Summer Moraine State Park Family Photos

Oh these three were so much fun to photograph! If you follow along on the blog, you might recognize these three from their adorable summer mini session last year. I was so thrilled to have them back in front of my camera again this year!

Even though we had to reschedule once for weather, we all checked the forecast before leaving our houses and didn’t see rain on the horizon for our second attempt. However… much to our surprise, during our time together, it started to POUR! We ran back to our cars, and when I had gotten into my vehicle, I looked out my window towards theirs and saw all three sitting in their trunk with it open. It was cutest thing! So of course, I grabbed an umbrella and took a few shots of the fam hanging out in the back of their car. They turned out to be some of my favorites from our time together!! It stopped raining soon after, and we were able to continue shooting. I was so thankful for their patience with the crazy Pittsburgh weather!

Their little one was FULL of energy (and smiles!) the day of their session, and it was so much fun letting him run around while having his parents interact with him! To any parents getting photos of their toddler - the session can seem a bit chaotic, but I’ve found that embracing that toddler energy is a great way to go about getting some fun, interactive photos while keeping the whole family happy and the mood upbeat!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from our time together at Moraine State Park! ❤️

Mellon Park Extended Family Photos

Incredible evening, gorgeous light, and the most fun family?! Check, check, & check.

When you're a photographer who loves their family, hardly any gift makes nearly as much sense as some photos with the people you love most... especially when the last "professional" family portrait was taken before you were born!

I was so honored when Amelia, who is also a photographer (talk about an honor to take a photographer's family photos!!), reached out to me about taking some photos of her family. Who, after this session, I completely adore! They were so much fun, laughing and chatting the entire evening together, which made my job SO EASY! I love when families come to sessions ready to have a good time.

A HUGE thanks to this sweet family (and to Amelia!) for allowing me to be a part of this season!

Lutherlyn Equestrian Center Horse Portraits

I had the best time with these four young ladies at Lutherlyn Equestrian Center! We spent a beautiful, early spring afternoon taking some photos with their horses and had a blast doing so!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from our time together below!

McConnell's Mill Family Photos

If you’ve ever wondered what a family mini session looks like - this is it! I had the pleasure of photographing this family right before I took their oldest’s senior photos (on the same day). They added a family mini session on to their senior collection, and we were able to get some great photos of them all together within a 20 minute timeframe!

Senior photos are a great time to get some updated family photos, too! If you’re interested in a joint senior + family session, feel free to reach out to me directly via email at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com, or use the “Contact” tab in the navigation above!

In Home Lifestyle Blog Photos

I cannot believe that I have never shared these images here on my blog! They are truly some of my favorites I’ve had the privilege to create in the last couple of years.

A few summers ago, I received a message through my website for a mom-blogger looking for someone to take some lifestyle, in-home photos for brand, Cake for Breakfast. Intrigued by the name (cake lover here! 👋) and in alignment with her vision style and content-wise, I gratefully accepted the opportunity to take photos of Christi Lukasiak’s family and happenings in her home!

I knew after our first shoot when she sent me home with a full, floral-covered cake (with the good buttercream icing, might I add!) that we would be just fine working together 😉 I had the privilege of hanging out with this family on a few different occasions , and they truly are a blast to work with! I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorite photos from our time together, AND to possibly give some inspiration into what an in home “lifestyle” family session could look like.

With a name like "Cake for Breakfast," you can bet that there was a LOT of cake involved in the making of these images!

All photos are styled by Christi - including the epic flower arrangement!

Clara's Cinderella inspired bedroom. Totally a dream!

A few photos taken around Christmas time! Definitely obsessed with that blanket.

Clara's First Birthday: Grove City Family Photography

Little Miss Clara is mine and Nick’s niece, and she is turning ONE year old this month! ❤️ Affectionately nicknamed “Momo” by her brother, Clara is full of a happy-go-lucky personality, and lots of smiles! It took her a little bit of time to warm up to being in front of the camera, but by the end of our photo time together, we had some adorable little smiles going!

Happy birthday, little Miss Clara! You are so loved!

PS - these photos were taken in my brother-in-law and sister-in-law’s home! In home family sessions can be a fun alternative to outdoor ones, and allow little ones to be photographed in a space that is already comfortable and familiar for them! ☺️ (We did do a bit of furniture moving for these photos to find the right backdrop!)

Extended Family Christmas Tree Farm Photos

It’s hard to believe that this was my very last photo session of 2020 - and truly, I couldn’t have asked for it to end on a better note, or with better people!

This extended family photo session was for a family who recently moved to the Pittsburgh area. Thankfully, these Washington State natives are pros when it comes to snow, so the extra snow we had for their session was warmly welcomed! Even if it was a bit chilly ;)

One thing I love most about photographing people in snow is the LIGHT! The snow is light, bright, and reflects the most beautiful, soft light. Winter might just be my favorite season for photos! And I am always SO THANKFUL for the people who are willing to go out in it for some killer (and unique!) photos!

Truly, I adore extended family photo sessions. They are such a special time to capture SO many different relationships and generations - mom, dad, kids, grandparents, and grandkids. I am so very thankful to have been the one to capture these images!

Enjoy a few (or more! ;) ) of my favorites below!

Christmas Tree Farm Maternity Photos

We had one of the most beautiful December days for this maternity/family session. I didn’t even wear a coat… which is crazy for mid-December in Pittsburgh!

This family is welcoming their second child into the family in just a few short months, and wanted some maternity photos at a local location to celebrate! We had so much fun taking these sunlit shots. Congratulations to you three on your expanding family!

Hartwood Acres Mansion Extended Family Photos

This was a very special extended family session! Katie, the eldest sibling and sister, contacted me a few months prior, inquiring about a family session for December! I don’t get many requests for December sessions, so I was initially surprised (and excited!) by her request. I soon learned that this session needed to take place while her brother was back in town from boot camp, and was a gift for her mom. These photos feature not only Katie’s immediate family (her parents, herself, and three brothers!) but also Katie’s fiancee and her brother’s wife of one day! That’s right… this session took place only a day after a family wedding, making it all the more special!

If that wasn’t enough, at the end of the session, Katie’s mom walked around to each family member with tears in her eyes, giving each a hug, thanking them for being there. How sweet is that?!

Below are a few of my favorites from our time together. Congratulations to this family on all of the exciting changes coming their way!

Hartwood Acres Family Photos

These four were TROOPERS in the cold December weather, which is no small feat with two little ones in tow! We had cold, wind, and at the very end of our session - snow! But with so much stacked against us (including a quickly setting sun!) we got SO much done during our time together!

I am so thankful for the opportunity to photograph this sweet family of four! ❤️ Enjoy a few of my favorite photos from their session below!