Courtney & Matt: Succop Nature Park Engagement Photos

It is a JOY to be able to share this couple’s engagement photos and story - and it was even more of a joy to get to spend an evening with them at Succop Nature Park in Butler!

Courtney and Matt went to the same high school and were both involved in the band program. However, their paths didn’t cross until they were both invited back to that very same school to teach! After the band performed one night at Kennywood’s Fall Fantasy Parade, they both stayed after the Parade to go on some rides with a few other staff members - then rode back to the school in Matt’s car. They exchanged numbers at some point throughout the evening, and started talking from there… and never stopped!

Matt popped the question on March 13, 2021 - the one year anniversary of the day the world shut down, due to Covid. What a beautiful way to make the anniversary of something dark so much brighter! And now, these two are getting married next year, surrounded by their friends & family.

Courtney and Matt, I could not be more excited to be a part of your beautiful wedding day. Thank you so, SO much for the privilege of walking alongside you two during this season of your lives! ❤️

Bridget & Sean: North Shore Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

Bridget & Sean wanted a true Pittsburgh session, and there was hardly a better place than the North Shore! We had an absolute blast hanging out with these two and exploring along the riverwalk. Even better… we had a cloudy day for their photos, which was sooo helpful with this particular location… it usually gets blasted with afternoon light, but fortunately, the clouds created a beautiful, diffused glow on the city!

However, this perfectly lit engagement session didn’t happen without a few obstacles that we had to overcome!

First, we found out there was an event happening at our original location (Point State Park) that would make it near impossible to get photos without crowds in the background. So, we changed our game plan for the location. Then, the weather forecast started to get worse and worse as the day went on… the rain went back and forth, then back and forth again - so we opted to move the session up by an hour or so to try and beat the rain, which was definitely a must, since Bridget was driving a few hours in from out of town! But in the end, I was so thankful that this sweet couple was willing to be so flexible and roll with the unexpected punches… and I am so excited about the images that we were able to get!

Congratulations on your engagement, Bridget & Sean! I couldn’t be more excited for your wedding day next year! ❤️

Cierra & Hunter: Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

Talk about a Pittsburgh engagement session! While Cierra and Hunter aren’t Pittsburgh natives, they did want to capture the beauty of the city they currently call home in their engagement photos… and in the place where they will be saying “I do!” So of course, Point State Park & the North Shore provided the perfect backdrops for their engagement session, not to mention some gorgeous light! We had the absolute BEST evening hanging out with these two, who truly felt like fast friends. Congratulations on your engagement, Cierra & Hunter!! ☺️

Megan & Devon: Highland Park Engagement Photos

These two music lovers met in band at Slippery Rock University, got engaged around Christmas time (during which time Devon, a cat lover, promised Megan that they would get a pup!), and a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking their engagement photos at the beautiful Highland Park! And of course, the promised pup (Murphy) joined us for the session, too! What a sweet treat!! For a seven month old puppy, he was one of the most well behaved dogs I've ever had at a session!

Megan & Devon are both so laid back and easy to talk to! One of the very best parts about an engagement session (for me at least! ;) ) is getting to hear a couple’s story, and everything that had to happen - all of the events that had to line up - for them to get together. Thankfully, these two were so willing to share! And their love & friendship is obvious… you can tell when a couple really is the best of friends, and these two certainly are!

Megan & Devon, it was such an honor to photograph you two! Congratulations on your engagement... and I couldn't be more excited for your wedding day!!

Jackie & Josh: Hartwood Acres Mansion Engagement Photos

I absolutely LOVED getting to spend a beautiful (slightly chilly) Spring evening with Jackie & Josh at Hartwood Acres Mansion!

These two met in 2018 when they were both deployed. Neither are originally from the Pittsburgh area, and are getting married in Detroit this summer! We had so much fun getting to know them, their story, and how they ended up in the beautiful 'Burgh. Congratulation on your engagement, Jackie & Josh! I’m so honored to have been the one to take these photos for you!

Maria & Matt: Spring Mellon Park Engagement Photos

If you are a Disney fan, you’re going to love this blog post! But even if you’re not a Disney can, I think you’ll still enjoy the sweetness of Maria & Matt’s colorful Spring, Up-movie-inspired engagement session!

If you’re unfamiliar with the movie “Up,” its beginning centers around two characters named Carl & Ellie, who meet as young children, become friends, fall in love, and get married. There are many twists and turns throughout the movie (I won’t ruin it for you if you haven’t seen it! ;) ), but two of the main visual features include a colorful set of balloons, and an “Adventure book” where Carl & Ellie store their past, current, and future adventures.

In representation of the movie, Maria & Matt brought both of those things with them to their engagement session, just for a subtle nod to the movie they love so - which they will also be using as style inspiration for their wedding day! As a major Disney fan myself, I had so much fun incorporating these small elements into their photos and cannot WAIT to photograph their wedding day!

Besides loving Disney, Maria & Matt love spending time visiting new places and exploring their home town area of D.C. They are both extremely family-oriented, and their love and adoration for each other is so very apparent in the way they interact with one another! One of my favorite things I learned about their story is how Matt first pursued Maria, before they were even dating! He drove FOUR HOURS just to be able to go on a date with her. Talk about commitment!

Spoiler alert: I have known Matt since he was a kid - our families lived across from one another for quite a few years! To be able to photograph people I know or have known - past and present - is such a gift. Seeing people grow, transform, and find the love of their life is something incredibly fulfilling. And Maria, you are such a gem! I am so thankful that we have been able to connect during this exciting season in both of your lives.

And with that - enjoy a few of my favorites from Maria & Matt’s engagement session! I have WAY too many favorites from this one!

Rachel & Peter: Hartwood Acres Mansion Engagement Photos

What a blessing it was to spend an early Spring morning with these two!

Rachel and Peter are getting married in just a few weeks after postponing their wedding from 2020. I am so thankful to have been able to photograph them before their wedding day, so that we could all get a feel for what it would be like to work together on their wedding day! And of course… they were total naturals in front of the camera! And now I am even more excited for their wedding day than I was before.

I cannot wait to celebrate with you two so very soon! ❤️

Petra & Kevin: Frick Park Engagement Photos

These two!!! 😍 Oh what a lovely November afternoon we had for their engagement session around Frick Park, and The Frick. These two live blocks from the park, and actually got engaged there… making it the perfect location for their celebratory session! Congratulations on your engagement, Petra & Kevin, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of this beautiful season in your lives!

Naudia & Steve: Historic Harmony Engagement Photos

We had a beautiful, late fall day for Naudia & Steve’s engagement photos in Historic Harmony! Harmony made sense as the perfect location for these two, considering the fact that Steve’s family owns the hardware store in the town right next door that’s been a staple in the community for over 60 years!

These two are so easy and natural with each other, which made taking their photos all the easier! Congratulations on your engagement, Naudia & Steve! Thank you so much for the honor of taking these photos for you! ❤️

Katie & Shane: Saxonburg Anniversary Photos

I absolutely ADORE these two. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing Katie & Shane for their engagement, their wedding, and now for their one year anniversary!

For these photos, Katie & Shane opted for a personal location - Shane’s parents’ property, and the surrounding area! We were able to get some beautiful colors and scenery, even in the midst of a more overcast day, and a slight drizzle.

Katie & Shane, I am so thankful for you two! ❤️ Congratulations on your one year anniversary!