Jenna + Tom: North Shore Engagement Photos

I am SO EXCITED to share this session! Not only did we absolutely love hanging out with Jenna and Tom for their engagement photos, but we also had such a fun time going all over the North Shore with them! 

She's from Harrisburg, PA, he's from England, and they met at Rugger's pub in Pittsburgh! Jenna had just gotten back from a women's rugby tournament, and Tom had just joined the men's rugby team. Now, four and a half years later, they are engaged and ready to tie the knot in the city where they first met! Naturally, they wanted to incorporate some of the city into their photos, so we found some of the North Side/North Shore's most picturesque spots - including a Union Flag (totally unplanned, but so perfect!)

Congratulations again on your engagement, Jenna and Tom! I can't wait for the wedding!

Brittany + Jason: Downtown Pittsburgh Elopement Photos

You know what's amazing? When people aren't afraid of a little cold weather on their wedding day! Brittany and Jason eloped OUTSIDE on the North Shore of Pittsburgh in the dead of winter, which pretty much makes them my heroes. And let me tell you, it was AMAZING! I always feel so honored photographing elopements where I am one of the only witnesses. Afterwards, we spent a couple of hours around the North Shore, Point State Park, and Market Square taking photos, taking a pit stop at The Foundry Table & Tap for a champagne toast! 

I really can't even begin to say enough good things about these two. By the end of our session, they felt like old friends who we had known them for years (even though we just met them that day!). Congratulations, Brittany and Jason! You two are truly something special - thank you so much for the honor of capturing these memories for you!

Ceremony by: Integral Weddings

Shelter from the Cold: The Foundry Table & Tap

Lessons from 2017: Margin & Bandwidth

“It’ll be an hour and a half wait,” the hostess at one of my favorite restaurants said as she shuffled through a stack of receipts. “Our computers are down right now.” In a huff, I walked past a room full of empty tables and out of that restaurant, unable to understand exactly what computers had to do with me being able to eat at said restaurant.

I decided to be overly intrusive and call the restaurant from the car on my way home, wondering if she just hadn’t wanted me to eat there (as if this hostess who I had never seen before had some unknown vendetta against me!). That same hostess picked up the phone, and I asked how long the wait would be: “About an hour and a half, our computers are down right now.” Out of genuine curiosity (okay, maybe a little out of frustration), I asked what computers had to do with the wait time, and the hostess said, “our servers just don’t have enough bandwidth without our computers to take part of the burden.”

Oh, I thought to myself. That, I understand.

I started feeling guilty for being upset, because I know how that feels. To be stretched beyond my capacity, to know my limits but to breeze past them onward in the name of “hustle,” and to have to turn people away, not because I don’t want to give them what I have to offer, but because I want to be able to serve the people I can serve with everything I have to offer.

Sure, that restaurant could’ve taken me and my friends in – but what would they have given me in return? Maybe the service would’ve been slow, the food cold, the waitress flustered, and I would’ve left with a bad taste in my mouth, ruining the restaurant for me for good. Or, the hostess could simply let me know that they just couldn’t handle any more guests to ensure that they could serve the guests they had already taken in to the best of their abilities.

That’s been one of my biggest lessons from this year: margin and bandwidth. Leaving room in my schedule instead of packing it full, and taking note of how much I can handle. Every season, I find myself coming to a crossroads. Do I take more work, or do I limit my work to ensure I can serve every person I commit to to the very best of my ability? This is the very first year that I’ve really tried to limit the amount of work I take per week, and I really believe it’s served me well. Why? Because when I don’t overbook myself, I can say yes to things that make me better as a person – not just things that make me look better in the eyes of other people. Things that make me a better wife, a better business owner, a better Jesus follower, a better daughter, and a better friend. I’ve found that I can’t serve ANYONE well if I’m overworked, exhausted, and overwhelmed. I lose my edge as a business owner, become an absent wife, a pitiful friend, and an unengaged Christ-follower. Did I still struggle to set boundaries this year? Heck YES. But really, I’m so proud of how far I’ve come and of the boundaries that I’ve been able to establish between my business and my life.

Really, I’ve started taking a limited amount of sessions and weddings because I find that it benefits my clients. I can give each more time, attention, and creativity when I bring a rested Jenna to the table – which is much better for everyone! ;) So I’d like to encourage you – if you’re in a season of busy, what boundaries can you make to make SURE you get the “recharge” you need to keep moving forward?

Megan + Sean: Historic Harmony Engagement Photos

Megan and Sean are two of the sweetest people you'll ever meet! (I say that about quite a few of my couples, but it's all so true!) Megan and Sean chose Historic Harmony and Lake Forest Gardens (a Christmas tree farm!) for their engagement session locations - two of my favorites!! We were even able to warm up for a little bit in Wunderbar Cafe, right in the heart of Harmony.

You'll notice in the banner image above a "B" made out of greenery. It was literally the perfect prop for their session! Major props to Megan for her foresight!

These two are tying the knot in 2018 and I couldn't be more excited to photograph their wedding day. Megan and Sean - you two truly are the best! Thank you for a wonderful time!

Kim + Cam: Mexican War Street Anniversary Photos

This is a special one for a multitude of reasons! Nick (my husband) and I met Cam and Kim a few years ago, right before Cam started working at the same church as my husband, Nick. Cam and Kim are committed, Christ-centered, and adventurous to the core, and for their five year wedding anniversary, Cam surprised Kim with a couples session!

For their photo session, they decided to head back to the place where they said "I do" - Calvary United Methodist Church on the North Side of Pittsburgh! The surrounding area just so happened to be very close to where they first lived after they tied the knot, which made those photos even more special! After a few photos on the North Side, we headed over to Mellon Park to finish up their session with some beautiful, golden light. I couldn't speak more highly of these two - if you'd like to read more about their story, check out some of the questions below!

How long have you been together for? "We've married for 5 and together for 7.5."

When/how did you two first meet?: "We met at a Christmas party at Grove City College. We had mutual friends who introduced us. I [Cam] immediately fell in love with her smile. Kim also drew a snowflake on my cheek that night, so that helped too. We actually have pictures together from the first day we met!" 

How, when and where did he pop the question?!: "In Moscow, Russia. Kim grew up in Moscow with missionary parents. So, Cam traveled there with her during her senior year. He proposed on Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral. It was really cold, but special. Kim's parents and best friend, Jess, were all in on the secret. Kim remembers Cam being so uptight and nervous about traveling, but couldn't figure out why. She eventually found out."

What was the BEST date you ever had together?: "One of our favorites was Jet Skiing in Florida. The wind and waves were intense, but Cam convinced the rental guy that he was experienced (which he is). We were practically the only ones out on the water. We laughed and screamed every time we jumped the huge waves. And then a group of dolphins swam within 15 yards of our jet ski. It was so cool! "

If you could sum your relationship up in 3 words, what would they be?: "Adventurous. Loving. Supportive."

Best of Wedding Details, 2017 Edition

If you've worked with me (or have seen my work!) you can probably guess that I LOVE photographing bridal wedding details! And this year I photographed some absolutely STUNNING bridal details with a variety of different color palettes and themes! I love how styled detail photos can pull a whole wedding gallery together - so without further ado, here are a few of my favorite bridal details from 2017 weddings!

Mason H: McConnell's Mill Senior Photos

Mason is an Eden Christian Academy senior who had the perfect foggy morning for his senior photos! Congratulations on your last year of school, Mason! You're going to do great things!

Katie + Nate: Westminster College Wedding Photos

A Pennsylvania late-November wedding can sometimes take a turn for the worst in regards to weather, but Katie and Nate's November day is what every couple prays and hopes for! Katie and Nate tied the knot at Westminster College (where they met!) in Wallace Memorial chapel on a beautifully sunny day. They incorporated SO MANY personal details into their wedding day, from the flowers to the cocktail hour food! Some of my personal favorite details include:

• Flowers by her uncle, who just so happens to be a florist!
• Photos in front of the residence hall (Shaw) where they first met (adorable)!
• Nate (the groom) wore his grandfather's cuff links and watch.
• Katie wrapped a piece of her childhood blanket around her floral bouquet.
• Each groomsman had his favorite sports team on his socks!
• The kielbasa at the reception was made by Nate’s family and the applesauce is Katie’s grandfather’s recipe.
• Nate knew from the first time he tasted the pepperoni rolls Katie made him while watching a Steeler game together, that he was in trouble - they were served during the cocktail hour!

All parts of their wedding day were absolutely beautiful and so heartfelt! Congratulations on your marriage, Katie and Nate! We were so honored to be a part of your day!

Vendors:

Ceremony: Wallace Memorial Chapel (Westminster College)

Reception: Palermo Center

Getting Ready Location: The Jacqueline House

Bride's Dress: Morilee

Bridesmaid Dresses: Morilee

Hair & Makeup: Rebecca's Salon

Tuxes/Suites: Joseph A. Bank

DJ: Andy Borts

Flowers: Mike Zimmerman (bride's uncle!)

Caterer: Monica's Catering

Cake: Jessica Kennedy

Desserts: Hermitage Bakery & Garder Pie Company

Videographer: Peter Chace

Honeymoon: Sunday Night Football - Steelers vs. Packers

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Best of Senior Photos, 2017 Edition

This was by far my busiest year for senior photos yet, with over 50% of my total number of senior sessions taking place at Hartwood Acres Mansion - by far my most popular location of the year! Thank you to all of the seniors who trusted me with their photos - you all are rockstars and I know you're going to do awesome things after high school!

Best of Engagement, Anniversary, & Couple Photos, 2017

There is something about photographing couples that's so uniquely challenging and exciting. This year, I really wanted to focus on capturing interaction between my couples, and I'm excited to have seen some growth not only in my work as a whole but in the fun that my couples are having during their sessions! This year, I had the distinct honor of photographing some strangers who turned into friends, and friends who turned into family, starting in February and extending all of the way into December! From engagements to proposals to anniversaries to maternity sessions, it has been my joy and privilege to see so many couples reach new milestones in their relationships together. Thank you all for the honor of capturing these moments!