Favorite Photo Related Products & Accessories 2021

Every photographer has their favorite accessories that make their lives a little easier while they shoot! I’m excited to share a couple of my favorite photography-related pieces of gear and accessories that I’ve started using over the last year that have been game changers for me. All of the gear/accessories are linked so you can view additional details, and possibly even purchase!

(*Note that the links contained in this blog post are affiliate links, which means that I would receive a small credit if you decide to purchase any of the products listed here from the links below!)

The Spider Camera Holster

This piece of equipment (pictured in the photo below) has been the BIGGEST game changer for me in the last year. As someone who has dealt with back pain for my ENTIRE life and has two herniated discs and three bulging discs in my lower back, I will shout my love for the Spider Camera Holster from the rooftops!

This genius alternative camera strap sits on your hips (sort of like a belt), and allows you to hook your camera onto it (there’s a metal mechanism that attaches to your camera in order to make this possible!). No more neck or mid-back pain after shoots, because the weight sits on your hips and is distributed evenly for a better hands-free experience!

And, believe it or not, they also make a Dual Spider Holster, which allows you to hook TWO cameras onto your hips. This is the version that I use especially for wedding days when I like to have two cameras available for use! I love the convenience of having both of my cameras right on my hips!

If you have back pain and you are a photographer, you HAVE to check this holster out! It literally allows me to shoot 12 hour wedding days virtually PAIN FREE - a first for me in 7 years of being a wedding photographer!

Spider Holster Camera Hand Strap

If you like the idea of the Spider Holster, you may want to consider a hand strap - you know, to give you a little extra grip on your camera, since it won’t be hanging from a strap anymore!

The hand strap linked in the title above is actually made by the same company that created the Spider Holster, and while it’s one of the more expensive hand straps - I can tell you, from experience with many cheaper versions of camera hand straps, that it is WELL worth the money. This hand strap is designed to fit the shape of your hand perfectly - it doesn’t flap around like some others on the market. It stays in place, is easy to slip your hand into for quick use, and is made of a durable leather material.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Peak Design Field Pouch

By now, you know how obsessed I am with the Spider Holster, so of course you know I’m going to recommend some additional accessories to go with it!

The spider holster has space for additional accessories on the belt area - and the one linked above (Peak Design Field Pouch) is my favorite! (See photo to the right for how it looks on the belt!).

It is similar to a fanny pack, and is great for holding things like extra batteries, wedding day timelines, your phone, extra memory cards, etc.! It really fits a LOT of items, and is great for carrying around extra things you might need on a shoot! It is designed for use with the Spider Holster, so it has holes on the back and can easily be looped onto the Spider Holster. It uses velcro for securing the opening flap, and has zippered pockets to keep your cards safe from falling out, if it accidentally opens (mine rarely does!). This pouch is a great addition to your Spider Holster belt!

Beeway CF Card Holder

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Praise the Lord for sturdy card holders that give peace of mind on wedding days! I am ALWAYS terrified that something will happen to my memory cards once I fill them up and put them away on a wedding day, so this past year, I upgraded to something more durable than I’ve ever used before: the Beeway CF Card Holder (it also can hold SD cards! Just save the little plastic container the SD cards come in, and place your full SD cards in there, then put them in this card holder. They fit perfectly in the slots designed for CF cards! They also have ones made specifically for SD cards).

This card holder is waterproof, dust proof, and has the ability to protect cards, even if the case is run over by a car! It can also be attached to your bag easily. I have two of these and I absolutely LOVE them! I never have to worry about losing my cards or getting caught in the rain.

Thinktank Retrospective Shoulder Messenger Bag

This is my favorite camera bag I think I’ve ever owned.

I am so picky when it comes to camera bags, because I like to carry a LOT of gear on me. This is the only bag I’ve found that is durable AND holds all of the equipment I want it to.

I can easily fit a camera body, 3 lenses, and a couple of speedlights, along with extra batteries, memory card holders, a water bottle - it really carries everything I need it to! I love that, if I have it on my shoulder at a wedding, I can easily access my gear, too.

5-in-1 43” Portable Reflector

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

My favorite piece of gear EVER will always be solid reflector. It pops light in people’s faces and eyes, giving their skin a beautiful glow on sunny days AND overcast days, simply by holding it close to their face and bouncing the available light! This one is particularly a favorite of mine, because it has two handles on either side, which makes it easier for me to use when I don’t have an assistant to help me. If you are looking for a way to up your portrait game - a reflector is a GAME changer!

Also, the bigger the reflector, the more WIDE of a span the light reflects. A smaller reflector will result in a more focused, smaller light, and a larger reflector will result in a wider “throw” of light across your subject, with softer shadows (at least, I’ve found this to be the case in my experience!). I typically will not get any reflectors smaller than 43” because of this.

For more resources for photographers, check out the product links below, or be sure to follow along on the Jenna Hidinger Photography blog!

JHP Maternity Photo Highlights 2020

2020 was a year full of maternity photos - and I’m not mad about it!!! In fact, it was an absolute joy to photograph so many growing families - more than I ever have in past years!

Many of the couples I had the privilege to photograph were past wedding clients, which made me so happy! And all of the others became fast friends. It’s always such an incredible honor to be a part of new, exciting seasons of life.

To each and every couple who allowed me to be a part of this growing season: thank you. You are a blessing, and I pray that your family is filled with joy!

If you are interested in booking a maternity session, feel free to use the “Pricing” tab above to view packages, and the “Contact” tab to reach out and say hello! Or, feel free to email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com

In Home Lifestyle Blog Photos

I cannot believe that I have never shared these images here on my blog! They are truly some of my favorites I’ve had the privilege to create in the last couple of years.

A few summers ago, I received a message through my website for a mom-blogger looking for someone to take some lifestyle, in-home photos for brand, Cake for Breakfast. Intrigued by the name (cake lover here! 👋) and in alignment with her vision style and content-wise, I gratefully accepted the opportunity to take photos of Christi Lukasiak’s family and happenings in her home!

I knew after our first shoot when she sent me home with a full, floral-covered cake (with the good buttercream icing, might I add!) that we would be just fine working together 😉 I had the privilege of hanging out with this family on a few different occasions , and they truly are a blast to work with! I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorite photos from our time together, AND to possibly give some inspiration into what an in home “lifestyle” family session could look like.

With a name like "Cake for Breakfast," you can bet that there was a LOT of cake involved in the making of these images!

All photos are styled by Christi - including the epic flower arrangement!

Clara's Cinderella inspired bedroom. Totally a dream!

A few photos taken around Christmas time! Definitely obsessed with that blanket.

Winter Photoshoot Outfit Ideas: The Do's and Don'ts

When considering an outdoor photo session in the winter months, you may come across a bit of a conundrum. Of course, you want to look cute for your session, but you do not want to be too cold while standing outside for an hour or two!

Enter the answer: this blog post! I’ve compiled a list of the most pertinent “do’s” and “don’ts” pertaining to outfit choice for photo sessions that take place in winter weather.

SAY YES TO…

• Visible Layers - Visible layers - coats, sweaters, faux fur wraps, and the like - can not only keep you warm and toasty, but add lots of great visual interest to a photo! Consider finding an adorable coat that you could wear for your entire session, and plan any other outfits around that!

• Hidden Layers - As great as visible layers are, you might want to consider some “hidden” layers for your winter session, too! Layering extra warmth under your “visible” layers (so long as they don’t get too bulky!) can be a game changer during a winter session. You’ll want to make sure you can last in the cooler temps so that you can get your money’s worth of photos during your session! My favorite example “hidden layers” came from one of my engagement session clients, who wore a beautiful maxi skirt to her winter session. She layered multiple pairs of pants and fluffy socks underneath her skirt, and you couldn’t even tell in her final images!

• Super Cute Coats - Like I mentioned before, consider splurging in a cute coat, and make it the visual centerpiece of your images! A cute coat “goes” quite well with a winter backdrop, too.

• Winter Accessories - Give me ALL of the adorable winter accessories! Hats, scarves, mittens, boots, boot socks, faux fur wraps - you name it, it can be incorporated into your images, AND add warm during your session!

• Boots or Waterproof Shoes - This is a HUGE one that I try to remember to tell my clients beforehand… if your shoot will have snow in it, make sure you wear a pair of shoes that are either 1) water proof, 2) insulated, or 3) you don’t care about getting ruined! If you schedule a session with me and there’s snow, you better believe that we will be galavanting around in it!!

• Bright Pops of Color - I LOVE bright colors for winter sessions! With backdrops being mostly more neutral (with snow) or barren (empty tree branches), pops of color (think a bright colored coat, or a bright set of mittens, scarf, and hat!) can add lots of visual interest and “pop” to your images!

• Winter Themed Props - Fun winter themed props can be a great way to stay warm during your session! Have a cute and cozy blanket laying around the house? Bring it and we can have you sit on it, or wrap you and your family or partner up in it! You could even bring some cute mugs and hot chocolate for something a bit more styled.

CONSIDER PASSING ON…

• Outfits That Show Skin (if you don’t want to muscle through the cold!) - This one might seem obvious, but I’ve had quite a few people over the years show up to their winter sessions in dresses and short sleeve shirts, and I’ve felt absolutely terrible keeping them out in the cold! Of course, this is a completely personal choice. Some people don’t mind the cold, and are willing to “muscle” through for an hour when they have a specific vision of what they want their photos to look like. I love those people!!! But if you are uncomfortable and cold and having a no good very bad time… that will most likely show through in your images! Consider choosing weather appropriate clothing, unless the cold never bothered you anyways ;) Remember that you will be out in the winter weather for an extended period of time, so you’ll most likely get cold fast!

• TOO Many Heavy Layers - While layers are usually a good thing when planning for an outdoor session, you will want to make sure that you don’t have too many layers! Too many extra layers can add on extra “weight” that isn’t there.

A FEW MORE RESOURCES:

If you’re looking for some more help preparing for your winter photo session, check out the posts below!

• Winter Family Outfit Inspiration Pinterest Board

• Winter Engagement Outfit Inspiration Pinterest Board

• Winter Senior Outfit Inspiration Pinterest Board

View some of my favorite outfits from past winter sessions below!

If you enjoyed this blog post, check out some more of our most up-to-date content below!

For more resources for photographers, seniors, and engaged couples, click any of the photos below!

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!)

Location Ideas for Photo Sessions Near Cranberry Township & Zelienople

Looking for a location for photos near the Cranberry Township/Zelienople area? Look no further than this blog post! Below, you’ll find a few of my favorite locations in this specific area north of Pittsburgh. All of these locations are within a 20 minute drive of Zelienople, PA. Enjoy!

1. Historic Harmony

 

This is a long time favorite photo location of mine! Historic Harmony is a little historic German town North of Cranberry Township, right near Zelienople. It has many different backdrops with bright colored buildings and doorways. There’s also a little park area nearby that can be used to get some more nature focused shots!

I would recommend checking in with the Harmony Museum if you plan on using this location for a photo session (unless you are scheduling a session with me - then I will happily check in with them for you! ;) ). They own a few of the buildings in town and require advance permission if you wish to shoot in front of them. They can give you the full scoop!

Check out some of my favorite sample images from Historic Harmony below!

2. Moraine State Park

 

Wide open lake views paired with fields and forest - this location has so much variety to offer for a photo session! Besides lakes, fields, and forests, this location also has several docks scattered throughout the park. The park itself has a “North Shore” and a “South Shore.” Personally, I prefer the “South Shore” for photo sessions, and all of my photo sessions have taken place throughout the park area on the South Shore.

3. McConnell’s Mill

 

Thick forest, an old mill, and large rocks along the river/creek area make this location a great spot with lots of variety! McConnell’s Mill also has a covered bridge that can be utilized for photos.

4. Cleland Rock

 

While Cleland Rock is technically a part of McConnell's Mill, it’s actually about a 12 minute drive from the “central” area of McConnell’s Mill. This location features fields (at different times throughout the year - thought sometimes they are barren!), as well as some tree lines and a large rock overlooking a beautiful Pennsylvania skyline. This is a simple location, but it always has gorgeous light!

5. Zelienople (in town)

 

Looking for a more urban look? Zelienople has so many beautiful spots to offer! Brick walls, historic buildings, and new storefronts make this location a great spot for a more urban look.

6. Lake Forest Gardens

 

This location is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a location for your Christmas cards! Lake Forest Gardens is location in Fombell, PA, right outside of Zelienople. It features rows of Christmas trees and a beautiful, mountain backdrop! You do need to call ahead for this location to get permission and pay a $25 fee for the use of their property. It is most definitely worth it, though!

7. North Boundary Park

 

North Boundary Park is located right in the heart of Cranberry Township! This park features lots of soccer fields, baseball fields, a pool, and a walking path circling around it all. Though it doesn’t have an ample amount of spots for photos, there are some willow trees that make for a great backdrop against some of the large rolling hills! There are also some fenced areas, as well as the pathway itself, that make for some cute backdrops!

8. Cranberry Township Community Park

 

This is another spot I don’t absolutely love, but it does have a few nice spots for photos! I’m going to let you in on a little secret: my favorite spot to take photos here is right across from the dog park! The trees get some beautiful light there, and there’s a large log and small pond/lake with a willow tree that can work for a shorter session! I wouldn’t say that it is full of spots for photos… but there are definitely a few spots to work with!

Favorite (Non-Cheesy) Simple Props for a Senior Session

One of the most common questions I get when it comes to senior photos is: “should I bring any props?”

Props can be a great way to add personality to your senior session and make your photos your own! Many of my seniors, when thinking about props, voice that they are afraid that their photos will appear “cheesy” if any are added in.

Truth be told – some props can be a little cheesy, but fear not! Within the world of cheesy props, there are some props that never seem to go out of style – regardless of what is currently trending! And a big part of what can make a prop look cheesy is how it is incorporated. I love using props to add personality to a client’s images in the least cliche way possible!

Today, I’d love to share a few of my favorite simple, non-cheesy (at least to me!) props, and how I love to incorporate them into my client’s images without being overly cheesy!

Instruments

If playing an instrument is a big part of your life, then it could be a fun addition to your senior photos! For the center images below, we went for a VERY subtle music themed shot by throwing some old sheets of music in the air!

Sports Equipment

Have a sport that you’ve played since middle school, or that you want to pursue professionally? Or maybe just a sport that you absolutely love? Consider incorporating one or two items from that sport into your session! You don’t necessarily have to pull out your entire uniform to add a touch of “sports” to your photos - even one football or a pair of ice skates can do the trick!

Hobbies

This might be one of my favorite categories, because the possibilities really are endless, and there are ample opportunities to get creative!

Love biking? Bring an old vintage bike with you to your session! Love Harry Potter? Bring you time turner necklace or Gryffindor scarf to add a hint to the best book series of all time 😉 Or if you want to go big, have your photos taken with the airplane you’re learning to fly on! There are soooo many possibilities when it comes to incorporating your hobbies - and it’s easy to either go with more “obvious” props (like a camera, if you love photography!) or with more subtle ones (like a backpack, if you love hiking/adventuring!).

Pets

If there’s any sure-fire way to feel comfortable in front of the camera, it’s definitely by having your furry friend present! Honestly, I wish I had gotten photos with my childhood dog for my own senior photos. It can be fun to have a few quick shots of you two interacting together!

If you are interested in bringing a fury friend to your senior session, be sure to check out this blog post (technically it’s an engagement blog post, but it is a great resource for any type of session where a dog is present!) for some of my best tips!

Accessories

Do accessories count as a prop? Absolutely! A hat, a scarf, beautiful coat, umbrella, or any particular accessory you’re currently feeling can be a great way to add a little visual interest to your images! (And don’t worry, we can do some with, and some without to get a good variety!)

Flowers

This has truly become a favorite of mine over the last couple of years! Flowers can add SO MUCH to your images, especially when you coordinate them with your outfits! They can be held, thrown, arranged on the ground, carried in a basket… and more! This is a great option for adding a softer, more feminine look to your photos.

To make this one more personal, bring your favorite type of flower to your session! Or maybe a flower that is your favorite color? You could do stemmed flowers, flowers with the heads cut off (great for those “laying in the grass” shots!), or even just petals for throwing/spreading on the ground!

A Special Outfit

This is another one of my favorites! If you have a prom or homecoming dress that you want professional photos in, or a special cultural outfit you only wear on special occasions, why not bring it with you to your senior session? It will definitely make your photos different from your friends’!

What do you think… are props for senior photos cheesy, or is there still a place for them where they can look natural?

Summer Graduation Party in Cranberry Township

Graduation parties can be a great time to hire a photographer! Not only will you have one less thing to worry about when it comes to the party itself (taking photos of all of your hard work!), but you can also get a few updated family portraits in the process!

For this grad party and particular, we were able to take a couple of family and individual portraits towards the start on the front porch! Then the remainder of the photo coverage was focused on details and candids. It was such a beautiful day!

If you are interested in graduation party coverage, feel free to reach out to me by clicking here! Or email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com.

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Vendors: Medure’s Catering, Graeter’s Ice Cream Truck

Observations from Weddings in a Year of Covid

2020 was quite a year – a year that has hit the wedding industry quite hard! Many weddings were forced to either downsize, postpone, or completely cancel due to the ever-changing restrictions released throughout the year of 2020 here in Pennsylvania. Some weddings were even forced to downsize drastically or completely change venues with DAYS until their wedding day. Oof!

Personally, I had 21 weddings scheduled for 2020… and only 13 were actually able to happen. The rest either postponed to 2021, or cancelled entirely. For brides who are getting married this year who might be wondering what weddings look like now in the “Covid era,” I’d love to share what I’ve learned with you from the weddings I photographed over the last year!

1.     Outdoor spaces are king.

As you probably could surmise… outdoor spaces have become king as of late, even here in the great state of Pennsylvania, where the weather is totally unpredictable! Outdoor ceremonies and outdoor receptions have increased (at least for my own weddings!) this year, and it has been SO MUCH FUN! There’s something about outdoor weddings that feel more fluid and more open. On a beautiful day, there’s more space for guests to walk around and spread out.

2.     Pittsburgh cookie tables CAN still happen! (You know you were wondering about this one!!! ;) )

It’s true! The infamous Pittsburgh cookie table CAN still happen even in this day and age, when all might not be super comfortable sharing a giant table of cookies with 100 strangers/aquaintances… and I’ve seen it done successfully over the last year a few different ways!

• A mix of cookies in different boxes or bags on the cookie table, so guests can take a box back to their table.

• A plate of cookies per table (works well if households of people are seated together).

• I’ve also seen individually wrapped cookies – this one might take extra time and effort, but still works!

3.     Smaller, more intimate wedding days with fewer guests can be just as fun as big weddings.

Some of my favorite weddings 2020 were weddings with less than 25 guests! What’s great about these weddings is that everyone TRULY wants to be there, celebrating the couple – not that they don’t at a “normal” wedding, but there are always some people at larger weddings who might not know the bride or groom (or both!) well, and are mostly there for the food and the party. These smaller, more intimate weddings really foster a greater connection between the couple and their guests… plus, the bride & groom can really spend more time talking with each guest, instead of being stretched thin between a ton of people!

4. You might get more guests who RSVP with a “no.”

The majority of my couples have experienced an increase in guests RSVPing “no” to attend their wedding day, in opposed to past years of weddings. Another chunk of guests might only come for the ceremony, opposed to staying for both the ceremony and reception.

5.     Backyard weddings might just be the best.

I hope the “backyard wedding trend” is here to stay! I’ve seen low-key backyard weddings, and elaborate back yard weddings this year, and ALL of them have been unique and so personal to the couple. There’s something special about getting married in your parents’ backyard next to the pool you grew up swimming in, or in a relative’s front yard that you’ve always adored. It adds that personal, unforgettable touch.

6. “Live” wedding broadcasts/streams might be here to stay.

A live stream of your wedding is certainly a great option for elderly guests who might feel safer watching your ceremony from the comfort of their own home or space. And, honestly? I think this is a GREAT idea! Almost every single wedding I photographed this year had a live stream to either a private Zoom group, or a Facebook group. Live streams are typically so easy to set up nowadays, that this might be a no brainer addition to wedding days moving forward! If you have a phone or access to a phone, you can live stream your wedding day!

7.     Couples seem more… relaxed?

This was a surprising observation to me. I for sure thought that more couples would be stressed and anxious going into their wedding days… and while I’m sure there was stress and anxiety in the decision making phase (Should we postpone? How many people should we have? Who do we uninvited due to the state mandate?), couples ON their actual wedding days have been so much more relaxed! Most seem to be just thrilled to actually BE getting married and having any sort of wedding. Which leads me into my last point…

8.     There has been a renewed focus on what really matters.

This one is my favorite. For all of the couples who have gotten married in 2020 and 2021, most of them have just been excited to BE married. Is it a bummer to not have the wedding you’ve dreamed of/planned for over the last year and half? Absolutely. It is SUCH a bummer. And I would never want to downplay the disappointment that I know so many couples are experiencing this year. But, simultaneously, I am so excited to see couples focusing more on the pending marriage. That has been a true joy to see and experience!

If you’ve been to a wedding in 2020 or early 2021, what have you experienced? Are there any great ideas you’ve seen put into practice that couples might be able to benefit from moving into 2021?

Tyler & Tess: Pittsburgh Proposal Photos on the Schenley Bridge

Proposals are some of my favorite sessions EVER to photograph! I love the element of surprise and the sneakiness that goes into them - but more than anything, I love the pure, raw emotion of that always comes out in the joy of the moment!

Tyler had contacted me a few months prior, and detailed his plan for proposing to his girlfriend Tess! He planned a date day, recreating all of the things they had done on their first date around Oakland in Pittsburgh. And, because of Covid, he even had a backup plan for his original plan - smart guy!

But alas, with the uncertainty surrounding Covid, his first plan and his second plan fell through. Instead, he opted for a walk around CMU (plan C!) texted me to see if we were able to move the proposal time up (which we were able to by a half hour - yay for trying to always be early!!!) and his plan to propose to her on the Schenley Bridge came through perfectly!

Proposals in the city are always fun, because I can hide in plain sight! There are always plenty of photographers around the city photographing landscapes - so that was my “disguise!” ;)

After he popped the question, they put a lock on the lock bridge with their names and the date, and had a mini photo session! It was quite cold, so we kept it short… but we were able to get so much variety within such a short amount of time!

Congratulations on your engagement Tyler & Tess! It was such an honor to photograph this sweet moment for you two!!! ❤️

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PS - if you are reading this and are interested in having your own proposal photographed, feel free to fill out the “Contact” form in the upper navigation, or email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com !