Bridget & Sean: North Shore Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

Bridget & Sean wanted a true Pittsburgh session, and there was hardly a better place than the North Shore! We had an absolute blast hanging out with these two and exploring along the riverwalk. Even better… we had a cloudy day for their photos, which was sooo helpful with this particular location… it usually gets blasted with afternoon light, but fortunately, the clouds created a beautiful, diffused glow on the city!

However, this perfectly lit engagement session didn’t happen without a few obstacles that we had to overcome!

First, we found out there was an event happening at our original location (Point State Park) that would make it near impossible to get photos without crowds in the background. So, we changed our game plan for the location. Then, the weather forecast started to get worse and worse as the day went on… the rain went back and forth, then back and forth again - so we opted to move the session up by an hour or so to try and beat the rain, which was definitely a must, since Bridget was driving a few hours in from out of town! But in the end, I was so thankful that this sweet couple was willing to be so flexible and roll with the unexpected punches… and I am so excited about the images that we were able to get!

Congratulations on your engagement, Bridget & Sean! I couldn’t be more excited for your wedding day next year! ❤️

Cierra & Hunter: Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

Talk about a Pittsburgh engagement session! While Cierra and Hunter aren’t Pittsburgh natives, they did want to capture the beauty of the city they currently call home in their engagement photos… and in the place where they will be saying “I do!” So of course, Point State Park & the North Shore provided the perfect backdrops for their engagement session, not to mention some gorgeous light! We had the absolute BEST evening hanging out with these two, who truly felt like fast friends. Congratulations on your engagement, Cierra & Hunter!! ☺️

Heidi W: Hartwood Acres Mansion Senior Photos

This was such a fun session because it was so unique - and so personalized to Heidi! I had the pleasure of taking Heidi’s sister’s senior photos a few years back, and was so excited to get to work with such a sweet family again!

Heidi brought two ballgown/prom style dresses to her senior session - a beautiful lilac one, and a sleek black one! They were absolutely GORGEOUS against the Hartwood Acres Mansion backdrop. We also incorporated her car into her photos, which was so fun! There are so many different angles you can get (from a photo perspective!) with just one vehicle.

As we were taking photos, little girls stopped and stared at the “princess” that was walking by. It happened so many times - and was so, so sweet!

All in all, it was a beautiful & fun evening that really got my creative juices flowing! Heidi, congratulations on your senior year, and thank you so much for the honor of celebrating this next season of your life!

Amy & Matt: Camp Russell at Oglebay Resort Wedding Photos

Amy & Matt celebrated their wedding day at the famous, beautiful, Ogelbay Resort in Wheeling, WV! Their day was intimate, relaxed, and laid back... it was an absolute joy to photograph! Their ceremony and reception both took place at Camp Russell - an adorable little pavillion and lodge nestled in the woods of Ogelbay!

Amy & I went to the same university, and actually studied abroad in Ireland for a few weeks together! So, getting to photograph her wedding day was so so special.

Amy & Matt - thank you for the incredible honor of photographing your wedding day! Congratulations on your marriage!!

Megan & Devon: Highland Park Engagement Photos

These two music lovers met in band at Slippery Rock University, got engaged around Christmas time (during which time Devon, a cat lover, promised Megan that they would get a pup!), and a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking their engagement photos at the beautiful Highland Park! And of course, the promised pup (Murphy) joined us for the session, too! What a sweet treat!! For a seven month old puppy, he was one of the most well behaved dogs I've ever had at a session!

Megan & Devon are both so laid back and easy to talk to! One of the very best parts about an engagement session (for me at least! ;) ) is getting to hear a couple’s story, and everything that had to happen - all of the events that had to line up - for them to get together. Thankfully, these two were so willing to share! And their love & friendship is obvious… you can tell when a couple really is the best of friends, and these two certainly are!

Megan & Devon, it was such an honor to photograph you two! Congratulations on your engagement... and I couldn't be more excited for your wedding day!!

Ed & Meghan: Sheraton Station Square Wedding Photos

I have had the huge honor of celebrating Ed & Meghan on so many milestones of their relationship - from the proposal, to engagement photos, to their 2020 wedding ceremony, and now to their wedding reception at the Sheraton Station Square!

They had originally planned for a 1920’s themed wedding, as a nod to the year they were getting married, 2020, so they forged ahead with their original plan for their 2021 reception! They had lots of 20’s themed details (one of my favorites was their gorgeous cake by Bethel Bakery!) incorporated into the day, and their reception took place in a beautiful room full of windows overlooking the Pittsburgh skyline. It’s a tough view to beat!

Because Meghan & Ed are already married, they had a small overlap of “getting ready” photos instead of seeing each other down the aisle, and instead of a first look. Ed even helped Meghan put her red heels on… which ended up being such a sweet moment from their wedding day!

After getting ready, we headed out to the surrounding Station Square area for some photos. The aesthetic of Station Square in Pittsburgh has some nods to the 20’s (industrial looking, trains, etc.), which made it a great spot for their photos together and with their bridal party!

I won’t lie, I’ve worked with Meghan & Ed so many times over the last two years that I am super sad to not have anything else on the calendar to look forward to with them! Meghan & Ed - congratulations on your marriage, and thank you so much for letting me be a part of this sweet season of your lives!

Vendors: 2nd II None Productions (DJ), Bethel Bakery, Sheraton Station Square, Flowers by Terry, Marjorie Bezilla (bride’s hair & makeup, sister of the bride)

Madison P: Sunrise Mellon Park Senior Photos

Sunrise senior sessions have always, and forever will be, a favorite of mine.

Madison’s session was supposed to take place on a Friday evening at Mellon Park, but when the forecast called for rain, we chatted and switched our start time to a morning timeframe instead. And even though it was early… really REALLY early, we beat the rain, got some beautiful light, and had Mellon Park almost completely to ourselves (except for a few joggers and dog walkers!). Mellon Park is typically super busy in the evenings, so it was a fun treat to be able to have allllll of the spots to ourselves! ;)

And what a blessing it was to spend the morning with this lovely lady! Madison is a 2021 senior who is planning on pursuing pre-med post-high school graduation! She loves her pups - so of course, we had to incorporate them both into her photos. She was a pro in front of the camera and a true joy to photograph. We laughed so much (maybe that was the tired delirium setting in! ;) ), which made for some super fun and relaxed shots!

Congratulations on your senior year, Madison! I am so thankful to have been able to celebrate this season with you!

Mellon Park Extended Family Photos

Incredible evening, gorgeous light, and the most fun family?! Check, check, & check.

When you're a photographer who loves their family, hardly any gift makes nearly as much sense as some photos with the people you love most... especially when the last "professional" family portrait was taken before you were born!

I was so honored when Amelia, who is also a photographer (talk about an honor to take a photographer's family photos!!), reached out to me about taking some photos of her family. Who, after this session, I completely adore! They were so much fun, laughing and chatting the entire evening together, which made my job SO EASY! I love when families come to sessions ready to have a good time.

A HUGE thanks to this sweet family (and to Amelia!) for allowing me to be a part of this season!

Brielle & Stephen: The Heritage by Hayloft Wedding Photos

Their first date was in 2013. They got engaged five years later in 2018. They were married in a global pandemic in 2020. And this year, in the wedding you’ll see below, they recommitted themselves to one another, surrounded by their family and friends.

And friends, it was one heck of a day.

The Heritage by Hayloft hosted Brielle & Stephen’s huge one-year-married anniversary celebration, and it was an absolute BLAST. To be fair, we’ve known these two and their families for quite a few years now. Brielle’s dad is like a brother to my dad, so we’ve always considered them to be akin to extended family - aunts, uncles, and cousins that may not have the same blood, but who we adore and always wish we could see more of!

Throughout the years, I’ve had the immense privilege of photographing Brielle AND Stephen’s senior photos, so of course, getting these two back in front of my camera was such a treat!

We started the day at a hotel with getting ready and detail photos. After, we headed over to the barn to get Brielle in her dress, have a first look with her dad, and have a first look with Stephen! We were running 30-40 minutes ahead of schedule for the ENTIRE day (totally unheard of in the wedding world!), so we had plenty of time for photos of the two of them and their bridal party!

Their ceremony took place in the Heritage by Hayloft’s “Enchanted Forest.” Separated from the barn, away from road traffic, this quiet spot sits on the edge of the forest and served as the most beautiful location for Brielle & Stephen to renew their vows.

The reception that followed included a cake made of mini donuts (it was just as amazing as you think it would be!), ice cream, more donuts, and of course, a cookie table with TONS of boxed cookies! The night ended with a sparkler exit, and my heart left so very full and happy for these two people (and these two families) who I love so much!

Brielle & Stephen, we adore you two and we are so thankful to have been able to spend your second wedding day with you! ❤️ CONGRATULATIONS on a beautiful day, and a beautiful marriage!

And friends, you’ll just have to excuse this longer than usual blog post… there’s no way I could narrow these photos down any more! 😂 I just love way too many!!!! PS - we make an appearance right at the end! 😉

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Vendors: The Heritage by Hayloft (venue, cake, DJ), Jenna Hidinger Photography, One Enchanted Evening (bride’s dress & bridesmaid dresses), Legendary Celebrations (videographer), Chuck Wagon (caterer), Steven Vance Entertainment (ceremony violinist)

Alex M: Succop Nature Park Senior Photos

Succop Nature Park may be becoming a new favorite spot of mine for senior photos! There are SO MANY great spots to use - a beautifully lit wooded/grassy area, piles of logs, a newly renovated barn, a willow tree and pond… the possibilities are endless! And for a one hour senior session, it can be so helpful to choose a location that has so much variety within such a short walking distance.

Another perk of this location specifically for Alex is that it is right down the road from his family farm! Yes, his family has a sweetcorn farm that the whole family helps out with. Isn’t that amazing? How many high school seniors in the year of 2021 can say that they help out on the family farm?!

In addition to helping out on the farm, Alex is very involved at his church, where he plays guitar and sings. He also has a plethora of other activities he’s involved in at school (honestly - so many that I can’t even remember them all! 😂 Sorry, Alex!!)

When I chat with seniors during their session, I’m always reminded of what a busy time of life the last year of high school is - and, in turn, I’m always thankful to give the seniors (and their parents!) the opportunity to slow down for even a short period of time to reflect on the significance of this season, and the significance of the new season ahead.

I am honored to be the one who was able to capture the significance of this season for you, Alex! Congratulations on your senior year!