Olivia + Spencer: Historic Harmony Maternity Photos

Olivia and Spencer are the sweetest pair! I had the honor of photographing this season of their lives (heading into a new adventure as a family of 3!) in a place that is oh-so special to them.

If you’ve been following along on the blog, you might know that Historic Harmony is one of my favorite locations for photos! The bright colored walls, quaint buildings, and variety of backdrops make for the perfect photo spot. I was SO excited when Olivia and Spencer wanted some photos around town - and their session here was extra special considering they live IN town! (I have to admit, I’m slightly jealous!!!) So not only was this location absolutely beautiful, but so incredibly meaningful to them!

And, if you’re reading this blog post - they’ve already had their sweet baby boy!!! 💛Olivia and Spencer, thank you SO much for giving me the honor of capturing the end of this beautiful season of your lives! Here’s to a new season full of joy and love!

Snow-Filled Family Photos at North Park

Early November in Pittsburgh is always a toss up. Will it rain? Will it snow? Will it be 20 degrees, or 85 degrees?! No one quite knows! 😉 This incredible family pictured in this blog post decided to embrace the early snow and went with their planned session time in the snow and cold! We worked fast, took a mid-way break, and were able to get some beautiful, snow-filled images.

To this sweet family: thank you all for being such incredible troopers, and for braving the unexpected weather! 💛

Check out some of my favorites from their session below!

Fall Family Photos at Cleland Rock (McConnell's Mill)

Oh, fall - the best season of the year, but also the most unpredictable! You never know when the leaves are going to change and hit their “peak” color, and you never know when the weather might take a turn for the worst. Lucky for this sweet family, the location they had chosen for their family photos “peaked” with fall color the same week of their session (yay!). But, not so luckily, we had to deal with an unexpected rain shower that lasted for the entirety of their session!

But let me tell you - that didn’t stop them from stepping out into a damp field, rain sprinkling all over their fresh outfits and broad smiles, to get some photos with the epic fall colors! I am so, SO thankful for the perseverance of this incredible family, and their willingness to roll with the rain. I definitely think it was worth it for these gorgeous fall colors!

Fall Family Photos at McConnell's Mill

You might recognize Anthony (the oldest son) from his senior session at McConnell’s Mill! This sweet family opted for a “mini” family session following Anthony’s senior session, and they were all so incredible in front of the camera! And we had some absolutely gorgeous fall colors 😍 So thankful to know you all!

Jess + Micah: McConnell's Mill Maternity Photos

I had the pleasure of photographing Jess and Micah through quite a few milestones - first, for their engagement photos (nearly five years ago!), second, on their wedding day (over four years ago!), and now again as they add one more to their sweet family this fall! What a blessing it is to have the privilege of sharing in some of the most joyful seasons in people’s lives 💛

Jess and Micah, I am so thankful for you two - not only for letting me be a part of this season of your lives, but for who you are! Congratulations on your soon to be babe!!

Summer Moraine State Park Family Photos

This incredibly sweet family will soon become a family of FIVE with a little girl due quite soon! It was such an honor to document this sweet season of anticipation before such a big change - and we had the most beautiful day at Moraine State Park for their session! Congratulations on your growing family! 💕

McConnell's Mill Family Photos

It was an honor to take these photos for this beautiful family! They braved the heat, humidity, and threat of rain looming on the horizon for these photos together, and it only started raining just as we finished up and started packing up our cars - which I am so thankful for! It was especially an honor to take photos for this family because Andrew & Mackenzie are also photographers in the Pittsburgh area - what an honor it is when another photographer trusts me with their memories!

Thank you both so much for the honor of documenting this beautiful time in your lives!

Hartwood Acres Family Photos

Family sessions don't necessarily have to be just immediate family - especially when Grandma asks for some photos of her three kids and two grandkids altogether as her birthday gift! It was an honor to take these photos for such a thoughtful gift. Happy birthday to Grandma! 🎉

Laura + Josh: Hartwood Acres Mansion Maternity Pictures

Ever feel like you’re in a season where everyone you know is getting married? Or having babies? I’m currently in the latter, and I am loving seeing so many people I know become parents and enter a new season! It just so happens that two of those people are Laura and Josh, two good friends of mine and my husband, who are due to welcome their first son into the world in June!

Laura and Josh moved down to North Carolina last year (but since have moved back up to the ‘Burgh), and I remember Nick and I sitting down with them at First Watch for breakfast in October of 2018 (when they were visiting town) talking about our goals and desires for 2019. Specifically, I remember Laura saying something like “I want to have a baby. Who knows, I could be pregnant right now!” And the next day… she found out she was!

And now, fast forward to May 2019, and baby Hamilton is set to make his grand entrance in just a few short weeks. Laura and Josh, we are so excited to see you two become parents and to walk into this next season with you! Love you guys! 💛

And, of course, we had to celebrate this new season with some photos at one of my favorite spots: Hartwood Acres Mansion! You may even see Nick and I make an appearance towards the end 😉

Todd Family: Historic Harmony Family Photos

I had the BEST time hanging out with this incredible family in Historic Harmony! Also, general PSA - feeding your children milkshakes before a photo shoot is definitely encouraged! 😉 But seriously - these kiddos had so much energy, which made our time together so much more fun!

When I first started photographing families, I used to struggle with photographing kids who had lots of energy… until I figured out how to use that energy to my advantage! One of my favorite things about photographing kids now is that they’re naturally moving allllll over the place. They want to move, laugh, talk, and giggle, so I love to lean into that with using some fun games and questions to get them laughing and having a good time. The less they feel forced to smile, the more fun they can have, and the more their natural smiles will come out! (But for any moms out there who might be reading this - don’t worry! I always make sure to get a few of everyone looking directly at the camera!)

Thank you for the incredible honor of taking these photos for you, Todd family! You all are such a blessing!