My Funniest / Most Embarrassing Moments: Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography (and photography in general) can sometimes be seen as a glamorous “picture perfect” profession (pun intended). Sure, there a lot of fun, glamorous parts of wedding photography - like the out-of-this-world venues, perfect light, cookie tables, and fantastic cakes (I’m hungry, can you tell?). But nothing is perfect, even if the photos might make things look that way. So today, I want to share my top embarrassing/funny moments from my photography career thus far – the not so picturesque side of what I do. But really, I just want to promote the fact that we’re all human. We all make mistakes, we all have embarrassing stories, and we all have moments we can look back on and (now) laugh at! So without further ado, here are my top 6 funniest/most embarrassing moments on the job:

1.  A Bird Pooped on my Head

Once, right before one of my engagement sessions was going to begin, a bird pooped on my head. And this wasn’t just a little bit of bird crap. This was a giant, heaping, hot pile of bird crap. That’s right, folks – this is real life.

2.  Laid in Goose Poop

During an engagement session last summer, while I was trying to lay down on the ground to get a different perspective, and laid right in a heap of goose poop. It was all over my pants.

3.  Got Caught Facebook Creeping

When I schedule a consultation with a couple to discuss the possibility of photographing their wedding, I usually look them up on social media so I know what they look like (and can flag them down) before the meeting. On this particular occasion at this particular meeting, I looked up the bride at our meeting location, then clicked the lock button and set my phone on the table. During our meeting, I went to open my phone to look up a photo to show, and BAM – there was the bride’s Facebook page, open on my phone… and they, without a doubt, saw that I had been creeping, because my phone was face up on the table between us!

4.  Stepped on the Dress

During a beautiful bubble ceremony exit from the church, I accidentally stepped on the tail edge of bride’s dress. In front of all of her guests.

5.  Walked into an Invisible Wall

The other day, right after a meeting with one of the sweetest couples at one of my favorite wedding venues (the Omni William Penn Hotel), I walked straight into a glass wall, face first… with my couple still sitting there watching it unfold!

6.  Fell Victim to a Groomsmen Prank

Every once in a while, I photograph weddings with other photographers as a “second shooter” – basically, to aid the main photographer on the wedding day. Typically, while the main photographer is photographing the bride and the bridal party, the second photographer photographs the groom and the groomsmen. Once, when I was working with another photographer and had arrived to photograph the groom and groomsmen in their hotel suite, the groomsmen introduced me to the “groom” and let me believe that he WAS the groom for 15 minutes… before the actual groom walked in. -_-

So there they are. My top 6 most embarrassing / funny moments that have happened to me on the job! Other photographers & wedding vendors – don’t leave me hanging, bearing my embarrassed soul alone. What is one of your most embarrassing / funniest moments from a wedding, event, or photo session?!

7 Questions to Consider for Unique Engagement Photos

Choosing an engagement session location can be a daunting task. With so many options to choose from, especially in Pittsburgh, where do you even begin? As a Pittsburgh wedding photographer, there are a few specific clarifying questions I like to ask my couples to help them think outside of the box for their session to choose a location (or theme) that’s unique to them.

1. Where did you meet?

Let’s go back to where it all began. Having a session where you first met is a great way to incorporate your relationship history. Tess & Phil, in the photos below, met at Seneca Hills Bible Camp. They decided to go back for their engagement photos!

2. Where was your first date?

Was your first date in a restaurant? At the movies? In a theatre? At a bar? At an ice-cream shop or bakery? Let’s go back to that spot! In the photo below, part of Sarah and Steven's first date was at the Bartram House Bakery. Going back to that spot made for some adorable photos that have sentimental value!

3. Where was your favorite date?

Usually, there are certain dates that stand out above others. Is there an anniversary date that stood out above the rest? Did your fiancé plan an epic Valentine’s Day date that you wish you could relive? While discussing options for their engagement photos, Jess and Todd (below) mentioned that they love hanging out on the North Shore around PNC Park. The city made for a perfect backdrop - plus, with the added sentimental value, it was a no brainer for their engagement session location!

4. What do you do you love to do together?

Do you love to eat out together at a certain café? Do you have a coffee shop you visit on a weekly basis? Do you love to cook or bake together? Or maybe you love biking, hiking, or canoeing on the weekend. The options are truly endless!

5. How, when, and where did he propose?

Let’s go back to the start of your engagement.

6. What do you most admire about your fiancé?

Is your fiancé a police officer? In the military? A fire fighter? Trina wanted to incorporate Jeff's love for fire fighting into their engagement photos, and the results are stunning and so personal to the two of them!

7. What is your favorite mutual movie or book?

This one might sound crazy, but movies and books can be so inspirational. Do you love “Tangled?” Buy a couple of floating lanterns and set them off over a lake at sunset!  Love the movie “Up?” Buy a bunch of rainbow balloons for us to play with during your session!

Are there any questions you would add to this list? How did you choose your engagement session location?

4 Reasons to Have Your Senior Photos Taken Over the Summer

It’s hard to believe that spring is right around the corner – come May and June, so many of my lovely seniors who I photographed will be graduating and moving on to bigger and better things. The class of 2018 seniors will be stepping up to take their place. As a senior photographer in Pittsburgh, one of the top questions I get asked is “when is the best time for senior photos?” Really, there is no right nor wrong time to have senior photos taken, but most seniors and their guardians are surprised with my number one answer: summer! Here are my top 5 reasons for why you should have your senior photos taken over the summer:

1.     You’ll be more relaxed.

It’s safe to say that everyone keeps busy during the school year. Whether you’re a senior balancing class, homework, clubs, and practices or a parent balancing cooking, cleaning, working, and chauffeuring kids from one activity to the next, the school year is generally a very hectic time for most. Having senior photos taken over the summer will allow both senior and guardian more time to prepare outfits and enjoy the session without the busyness that a school year brings.

2.     You’ll have gorgeous scenery.

One of my favorite parts about photographing seniors over the summer is the beautiful scenery. Everything is green, flowers are in bloom, and the sunsets are magical. For as much as I love the beauty of autumn in Western Pennsylvania, there’s something just as (if not more) beautiful about the gorgeous fields, lush greenery, and bright, blooming flowers that summer provides!

3.     You’ll have more free time.

Much like the first point, with so many activities and commitments during the school year, it can be hard to find a time slot in the midst of a crazy schedule and endless demands. Scheduling senior photos over the summer will allow for a more flexible time frame. Bonus: if you’re a parent who works full time, photos over the summer can be taken later in the day, due to the sun setting later in the evening.

4.     You’ll have one important item for senior year already checked off the list before the year even begins!

Yearbook deadlines can put an enormous amount of unneeded stress and tension on something that should be special and fun. Scheduling over the summer ensures that there is no possible way that dreaded senior picture yearbook deadline will be missed!

What’s your ideal time of year for senior portraits? Let us know in the comments below!

5 Ways to Accommodate for Rain on Your Wedding Day

I recently was in a great debate with a friend about whether Pittsburgh is rainier than Seattle. Initially, I thought that there was no way in heck that any other place in the United States could come close to Seattle’s reputation for being rainy, dreary, and overcast. But, as it turns out, Pittsburgh is only 9 days shy of having just as many precipitation days as Seattle (Seattle having 155, Pittsburgh having 146 – source). With 146 rainy (or snowy) Pittsburgh days, a couple of precipitation days are bound to fall on a wedding day now and again. So, what do you do if there is a chance of rain on YOUR wedding day? Or if you’re a wedding photographer, how do you go about finding locations to accommodate for the rain? Here are my top 5 tips for accommodating for rain on a wedding day:

1.  Look for coverage.

In case of rain on a wedding day, it’s helpful to know if there is any large space to shield a bridal party from the rain. This could include: porches, park pavilions, bridges, doorframes, garages, or the like. Some of my personal favorite photos have been taken in spite of the weather - check out a few shots below that were all taken under coverage!

2.  Have a secondary indoor location on stand-by.

If there’s a chance of rain on a wedding day, I always like to try and have a secondary photo location or a section of the church or reception hall where indoor photos can be taken. When looking for an indoor location for photos, take into consideration the amount of natural light in the building or room. Will the photographer need to bring artificial light? If you’re a bride, be sure your photographer has ideas for naturally lit spaces or can rock some off camera flash in case of a rain out!

3.  Bring umbrellas!

The second wedding I ever photographed called for a 100% chance of rain – which scared the crap out of me, because at that point in my career, I wasn’t very comfortable shooting with artificial light (which, thankfully, has totally changed)! So, the night before the wedding, I went out and bought $100 worth of clear, see through umbrellas. Now, I bring those same umbrellas to every single wedding I photograph (yes, even if there’s no chance of rain) - just in case! I’ve only needed to use them a handful of times, but when I’m in a pinch and don’t have an overhang or secondary location to take bridal party and bride & groom portraits, my umbrellas always save the day!

4. Order camera rain gear.

This tip is specifically for photographers – a few years ago, I found out that some kind soul created rain gear for cameras! (Before that point, I used to wrap my camera in Giant Eagle bags – classy, I know!) I’ve heard horror stories of many a DSLR and lens meeting its demise during a hectic wedding day due to water logging. Be sure to protect your camera in some fashion or form, whether it be with a “cost effective” method of wrapping trash bags around your gear, or with some fancy rain gear (here’s a link to a pack of cheap camera covers).

5. Embrace it!

There's something truly beautiful about embracing and finding joy in whatever circumstances are sent your way. As they say, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." This is especially true on a wedding day! If you're feeling brave, embrace that rain and use it to as a springboard to create something beautiful.

What are your best tips for dealing with rain on a wedding day? Leave a comment below!

5 Ways to Pamper Yourself for Your Engagement Photos

In a world of intense wedding planning, your engagement session is the perfect time to do a little bit of self-care. Below are a few of my favorite suggestions for brides who want to pamper themselves before their engagement session.

1. Have your nails done

Show off your new ring with confidence – typically, during engagement photos, I like to photograph the ring up close on the bride’s hand. Having well groomed nails can make a big difference in those close up ring shots! 

2. Have makeup done

Not many brides consider having their makeup done for their engagement session, but doing so is a great way to pamper yourself! If you are planning on having your makeup done for your wedding, ask your artist if you can schedule your wedding day makeup trial for the day of your engagement session. Typically, a pre-trial is included in your wedding makeup package, so most of the time it won’t even cost you an extra penny!

3. Treat yourself to buying (or renting) a new dress or outfit

This might be my favorite tip of them all! The right outfit makes a HUGE difference in the outcome of the photos. A fun way to treat yourself for your engagement photos could be by buying a new outfit, or by renting one. I recently learned about Rent the Runway and I’m OBSESSED! Rent the Runway has a huge variety of expensive clothing, allowing you to rent for a small fraction of the original price. Lyndsay, my soon-to-be-bride in the photo below, opted for a gorgeous floor length red dress that made her session come together perfectly. And the best part was, she didn’t have to pay hundreds of dollars to look fabulous!

4. Plan to go out to dinner together afterwards

One of my favorite things my husband and I did after our engagement session was to plan to grab a bite to eat after our session ended. Planning to go out to dinner gives you and your soon-to-be-husband something else to look forward to afterwards, and makes the whole evening feel like a date!

By using one (or all) of these tips, you’re sure to have a relaxing, pampered engagement experience!

Lyndsay + Justin: McConnell's Mill Engagement Photography

There are so many things to love about Lyndsay and Justin! Their relaxed personalities and undeniable love for each other made them an absolute joy to photograph. Lyndsay had a clear vision for her engagement session - a winter wonderland, and a bright, red dress. Thanks to Rent the Runway, Lyndsay was able to rent a killer dress to perfectly accent the session (side note: brides, this is a great way to dress up your engagement photos without having to commit to buying a dress!). These two put up with freezing cold temps and an icy hill that almost stopped us from reaching our last location - but they pushed through like champs, bringing her gorgeous vision to life! Without further ado - check out one of my personal favorite winter sessions ever. We are so excited for your fall wedding, Lyndsay and Justin!

Vendors:

Makeup by Joy Lager at Beauty by Joy

Hair by Mallory Puniak at Copacetic Salon

Tess + Phil: Seneca Hills Bible Camp Engagement Photographer

One of my favorite parts about being a wedding photographer is hearing about the history behind the relationship. In this case, I didn't just get to hear about it - I got to see it, too! Tess & Phil met a few years back when they were both camp counselors at Seneca Hills Bible Camp in Polk, PA. So, of course, when Tess and I were brainstorming ideas for possible locations, the camp came up as a contender (and won)! At Seneca Hills, we visited so many spots important to their dating history, including the cafeteria where they used to sneak each other notes during dinner (under the dinner plate) and the tree that Phil had carved their names into. I love these two, their energy, and the commitment they're making to each other this summer. Not to mention the friendships that have resulted as a part of knowing this sweet couple! Congratulations, Tess & Phil - we can't wait for the wedding!!

Jenna Hidinger Photography is a wedding photographer located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who has a passion for authentically capturing love stories.

Catherine + Aaron: New Year's Eve Wedding Photographer

There's nothing quite like a New Year's Eve wedding, and Catherine and Aaron's date wasn't randomly chosen. These two met 6 years ago on New Year's Eve and tied the knot exactly six years later in the church where Catherine's late maternal grandma was baptized. Catherine wore her paternal grandma's rings for the ceremony as a sweet sentiment, and had plenty of meaningful (and beautiful) details planned throughout the wedding day! Photographing these two in Ridgeway, PA was a joy and I'm so excited for them as they begin their adventure as husband and wife! Congrats, Catherine and Aaron!

Becca + Frank: Cathedral of Learning Engagement Session

There's something about freezing winter temperatures that make a shoot feel all the cozier! Becca and Frank's Pittsburgh engagement session started off inside the Cathedral of Learning, then gradually moved outside to the Mellon Institute (where they dealt with the cold like champs!). These two were so natural in front of the camera - I could've photographed them all day! They talked, laughed, and just enjoyed each other (plus, Frank is awesome at what I like to call the "tackle hug," which you will see below :) ). I loved working with these two and couldn't be more excited to photograph their wedding in 2017!

Ana S: The Strip District Pittsburgh Senior Photos

Ana's senior session marks my coldest session EVER in my Pittsburgh senior photography career.

The morning of Ana's senior session, I woke up, immediately pulled out my phone, and looked at the temperature. One degree. That's right folks, one degree Fahrenheit! By the time we reached our location in the Strip District, the temperature had risen to a balmy 6 degrees. But man, were we ready! We started off Ana's session at 21st Street Coffee & Tea, then moved outdoors, taking periodic breaks to warm up. I have to be honest, I'm SUPER impressed with Ana. She never complained about the cold - not once - and still managed to look amazing in these photos! With all of the textures and backdrops available in the Strip, we were able to get some urban-city photos to commemorate Ana's love of the city, and specifically the Strip District, a part of Pittsburgh she's been visiting for all of her life! And of course, we ended the shoot at Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., a place I had never visited before Ana's session, but now love! Congratulations on your last year of school, Ana!