (or maybe any year!)

We spent the prettiest fall evening exploring McConnell's Mill together - and this family even climbed out onto some gorgeous rocks just to get the most beautiful backdrop! (And they brought their dog with them out there - major props!)

Thank you again to this sweet family for letting me take your photo... again! (Click here to see their last family session at Hartwood Acres!)

Summer North Park Family Photos

I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet family a few years ago when we had a surprise snow storm at the beginning of November… and this time was much different! Rather than a surprise snow storm, we had a heat wave the day of their session this time, which they muscled through so well! Thankfully, we had some beautiful sunlight and scenery to work with, which made the heat seem not so bad!

Family photo sessions with young ones are so much fun! Of course, I’m always aiming to get some photos of the kids looking at the camera, but often times, it’s important to embrace the more candid-nature of a family session with young kids to get some genuine smiles. We played Simon Says, laughed, yelled, talked about our favorite foods, animals, and colors, and hugged, and ran! And we had a great time. A huge thanks to this family for letting me photograph you all again! ❤️

Spring Mini Sessions 2022 Recap

We had a beautiful afternoon for our back-to-back mini sessions at Moraine State Park!

It was an absolute joy to be able to photograph three beautiful families - two of whom I photographed weddings for just a few years ago! And one of whom I used to work with!

Mini sessions are a great option for families who want a few updated images as their kids grow - but they are also great for a short engagement session, a quick headshot, or even a quick extended family photo! I try to offer them a few times throughout each calendar year. I hope to offer Christmas tree farm mini sessions this fall! (Check out my last set from 2022 here!)

Interested in knowing when mini sessions events are happening? Feel free to click here to sign up for my email newsletter so you can be in the know!

And for now - enjoy a few of my favorite images from our mini session day!

Historic Harmony Family & Maternity Photos

Oh how I adore this family! I've photographed Amanda & Chris for quite a few milestones - engagement, elopement, and when they were expecting their first child - and this Spring, I had the pleasure of photographing them once again, along with their sweet girl Kennedy, as they grow their family! It is such a treat to get to work with the same families as they grow!

And you may not be able to tell from these photos (because they hide it so well!!) but it was lightly raining for the majority of their session! And they pushed through it SO well, and we still got some lovely images for them to remember this season. I am so thankful!

We took these photos in one of my favorite locations, Historic Harmony! There are so many lovely backdrops within a short walking distance that can be used while taking portraits here.

Amanda & Chris, congratulations on the growth of your family! ❤️

Extended Family Photos in a Flower Field

Getting 17 people together for a family photo is no easy feat (and neither is getting everyone so perfectly coordinated!).

Besides the “usual” hurtle of getting everyone in the same place at the same time for photos, we were faced with a last minute location change, when we found out that a last minute wedding was scheduled at our original location. So, we quickly switched locations. Then we started looking at the radar… and found that a large rain storm was supposed to hit just before our start time!

Even after we made the call to continue on with the session, I drove to our location in a huge downpour, just praying that it would stop when we got there! And I can hardly believe it… but it did! It was definitely a gamble, but it ended up paying off. Even though the ground was wet and the clouds loomed around us, we were able to continue on with our session as planned!

I want to give a HUGE thanks to this family for giving me the honor of photographing them. I had such a wonderful time getting to hang out with you all!

Check out a few of my favorites from our time together below!

Best of Family Photos 2018

I think I want to make it my goal to photograph more families in 2019, because looking back through my family sessions from this year made me realize how precious these memories are! To the families I’ve had the pleasure of photographing: taking the time to invest in memories and moments of your family is never ever a waste. I am so thankful to have been the one to document these precious and fleeting moments for you! 💛

Introducing Spring 2018 Mini Sessions!

I am SO EXCITED to share something I've been hoping to do for quite a while now. Over the last couple years, I have been so blessed with an increased amount of seniors, couples, and families to serve. In the interest of providing more people with photos, this year - for the first time, ever - I'm so excited to announce the first ever JHP Mini Sessions (Spring edition)!

These mini sessions will take place in Cranberry Township at the Cranberry Township Community Park, featuring a gorgeous green background and (God willing!) some beautiful light! These sessions, in particular, are perfect for:

• Families who need an updated photo
• Seniors who don't want a full senior session (perfect for guys, especially!)
• Couples who would like a few anniversary or engagement photos
• Parents who want a few updated photos of their kids
• PETS! (Bonus points if your pet is a llama!)

Bring your parents, grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, and whoever else you can think of! If you are interested in joining us, check out the details below - can't wait to see you there!

How to Prepare for Your Winter Photo Session

There are SO many things I love about photographing people in a winter setting. There are lots of unique and picturesque backgrounds, and the photos always end up having an overall “cozy” feeling to them! But what does it really take to have your photos taken in the dead of winter when it’s 20 degrees (or less!) outside? There are a couple of tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years that have helped make winter sessions more enjoyable for those who are brave enough to step in front of my camera. So if YOU are planning on having family photos, couple photos, or senior photos taken during the winter – these are my best tips for you!

Make sure the first thing you’re thinking of when planning your outfits is WARMTH!

• Add accessories like scarves, hats, jackets, long boot socks and boots.
• Consider actually wearing a coat for your photos!
• Add layers underneath your chosen outfits – socks, long johns, an extra t-shirt – anything that will insulate you a little bit more!
• If you’ll be walking around in the snow, consider bringing a pair of snow boots for walking between locations so your “nice” boots or shoes don’t get ruined!

Bring some EXTRA warmth with you for in between shots!

• I always bring a blanket or two with me to my sessions in the winter, but I highly recommend bringing extra for yourself if you think of it! This can be a lifesaver while walking between locations or even just between shots!
• Hand warmers are a LIFESAVER for cold winter shoots. You can put them in your gloves, shoes, and pockets without the camera picking it up (for the most part!)

Be willing to be flexible if the weather calls for it.

There’s a higher chance of inclement weather, especially in Western Pennsylvania in the winter months, which means that a session could easily get snowed out or cancelled due to extreme temperatures. It’s not fun to have your photo taken in negative degree weather, which can make the session (and memories associated with it) somewhat unenjoyable, which is the very LAST thing I would ever want!

As a firm believer that photo sessions can be (and should be) enjoyable, incorporating these tips and tricks into your winter photo session will ensure that you stay somewhat warm and toasty throughout your entire session!

Connor K: North Hills Family Photographer

One of the hugely rewarding parts about being a wedding photographer is seeing families grow from two to three! Maryann and Kevin (whose wedding I photographed just last year - see it here!) welcomed baby Connor into the world just a short while ago - and I was so honored when they asked me to take his newborn photos! This little guy already has the sweetest disposition and is so very loved!