Courtney & Matt: Antonelli's Event Center Wedding Photos

I have SO many favorite photos from Courtney & Matt’s wedding day... and what a beautiful day it was! Not too hot, but still full of sunshine - Courtney & Matt had the most ideal summer day for their wedding! ❤️ (PS - if you missed their engagement photo session at Succop Nature Park last year, feel free to click here to check it out!)

The day begin at Courtney's parents' home, where the ladies were getting ready! The church where their ceremony was held was the epitome of a quintessential small town church, and after the ceremony, we hopped over to White Oak park for lots of portraits! After, we moved over to Antonelli's for their celebratory reception (they just have the best food!) and LOTS of dancing!

Courtney & Matt, a HUGE congratulations to you both on your wedding day - we are so honored to have been a part of it!

Vendors: Antonelli Event Center, Just Hitched Wedding Films, Lea's Floral Shop, Inc., Prantl's Bakery, DJ Bryan Hoover, Michelle's Bella Boutique & Day Spa, Bridal Beginning Pittsburgh, AZAZIE, Immaculate Conception Church, Irwin PA

Pittsburgh Extended Family Photos

This was a special extended family session, featuring both sides of Malorie & Johan's family! These extended family members have come together in support of their newest and littlest member, so it was only fitting to document this sweet season before some head out of state in the place that brought them all together in this season!

Interested in an immediate or extended family session? Feel free to click this link for more info!

Malorie & Johan, thank you so much for the honor of photographing your sweet families during this special time!

Cranberry Township Graduation Party Photos

The first time I photographed this sweet family was at the VERY beginning of my career - possibly more than a decade ago!

I had the honor of taking Lauren’s senior photos this past fall, and was so honored to be invited back to photograph her grad party this summer! I love photographing grad parties - it’s fun to document the decor, the relationships, and even a few quick portraits of family (and of the senior!). Below are a few of my favorite images from Lauren’s grad party!

Congratulations on your graduation, Lauren! ❤️

Martha & Sam: Sunrise Mellon Park Engagement Photos

An empty Mellon Park can be tough to come by... unless you have your session at 6:30AM on a Saturday!

Martha & Sam are two brave souls who woke up extra early a beautiful summer Saturday for their gorgeous sunrise engagement session! And I know that sounds crazy, but it was SO worth it. We had the most beautiful morning light, and if you’re local to the Pittsburgh area and have ever been to Mellon Park on a week day or weekend evening... you know how crazy this park gets with photo sessions! So it was a treat to get to meander our way through the park without people!

Martha & Sam met a few years ago through their bible study group while they were both in college. Sam proposed at Kennywood (a true Pittsburgh proposal if you ask me!), as a nod towards their mutual love for theme parks. And they were a joy to spend an early morning with!

Congratulations to you both, Martha & Sam! We are so excited to be a part of your wedding day!!!

Summer Moraine State Park Family Photos

Tracie & Mark are celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year, and they wanted to do so with some updated family photos, and some updated photos of the two of them! One of their favorite places as a family of four to spend time at is Moraine State Park, so it was a no-brainer that that would be the perfect location for their photos… and it did not disappoint!

Aside from some of my usual favorite spots, I noticed some gorgeous bushes in bloom all throughout the park… and I knew we had to use them in their photos! So we parked, jumped across a ditch, and walked across the road to our first beautiful spot. Sometimes it takes a little extra work to make the magic happen, but it’s always so worth it!

From there, we drove to two other locations for photos - one spot with a small field and a wooded area, and the last spot right on the lake. While the lake location is beautiful, the light is best later in the day, when the sun isn’t shining to bright against the water. I think we hit our last spot at the perfect time, and got the most beautiful light!

As an added bonus… the kids played in the lake at the end of our session and caught a fish! (Scroll to the bottom to see the very last photo!). If you’ve ever wondered what a family session is like, I feel like that just about sums it up! Kids have limited attention spans during photos, so at some point, we have to steer into that and go for the more fun, candid, and interactive shots (you’ll see lots of fun ones in this post!). And you know what? Those ones always end up being my favorites anyways!

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary, Tracie & Mark! Thank you so much for the honor of commemorating such a special season for you four!

Kathi & John: McConnell's Mill & Moraine State Park Engagement Photos

Kathi & John have been together for 8 years! Interestingly enough, Kathi & John grew up a very short distance from each other, but didn't meet until freshman orientation at St. Vincent College - which is also where John proposed back in February of this year!

Kathi & John's favorite go-to date is ordering a round of milkshakes and just talking - the simple dates are somehow always the best, and the most memorable.

For their engagement session, Kathi & John chose the combo of McConnell's Mill and Moraine State Park... two beautiful spots with so much gorgeous scenery! We had an absolute blast taking their photos and getting to know them.

Congratulations on your engagement, Kathi & John! We cannot wait to celebrate you on your wedding day!!!!

Maria & Matt: Elks Lodge #776 Up-Themed Wedding Photos

“You are my greatest adventure.”

If you are a fan of the movie, “Up,” you’re going to love Maria & Matt’s wedding!

You might recognize some hints of the classic animated film woven into the details of Maria & Matt's wedding day, including some grape soda pins on the bouquets and boutonnières, colorful florals, a cloud-covered cake, and the most beautiful and intricate card box house, designed by the father of the bride after the house in the iconic film (you have to see it!!). As a Disney lover myself… it was such a treat to get to photograph their colorful & playful wedding day! You might even want to check out their engagement photos from last spring if you’d like to see even more fun Up details!

We had such a sweet time with these two and their friends & family on their wedding day mid-May! Their wedding took place at the Elks Lodge #776, right across the street from Washington & Jefferson College… which made for the most beautiful photo backdrop for all of their portraits!

One thing that made this wedding extra sweet about this wedding day - I grew up across the street from Matt's family! I babysat for them and worked with many of the family members, and it was an absolute honor to get to document this beautiful day.

Congratulations to Maria & Matt on your wedding day and on your newest adventure! ❤️

Vendors: Elks Lodge #776, photos on Washington & Jefferson College's campus, Isababy Cakes, Dana Lynn Photos (videographer), Loyalty Entertainment LTD, Bella Sposa Bridal, Prom & Tux, Morilee by Madeline Gardner (bride's dress & bridesmaid dress designer), Zazzle (invitations)

Jake Proposes to Dana at the Point!

Secret proposals are always my favorite… and Jake and Dana’s was no different!

Jake had contacted me a few months ago inquiring about having me take some photos at Point State Park for his proposal to his then-girlfriend, Dana. The plan included Jake taking Dana to dinner in the city. After, they would walk over and he would pop the question!

Leading up to the day of the proposal, there was a threat of rain, but it seemed to subside once the actual day came. However, when we were waiting (sneakily!) at the fountain for Jake to walk Dana to our agreed upon proposal spot, we noticed some dark storm clouds starting to roll in. The sky kept getting darker and darker, and we were a little nervous, wondering if the rain would hold off for the proposal, and if we would have enough light to actually capture it.

Well… the rain did hold off, and we had just enough natural light! Jake and Dana walked across the Point State Park lawn, and as Jake went down on one knee, I pulled up my camera - and Dana started walking towards me, away from Jake! Thinking I was just a casual photographer who hopped on the moment after seeing what was happening (I think!), she said “oh, he’s just kidding!” And I replied… “I don’t think so!!! Go back!” 😂 And well, she did. And to her surprise, Jake was quite serious. And yes… she said yes!

We had a few minutes after the proposal for a few more photos before the super dark clouds rolled in and we lost the majority of our light. The winds picked up so much that they were practically blowing us over as we rain back to the parking garage (lots of camera gear + no umbrella = not a great combination for getting stuck in a rain storm!). BUT we made it, and the most important thing was that we were able to capture that sweet moment, and Jake & Dana were able to take that moment in - sans rain!

Jake & Dana, a huge congratulations to you both on your engagement! Thank you so much for the honor of being a part of such a sweet moment!

Gavin S: North Catholic High School Senior Photos at McConnell's Mill

Meet Gavin, who's graduating this Spring with the class of 2022 from North Catholic!

Gavin is heading south for college, and plans to be a part of the medical field - his choice was inspired by his own personal experience and diagnosis.

Gavin also plays hockey and has a car that he's proud of - so of course, we had to incorporate it into some photos! We had the perfect night for photos at McConnell's Mill, and were able to get lots of variety and unique shots during our time together!

Congratulations on your senior year, Gavin! And thanks so much for the honor of taking your photos!

McConnell's Mill Summer Family Photos

This sweet family had the most gorgeous day for their mini session at McConnell’s Mill!

We’ve known Darren & Kim for a number of years, all the way back to before they were married! We’ve run in many of the same circles and have had the pleasure of seeing them get engaged, married, and grow from a family of two to three, then from a family of three to four.

I love the colors these four chose for their photos! They opted for lighter, summer-themed tones, which popped perfectly against the sun-lit forest background. I’m so excited about how these images turned out!

Kim & Darren, thank you so much for the honor of taking these photos for you. You two (and your two boys!) are a blessing to our lives! ❤️

Interested in booking a family session for yourself? Feel free to click here to get some more info, or email me directly at: jhidingerphotography@gmail.com.