Casey T: Phipp's Conservatory Senior Photos

Oh how I love this sweet girl and her family! If you've been following the blog for the last few years, your might recognize Casey from her family's mini family portrait session following her sister Maddie's senior photos at Hartwood Acres! My how fast three years flies by!

Casey is talented in so many different ways, including theatre, filmography, and art, but has a particular love for storytelling. She incorporated some elements into her session to represent her personality, including a book titled "Story," an old camera, and a suitcase! I also busted out my favorite gold & rose vintage chair for the occasion - it fit perfectly with Phipp's warm toned flowers and buildings!

Casey, I am so excited to see what you accomplish in your next adventure! Congratulations on your last year of high school!

Chelsea + Shamus: Phipps Conservatory Wedding Photos

How honored we were to be a part of Chelsea and Shamus' beautiful wedding day! These two opted for eloping in lieu of a traditional wedding and it fit them to a T! Nick and I were actually the only two to witness the ceremony, which was a HUGE honor! Their self-uniting ceremony took place outside of Phipp's Conservatory, and from there, we walked around to the lock bridge, Oakland, and finished up portraits at the Roberto Clemente bridge! Congratulations on your marriage, Chelsea and Shamus!

Conner: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

We had so much fun hanging out with Conner at Hartwood Acres a few weeks ago! Conner's evening session was rained out, but we were able to shoot the very next morning and the light was perfect! Conner recently started his last year of high school at Northgate, and cheers on a nationally ranked cheerleading team! So of course, I had to see if he would be willing to hop in a tree for me, and he was totally game! He also brought two of his friends with him to cheer him on throughout his photos, so of course, we had to snag a couple of photos with them, too! Congratulations on your last year of school, Conner!

Who Cares About Engagement Photos?

Remember the first time you rode a bike? Super. Scary. You might’ve had someone there to help you get your feet off the ground, but it probably took more than one try to get the hang of riding that thing!

Much like anything in life, usually the first time we do ANYTHING, it doesn’t come first nature. It feels weird – awkward, even – just because we’re not used to it or have never done it before.

The same is true for having your photo taken! You may have had experience having your photo taken when you were a senior in high school, or as a professional for a LinkedIn headshot, but if you’re getting married, more than likely you’ve never had your photo taken with someone else. And trust me, having your photo taken with someone else is totally different than having it taken by yourself!

But how? For one, an engagement/wedding photographer is looking to capture an interaction. So instead of you interacting with the camera, the goal is to get you and your fiancé interacting together. And while some couples are total naturals in front of the camera, most of us (yes, I’m raising my hand too!) need a little guidance and practice before we catch on.

So… let me ask, very boldly: if you’ve never had your photo taken with your significant other before your wedding day, do you want to go in without EVER having practiced, on one of the biggest days of your life?

If you do, I give you major props, because you’re much braver than I was! Even as a wedding photographer, I was a little uneasy getting in front of the camera for my own engagement photos. But once I did – I slowly started catching on. I started to see what our photographer was looking to capture, and I learned how to play into those moments to get the best interactions possible with my now-husband! And let me tell you – we LOVE those photos and have many of them hanging up around our apartment, because they capture who we genuinely are.

On my wedding day, I was able to go into the day worrying less about one thing. I knew that we had practiced having our photo taken before and that we were total naturals (well, maybe not TOTAL naturals, but not too bad ;) ), so I knew we were going to get awesome photos the day of our wedding, too.

And that, my friends, is one pretty awesome reason to have engagement photos taken. But just to recap and add a few more points – engagement photos…

1. …allow you to test out your wedding photographer before the wedding day to see how they work (and to see their work!).
2.  …allow you to get more comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day.
3. …give you some photos of you and your husband or wife-to-be in your everyday clothes, looking like yourselves, which are great for save the dates, bridal shower decorations, Christmas gifts, wedding décor – the list is endless!
4. …give you an excuse to have a date night. Planning a wedding can be CRAZY. Trust me, I understand – I planned mine while I was starting a business, going to school full time, and working part-time! But the day of our engagement photos, my now-husband and I were able to relax and just enjoy being in the presence of each others company without worrying about anything else.

So really – what you are you waiting for?! Schedule that session today! And if you’re looking for a local Pittsburgh engagement photographer, I’d love to talk with you to hear more about you and your fiancé!

Riley S: Hartwood Mansion Senior Photos

There have been a LOT of Hartwood Acres senior sessions this year, and I still haven't tired of shooting there! For Riley's Hartwood Acres senior session, the garden was looking particularly robust and the light was just to die for. I have to give Riley extra props, because she was right in the middle of a big week at dance camp when we had her session, but you would never be able to tell by her photos. Just from spending an hour and a half with her, I can tell that she's hard-working, dedicated, and is certainly able to accomplish whatever she sets her mind to. Check out a few of my favorites from her session!

Gail + Jake: River Forest Country Club Wedding Photos

What to say about these two! Gail and Jake are an incredibly sweet couple who were both SO excited to finally tie the knot after many years of dating (and lots more years of knowing each other!). These two basically grew up together, but only started dating a few years ago. For their wedding, they decided to incorporate sunflowers (Gail's favorite flower) in honor of the sunflowers that Jake planted for Gail when they first started dating! I mean, come on - how much sweeter does it get?!

Because I wanted Gail's details to be a sunflower explosion, I purchased just a couple more sunflowers to use alongside her invitation suite and jewelry to make her details really pop! She also had the most beautiful pair of yellow heels to accent her sunflower and gray color scheme. I was in detail heaven!

In addition to gorgeous details, Gail and Jake were married in the church where Gail's grandparents AND parents were married. We recreated a couple of photos from her parent's and grandparent's wedding album, and then put our own twist for some new ones (PS - I love a bride and groom who are willing to lay on the floor for the perfect shot!!). I just love how much these two focused on the legacy of love that came before them. They even decorated the mantle behind their sweetheart table with wedding photos from generations past in their family - cue the happy tears!

All in all, Gail and Jake's wedding day was full of love, focused on family, and TONS of cookies (with a super robust cookie table averaging about 30 cookies per person!!). We are so excited for you both as you head into this next adventure, Jake and Gail! Thank you so much for allowing us to document your beautiful day and the start of your lives together!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal

Band/DJ: David McCollough

Flowers: Leechburg Floral

Cake/Desserts: Fenogliettos

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Sam + Matt: Phipp's Conservatory Engagement Photos

When Sam and Matt showed up to Phipp's with two takeout containers of Eat'n Park smiley cookies, I KNEW it was going to be a great session!! Sam and Matt have been together for six years as of TODAY (talk about good timing), and met while working at the Pittsburgh classic, Eat'n Park! One of my favorite stories I heard during their session was about how Matt turned down Sam for her sophomore prom (boo!), but then wised up and said "yes" for her senior prom ;) We had an incredible time walking around Phipp's, Oakland, eating smiley cookies, and letting go of balloons with these two - congratulations on your engagement, Sam and Matt!

Suzy + Tim: Hyeholde Restaurant Wedding Photos

Suzy and Tim's intimate Hyeholde Restaurant wedding featured the cutest wedding party (full of ring bearers and flower girls!) along with a beautiful, light summer color scheme of lavender and peach. Suzy and Tim have been together for a couple of years and decided that a wedding surrounded by their closest friends and family would be the perfect way to celebrate their love and their new adventure together - and we were so honored to be a part of it! Check out a few favorites from their wedding day below!

Josie H: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

I love all of my clients, but it's especially fun to photograph people I've known for an extended period of time - people like Josie! Josie and I grew up in the same neighborhood - actually, almost right across the street from each other, though quite a few years apart in age! If you've been following the blog for a while, you might recognize the similarities between Josie and her sister, Sami, whose senior photos I took almost three years ago (talk about the great genes that run in their family!!).

For Josie's Hartwood Acres Mansion senior summer session, we incorporated a few different styles of outfits to showcase her personality! We went from dressier to more casual, ending with a few in her volleyball t-shirt (with a matching volleyball, of course!) and Josie totally killed it with every look - by the end of her session, she was a pro, even suggesting some of her own ideas for posing and movement (which I love!!).

Check out a few favorites from her session below!

Katie + Nate: Westminster College Engagement Photos

Well these two might be the cutest thing Westminster College has ever seen! I had the privilege of photographing Katie and Nate (or "Natie" ;) ) at the place where they first met and fell in love - Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA! I LOVE photographing couples in places that hold special meaning to them. (Struggling to find a unique location for your engagement session? Check out this blog post!). During the session, we went through a sort of relationship tour - the building where they first met, where Katie graduated (Nate is finishing graduate school), and many, many more sweet memories that poured out during our time together. They are even getting married at the chapel on campus later this year! We finished off Katie and Nate's session with a sunset picnic featuring Katie's famous chocolate chip cookies and some sparkling lemonade. Does it get any more adorable than that?! Also, notice the names on the coca-colas - so perfect!

I am so excited to share this session - check out a few of my favorites below!