Gabrielle W: North Shore Senior Photos

The very last session of 2021 - cue the confetti!!

Gabrielle's senior session on the North Shore was filled with the most perfect light... and was so much fun to photograph! She loves video games, plays the clarinet, loves peppermint hot chocolate, and wanted a true Pittsburgh session with the yellow bridges and bright city background. There was no better spot than the North Shore!

Congrats on your senior year, Gabrielle!

Behind the Scenes 2021

What a year it has been! 2021 has been FULL of weddings, seniors, engagements and families, and TONS of editing.

As I reflect on this year, I am reminded of how God provides - abundantly. He has provided this work, this job, this career path, and my goal is to continue to grow more and more grateful (especially when it feels overwhelming!) for the work that he has called me to do in this season.

This year, that work looked like 19 weddings and over 65 portrait sessions, and countless hours of editing. Moving into 2022, I’ll be taking slightly less weddings, and increasing the number of portrait sessions on my calendar!

There are so many people who have helped make this year possible… and so many that aren’t included in the photos below! Nick (my husband), Alisha, Robin, Taylor, Amelia and Jill - you have all made this year possible with your support at sessions and weddings, and I couldn’t be more grateful! And a HUGE thank you to my parents who graciously watch our “boys” (the dogs ;) ) on wedding days. It is such a blessing to know that they are taken care of!

You’ll find a compilation of random images from the year - both “professional” and cell phone quality.

And without further ado, enjoy this year’s behind the scenes blog post!

For more Behind the Scenes content: 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020

That one time a cat tried to make their getaway in our car during a shoot!

Here is what I looked like taking the shot below! I love to use trees and leaves and bushes as interesting foreground elements!

My little helper ❤️

Thankful for videographers who let us use them as our test subjects!

The cutest little parasol you've ever seen!

Can you spot Nick with the groom and groomsmen?

Enjoy this strange set of images... featuring my end of a very humid wedding day delirium!

Maria & Andrew: Blue & Blush Laube Hall Wedding Photos

Maria & Andrew were my last couple to move their wedding day due to Covid. Though they had planned for a Spring celebration, their November wedding day was just as beautiful and meaningful! We started off the day with getting ready photos at the home where Maria grew up - then, we had a first look at Maria & Andrew's new home (just a few minutes down the road!), and then a ceremony & reception where two of Maria's sisters had also celebrated their wedding days!

These two made so many decisions about the details of their wedding day that centered around their love for each other and for their family... and it made their day even more of a joy to be a part of and to tell the story of!

Maria & Andrew, congratulations on your wedding day and on your marriage! We adore you two!!!

Vendors: Laube Hall Freeport PA, Blossoms by Jilliann, Tasty Bakery, HEADLINES BY JACKIE & CO. (hair), MB Bride & Special Occasion (Bride's dress), Minted, A Grand Affair Catering, ILLUME Lighting + Event Design, Lendable Linens, Steven Vance Entertainment (violinist + photo booth), Rachel Bongiorni (makeup)

Allison & Anthony: St. Vincent Basilica & Stratigos Banquet Center Wedding Photos

What a beautiful wedding day Allison & Anthony two had towards the end of November! These two were another couple of mine who postponed their wedding day from last year to this year - but I would say that it was well worth the wait!

Their day was filled with joy, love, and was an absolute pleasure to be a part of. We were even able to take wedding portraits at the place where they first met... at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College!

Congratulations on your wedding day, Allison & Anthony! We are so very thankful to have been a part of your beautiful day!

Vendors: Stratigos Banquet Centre, Saint Vincent Basilica Parish, Monier Media, Brides & Butterflies, Moio's Italian Bakery, Houserockers DJ - Receptions That Rock!, Bella Amici Salon, MB Bride & Special Occasion, Georgia's Stationary Shop

Edward E: Pittsburgh North Side Senior Photos

Ed is a senior at North Catholic who I photographed a few weeks ago on the North Side! We visited the eclectic Mexican War Streets, as well as Allegheny Commons Park and were able to get so many different backdrops in a relatively short amount of time. And even though it unexpectedly rained for a large portion of his session, Ed didn't let it phase him at all!

Congratulations on your senior year, Ed!

Hudson N: North Park Senior Photos

Hudson chose a more suave and sophisticated look for his senior photos, complete with a top hat and cane! This was a fun first for me... and Hudson embodied the look perfectly!

We took his photos at North Park, beginning at the skate park area (where he spends lots of time!), moving onto the area around the Boathouse, then to the island! And, surprisingly for November in Pittsburgh… we had some great light to work with. That is always a bonus!

Congratulations on your senior year, Hudson!

Fall North Park Family Photos

Oh what a lovely November evening we had for this sweet family's photos! We had the BEST time running around North Park with these four... and we even had some sunlight to work with, which is often a rarity in Pittsburgh in November!!

I met this family a few months ago at the church plant we’re a part of, New Horizon Church, so it was super fun to get to spend some time with them walking, running, jumping, dancing, and playing Simon Says (oh the things we do for those candid kid reactions at a family session!! They are always so much FUN!).

Enjoy a few of my favorite photos below, and thank you so much to these four for letting me document such a sweet season!

Beaver Family Photos

In November, you never know what the weather might be like in Pittsburgh! I’ve had 16°F sessions mid-November, but for this family, we had a 60°F day, and I know that we were all so thankful!

I had the pleasure of photographing Megan & Richard’s wedding a few years ago, so when Megan reached out to me about an extended family session for her mom, I was thrilled! It was such a treat to be able to spend the afternoon with them in the adorable town of Beaver. Check out a few of my favorite photos from our time together below!

Amy & Anthony: Indiana Country Club Wedding Anniversary

You might recognize these two if you’ve been following along on the blog over the last few years! ❤️I’ve had the pleasure of spending the last THREE Octobers in Indiana PA with these two - first with their engagement session back in 2019, then with their micro-wedding in 2020, and again this year for an anniversary celebration with all of their friends & family! Indiana PA is GORGEOUS in the fall!

Amy & Anthony were married last year on the coveted date of 10.10.20 surrounded by a very small group of friends & family. It was sweet, intimate, full of unexpected twists and turns (like the breakdown of the trolley that was supposed to carry all of the guests from one place to the next!).

And this year... they got to celebrate with so many more people that they hold near and dear to their hearts at Indiana Country Club! Though it was rainy day, it was still a beautiful celebration of their first year of marriage, filled with lots of little personal details! Including lots of Dunkin' donuts (their favorite dessert… and mine! ;) ), and a luggage tag favor to represent their love for travel. AND we were even able to sneak outside when the clouds parted for a few brief minutes after their ceremony!

Amy & Anthony, it was such an honor to get to celebrate with you AGAIN! When I think of or visit Indiana, PA, I will always think of you two. Congratulations on your first year of marriage!

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Vendors: Indiana Country Club, Flower and Balloon Gallery, Dunkin' (dessert), Antonette Medved (makeup artist), Shari Pho from Tease Salon (hair), White Lace Bridal (bride's dress), White Lace Designs (invitations), AZAZIE (bridesmaid dresses), Top Dog Productions (lighting), Lendable Linens, Dorosh Documentaries (videographer)

DeFanti Family: Harmony Family Photos

What a blessing it was to work with this incredibly sweet family a few weeks ago again for some fall family photos!

Ada (mom) and I met through our mutual love of photography (and Disney ) years ago, and I had the privilege of photographing them on the Harmony Trail last night, which was a new (to me) spot for photos that will now be a go-to of mine in the fall!

I photographed these four FOUR years ago on their property (click here to see!). What an honor it was to have them back in front of my camera! Thank you for trusting me with these sweet memories! ❤️

FOR MORE RESOURCES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS, SENIORS, AND ENGAGED COUPLES, CLICK ANY OF THE PHOTOS BELOW!