Clara's First Birthday: Grove City Family Photography

Little Miss Clara is mine and Nick’s niece, and she is turning ONE year old this month! ❤️ Affectionately nicknamed “Momo” by her brother, Clara is full of a happy-go-lucky personality, and lots of smiles! It took her a little bit of time to warm up to being in front of the camera, but by the end of our photo time together, we had some adorable little smiles going!

Happy birthday, little Miss Clara! You are so loved!

PS - these photos were taken in my brother-in-law and sister-in-law’s home! In home family sessions can be a fun alternative to outdoor ones, and allow little ones to be photographed in a space that is already comfortable and familiar for them! ☺️ (We did do a bit of furniture moving for these photos to find the right backdrop!)

Extended Family Christmas Tree Farm Photos

It’s hard to believe that this was my very last photo session of 2020 - and truly, I couldn’t have asked for it to end on a better note, or with better people!

This extended family photo session was for a family who recently moved to the Pittsburgh area. Thankfully, these Washington State natives are pros when it comes to snow, so the extra snow we had for their session was warmly welcomed! Even if it was a bit chilly ;)

One thing I love most about photographing people in snow is the LIGHT! The snow is light, bright, and reflects the most beautiful, soft light. Winter might just be my favorite season for photos! And I am always SO THANKFUL for the people who are willing to go out in it for some killer (and unique!) photos!

Truly, I adore extended family photo sessions. They are such a special time to capture SO many different relationships and generations - mom, dad, kids, grandparents, and grandkids. I am so very thankful to have been the one to capture these images!

Enjoy a few (or more! ;) ) of my favorites below!

Christmas Tree Farm Maternity Photos

We had one of the most beautiful December days for this maternity/family session. I didn’t even wear a coat… which is crazy for mid-December in Pittsburgh!

This family is welcoming their second child into the family in just a few short months, and wanted some maternity photos at a local location to celebrate! We had so much fun taking these sunlit shots. Congratulations to you three on your expanding family!

Hartwood Acres Mansion Extended Family Photos

This was a very special extended family session! Katie, the eldest sibling and sister, contacted me a few months prior, inquiring about a family session for December! I don’t get many requests for December sessions, so I was initially surprised (and excited!) by her request. I soon learned that this session needed to take place while her brother was back in town from boot camp, and was a gift for her mom. These photos feature not only Katie’s immediate family (her parents, herself, and three brothers!) but also Katie’s fiancee and her brother’s wife of one day! That’s right… this session took place only a day after a family wedding, making it all the more special!

If that wasn’t enough, at the end of the session, Katie’s mom walked around to each family member with tears in her eyes, giving each a hug, thanking them for being there. How sweet is that?!

Below are a few of my favorites from our time together. Congratulations to this family on all of the exciting changes coming their way!

Hartwood Acres Family Photos

These four were TROOPERS in the cold December weather, which is no small feat with two little ones in tow! We had cold, wind, and at the very end of our session - snow! But with so much stacked against us (including a quickly setting sun!) we got SO much done during our time together!

I am so thankful for the opportunity to photograph this sweet family of four! ❤️ Enjoy a few of my favorite photos from their session below!

Pittsburgh Christmas Tree Farm Mini Sessions

The second annual JHP Christmas Tree Farm Mini Session Event took place at Lake Forest Gardens in Fombell, PA - and what a beautiful day we had for the middle of November! I was so thankful to see so many familiar faces - including a few new ones, and a few faces all the way from Texas! ☺️

A HUGE thank you to each and every family and couple who came out for this event. I truly can’t tell you how much it means to photograph each and every one of you!

I hope to continue these mini sessions every single year, Lord willing! So if you are interested in being the first to know about mini session events (including Christmas Tee Farm Mini Sessions!), be sure to sign up for my newsletter by clicking here! This is where all session dates are announced for regular sessions and mini sessions!

I hope to see you there next year! ☺️ If you are interested pricing for full sessions, click here. If you would like to inquire about a full session or mini session, please click here.

Late Fall Hartwood Acres Family Photos

I had the pleasure of photographing this family of four a few years back when they were a family of three! WOW is it fun to see how families grow from behind my lens! 😍 And it’s crazy how much these two sisters look alike, going back and forth between this blog post and their last blog post from their photos at Mellon Park!

Family sessions can be chaotic - this is the norm! And it makes it even more fun when families are willing to lean into that chaos an be silly together. And these four definitely did that! We were able to get a mix of some posed photos, with some more fun ones! Everyone needs a little bit of both ☺️

A HUGE thank you to this sweet family for asking me to document this season of life. I am so thankful for you four!!!

Hartwood Acres Family Photos

What an immense blessing it was to spend an afternoon earlier this month with this absolutely wonderful crew!

Fun fact: Nick and I met these five in North Park years ago (before we were married!) when we had just finished a shoot, and they were taking some of their own family photos! We found out, through conversation, that we attended the same church (at the time) and there was an immediate connection. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing them a number of times since, and we’ve had the pleasure of getting to see their beautiful marriage & family first hand!

Ultimately, are a shining example of a marriage (and family) that points back to Jesus. I am so thankful to know you all!!! What a blessing you are!

Anderson Family: Historic Harmony Family Photos

We had an unseasonably (but wonderfully pleasant!) warm November day for this sweet family’s photos! I had the pleasure of photographing them nearly five years ago (click here to see!), so it was so much fun to see how everyone, including their sweet pup, had grown! Harmony was the perfect backdrop, too - so many locations within such a short walking distance!

Fall Moraine State Park Family Photos

If you’ve been following along on the blog, you may remember this sweet family from their session last year at Moraine State Park (click here to check it out!). Lindsey (mom) was pregnant at the time of their session last year, and had the wonderful idea of recreating their family photos again this year… but with the newest addition to the family out of the womb! ❤️

I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with you all again! Congratulations on your beautiful, sweet, adorable family!!