Extended Family Photos in a Flower Field

Getting 17 people together for a family photo is no easy feat (and neither is getting everyone so perfectly coordinated!).

Besides the “usual” hurtle of getting everyone in the same place at the same time for photos, we were faced with a last minute location change, when we found out that a last minute wedding was scheduled at our original location. So, we quickly switched locations. Then we started looking at the radar… and found that a large rain storm was supposed to hit just before our start time!

Even after we made the call to continue on with the session, I drove to our location in a huge downpour, just praying that it would stop when we got there! And I can hardly believe it… but it did! It was definitely a gamble, but it ended up paying off. Even though the ground was wet and the clouds loomed around us, we were able to continue on with our session as planned!

I want to give a HUGE thanks to this family for giving me the honor of photographing them. I had such a wonderful time getting to hang out with you all!

Check out a few of my favorites from our time together below!

Cassidy & Dylan: Golden Hour Farm Maternity Photos

You might recognize these two from their wedding feature on the blog just over a year ago! I was so incredibly excited when they reached out to let me know 1) that they were expecting their first child, and 2) that they wanted me to take their maternity photos! Photographing these two (+1!) for a third time and celebrate the new season they are stepping into was such an honor.

We were able to use the most beautiful private farm for their session, too! It was such a dream to photograph them there. A huge thank you to the owner for allowing us to use their gorgeous property.

Congratulations, Cassidy & Dylan! 💛

Katie & Jake: McConnell's Mill & Moraine Engagement Photos

Summer engagement sessions are well worth the sweat and humidity 💕 And Katie & Jake were an absolute joy to photograph - as you’ll be able to see from their huge smiles in the photos below!

These two are high school sweethearts who have been together for nearly 8 YEARS - and it shows! They are truly the best of friends, which made photographing them a dream!

They met way back in high school, in Spanish class - but were also in the same homeroom, since their last names are similar! Jake proposed this past winter (right before Covid hit the U.S.!), and they’ve been planning their wedding day to celebrate their nearly decade long relationship ever since!

Katie & Jake - you two are such gems! I am so thankful to be the one who gets to photograph your wedding day. I seriously cannot wait!!!

Trent W: Adams Township Park Senior Photos

Trent is an up and coming 2020 senior who loves soccer and ice cream! His family lives close to Adams Township Park (and he goes to Mars!), so going there for his senior photos was the perfect fit. Dark clouds loomed in the background for the majority of his session, and though we did get a small burst of rain mid-way through, it only started pouring as we were walking back to our cars! Talk about perfect timing!

Congratulations on your senior year, Trent!

Molly & Ryan: Hartwood Acres Maternity Photos

Almost a year ago, I photographed Molly & Ryan’s wedding day (click here to check it out!) and now, less than a year later, here I am sharing my favorite photos from their maternity session!

One of my favorite questions to ask when meeting with couples to discuss their wedding day is what they are most looking forward to about being married (I like to throw some tough questions out there! ;) ). Though sometimes it’s a question that throws people off-guard (it’s definitely a big one!), Molly and Ryan didn’t even hesitate with their answer: they were so, so excited to start a family. It makes my heart so happy to know that they are getting to start this new adventure!

Molly & Ryan, congratulations on your little one! I couldn’t have been more honored to get to take these photos for you two (three!).

Julie & John: North Pittsburgh Wedding Photos

Couples getting married and wedding vendors alike have been through the ringer the last few months. Recommendations and regulations have changed on a dime - often times, days before weddings are set to take place! Many couples have been forced to downsize, postpone, or even cancel altogether (which just breaks my heart!). But Julie was determined to get married on her original wedding day, and she was ready to embrace whatever change was necessary to make her and John’s wedding day happen!

And, well, if you’re reading this blog post, you can guess the end of the story: it DID happen! They got married on their original date. Their guests wore masks, people spaced out, and cookies were boxed up in advance in lieu of a traditional Pittsburgh cookie table. It even rained for about the first half of our time together! But none of that stopped Julie and John from thoroughly enjoying their wedding day and saying “I do” to a lifelong commitment to one another. Honestly - I think Julie is one of the chillest brides I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with!

The day started off at the most beautiful farmhouse I think I’ve ever had the pleasure to photograph! Julie had eyed up the farm where this farmhouse sits for years, dreaming of possibly getting married there… or at least, getting photos there? Any way she could incorporate it into her wedding day was a must! And her mom made it happen. Julie and her bridesmaids were able to do their final preparations for the wedding day there, and we were able to use the beautiful property for portraits! The wrap around porch ended up being the perfect plan B for portraits in the rain. Score!

Julie wore her mother’s veil & chose her wedding colors based on her grandmother’s favorite colors. The wedding had a subtle movie theme, with different movie posters decorating tables and place settings! One of my favorite details, though, was the large “movie” poster made from one of Julie & John’s engagement photos that hung towards the entrance of their reception venue. Such a fun and personal touch!

Julie & John, it was such an honor to be a part of your wedding day. Wishing you many years of joy within your marriage!

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Vendors: Getting Ready & Photo Location at a Private Residence in Valencia, Adams Township Park (Ceremony), General Butler Vagabonds (Reception), Just Hitched Films (Videographer), Macri Floral (Florist), DJ John Stepansky, Blanc de Blanc Bridal Boutique (Bride’s Dress), Show Me Your Mumu (Bridesmaid Dresses), Zazzle (Invitations), Simply Catered (Catering)

Lani & Ouwen: Oakland Engagement Photos

From the moment I met these two outside of Phipp’s, I knew we were in for a great evening! Lani & Ouwen started dating in 2013, but were friends for a number of months first! They both work in the medical field - and Lani says she fell for Ouwen when they served together on a service trip to Costa Rica together! She saw how giving, funny, and resourceful he was, and knew he was the one. Talk about sweet!

We had the best time running around Oakland, finding all of the best spots for their session! Lani & Ouwen, thank you so much for the honor of taking these engagement photos for you! Congratulations on your engagement! 💛

Mary Beth & Patrick: Blush Backyard Wedding

You might remember Mary Beth and Patrick from their engagement session around Oakland a few months ago - these two sweet people were one of the many couples whose wedding was affected by the pandemic. But - they were one of the few who chose to pair down their original day to make their marriage still happen!

Crazy enough, I wasn’t available for their original wedding date (which was a huge bummer, because we had the best time at their engagement session!). But with many schedule changes since they had inquired with me about their original date, when they reached to me a second time a few weeks before, I realized that I was able to photograph their backyard wedding celebration at Mary Beth’s dad’s home!

And seriously, it was the most beautiful day. Blue skies, shining sun, and one of the sweetest couples surrounded by their closest friends and family. They held the ceremony in the backyard (officiated by the bride’s brother!), cocktail hour around the pool, photos on the front porch, and the reception in the pool house. Does it get any more personal than that?! I am BEYOND thankful that I was able to be a part of this wedding day. Though 2020 has been full of many ups and downs - photographing this day was one of my favorite “ups” so far!

Mary Beth & Patrick, congratulations on your marriage. We are so thankful for you both and for your beautiful example of what a wedding day really revolves around - a marriage!

Vendors: Bistro To Go (Caterer), Blossoms by Jilliann (Florals), Jenna Hidinger Photography (Photographer)

Taylor & Chris: Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

This blog post feels like a blast from the past in the absolute best way possible! I’ve known Taylor for quite a few years - we went to the same school for a period of time (before her family moved to Texas!) and my sister was a friend of hers, but her and I were about six years apart in age!

Taylor and Chris BOTH went to the same school as I did, actually - and that’s where they met, all the way back in high school! They’ve been together for quite a few years, and much of their dating relationship has been long distance. But starting next year after their wedding day, they’ll be together full time here in Pittsburgh! Even though they’re tying the knot in Texas, they wanted their engagement photos done in the city where they met, as a way to incorporate the ‘Burgh into their wedding day! Which, I thought, was an absolutely brilliant idea!

We had the most fun EVER walking around the Mexican War Streets, hanging out at Allegheny Commons Park, and catching the soft evening light on the North Shore, near the Roberto Clemente Bridge. These two are full of love, TONS of laugher, and I am just so stinkin’ excited for them to be husband and wife!

Taylor & Chris, congratulations on your engagement, and thank you SO much for the honor of taking these photos for you!

Meghan & Ed: Bethel Park Wedding Ceremony

First, I just have to say how much I admire Meghan and Ed, the stars of today’s blog post. As you can probably imagine - these two were thrown quite a curve ball, with their wedding date falling right in the midst of a pandemic! But they persevered and were willing to be flexible with each new set of recommendations and regulations that came their way. And, because of that, we were able to join them on their original wedding date for their first look and wedding ceremony! (Even though their reception was pushed back!)

And, to be honest - from a vendor perspective, I so so SO enjoyed photographing their wedding day! It was so laid back, and just so fun! That’s not to underscore the fact that there have been lots of anxieties and fears for my lovely couple and their families leading up to this day, wondering what it would be like. But to see a glimmer of beauty and love in the midst of this storm that the world is currently fighting through was good for the soul.

We started off Meghan and Ed’s wedding day at their church, beginning with a first look! They opted to complete their Bride & Groom portraits prior to the ceremony, so they could focus on family formals afterwards! We watched the radar all morning leading up to their first look - and, while it looked hairy for a period of time, we were able to beat the rain by literally less than a minute! As soon as I said “we’re done with photos!” I felt the first drop. And then it started pouring. The Lord always provides - this time, he provided just the right amount of time for us!