PITTSBURGH CHRISTMAS TREE FARM MINI SESSIONS 2023

This year marked the fourth annual Pittsburgh Christmas Tree Farm Mini Session Event for Jenna Hidinger Photography at Lake Forest Gardens in Fombell, PA! These sessions have become some of my favorites that I look forward to each year and are one of my favorite ways to ring in the holiday season!

I can’t believe it, but these sessions sold out within 20 minutes of me sending out my calendar for booking. I am so thankful for everyone who booked one of these… it was a joy to celebrate the Christmas season alongside your family!

I would be remiss to not give a huge shout out to Lake Forest Gardens, who has hosted us for FOUR years now. It is always such a pleasure to work at their farm!

I also need to give a big shout out to my husband, Nick, and my mom, Jean, for helping me with these sessions. It wouldn’t have been possible for me to do everything required by myself. Your support means the world!

And without further ado, here are some highlights from this year’s Christmas tree farm mini session event!

If you have any interest in future mini session offerings, please feel free to sign up for my email newsletter by clicking here!! This is where I announce mini session dates, as well as regular session booking availability.

Past Christmas Mini Session Photos - 2019 // 2020 // 2022

Chelsea & Anthony's Wedding at The Gathering Place at Darlington Lake

Meet Chelsea & Anthony!

Like a true good Pittsburgh love story, Chelsea & Anthony met while working at Kennywood (you may remember their engagement session from last year that took place AT Kennywood - click here to see it!). A few weeks ago, they tied the knot at a favorite wedding venue of mine... The Gathering Place at Darlington Lake!

I'm not sure if the particular weekend of their wedding marked "peak" fall foliage here in Western Pennsylvania, but it sure felt like it The foliage was beyond beautiful and vibrant for their gorgeous wedding day set along Darlington lake. And though the forecast loomed with the threat of rain, instead, we experienced a lovely crisp fall day with some glimmers of sunshine!

One of my favorite details about this wedding day - Chelsea wore the exact same shoes that her mother wore on her wedding day! I have never seen that before and thought it was the sweetest touch!

Chelsea also had many special touches included for her late grandmother, who passed away just a few weeks before her wedding. She had a special sign and bouquet made for her, and there was a special dance with her extended family during the reception to honor her. It was truly beautiful.

Chelsea & Anthony, it was a blessing to be a part of your day. Thank you so much for having us there!

And a huge shout out to Taylor Ramsey for photographing this wedding with me (some of whose photos you'll see sprinkled throughout this set!).

Vendors: Joyful Events by Jade, Loyalty Entertainment, Patti's Pasticceria Inc., JL Makeup Studio and Beauty Boutique, The White Orchid, A Simple Vow

Kelsey & Nick: The Grayson House Fall Wedding Photos

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Sheppard!

Kelsey & Nick were a blast to photograph at the most picturesque venue, The Grayson House! Their fall wedding day was full of warm fall tones and vibrant florals (fall wedding color palettes are always my favorite, and this one was no exception!).

We started off the day with coverage of the bride and groom getting ready separately, both at designated cottages on the Grayson House’s property. After both Kelsey & Nick had finished getting ready, they had a first look overlooking the Uniontown fall scenery, and read their personal vows to each other at that time. We took some portraits of the two of them, them with their bridal party, and them with their family, and even though it had been raining earlier, the rain stopped for us just long enough to get all of those portraits outdoors… and that was such a blessing!

The ceremony took place inside the Grayson House reception area due to the rain, with cocktail hour to follow. We got to end the night with an epic photo out in the rain (kudos to our bride & groom for braving the elements!)

Kelsey & Nick, it was such a joy to be a part of your wedding day! A HUGE congratulations to you both on your marriage!

Sierra B: Seneca Valley High School Senior Photos

Meet Sierra!

She's a senior at Seneca Valley High School who plays soccer, loves fall, and writes her own music (which she performs regularly at a local restaurant!). She has lots of passions to follow post high school and is still in the process of deciding which one(s) she'll choose to pursue after graduation!

We had one of the best fall days for her photos.. the sun was shining, it wasn't too cold... and the leaves were so beautifully vibrant!

Sierra, a huge congratulations to you on your senior year!

Zelienople Family Photos

This session was a joy for so many reasons!

I first met Sam and Anthony back in 2017 after they had recently gotten engaged. I took their engagement photos that year, and then photographed their wedding in 2018 (click here to see!). This year, I had the privilege of photographing them as a family of four during peak fall on the Historic Harmony trail… one of my favorite locations in the fall!

It is always an honor and privilege to get to photograph growing families over the years. Thank you so much to Sam & Anthony for letting me photograph this season of life for you!

Jillian & Zack: Oakland Engagement Photos

Meet Jillian & Zack!

These two finance Pitt grads chose the perfect spot for their engagement session... Oakland! There's something about Oakland in the fall that feels a bit like the movie "You've Got Mail" (if you've never seen it... it's a good one!)

We started off their session at the Mellon Institute columns, then headed over to Heinz Chapel, the Cathedral of Learning, and finally, a beautiful little grass/tree area near the library. That had to be my favorite spot… the fall colors were so gorgeous!

I am so excited to be a part of their December 2024 wedding (which was thoughtfully planned for that time around the Pitt sport schedule I love it!).

Congratulations on your engagement, Jillian & Zack!

Ava S: Sunrise Mellon Park Senior Photos

Meet Ava!

Ava is a senior at Avonworth who is hoping to study engineering post high school. She's in lots of different clubs at school and loves fall! We had the most beautiful morning at Mellon Park for her senior photos, and she brought some gorgeous outfits that complimented the changing fall scenery so well!

Congrats on your senior year, Ava!

Katherine D: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Meet Katherine!

She's a senior at Mars who has already been accepted to a ton of awesome schools - go girl! She's a Chipotle & Chick-fil-A lover who chose to have her senior photos done in one of my favorite locations... Historic Harmony!

What I LOVE about this location is the amount of variety (and color!) you can get within a very short walking distance. It has that small town charm and I always get some of my favorite images here!

We had a blast walking around town with Katherine and her mom and getting to explore so many spots on such a beautiful fall day. Congratulations on your senior year, Katherine!

Avery C: Hartwood Acres Mansion Sunrise Senior Photos

Meet Avery!

There's something about that beautiful golden light... especially in the fall!

Avery is a fan of fall, and thankfully, we were able to find some beautifully colored trees for her session! She's a senior at Mt. Lebanon, and though she doesn't claim to be a morning person, she killed it for her sunrise senior session!

All of my senior sessions take place within the first two hours of sunrise, or the last two hours of the day before sunset. This allows me to have the best natural light of the day for all of my sessions!

Avery's mom, little brother, and Frenchie Stella joined us for her photos too, which made our time all the more fun!

Congratulations on your senior year, Avery!

Gaby O: Grove City College Senior Photos

Meet Gaby!

Gaby is a senior at Seneca Valley, and a cheerleader! She chose a different location for her photos... Grove City College, which was so much FUN! There are so many beautiful architectural elements around the campus, so there was no shortage of beautiful backdrops for us to use. And with this session being in the summer to fall transition timeframe, we had some beautiful florals AND fall leaves to work with. It is one of my favorite times of the year for senior photos!

Congratulations on your senior year, Gaby!