Two Additional Wedding Events to Hire a Photographer For

If you’re getting married, chances are you definitely want to hire a photographer to document your day. Maybe even you’ve hired someone to take your engagement photos. But are there any other events you should consider hiring a photographer for?

Below are two additional wedding events that are typically heavily photographed, but not always by a professional photographer. Consider hiring a photographer for these two events to avoid the dreaded photo taking impairment effect.

1.  Bridal Shower

Your friends and family put SO MUCH work into showering you with love and joy with so many beautiful and personal details, why not hire a photographer to document the day? That way, no one will have to worry about being on “camera duty” and everyone can enjoy your bridal shower fully engaged!

2.  Rehearsal Dinner

Do you have a lot of extended family who you’re inviting to your rehearsal dinner? A rehearsal dinner is not only a great time for a photographer to get to know your family and bridal party before the wedding day, but a great way to get extra photos of your extended family all in one place! Plus – having time to take a few group photos at your rehearsal dinner is a great way to lessen the amount of extended family photos on the day of the wedding, saving time the day of your wedding for just having fun!

For more tips, tricks, and blog posts, be sure to follow @jennahidinger on Instagram!

3 Must Read Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Your Engagement Session

In my house, we grew up with a Bichon Frise named “Chip” (named after Chip from Beauty & the Beast, of course!) who was much more like a family member than an actual dog – ha! He had prime real estate on the couch, had his own mini burger made for him when we had a cook out, and loved taking rides in the car (my dad would drive him around the neighborhood if he hadn’t gotten a ride in a while!).

I always love when couples decide to bring their dog to their engagement session, and throughout the years I’ve collected a few helpful tips for making an engagement session smoother with a dog! So if you’re planning on bringing your furry friend to your engagement session, check out the tips below:

 1.  Bring an additional person with you to help.

As owners, we love our dogs – really, they’re like our little fur children! And more than anything we want to make sure they’re well taken care of, which is why I always love to recommend bringing an extra person to help with your pup. Having someone else at the session to walk or play with your dog while you get a few photos without them can be incredibly helpful!

2.  Have someone pick up/drop off your dog part of the way through the session.

This is actually my favorite option over my #1 tip for a couple of reasons: your dog won’t have to sit through your entire photo session. You’ll be able to relax knowing they are well taken care of. There’s no temptation to check on them throughout the session. Whether dog owners realize it or not, whenever their dog is sitting off to the side on the sidelines of a photo, they tend to constantly be checking to make sure they’re okay. Of course – that’s only natural! But having someone physically take your dog to another location will allow you to focus on spending time with your significant other without worrying what your pup might be up to!

3.  Bring treats and/or a favorite toy.

The BEST way to get a dog’s attention is to have a treat or toy handy! Getting a dog to look at the camera for any length of time can be pretty challenging without! Bonus points for a toy with a squeaker, so I don’t have to bark ;)

Looking for more engagement and wedding tips and tricks? Be sure to follow @jennahidinger on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest info!

Tamra + Chad: Succop Nature Park Engagement Photos

Soo I'm not sure why I never thought of using Succop Nature Park for an engagement session location, but it was literally THE perfect spot for Tamra and Chad's engagement session! These two decided on Succop as their location because they were originally thinking about getting married there, but decided to go with a different venue. Talk about the perfect way to get the best of both worlds!

Tamra and Chad met while working at Costco and have been together for about three and a half years! Tamra is studying to become a nutritionist, and Chad works as a graphic & web designer at Sparq Designs (who I used to work for!), which is how I've had the privilege of getting to know these two!

When Chad proposed, he proposed with a freakin' puppy. Possibly every girl's dream, right?! (Unless you're a cat lover, maybe). But regardless, because Tamra was proposed to with a puppy, of course we had to incorporate him into their engagement session!

Even though it was a little chilly for their session, we were blessed with some of the most beautiful light towards the end of the session and a sunset of oranges, pinks, and yellows! I am so excited to share this one with you, friends!

Chiara + Patrick: North Shore Engagement Photos

How lovely is Pittsburgh, and how sweet are Chiara and Patrick?! I met up with Chiara, Patrick, and their Corgi, Piper, in Allegheny Commons Park for their "spring" (we're using that word very loosely in Pittsburgh this April!) engagement session!

Throughout their entire session, I could tell that these two were not just bride-to-be and groom-to-be, but truly best friends! They were high-fiving, hanging out with their pup, and just being themselves, which is always my favorite thing to see (and capture!) during a session! Why should photos have to be boring?!

Aside from hanging out with Piper, these two love traveling together, trying new restaurants, and their favorite date night includes Chinese take-out (right on, friends!)!

Without further ado, check out just a few of my favorites from Chiara and Patrick's engagement session! Congrats you two - we can't wait to celebrate with you in December!

Emily + Brady: North Shore Engagement Photos

It was a crisp, cool day near the end of March when we met Emily and Brady for their engagement photos on the North Shore of Pittsburgh. As my first "spring" engagement session of the year, I was so excited to get back into the swing of things - after a long season in 2017, I took a couple of months off to rest, travel, and regain some much needed perspective heading into this season.

These two went to the same tiny college, but didn't meet until after they had already graduated. Brady proposed on the Rachel Carson bridge, which is literally a ten second walk from Emily's apartment complex - so, of course, we had to visit the bridge as the grand finale for their engagement session!

I am so thankful that Emily and Brady were my first session of the year! Despite their nerves, I couldn't find one ounce of uncomfortableness during their photo session while they were in front of the camera - what I think I loved most about these two is just their general naturalness together. They're not just fiance and fiance - it's easy to tell that they're truly best friends, which made them so incredibly easy to photograph!

Can't wait to see you two again in July! :)

Introducing Spring 2018 Mini Sessions!

I am SO EXCITED to share something I've been hoping to do for quite a while now. Over the last couple years, I have been so blessed with an increased amount of seniors, couples, and families to serve. In the interest of providing more people with photos, this year - for the first time, ever - I'm so excited to announce the first ever JHP Mini Sessions (Spring edition)!

These mini sessions will take place in Cranberry Township at the Cranberry Township Community Park, featuring a gorgeous green background and (God willing!) some beautiful light! These sessions, in particular, are perfect for:

• Families who need an updated photo
• Seniors who don't want a full senior session (perfect for guys, especially!)
• Couples who would like a few anniversary or engagement photos
• Parents who want a few updated photos of their kids
• PETS! (Bonus points if your pet is a llama!)

Bring your parents, grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, and whoever else you can think of! If you are interested in joining us, check out the details below - can't wait to see you there!

Creative Outfit Ideas for Engagement Photos

Trying to find an outfit for your engagement photos?! Shopping for a whole new outfit might seem like the only option, but in reality, there are so many other ways to make a killer engagement session outfit without draining your bank account! Below are three of my top tips for getting creative with your outfits!

1.  Rent a dress or outfit from Rent the Runway!

I learned about Rent the Runway last year and I’m OBSESSED! Rent the Runway has a huge variety of expensive clothing, which can all be rented for a fraction of the original price! Lyndsay, a 2017 JHP bride, opted for a gorgeous floor length red dress that made her session come together perfectly with the neutral winter backdrop. And the best part was, she didn’t have to pay hundreds of dollars to look fabulous!

2.  Repurpose an old bridesmaid dress (or any dress, for that matter!).

So, you bought a bridesmaid dress, only to wear it once and have it sit in your closet for a number of years. There are plenty of tutorials on Pinterest about upcycling or repurposing bridesmaid dresses into pillows or dresses for your kids, but what about repurposing your dress into something that you can wear again?

One of my brides, Hilary, was in a wedding where she wore a beautiful tulle, dusty blue bridesmaid dress. After the wedding, she decided that she wanted to find another way to wear the dress – so she had it made into a floor length skirt!

For her engagement session, she paired the dusty blue skirt with a simple black top, and wa-la! The perfect, upscale, classy outfit for an engagement session! Besides the color of the skirt (which was perfect for winter engagement photos!), Hilary’s skirt was full of body and movement, which always looks gorgeous in photographs!

3.  Uplevel your accessories!

One way to get creative with an outfit for your engagement photos is to “uplevel” your accessories! One little black dress can be transformed with a hat, scarf, statement necklace, shawl, belt, or even just the right pair of shoes. Accessories are also more cost-effective than purchasing a whole new dress or outfit and can easily be worn with a variety of different pieces in any season!

Tess and Phil (pictured below) had their engagement photos taken at the camp they met at, so they dressed in clothing to match the camp experience! Tess wore a hat and the most adorable boot/sock combination. Paying attention to these seemingly small accessories can make the biggest difference in the overall final product!

Looking for more ways to prep for your engagement session? Check out “5 Ways to Pamper Yourself for Your Engagement Photos!”

Pittsburgh Area Location Ideas for Engagement Photos

It’s no secret that finding a location for engagement photos can be daunting task! I've put together a little list to share a few of my personal favorite locations for engagement photos in the Pittsburgh area!

1.     Mellon Park

Why: One of my favorite features about Mellon Park is its diversity. It includes a variety of different elements within a short walking distance, including a garden, woods, gate, and stone architecture with archways, doorways, and lots of character. There is a lot to work with in this location, and is a great spot to choose if you’re interested in having a mix of nature and classic architecture.

Best Time of Year: Year round!

Sample Sessions from Mellon Park:

Leah & Conner (Summer/Fall)

Hilary & Luke (Winter)

2.     Historic Harmony

Why: One of my favorite features about Historic Harmony is all of the different features within a short walking distance! Harmony is a historic German town that’s been preserved with beautiful brick buildings and unique features. There’s a little coffee shop nearby (Wunderbar Café) as well as a field just down the road that lights up beautifully at sunset! If you love color in photos, this place is definitely for you!

Best Time of Year: Year round! All of the different buildings and features lend themselves to being beautiful yearround.

Sample Sessions from Historic Harmony:

Melissa & Matt (Summer)

Victoria & Kevin (Winter)

Megan & Sean (Winter)

3.     Hartwood Acres

Why: One of my favorite features about Hartwood is its diversity. It includes a variety of different elements within a short walking distance, including a garden, woods, gate, and a stone mansion with archways, doorways, and lots of character. There is a lot to work with in this location, and is a great spot to choose if you’re interested in having a mix of nature and classic architecture.

Best Time of Year: Year round! However, if you’re interested in using the garden, it’s best to schedule between the spring and fall.

Sample Sessions from Hartwood Acres:

Sarah & Mike (Spring)

Jackie & Mike (Summer)

Valerie & Matt (Fall)

4.     McConnell’s Mill (and Cleland Rock)

Why: The more I shoot at McConnell’s Mill, the more I love it! There are so many different elements to work with – some within walking distance, and some within a short driving distance. In the central part of McConnell’s, there is the wood mill, river, waterfalls, rocks, and roads. Within a short driving distance, there is a field and “Cleland Rock,” which has become a personal favorite of mine for it’s West Virginia-like views!

Best Time of Year: I’ve taken photos at McConnell’s during every season and can honestly say that I love photographing clients there year ‘round! However, I do find it to be especially beautiful in the winter when everything is covered in snow!

Sample Sessions from McConnell's Mill:

Lyndsay & Justin (Winter)

Amanda & Chris (Winter)

Lauren & Bill (Summer)

5.     Allegheny Commons Park & the North Shore

Why: One of my favorite combinations of locations is Allegheny Commons Park and the North Shore in Pittsburgh! Allegheny Commons Park has the typical park setting, but also has a view of the city straight from the park and over a bridge! Also nearby (within walking distance) are the famous “Mexican War Streets” which offer some beautiful urban architecture. The North Shore is only about a ten minute drive from Allegheny Commons Park with views of the city and the iconic Pittsburgh yellow bridges!

Best Time of Year: Year round, but if you’re looking for greenery in the park, I suggest booking spring through fall!

Sample Sessions from Allegheny Commons & the North Shore:

Jenna & Tom (Winter)

Lauren & Michael (Early Fall)

6.     Phipp’s Conservatory & Oakland

Why: Oakland has lots of beautiful locations to work with within a mid to long range walking distance. Within just a few blocks of space is: the Cathedral of Learning, Frick Fountain, Mellon Institute, Phipp’s Conservatory and Heinz Chapel, as well as some beautiful spots for natural imagery.

Best Time of Year: Oakland looks beautiful yearround with it’s gorgeous architecture!

Sample Sessions from Phipp’s & Oakland:

Rebecca & Yeddie (Early Winter, Oakland - Mellon Institute, Schenley Fountain, Frick Fine Arts Building, Cathedral of Learning)

Amy & Mike (Summer, Phipp's)

Sam & Matt (Summer, Phipp's/Oakland)

Lulu & Ricky (Spring, Oakland)

7.     Fellows riverside gardens

Why: Technically, this location is not in the Pittsburgh area (it’s actually in Youngstown!) but I love it SO much that I had to put it on this list. Fellows Riverside Gardens is a beautiful park that is at its prime in the Spring! It has some gorgeous architectural elements, and, as you can tell from the photos below… lots of flowers at the right time of year!

Best Time of Year: It’s at its best in the spring!

Sample Sessions:

Jordan & Robbie (Spring)

Hilary + Luke: Mellon Park Winter Engagement Photos

I am so excited to introduce you to this couple! Hilary and Luke drove in from Ohio for their engagement session and were absolute champs in Pittsburgh's freezing temps! We started off their session at Coffee Tree Roasters in Bakery Square, then made our way to (an empty) Mellon Park where we were able to catch some of that beautiful afternoon winter light.

Hilary brought a beeeautiful dusty blue skirt, which she had tailored from a previously used bridesmaid dress. Talk about some beautiful upcycling! The blue tones complimented the wintery backdrop perfectly. I can hardly wait to photograph Hilary and Luke's wedding in just a little over two months! ♥

Victoria + Kevin: Historic Harmony Engagement Photos

One of the most beautiful days in all of January here in Pittsburgh happened to fall on Victoria and Kevin's engagement session day! These two - Victoria from Michigan, and Kevin from Pittsburgh - met in Florida on spring break in 2010, started dating in 2014, and got engaged November of 2017 when Kevin proposed in ARUBA on the beach at sunset - talk about magical!!

Victoria's two dresses are from Amazon (can you believe it?!) and they complimented the warm color tones around Harmony perfectly! I am so excited to share this one. Congratulations on your engagement, Victoria and Kevin! :)