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! 💛
Senior sessions are always one of my FAVORITE parts of my entire year! With all of my seniors, I have two goals: to capture them authentically, and for them to feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. I love seeing seniors who might not feel comfortable in front of the camera initially walk away feeling encouraged and loved - and like they are totally capable of doing whatever they set their hearts and minds to!
I had so many sessions at lots of beautiful locations this year, but when I went back through my records, I could hardly believe that just about 50% of all of my senior sessions this year happened at Hartwood Acres Mansion. And for good reason! It is such a beautiful location with so many different spots that lend themselves to amazing backdrops!
My seniors had their sessions through freezing temps (in the single digits!!), rain, snow, thunderstorms, humidity - and all of them handled their shoots like pros. To all of my seniors: I am so incredibly grateful for you! You are going to do amazing things - I hope you believe it! 💛
I had the pleasure of photographing Chrissy and Chris’s wedding day nearly three years ago (to see their wedding, click here!), and I was so excited when they recently invited me to their new home for a couples session! I had a great time hanging out with these two first time home buyers, along with their adopted dog, Edda! Chrissy and Chris - thank you for the pleasure of taking these photos for you and for showing me around your new home! 💛
2018 has been one heck of a year from start to finish! There are SO many people who have helped make this year’s weddings and shoots possible; without them, things would most certainly would not have been the same!
The “Behind the Scenes” yearly blog post has become one of my favorites because you get to see some of the faces who help make things possible throughout the year! I have been blessed to work with some amazing second shooters and assistants this year (whose faces you will see in the photos below!). A HUGE thank you to: Nick (my husband!), Alisha, Sara, Taylor, Ashley, Kim, and Jess, all of whom have been a huge help in one way or another! And to all of my friends, family, acquaintances, and clients who have encouraged and supported me throughout this year: I could not be more thankful for you! And most importantly, thank you God for the blessing of being a part of so many incredible moments and memories!
Novembers in Pittsburgh can be hit or miss. I remember last year, November was almost summer-like just until the end - and then we went straight from “summer” to winter, seemingly almost overnight! This year we’ve seen some crazy cold temps and LOTS of rainy weather. But Rebecca and Yeddie were completely unfazed! When I mentioned moving their session to a different day/time with the looming forecast of all day rain before us, they decided they wanted to go for it anyways - which I so admire! So I pulled out the bubble umbrellas and my rain jacket and met up with them on a cold (and wet!) November afternoon!
Their session took place in Oakland in some of my favorite locations! We started off at the Mellon Institute, so they could get the hang of being in front of the camera without having to worry about posing/moving with an umbrella, or with the surrounding rain! Then, we hopped over to the Frick Fine Arts Building, utilizing the Schenley fountain (with umbrellas in tow!), and the interior of the building - which has so much beautiful, natural light! It also just so happens that Yeddie spent a large majority of his college career taking classes inside that very building, providing the perfect personal touch!
About 20 minutes before their session ended, the rain stopped, giving us the perfect window of time to finish out their session outside of the Cathedral of Learning!
Rebecca and Yeddie, you two are such a joy to work with, and I can’t wait for your wedding in 2020! 💛 Thank you for an awesome afternoon!
If you’ve seen my work before, you know that I’m a HUGE fan of color - so Kelly and Dan’s sangria and gold fall wedding was a DREAM! Their day was full of color, and oh-so full of love!
One of the things I admire most about Kelly and Dan is their commitment to remembering what really mattered on their wedding day. Sure, the details were beautiful and everything came together beautifully, but at the end of the day, it was SO easy to see that these two are in it for the long haul - better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and health. Their joy radiated throughout the entire day!
And I can’t neglect to mention their INCREDIBLE friends and family, who we were so privileged to walk alongside throughout the day! This was my second wedding with Kelly’s extended family (see the first here!), and truly, they are some of the most energetic, excited people we’ve had the honor of working with!
Kelly and Dan, I pray that your marriage continues to become all that it was meant to be and that you continue to be an example to those around you of what true love looks like! So thankful to have been a part of your day!
Vendors:
Ceremony: Anne Ashley United Methodist
Reception: Double Tree Hotel Monroeville
Bride’s Dress: White Orchid, Maggie Sottero Gown
DJ: All Pro DJ
Makeup and Hair: Ulta at the Waterfront
Cake: Spinola's Bakery
Florist: Colasante's Flowers in the Park
The day of Erica and Rio’s session was BRIGHT and SUNNY. This might sound like a strange thing to say if you’re not from Pittsburgh, but if you’re a Pittsburgher heading into December, you know that we don’t get very many non-gray days once winter hits! In fact, I read a statistic that said we have about 306 cloudy days a year, which means about 84% of our year is cloudy (via this source). To give some perspective - Seattle only beats us by two days. TWO days!
So when the sun came out towards the end of November for Erica and Rio’s session, I was FLOORED! These two came all the way up from Virginia, so I was so thankful they had a beautiful day for their engagement session!
Erica and Rio are goofy and in love, and are both teachers in Virginia! They met at freshman orientation at Clarion University and started dating in December of 2013, and Rio popped the question this past April on the golf course Erica grew up playing on.
It was such an honor to photograph this incredibly fun couple, and I cannot wait for their wedding in 2020! 🎉
Isn’t it crazy when life comes full circle?! Just a few years back I was photographing Amanda and Jeff for their pregnancy announcement, then for their maternity photos - and now for Atlas’ first Christmas at Lake Forest Gardens! 🎄We had such a great time walking through the rows of trees - even though it was a little muddy, and a little cold, but they were such troopers through it all! Amanda and Jeff, thank you for having me take these photos for you. It was such an honor!
I’ve had the pleasure of photographing this sweet family a few times over the last couple of years - and they are truly some of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure to work with! This year was especially special, considering they’re moving out-of-state towards the end of this year! So, of course, the city made the perfect backdrop as a tribute to their years spent in Pittsburgh.
Eva, Allan, Peter, and Carolyn - you will be missed! Prayers for a smooth move and transition into your new norm! 💛
Leah and Connor’s wedding was unlike any other I had ever experienced. When I first sat down with Leah and Connor, they explained the vision for their day: intimate, full of family and friends, and focused on what really matters. And truly, their day was all of that and more!
Their venue, the Morning Glory Inn (located on the South Side of Pittsburgh) is one of the most unique and intimate wedding venues I’ve ever come across! Though I tried to do this venue justice through Leah and Connor’s photos, this is a place you have to see in person and really experience to appreciate fully! (They take reservations for guests to stay - so if you’re looking for a “stay-cation,” I would highly recommend checking out this spot!)
The wedding day began inside the inn, which has SO MANY beautiful locations for detail photos! Being someone who LOVES the photographing the detail portion of the day (invitation suite, bride’s dress, jewelry, etc.) I was in heaven!! And on top of all of the inn details, Leah had the most beautiful details that matched the vibe of the inn to a “T”!
After getting ready, Leah shared a first look with her dad. There was hardly a dry eye in the room (including mine!). Immediately after, Leah and Connor shared a first look together in the courtyard of the Inn!
We headed to the Mellon Institute columns for bridal party and bride & groom portraits, then back to the Inn for the ceremony - which might’ve been the most unique part of the day! Guests stood in the courtyard, surrounding the bride and groom for the ceremony, which made it feel like there was a closeness and intimacy that is sometimes lost during wedding ceremonies!
After the ceremony were toasts, a delicious meal by Fish Hawk Acres catering, and TONS of dancing in the courtyard! We were even able to sneak Leah and Connor out at just the right moment (when it just started raining!) for a night portrait in front of the Inn!
Leah and Connor, I couldn’t have been more thankful to be a part of your day. Thank you (to you two and your friends & family!) for having as capture such a beautiful day, and for making us feel like a part of the family in the process. 💛
Ceremony & Reception: Morning Glory Inn
Bride’s Dress: Bridal Beginning (Wtoo Watters)
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Bouquets: Deb Smith (Maid of Honor’s Mother)
Menswear: The Black Tux
Invitations: Minted Weddings
Catering: Fish Hawk Acres
Officiant: Meaningful Marriages (Larry)
Cake: Oakmont Bakery
Makeup: Briann Mattise (JL Makeup Studio)
Hair: Sahaira Beauty Salon
