Taylor + Gannon: The Pennsylvanian Wedding Photographer

One of the best parts about being a Pittsburgh wedding photographer is having the opportunity to work with couples like Taylor and Gannon and having the opportunity to photograph weddings at pittsburgh wedding venues like the Hotel Monaco and the Pennyslvanian. Taylor and Gannon's wedding was FULL of gorgeous details and pure joy!

Way back when, I actually attended elementary school with Taylor, and now, my husband works at the same church as her parents. So, as you might've guessed, it was a huge honor to be photographing her and Gannon's wedding day! We started off the day at one of my favorite pittsburgh wedding venues - the Hotel Monaco. Themed after Pittsburgh, the Hotel Monaco is packed full of bright, beautiful details, including lots of yellow (one of Pittsburgh's signature colors) and lots of bird-themed decor (inspiration was taken from the Pittsburgh Aviary, another great Pittsburgh wedding venue). After detail shots, we made our way up to the rooftop of the Hotel Monaco for group photos (with the family pup, Digsby, of course!), and for a prayer between the bride and groom.

Both the ceremony and reception were held at the Pennsylvanian, one of the most beautiful Pittsburgh wedding venues I've ever had the privilege to photograph! Every wedding photographer has a bucket list of venues they dream of photographing a wedding at, and the Pennsylvanian just so happened to be one of mine before Taylor and Gannon asked me to be their photographer. Its Beaux-Arts style of architectural decoration makes it the perfect fairytale venue! Everything from the interior ballroom to the rotunda screams elegance and class, and I'm so honored to have been a part of this day! Congratulations again, Taylor and Gannon - I pray you have many happy years together!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero

Bride’s Shoes: Bella Belle

Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy After Six

Hair: Sara Reichenbach

Makeup: ModelBride - Lori Dunn (Gannon’s aunt)

Tuxes: Vera Wang

Band/DJ: Chris Beeler from Rockin’ Bob’s

Flowers: Pisarcik Greenhouse and Flower Farm

Caterer: Rania’s Catering

Cake/Desserts: Rania’s Catering (cookies by family members)

Videographer: Gonzalez Videography

Part 3: Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer {Answered}

Welcome to the third installment of "Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer: Answered!" Today's installment includes lots of good information, including the importance of being able to shoot with natural AND artificial light (and why that's important to you, as the bride), wedding day timelines, and what to do if it rains or snows on your wedding day. If you missed the last two weeks of this segment, be sure to check out part one here and part two here!

4: Do you shoot natural light or artificial light? Or both?

[Question taken and answered from this article.] 

Both. I prefer natural light, but over the years, I’ve learned the necessity of using both to my advantage on a wedding day. Because weddings are booked so far in advance, you never truly know what the day is going to be like, so you have to be prepared on all fronts. For example – what if you’re planning on getting married outside on the most beautiful farm with an outdoor ceremony and reception, but the day of the wedding rolls around and it’s pouring outside, and the only option is to have your ceremony and portraits taken inside a dark barn with little to no natural light? That definitely changes the outcome of your wedding images, and if I’m a natural light photographer who’s afraid of using artificial light – it changes them for the worst! But, if I’m a photographer who loves and utilizes both natural light and artificial light, it’s not a big deal. Pop open a couple of flashes, and boom – beautiful, bright images, even on a dreary day!

5: Will you help me with the timeline for my wedding day?

[Question taken and answered from this article.] 

I love helping my brides plan their wedding day timeline – I have an odd personality that loves all things creative, but all things organized, too, which makes wedding photography the perfect job for me! In fact, I love helping my brides plan their timeline so much that I've created an 80 page wedding magazine of helpful wedding tips that includes a very comprehensive sample timeline. All brides receive the magazine, complimentary, upon booking! Just to give a couple of quick benefits of having a photographer help you with your timeline:

• You’ll have more time for photos (couples who haven’t planned a wedding before are unaware of how much time it takes to get those stunning portraits they're cherish for years to come!)
• You won’t be rushed throughout the day (For example - too many family formals can lead to rushed bridal party/bride & groom portraits, which is always a bummer!)

6: What will we do if it rains or snows?

[Question taken and answered from this article.] 

Pittsburgh weather can be so unpredictable, which is why I always like to discuss a back up plan with my couples prior to the wedding day – just so we’re all on the same page from the get-go! There are lots of ways to combat a rainy day, one of which is by using umbrellas, and another of which is by having a secondary covered (or indoor) location. In Pittsburgh, there are lots of outdoor areas with coverage (Mellon Institute, the Convention Center, to name a few), and lots of scenic indoor areas to take photos as well. No matter the weather, no matter the location, we can (and will) still get awesome photos!

As always, feel free to leave a question in the comments below to be answered in a future segment, or send your questions directly to jhidingerphotography@gmail.com. See you next week, and happy wedding planning!

Part 2: Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer {Answered}

I am PUMPED about today's installment of "Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer" because these two questions feature two things that clients sometimes feel, understandably, awkward and apprehensive about when they think of wedding and engagement photography. Many couples I've talked to in the past have almost let these unanswered questions dissuade them from having engagement photos taken and/or hiring a wedding photographer! (PS - If you missed last week's question and answer, "What is your heart behind wedding photography?" be sure to check it out HERE.)

2: How do you make us feel relaxed in front of the camera?

[Question taken and answered from this article.] 

YES. This might be my favorite question so far. This is literally the goal of every single shoot for me! My goal is to help you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera and my favorite approach to this is to utilize movement. If you’re doing any kind of session with me, don’t expect to stand still the entire time. I love giving my couples actions and things to do, even if they might feel silly. Ultimately, posing through movement (going for a walk, tackling your loved one in a hug, whispering funny things in each other’s ear, practicing your first dance) lets my couples loosen up and (hopefully) forget for a moment that they’re getting their picture taken!

This is why I love engagement sessions – an engagement session gives you the chance to experience what it’s like to be in front of my camera before your wedding day! That way, on the day of your wedding you’re not worrying about how the photo portions are going to go, or stressing about what it’s going to be like.

Another tip I love to give to couples is to leave an ample amount of time for photos on their wedding day. This is especially true if a couple is going into a wedding day without already having an engagement session with me. Leaving extra time for photos puts less pressure on the two of you to move quickly and lets you enjoy being with each other without the added pressure of having to stick to a tight timeline.

3: How do you describe your shooting style? Are you laid back or aggressive? Do you tell the whole story of a day?

[Question taken and answered from this article.] 

My shooting style is a mix of hands-on and hands-off. I try to not be obtrusive during parts of the day where events are unfolding, like the bride getting into her dress, and most definitely during the ceremony. However, if I can interject during certain events like the buttoning of the dress to direct the bride to a nearby window for better light, I will most certainly do so.  The quality of your wedding photos are certainly of extreme importance, but so are the moments that happen while I’m quietly watching for them. It takes a balanced approach, and is different with every couple. It’s important to find someone who fits the “feel” of your wedding day.

I do shoot to tell the whole story of a day. Often, it’s the little moments – like the reactions to toasts, the flower girl sleeping on a chair during the reception, or the bride’s mom’s eyes welling up while her daughter is walking down the aisle that are often the most precious. My job is to look for those moments, and it’s one my favorite parts of doing what I do.

That's all for now, folks! Feel free to submit a question in the comments below to be answered in the following weeks!

Part 1: Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer {Answered}

Wedding photography is an extremely personal endeavor from start to finish. There are few other wedding vendors who spend the entire length of a wedding day with a couple from makeup and hair to the grand exit, which is why it's so important to really know who you're hiring - to know the why behind what they do! 

Often, when I have an initial meeting with a bride, we begin by talking about the relationship - how the couple met, how they got engaged, what they've planned so far for their wedding day, etc., and then jump straight into packages and looking at photo albums. Every so often, I'll find an extremely prepared bride with a list of questions from "The Knot," titled "Questions to Ask Photographers Before You Book." Let me be honest for a moment - I LOVE these brides... seriously. Staying prepared and organized with a list of questions is the best way make sure I don't miss any important information that should be shared about photographing your wedding day, and it lets brides get a good feel for all facets of what I have to offer.

However -

While many of these questions cover important logistics, such as shooting on film vs. digital and what's included in my packages, none of the questions seem to take things a step further. None of them seem to probe for things that are just as important - like how I help my couples feel relaxed in front of my camera, or even why I do what I do. None probe for a why. And though, if you're meeting with me, I'll be sure to tell you my why, it's so important to ask your other vendors their why, too. And why is that? Because you want someone who cares about your wedding day. (Well, maybe I can't speak for everyone. But I know I wanted people surrounding me on my wedding day who truly cared for Nick and I! Not just people who were showing up to perform a job and leave.)

I recently came across an article titled "Ten REAL Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer: Written by a Real Wedding Photographer," written by Kay from Kay English Photography. I love the idea of answering these questions so much for my brides that over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to release a weekly blog post answering a few of these questions, plus a few of my own, and a few from "The Knot" article! (Just to keep things interesting ;) ). My heart through this segment is to give my current brides (and future brides) the ability to get to know me, my services, and my heart behind what I do a little better! So without further ado - here is the first question and answer!

1: What is your heart behind wedding photography? Why do you photograph weddings? 

[Question by Jenna]

Firstly, I am a huge believer in marriage. There is something so precious about a commitment between two people to spend the rest of their lives together, learning how to better love each other every step of the way. I honestly hadn’t realized my true heart behind it until I married my best friend back in August of 2015. I know it sounds cliché, but when we received our images back from our engagement photographer, and later from our wedding photographer, I realized what I was really providing for my clients: I was providing reminders of our commitment, encouragement for the not-so-easy days, and mementos of the love we share – and those three things are truly priceless.

Secondly, I love the opportunity I have to serve and encourage my brides throughout the wedding process and throughout the wedding day. I LOVE the opportunity I have to love the crap out of my couples and to find ways to make their experience (and their day) extra special.

Lastly, I love capturing the story of the relationship and of the day. While every wedding has the same general framework and timeline, each is so unique in its own way, and I love the challenge and excitement of figuring out the best possible way to showcase a couple’s day through the photographs.

Stay tuned for more answered questions next week! If you'd like to submit a question to have answered, feel free to leave it in the comments below!

Missy + Jeremy: Canonsburg Wedding Photographer

These two have such a beautiful love for each other! I had the privilege of photographing their intimate Canonsburg wedding towards the end of October on an unusually warm day. The photos seen below were - believe it or not - taken in a cemetery! Also, they are expecting their first child, a baby girl, within the next few months! Congratulations on your marriage, Missy and Jeremy!

Daniel R: North Shore Senior Photographer

I couldn't have picked a more perfect day for Daniel's senior portraits, taken on the North Shore. The sun was shining, the weather was not-too-hot, not-too-cold, and there were barely any crowds around the area - surprising, for such a beautiful November day!

As a side note, I love when high school senior guys take an interest in their senior portraits. It's so much fun to work together to create dynamic images that showcase interests, likes, and personality. For instance, Daniel has a love for the city, so of course, we decided to take his photos in an urban setting that showcased Pittsburgh's iconic yellow bridges and skyline. Daniel is also a member of his high school's lacrosse varsity team and has played sports for the majority of his life, so incorporating in the different sport-themed backgrounds dotting the North Shore really helped enhance the overall look of his images.

Thanks for a great session, Daniel! I had so much fun creating these images with you. Congratulations on your last year of school!

Kyyashko Family: Cranberry Township Family Photographer

I have so much love for this sweet family and the fun we have during their annual family session! These four (plus their pup, Milo!) are always up for throwing, kicking, and even laying in leaves - and always with so much enthusiasm and joy! I've said it so many times before, but my favorite part of any session is seeing the people in front of my camera having fun and enjoying themselves. And this family does it so well!

Newly Engaged? Here’s the Best Advice I Received as a Bride (From a Wedding Photographer)

The day Nick asked me to marry him (one of my favorite days, ever!), I started receiving a lot of advice about wedding planning. Don’t get me wrong, I had never actually been a bride before, so I was desperately in need of some guidance (and genuinely appreciate the wisdom of brides who had gone before me), but if you’re anything like me, too much of anything can be a little bit overwhelming! During the 15 months of wedding planning, there were two pieces of advice that stuck out to me and rose above the rest – two things I still tell brides I work with over a year after my wedding! So, if you’re newly engaged, here are my top two favorite pieces of advice:

1.     Take time to soak it in.

The first piece of advice I received as an engaged 22 year old came from my very own mom. The day after I said “I will,” me, my mom, and my fiancé (now husband, Nick) started talking about all of the details that would need to get done over the next couple of months. In true Jenna fashion, I started to feel REALLY overwhelmed, and because my mom knows me so well, she immediately noticed and said, “You know, you don’t have to start actually doing any of this right now. You don’t even need to think about it. Just take the next month to enjoy being engaged without worrying about the wedding that needs planned.” Wow. Talk about some serious mom-wisdom! Now… I didn’t make it a month – I think I made it two weeks before I jumped into serious planning, but you know what? Those two weeks of just being engaged, minus the wedding planning, made me even more excited to start planning my wedding to marry my absolute best friend! The initial stress I had felt only a day after getting engaged slowly melted away as I started enjoying (and soaking in) the season I was in. It was like magic.

2.     Three days before the wedding, if it hasn’t gotten done – don’t worry about it.

This SUPER solid piece of advice came from one of my husband’s volunteers (he’s a middle school youth director at our church). She might not even remember saying it to me, as she said it in passing during a quick conversation, but shout out to Sheryl Polite for one of the best pieces of advice I got! I was about two weeks out from the wedding trying to play it cool on the outside at church, but freaking out on the inside about everything that still needed to get done! Did we finish the seating chart? Did we forget anyone? Why doesn’t my baker remember the conversation we had about my wedding cake?! (True story – she totally lost the order! But the cake was delicious, so that made up for it ;) ).  While asking about how things were going with wedding planning, Sheryl said, “Listen. Whatever you haven’t gotten done three or four days before the wedding – just let it go! You deserve to enjoy your wedding day just as much as anyone else, even the days leading up to it.” I didn’t realize it at the time, but her words were the permission I needed to actually enjoy the days leading up to my wedding day! Were there still things that needed to be done in those last few days before the wedding? Of course! But there were so many little details I could’ve poured over and worried about and made myself crazy trying to pull together at the last second, but didn’t, because I finally realized that I deserved to enjoy my wedding day, too!

What’s the best advice you received while planning your own wedding? I’d love to hear - leave a comment below! 

Ashley + Rob: Mellon Park Engagement Photographer

Mellon Park in the fall is one my absolute favorites! The mix of architecture and fall color make for the perfect photo-worthy combination. For Ashley and Rob's engagement session, we started at Mellon Park with their pup, Hans, and finished up at the Mellon Institute right before sunset. Congratulations, Ashley and Rob! We are so excited to be a part of your wedding day!

Kathryn + Chase: Strip District Engagement Photos

It's hard to believe, but Kathryn and Chase's engagement session was my first photo session in the Strip District - ever! Kathryn and Chase even brought their pup, Cola, in his adorable sweater for a couple of photos. We had so much fun hanging out with these two and can't wait for their wedding next year! Congrats Kathryn and Chase!