Jackie & Josh: Hartwood Acres Mansion Engagement Photos

I absolutely LOVED getting to spend a beautiful (slightly chilly) Spring evening with Jackie & Josh at Hartwood Acres Mansion!

These two met in 2018 when they were both deployed. Neither are originally from the Pittsburgh area, and are getting married in Detroit this summer! We had so much fun getting to know them, their story, and how they ended up in the beautiful 'Burgh. Congratulation on your engagement, Jackie & Josh! I’m so honored to have been the one to take these photos for you!

Rachel + Peter: Southpointe Golf Club Wedding Photos

Rachel & Peter’s wedding day was filled to the brim with so much love and fun! I had the pleasure of meeting Rachel at her sister’s wedding almost 2 years ago, along with the rest of her incredible family. To say that we were honored to be a part of BOTH of these incredible weddings is an understatement!

With an emphasis on love and family, Rachel and Peter’s wedding day was nothing short of amazing - but their wedding day didn’t happen without some setbacks. These two were forced to move their date from spring of 2020 to spring of 2021 (due to you know what), and while many of the details (both small and large) changed from one year to the next, the celebration of the most important piece of the day did not: the celebration of a marriage. While, yes, weddings are beautiful and fun and meaningful, the marriage is what we come to celebrate - the union of a man and a woman, under God’s design. And truly, you could see that that was what led Rachel and Peter’s hearts into their wedding day! Not the absence of what could have been, but the plenty of what WAS able to be.

These are the best wedding days to be a part of - the ones that fill the soul and focus on what matters most. And, Rachel and Peter, I can’t thank you enough for allowing us to be a part of this beautiful celebration! We pray perseverance and dedication within your marriage for all of the years to come!

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Vendors: The Renaissance Hotel, Southpointe Golf Club (Reception), St. Mary of the Mount (Ceremony), Prantl’s Bakery, Captured Memories by Allison (Videographer), Birdy Grey (Bridesmaid Dresses), This Magic Moment Bridal, House of Couture Designs, Blossoms by Jilliann, Dj Bryan Hoover, Beauty Justified by Justine, Brooks Brothers (Groom’s Tux), Minted, Greenvelope, Fr Nathanael Polinski (Officiant), Jenna Hidinger Photography

Lutherlyn Equestrian Center Horse Portraits

I had the best time with these four young ladies at Lutherlyn Equestrian Center! We spent a beautiful, early spring afternoon taking some photos with their horses and had a blast doing so!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from our time together below!

Maria & Matt: Spring Mellon Park Engagement Photos

If you are a Disney fan, you’re going to love this blog post! But even if you’re not a Disney can, I think you’ll still enjoy the sweetness of Maria & Matt’s colorful Spring, Up-movie-inspired engagement session!

If you’re unfamiliar with the movie “Up,” its beginning centers around two characters named Carl & Ellie, who meet as young children, become friends, fall in love, and get married. There are many twists and turns throughout the movie (I won’t ruin it for you if you haven’t seen it! ;) ), but two of the main visual features include a colorful set of balloons, and an “Adventure book” where Carl & Ellie store their past, current, and future adventures.

In representation of the movie, Maria & Matt brought both of those things with them to their engagement session, just for a subtle nod to the movie they love so - which they will also be using as style inspiration for their wedding day! As a major Disney fan myself, I had so much fun incorporating these small elements into their photos and cannot WAIT to photograph their wedding day!

Besides loving Disney, Maria & Matt love spending time visiting new places and exploring their home town area of D.C. They are both extremely family-oriented, and their love and adoration for each other is so very apparent in the way they interact with one another! One of my favorite things I learned about their story is how Matt first pursued Maria, before they were even dating! He drove FOUR HOURS just to be able to go on a date with her. Talk about commitment!

Spoiler alert: I have known Matt since he was a kid - our families lived across from one another for quite a few years! To be able to photograph people I know or have known - past and present - is such a gift. Seeing people grow, transform, and find the love of their life is something incredibly fulfilling. And Maria, you are such a gem! I am so thankful that we have been able to connect during this exciting season in both of your lives.

And with that - enjoy a few of my favorites from Maria & Matt’s engagement session! I have WAY too many favorites from this one!

Rachel & Peter: Hartwood Acres Mansion Engagement Photos

What a blessing it was to spend an early Spring morning with these two!

Rachel and Peter are getting married in just a few weeks after postponing their wedding from 2020. I am so thankful to have been able to photograph them before their wedding day, so that we could all get a feel for what it would be like to work together on their wedding day! And of course… they were total naturals in front of the camera! And now I am even more excited for their wedding day than I was before.

I cannot wait to celebrate with you two so very soon! ❤️

Daniel P: Main Street Zelienople Senior Photos

Get ready for a photo overload right here featuring some Zelienople senior photos!!

This senior session not only featured the shortest commute of my life (three blocks total ) but my favorite town - the one I am so thankful to call home! And it just so happens to the one that Dan and his family call home, too.

Dan and his family are a part of the Zelienople community - they know all of the "goings on" and Dan even works at one of the best local restaurants - Kaufman Tavern! So of course, it was only fitting that his session took place in the town he's grown up in, worked in, and lived in.

Dan is graduating with the class of 2021, and plans to continue his education to become an elementary school teacher! It was so much fun to hear about his heart for kids and training up the next generation. I am so thankful to have been the one to take these photos!

Congratulations on your senior year, Dan!

Dylan N: Hartwood Acres Mansion Senior Photos

Good old Hartwood Acres… it was good to be back after a few month hiatus!

Dylan is a North Catholic senior who's graduating as a part of the class of 2021. He's a fan of Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, and - fun fact - works at Giant Eagle and is a wicked fast shopper (the fastest at his store!). Congrats on your senior year, Dylan! Thanks for the honor of taking your senior photos!

Josef C: McConnell's Mill Senior Photos

You never know what sort of weather you’ll get in March in Pittsburgh, but on this particular Saturday for Josef’s senior photos… we had… wait for it… SUN! It may have been a little cold (30’s?), but the sun kept our heads and spirits high during this session!

Josef is a senior at Seneca Valley who plans on studying botany post-high school graduation! McConnell’s Mill was an easy choice as far as location goes for his senior session, considering it’s a favorite spot of his for hanging out with friends. It was easy to see his love for botany throughout the session. Even though much of the landscape was still slightly dead from winter, Josef identified plants for us as we went throughout his session - which was so much fun! Honestly, I don’t give plants very much thought when I’m out walking around, so it was cool to be able to see what I usually miss through Josef’s eyes!

A HUGE congratulations to you, Josef, on your senior year! I’m so thankful we had the opportunity to photograph you!

McConnell's Mill Family Photos

If you’ve ever wondered what a family mini session looks like - this is it! I had the pleasure of photographing this family right before I took their oldest’s senior photos (on the same day). They added a family mini session on to their senior collection, and we were able to get some great photos of them all together within a 20 minute timeframe!

Senior photos are a great time to get some updated family photos, too! If you’re interested in a joint senior + family session, feel free to reach out to me directly via email at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com, or use the “Contact” tab in the navigation above!

Garrett D: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

How is it already March?! I’m not sure about you, but January and February seemed to FLY by this year! We spent those two months moving into our new home, and going to Disney (since the winter is my “vacation” time!), but towards the end of those two months was Garrett’s senior session in Historic Harmony!

While February can be a toss up when it comes to weather, the day of Garrett’s senior session was absolutely gorgeous! The sun was shining and it was relatively warm for a Pittsburgh winter day! I know Garrett was especially thankful to not have his photos done in the snow! 👏

Garrett’s mom and sister joined us for his photos, and they were so much fun! Bringing a family member or friend along to your senior session can be a great way to feel a bit more comfortable during your session… and they can even step in front of the camera for a couple of photos towards the end of our time together!

Garrett is a Seneca Valley senior who plans on heading into the Navy post-high school graduation, and hopes to work in Marketing and Business someday! Harmony ended up being the perfect choice for his session, considering that he loves historic towns like Charleston and Williamsburg!

He also brought along a purple hat in honor of his grandma's battle with pancreatic cancer. Such a sweet tribute!

Congratulations on your senior year, Garrett!