Colleen + Brett: Riverfront Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

Oh my, this was a fun one for so many reasons! I had the pleasure of photographing Colleen and Brett’s engagement photos at two amazing locations (one of which was new to me!): Aspinwall Riverfront Park, and the North Shore!

Colleen and Brett are a laid back couple who were so much fun to photograph! Their whole session felt like we were old friends just hanging out, which made my job so easy!

We started out their session at Aspinwall Riverfront Park in their work outfits. Brett works in law enforcement, Colleen works in the medical field, and they’re both so passionate about what they do for a living! We incorporated Brett’s dog into a few photos, then headed down to the North Shore for some gorgeous golden light and epic bridge photos!

Colleen and Brett - you two are so much fun, and I can’t wait to celebrate you two on your wedding day!! ☺️ Congratulations again on your engagement!

Lauren & Michael: Downtown Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

The CRAZIEST thing happened at the beginning of October (I promise, it relates to Lauren & Michael!). I was photographing a wedding at Shady Elms Farm, and showed up early to get a few things set up. While I was carrying my gear into the barn, I noticed a couple walking around, checking out the space! I distinctly remember thinking “I wonder if they have a photographer for their wedding?!” Shady Elms Farm is one of my all-time favorite locations for photographing weddings, and I’m always trying to find ways to shoot there more!

While I was organizing my camera bag, I heard the voice of the venue owner say “do you two have a photographer yet?” To which the bride replied “we do!” To which the coordinator (ever so kindly!) replied: “I was going to recommend this one to you!” (Motioning to me). To which the bride said “I think she’s actually our photographer!”

I stood up, whirled around, and found myself standing in front of two vaguely familiar faces, whose names I recognized immediately. It just so happened that this couple (who currently lives in North Dakota and who I hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting in person yet!) was one of my couples whose wedding I am photographing next year! And they were in town for their engagement session, which I was photographing that very week!

I mean, seriously?! How much do all of the stars need to align in order for something like that to happen?!? I really think that everything is meant to happen for a reason, and the fact that we all happened to be in the same place at the same time was just too crazy!

But anyways - on to more about this amazing pair! Lauren and Michael are two of the kindest human beings on the planet! They are the type of people who you instantly feel comfortable around, and, though you might’ve just met, feel as though you’ve known them for years!

They met at Penn State at a fraternity tailgate before a home football game - and the rest, as they say, is history! They totally hit it off. And Lauren even skipped an anatomy class to get ready for the date! A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do! Michael later planned a sneaky/surprise proposal at Phipp’s Conservatory in a private room. Talk about perfection!!!

It’s so easy to tell how much these two love each other, and what a truly amazing pair they make together! Lauren and Michael, I could not be more excited to photograph your wedding day next year and to celebrate your love! Congratulations again on your engagement!!! 💛

Melissa & Matt: Fall Engagement Photos in Western Pennsylvania

I have been looking forward to Matt and Melissa’s session for months, and I am so excited to share my favorite photos from their session on the blog today!

This session in particular was extra special, because Matt is my cousin and Melissa is my soon-to-be… cousin-in-law? I don’t know if that’s a real thing, but we’ll just pretend like it is for now! 😉 These two traveled four hours in to have their photos taken, so of course, we had to hit all of the good spots - including two of my favorites, Historic Harmony and Soergel’s Orchard!* Soergel’s was a last minute add-on, and it was SO worth it!! Afterwards, we stopped at Arsenal Cider House and had some great family time around the bonfire. It’s always such a treat to spend time with family who live further away! 💛

Melissa and Matt met through the Penn State CrossFit club, and started dating in the spring of 2017. They love going to wineries and breweries, so Matt proposed at the end of 2018 in a wine cellar, followed by a five course meal! They are getting married next year, and we are so excited to get to celebrate them and their love! Congratulations, Matt and Melissa! We love you guys!

*Note that Soergel’s requires pre-planning and permission for photo sessions that take place on their property! A huge thanks to everyone at Soergel’s for letting us stop by!

Meghan & Ed: Hartwood Acres Engagement Photos

You might remember these two faces from their Station Square proposal back in May (click here to see!), and if not, allow me to introduce you to Meghan and Ed - two wonderful people who are getting married next year! 🎉

I had the pleasure of photographing Megh and Ed’s surprise proposal, and now, their engagement photos! These two chose Hartwood Acres Mansion, one of my all time favorite spots, as the backdrop for their photos. They also brought along a vintage family heirloom car, which was SO much fun to incorporate into their photos! Meghan wore red to match the car, and Hartwood provided the perfect neutral backdrop for some epic shots!

Meghan and Ed, thank you for the huge honor of walking alongside you two on your journey towards marriage! ☺️ I cannot wait for the wedding!!!

Fallon & Seth: Preston Park Engagement Photos

She was in ninth grade, he was in tenth grade - and, after switching to a friend’s lunch period, Fallon noticed Seth, a tall boy in the grade above who she had never met before! Because they were both introverts, it took a while for them to begin talking, but finally began doing so after school basketball games where Seth played, and Fallon cheered. They hit it off - and in May of 2018, Seth asked Fallon to marry him! And here we are, summer of 2019, taking their engagement photos at Preston Park in Butler, PA!

This location wasn’t a random choice for their engagement photos, though - Preston Park is a spot this pair has frequented since high school, and it holds so much special meaning to them, as it’s been home to countless walks and conversations throughout their relationship together!

Fallon and Seth - you are an incredible pair! It’s so easy to see your love and admiration for each other - and that you’re truly best friends! I cannot wait to celebrate you two on your wedding day next year!!! 💛

Lis & Naz: Hartwood Acres Anniversary Photos

We met Lis and Naz nearly four years ago at a Pittsburgh wedding networking event - four years later, and they have become some of our dearest friends! Constantly encouraging, ever authentic, and always asking the tough questions that spur growth - these two are a pair to be reckoned with! ✨

Not only are they amazing people individually and an amazing couple collectively, but they are also absolutely INCREDIBLE wedding videographers (if you don’t believe me, just click here!). We teamed up during this session for a couple of mutually beneficial purposes and we were SO excited when the day finally came! We pushed through heavy downpours and a surprise country concert to create these images, and it was so totally worth it! 💛

I could type paragraph upon paragraph depicting all of the characteristics and traits we love about these two, but what it really comes down to is this: we just truly love them! Happy belated anniversary, Lis and Naz!!

HD + Jeff: Oakland Engagement Photos

I had the pleasure of taking engagement photos for these two Pittsburgh-loving dog parents in August at two of my favorite locations in Oakland - the Mellon Institute columns, and Mellon Park! HD and Jeff have been together since 2012, and their little family consists of the two of them, plus their adorable pup, Zelda! Even though the threat of rain hung in the air throughout the night, it ended up being an absolutely beautiful evening - the perfect night for photos!

HD and Jeff, thank you for the honor of taking these photos for you! I can’t wait to celebrate your marriage in just over a month! 💛

Julie & John: Succop Nature Park Engagement Photos

Julie and John are an incredibly sweet couple who are SO easy to be around! Their session took place on a sunny Pittsburgh day at Succop Nature Park in Butler, PA. The day of their session ended up being one of the only days for the entire WEEK that it didn’t rain (hallelujah!!), and we spent much of our time chatting about our favorite restaurants, including a favorite across the board of Burghers in Zelienople, PA - right down the street from my house!

Julie and John’s first date took place on Cinco de Mayo 2016 at Saga, and in March of 2019, John popped the question right before Julie left for a trip to Florida. He surprised her by saying that he had “bought her something new” to wear while she was on her trip, and, to her surprise, that thing was an engagement ring!

These two are something special, and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of their wedding day next year! Congratulations on your engagement, Julie and John! 💛

Ed & Meghan: Pittsburgh Station Square Proposal

Ed reached out to me almost two months before he was planning on proposing to his then girlfriend, now fiancé, Meghan. The plans changed throughout the months, but after dating for a year and a half, one thing remained the same: Ed was so ready to pop the question and ask Meghan to embark on a new adventure: marriage!

After a few different ideas, Ed landed on a plan: dinner at Texas de Brazil at Station Square, then a walk along the riverwalk, where he would pretend to be taking photos of Meghan, have her turn around towards the skyline, pull out the ring, then have her look back at the camera, where he would be waiting, down on one knee (which was the perfect cover plan, since Ed is a photographer as well!). For two Pittsburgh lovers, the spot was PERFECT!

The week of the proposal, though, Pittsburgh threw us a curveball: flooding, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes (oh my!). There were talks of potentially changing the date, but in the end, Ed was all in for keeping things as they were - regardless of the weather (like a true Pittsburgh champ!).

The day of the proposal came around, and Nick and I had made it to Station Square, even though 79 was partially shut down! Upon our arrival, we scoped out the scene, and then heard some loud beeping coming from our phones, signaling warnings for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes heading our way. We huddled under a covering and waited, wondering what the weather would look like when Ed and Meghan made their way out to the Station Square canopy overlooking the skyline!

It was raining rather hard when we first caught a glimpse of them. Thankfully, Nick was there to hold an umbrella for me, and we casually strolled around the fountain at Station Square, pretending to be tourists taking photos of the skyline (Meghan will have to tell us if we actually looked like tourists, though 😉). As soon as Ed turned Meghan towards the skyline, we ran over to catch the moment where she turned back around in utter shock and excitement! And then, not 30 seconds after Ed proposed, the sky completely cleared, and the sun came out. And it stayed that way for the remainder of the evening.

Ed and Meghan, it was an incredible honor to document this moment for you both. Congratulations on your engagement! 💛

Jordan & Robbie: Fellows Riverside Gardens Engagement Photos

Robbie and Jordan first met in 7th grade, when he proclaimed his "undying love" for Jordan in front of the entire class. After that, Jordan put Robbie in the friend-zone until 10th grade, when they finally started dating. This past Thanksgiving, Robbie asked Jordan to marry him in Venice, Italy, where they met up while were both studying abroad in Europe 💛

What's equally impressive about these two, along with their fairytale story, is their immense love for each other, and the joy they both radiate, inside and out. Love can be challenging, but they make it look easy, and that sort of love is the kind that comes from a different source outside of themselves.

Every couple who books with me gets a little questionnaire, so I can get to know the two of them and their relationship a little better before working together. There was one answer on Jordan and Robbie’s questionnaire that jumped right off my screen: Jordan’s biggest dream is to have a God-centered marriage, and to raise kids that love the Lord. I so admire you both, Jordan and Robbie, for so intentionally focusing on how your lives and your relationship will impact your legacy, and how your choices and actions will reverberate throughout eternity. I couldn’t be more excited and honored to be photographing your beautiful wedding day! 💛