Christmas Mini Sessions 2019

I feel a little guilty that I’m just getting around to posting some photos from this year’s Christmas Mini Session event - but I am too excited about them to not share, even if it is a little late!

This year, for the first time ever, I hosted a Christmas Tree Farm mini session event at Lake Forest Gardens in Fombell, PA at the beginning of November - and I was completely overwhelmed by the turnout! NINE beautiful families came out to start the Christmas season off with some photos - and we had the absolute BEST time! A HUGE thank you goes out to all of the families who came and made this possible: thank you for trusting me with your precious memories! 💛 I couldn’t be more thankful for you!!!

And another huge shout out goes to my husband and my mom, who both spent the day with me - holding reflectors (and babies!) and helping check families in. I couldn’t have done it without you two!

If you are interested in being “in the know” for any future mini session events, feel free to leave your email in the box below!

Amy + Nathan: Historic Harmony Maternity Photos

How lucky am I to have not one, but TWO maternity photo sessions less than a week and a half apart - both in one of my favorite locations, Historic Harmony! Amy and Nathan were the second of the two maternity sessions, and I had so much fun walking around town with them and hearing all about their excitement and joy for their long awaited little one to join them and make their family of two, three!

Amy and Nathan, I pray blessings and wisdom over the start of this next season for you two as you become a family of three! Congratulations on your sweet little blessing of joy!

Katie + Shane: Vibrant Fall Laube Hall Wedding

If there’s one thing that we can be certain about when it comes to weather in Pittsburgh, it’s that you really can never EVER know what to expect. The week of Katie and Shane’s wedding, the weather was all over the place! At some points, it wasn’t supposed to rain at all. At others, it was supposed to be a complete rain out. And while it did end up being quite rainy throughout their wedding day, that most definitely did not dampen any part of their day - including their amazing, upbeat attitudes throughout the entire thing!

Shane and Katie met at Westminster College in the fall of 2010 and were friends for quite a few years before their first date in 2016. They got engaged in January of 2018, and officially said “I do” near the end of October in 2019 at Laube Hall in Freeport, PA. Their ceremony space was cozy and beautifully decorated, with string lights spanning the entirety of the covered patio area. It was so dreamy, as were all of Katie’s thoughtfully curated bridal details. She even brought me a vintage tray/mirror that complimented all of her details just perfectly! 😍

Katie and Shane, thank you for the immense honor of documenting your wedding day! You two, your friends, and your family were so kind and made us feel like a part of the family. We are so thankful to know you both!! 💛

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Vendors: Laube Hall, Leechburg Floral, Connor Hochbein (videographer), Oakmont Bakery, Brian Barberi (DJ), Allison Renock (makeup), Headlines by Jackie (hair), Bridal Beginning (bride’s dress by Justin Alexander; bridesmaid dresses by Watters), A Grand Affair Catering, EF Lighting, Steve Ehrlich String Quartet

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!

HD + Jeff: Pittsburgh Grand Concourse Wedding Photos

I’m not sure HD and Jeff could’ve asked for a more perfect fall day for their Grand Concourse wedding. Not too cold, not too hot - beautiful and bright! Oh, and what a joy they were to celebrate with from beginning to end!

If you’ve never been to the Grand Concourse in Station Square (and you live in Pittsburgh), you simply must check it out! A few weeks before their wedding, I stopped by to have a look around the train station turned restaurant (and wedding space!) for the first time ever - and couldn’t help but stand in awe of such a spectacular, historic building! The Grand Concourse has been on my wedding photography bucket list for some time, so getting to finally photograph a wedding here was a dream come true!!

HD and Jeff opted for a first look before their wedding ceremony, which worked out perfectly and allowed us to have more than enough time for photos in daylight prior to their sunset 6:15PM ceremony! After their first look, we headed over to Point State Park (after stopping for a snack at Subway! 😉) for some bridal party and bride & groom portraits!

My (personal!) favorite part of their entire wedding day took place during their ceremony. Have you heard of a traditional unity candle ceremony, or a sand pouring ceremony? Well, a few weeks before the wedding, HD told me that in lieu of a candle or sand ceremony, they would be having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich unity ceremony. And it was literally the best thing EVER! The mother of the bride and mother of the groom had absolutely no idea, so when they came up to “unveil” the ingredients out of their coverings, their reactions were priceless! HD and Jeff even took a bite of the sandwich together to symbolize their unity. It was amazing! (And Mark DeNuzzio, their officiant, was the best person for such a fun unity ceremony!)

Besides the unity sandwich, HD and Jeff had other fun elements mixed in their day, including adorable signage featuring their pup, Zelda, and a cookie table for DOGS, where dog owners could take a treat home for their pet, as well as fresh made donuts, featuring the Grand Concourse’s famous donut maker!

All in all, their day was magical and so much fun from start to finish. HD and Jeff, it was such an incredible honor to be a part of your wedding day! Thank you so, so much for letting us celebrate with you and capture the story of your love!

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Vendors: The Grand Concourse, Bella Sposa Bridal (Bride’s dress), Bridal Beginning (Bridesmaid dresses), Philip Pelusi in the South Side (hair & makeup), Steven Vance Entertainment (Violinist, DJ), Cakes by Tammy, Only by Invite (Invitations), A Simple Vow (Mark A. DeNuzzio, Officiant), Alex’s East End Floral Shoppe, Lux Photobooth, Jenna Hidinger Photography (Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer)

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!

Kele + Max: Highland Park Engagement Photos

Kele and Max met at Penn State in 2010, which their first official date happening on Valentine’s Day of 2013. After six years of dating, Max proposed epically at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France!

These two have such an ease about them. They’re easy together, easy to get along with, and just so easy to photograph! For their engagement session, we started off at their home (which used to be Kele’s mom’s home!), then headed over to the nearby Highland Park, where we found some gorgeous architecture and beautiful yellow leaves (yay for finding the last remnants of fall! 🍁)

Kele and Max, I couldn’t be more excited to document your wedding day! 💛 Congratulations on your engagement!!!

Lydia L: Hartwood Acres Mansion Senior Photos

Hello gorgeous!!! We had the most beautiful fall-esque senior session at the beginning of November with Lydia at Hartwood Acres 😍

Lydia is a senior at Portersville Christian School who plays volleyball, and hopes to study dermatology! She's sweet, kind, and was a total pro in front of the camera. Congratulations on your last year of high school, Lydia! 💛

Ty T: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Ty is a North Catholic lacrosse-playing senior who plans on attending Kentucky for engineering! I had the honor of photographing yesterday around one of my favorite spots, Historic Harmony. It's hard to believe that it's been three years since I photographed his brother at this very same location 😲 AND that I used to babysit them both back in the day! Time truly does fly. Congratulations on your last year of school, Ty! 🎉

Trey T: Heinz Hall Senior Portraits

Oh my. This senior session was such a fun one! I had the pleasure of photographing Trey in the Heinz Hall lobby and outdoor garden for his senior photos at the end of October!

Trey currently performs in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, and plays at Heinz Hall a few times a year, which made his location of choice extra personal! His instrument of choice is the clarinet - and he even played us a little bit of music during his session. He is an incredible musician, and just an all around great guy!

Congratulations on your last year of school, Trey! 🎶