Janelle + Josh: Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh Wedding Photos

There are so many things to love about this couple and about this day! From the moment I first met Janelle and Josh at Panera quite a few months ago, I could tell they were meant to be. Then, last December, I had the same thought as they sipped coffee together and stood (and danced) in freezing temperatures for their engagement session - not one complaint from either one about the weather - they were just happy to be together! And then, last month on their wedding day, after meeting their family and friends, I was truly in awe of these two wonderful, gracious people!

I recently listened to a podcast series titled "What Happy Couples Know" by Andy Stanley, and one of the BIG takeaways was that happy couples "understand that relationships are a race to the back of the line" - they understand the idea of being selfless with one another, and that they "know that they owe each other everything, but are owed nothing in return." Really, it comes down to putting the other person's needs and desires ahead of your own - and I noticed these two putting each other ahead of the other frequently throughout their engagement session and throughout their wedding day. One thing that really stuck out to me was Josh's willing attitude for photos - all day. Sometimes guys aren't as interested in having their photos taken as much as ladies, but Josh was so eager to make sure we were capturing all of the photos that his bride had envisioned, which totally blew us away (along with Janelle's absolutely stunning beauty and joyfulness throughout the day!). As you can imagine, we had SO MUCH FUN working with these two! How could we not?!

I really believe that we were able to capture Josh and Janelle's day in a way that really captures their love and joy for each other, and I am so thankful that we were asked to be a part of their wedding day! Congratulations, you two - here's to a lifelong love!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: Fiore Couture, Exquisite Bride (Murrysville)

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mishka

Bridesmaid Dresses: Kenneth Winston

Hair: Above All Grande Salon

Makeup: Hannah Conard Makeup

Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse

Band/DJ: Jeremy Ganss

Flowers: Posies by Patti

Caterer: Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh

Cake: Grandview Bakery

Videographer: Just Hitched Wedding Films

Hannah W: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

I loved having the opportunity to take Hannah's senior portraits at Hartwood Acres just a few short weeks ago! Hannah is a senior at Eden Christian Academy (where I am an alum!) and just has the sweetest personality (and of course, the most beautiful hair!). Congratulations on your last year of high school, Hannah! :)

Leah + Conner: Mellon Park Engagement Photos

Oh my word. I have SO MANY favorites from this session, it's insane! Leah and Conner are one of those couples that made my job so incredibly easy - just by being themselves! I actually attended Robert Morris University with Leah (though we had different majors), so I've known her for quite a few years! We actually went on the same two week study abroad trip to Ireland just a few years back, too - so when she asked me to photograph her engagement and wedding photos, I was stoked!!

Leah and Conner did long distance for the majority of their relationship - both attended different colleges hours apart from each other, then held jobs in different cities post-graduation. The two finally moved back to the burgh a few months ago and now are planning their wedding, which will take place in Pittsburgh!

For their engagement session, Leah and Conner opted for Mellon Park - admittedly, Mellon Park is a popular spot for engagement photos, but I am so glad that that didn't dissuade this pair from using it for theirs! They live only a few blocks away and are frequent visitors of the park (especially on beautiful evenings, like the one we had last night for their engagement session!). We even stopped over at Bakery Square for a few quick photos towards the end of their session! I am SO excited to share these images - congratulations, Leah and Conner!

Beth + Dave: Mingo Creek Park Wedding Photos

Ohhhh I am so excited to share this wedding with you! Beth and Dave are just all around fun people to be around, which made photographing their day a walk in the park (literally ;) ). These two have been dating, as I heard a member of their bridal party say "basically a million years," so their day was well worth the wait and was FULL of joy and love!

Beth started off the day getting ready at Dave's grandma's house, then we moved to Mingo Creek Park for a first look between the bride and groom, and portraits before the ceremony! It was definitely a hot one, but we were thankful for lots of shade from the surrounding forest - which also provided us with the perfect light, even in the middle of the day! One of my favorite parts of the whole day was their dog, Hershey, being featured in the ceremony. She was possibly the most well behaved dog I've ever worked with! (Plus, you can't go wrong with a name like Hershey!)

After a petal-throwing exit from the ceremony, we headed over to the reception venue for one of the most uniquely decorated spaces I've seen this entire year! Beth's forest vision graced all areas of the social hall with the most beautiful details - everywhere I turned, there was another little detail I hadn't noticed before! One of my favorite details was the trail mix bar - complete with pretty much any type of trail mix ingredient you could think of in carved out logs, tin buckets, and lanterns. Literally the cutest thing ever!

Beth and Dave - we loved being a part of your day and are so excited as you start this journey of marriage! Congratulations!

Vendors:

Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Ceremony: Mingo Creek Park

Videographer: ShoFilms

Suits: Cavani

Jackie + Mike: Succop Conservancy Wedding Photos

Jackie and Mike's Succop Conservancy wedding was all kinds of gorgeous! Succop Nature Park is home to a 19th century mansion, originally home to an Irish immigrant back in the 1800's. Though the mansion has been through renovations, the beauty and charm of the 19th century design remains and continues to be (in my opinion) one of the best wedding venues around the area! With so many beautiful little nooks and crannies for photos, it was so hard to choose just a few favorites from Jackie and Mike's wedding day.

Jackie and Mike's wedding day started off inside the mansion for getting ready and detail photos, then outside the greenhouse for a first look! We made our way around the property, hitting all of the best scenic spots on the way. One big reason I love Succop is for all of its location variety - there are endless amounts of spots to choose from! After bridal party and family photos, the ceremony was held right outside of the mansion, with the surrounding park serving as a backdrop. The cocktail hour happened throughout the house and grounds, which led straight into a reception full of cookies, candy, and dancing! We absolutely LOVED being a part of your day, Jackie and Mike! Congratulations on your marriage!

Vendors:

Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Succop Nature Park

Makeup: Valarie Panei

DJ: First Class Entertainment

Chance S: Baden Senior Photos

Chance's senior session took place at his family's home in Baden, near Cranberry Township. I loved that we had the opportunity to incorporate some of Chance's hobbies and interests into his photos, including his motorcycle, his love of hunting, and a fire pit (that was a first for me, but I love how the photos turned out!!). We had a great time working with you, Chance!

Check out a few favorites from Chance's session below!

Bethany + Phil: University Club (Pittsburgh) Wedding Photos

Bethany and Phil met while Bethany was trying out for Phil's band, Balloon Ride Fantasy, which they are both a part of to this day! These two had an epic day, beginning at Bethany's childhood home for detail and getting ready photos, then to Heinz Chapel, then to University Club (Pitt) for a gorgeous reception!

There were so many beautiful, unique details included in Bethany and Phil's day to represent the two of them! One of my favorites was Bethany's handmade cardbox (made from a guitar - check it out in the reception photos). Talk about skill!! Another one of my favorite details (or, well, main center-stage items) was Bethany's dress. Oh. My. Gosh. Have you ever seen anything like it?! The way the fabric is draped is so unique - I'm in love with her effortless bridal style!!

Congratulations, Bethany and Phil! We were so honored to be a part of your day!

Vendors:

Bride's Dress: Lindee Daniel

Ceremony: Heinz Chapel

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids

Flowers: Karrie Hlista Designs

Reception: University Club (Pitt)

Cake: Bethel Bakery

Lauren, Cody, & Jam: Moraine State Park Family Photos

Right at the beginning of Lauren, Cody, and Jam's family session, I learned that Lauren and Cody got engaged just a few weeks prior (congratulations again, you two!!!) in an epic proposal that literally happened ON the Pittsburgh incline, right at twilight! Talk about romantic!! But the true purpose for these photos was to get some shots of all three members of this adorable family (including Jameson or "Jam") to hang on their walls! We used one of my favorite spots at Moraine State Park and got all kinds of scenery - woods, fields, a dock, and a beautiful rocky shoreline for lots of variety! I just love these three and am so excited to share their photos!

Rachel D: Graham Park (Cranberry Township) Senior Photos

How many high school seniors do you know who want to go to school to become a cardiac pediatric surgeon? Anyone? None? Hard to believe! When Rachel told me she had a passion for the heart and a love for children, which made becoming a cardiac pediatric surgeon a no brainer for her, I was in complete awe! The fact that this girl has such a specific calling and passion for something so specific amazes me - God makes us all so individually beautiful and unique! And, as you might be able to tell looking through her photos - we had SO MUCH FUN taking her photos! She is a ball of joy and energy and I am so excited to share her portraits! Rachel, you are going to do amazing things!!

DeFanti Family: Zelienople Family Photographer

Oh how I love this family! I've had the pleasure of knowing Ada for a couple of years now. Ada is a wonderful photographer herself and loves to photograph families and seniors around her beautiful property, just north of Cranberry Township. So you can imagine how honored I was when she asked me to come and take some photos of her sweet family on their very own property!

As a side note, I think Ada has one of the coolest jobs ever - she works for Disney at their research center in Oakland (And for those of you who don't know me very well - I LOVE Disney!) - talk about an amazing gig! 

Without further ado, here are just a few of my favorites from their session!