Maddie + Tyson: McConnell's Mill & Moraine State Park Engagement Photos

Oh how I love the locations Maddie and Tyson chose for their engagement session - we hit all of the good spots! Cleland Rock has become one of my favorites - it is a beautiful rock overlooking the very scenic mountains of McConnell's, with a field right across. Our second location was the South Shore of Moraine State Park right before sunset. Does it get any better than that?!

Maddie and Tyson both work in finance and accounting and are lovers of all kinds of adventure! From kayaking to boating to skydiving, these two have traveled the world side by side in search for life's most interesting activities! Just to give you more of an idea, here's a little excerpt from Maddie about their favorite date:

"We went on a cruise in the Caribbean and did a zip line called 'The Extreme' in St. Maarten. It was one of the craziest things we've ever done! The zip line went on for miles and miles through the forest and you basically did everything on your own - hooked yourself on and off of the zip line as you went down. The sights were beautiful and something we'll never forget. Afterwards, we grabbed lunch and stopped at a bar on the beach to enjoy some margaritas while looking at the clear blue waters."

How amazing is that?! Knowing all of that background, I'm sure you won't be surprised to read that Tyson popped the question during a pretty rigorous hike at Ohiopyle earlier this year! But Maddie said the ring made the hike worth every step! :)

Congratulations, Maddie and Tyson! We are so excited to be a part of your day!!

When Should We Have Our Engagement Photos Taken?

You’re engaged – congratulations!! For many couples the first few steps in wedding planning might include finding (and booking) a wedding venue, beginning the ever-popular bridal dress search, and booking an engagement session! One of the most frequent questions I receive from recently engaged couples is: “when should I book our engagement photos?”

This is a great question, but really, there is not one-size-fits-all answer. I always recommend couples book their session sooner rather than later, but truthfully, the question of when to book your engagement session comes down to how you plan to use your engagement photos. For example:

• Will you be using your engagement photos for an engagement newspaper announcement? (If so, you might want to schedule them within the first few weeks of being engaged!)
• Will you be using your engagement photos for save the dates? (Save the dates typically get sent out 6 to 8 months before the wedding date, so it would be best to schedule your session 8 to 10 months out from your wedding date.)
• Will you be using your engagement photos for bridal shower décor? (The bridal shower typically occurs 1 to 2 months before a wedding, so 4 to 5 months should give you enough time!)
• Will you be decorating your wedding with your engagement photos? (If you’re really only planning on using your photos to decorate your wedding, you could probably time your engagement session just a couple of months out from your big day!)

Other points to consider that may affect the timing of your engagement photos might be…

…if you have your heart set on getting your photos done during a certain season.

 …if you have your heart set on a certain seasonal location (for example – if you’re from Pittsburgh and you want the fountain at the Point in the background, scheduling during the summer time would be best, as it turns off as the months grow colder!).

…if you would like to have a destination engagement session in a different city (your photographer’s availability might be varied for sessions that require further travel).

Caroline + Grayson: North Shore Engagement Photos

I loved having the opportunity to hang out with Caroline, Grayson, and their pup Rigsby in downtown Pittsburgh not too long ago! Congratulations on your engagement, Caroline and Grayson!

Lauren + Bill: McConnell's Mill Anniversary Photos

Anniversary sessions are quickly becoming a favorite of mine, and Lauren and Bill's anniversary session is no exception! Lauren and Bill came ready to have an amazing time at their session, and we had the BEST time hanging out around McConnell's Mill with them!

As you might be able tell from just the first photo on this blog post, Lauren and Bill are a married couple who genuinely love one another and work amazingly well together as a team! They laughed their way through their entire session, and gave me some solid marriage advice along the way. One of my favorite parts of any anniversary session is asking for the couple's best marriage advice - and Lauren and Bill's was some of my favorite, ever: "Keep God at the center. He's the only thing that can keep you together!" And man, do I believe that, because marriage can be so tough sometimes! But knowing that my spouse isn't the enemy and that God brought us into each others lives for a reason is what gets me through.

So without further ado, here are a few of my favorites from Lauren and Bill's anniversary session! :)

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!

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!

Sarah + Mike: Hartwood Acres Engagement Photos

It was SO hot and humid the morning we photographed Sarah and Mike's engagement session. I've only ever had my camera and lenses fog up from cold weather (read about our coldest shoot ever, in 5 degree weather here!), never from hot humid weather - but that day, the moment I pulled my equipment out to shoot - my gear immediately fogged up! We fought the humidity the entire session, and Sarah and Mike were such incredible troopers! They had no problem getting close (even in the heat) and were total pros in front of the camera. I love when couples aren't afraid to get close and even improvise - and these two did both things so well!

Check out a few favorites from their Hartwood Acres engagement session below!

Amy + Mike: Phipp's Conservatory Engagement

Everyone knows a couple who seem to be made for each other in every way. The chemistry is undeniable. Their love is contagious - Amy and Mike are one of those couples! I met up with these two at Phipp's Conservatory, where I heard all about Amy and Mike's love for Olive Garden breadsticks, Bravo, Rita's, and minions (ummmm, does it get much better than that?!)! We spent time walking around Phipp's and Schenley Park and caught some beautiful light during golden hour.

While we were walking, we came across a little cafe with tables and chairs - which I knew immediately we had to use, because one of Mike and Amy's favorite things to do together is to go out to eat (no wonder we connected so well! ;) ). I love finding ways to make slight nods to a couple's hobbies, loves, and interests! Without further ado, enjoy a few of my favorite images from Amy and Mike's Pittsburgh summer engagement session!

Abby & Ollie: Mackinac Island Engagement Photos

I am so excited because today I'm sharing a little peek Abby and Ollie's wedding weekend on Mackinac Island in Michigan! I loved having the opportunity to photograph these two the day before their wedding on the shores of Mackinac. We traveled from The Inn at Stonecliffe (about two miles back into the island) by horse and buggy (this island is the coolest!!) to find the perfect spot along the coast. And on top of that - the midday light even cooperated so it wasn't too, too bright! I'm so excited to share more from their beautiful wedding weekend, but for now - here's a little peek into their day-before session!

Sam + Anthony: Moraine State Park Engagement Photos

I met up with these two on one of the most beautiful days in all of May at Moraine State Park! Anthony is a golfer, Sam is a Disney lover (which of course I love!), and they both have a mutual love for Wendy's (which I think is where they went to eat after our session!). These two laughed through their entire session and were absolute pros in front of the camera (though they kept trying to reassure me they were not!). I love seeing couples have a fun time during their engagement session - and I think you can tell from these photos that these two certainly did!

Congratulations on your engagement, Sam and Anthony! We can't wait for the wedding!