Megan + Sean: Historic Harmony Engagement Photos

Megan and Sean are two of the sweetest people you'll ever meet! (I say that about quite a few of my couples, but it's all so true!) Megan and Sean chose Historic Harmony and Lake Forest Gardens (a Christmas tree farm!) for their engagement session locations - two of my favorites!! We were even able to warm up for a little bit in Wunderbar Cafe, right in the heart of Harmony.

You'll notice in the banner image above a "B" made out of greenery. It was literally the perfect prop for their session! Major props to Megan for her foresight!

These two are tying the knot in 2018 and I couldn't be more excited to photograph their wedding day. Megan and Sean - you two truly are the best! Thank you for a wonderful time!

Kim + Cam: Mexican War Street Anniversary Photos

This is a special one for a multitude of reasons! Nick (my husband) and I met Cam and Kim a few years ago, right before Cam started working at the same church as my husband, Nick. Cam and Kim are committed, Christ-centered, and adventurous to the core, and for their five year wedding anniversary, Cam surprised Kim with a couples session!

For their photo session, they decided to head back to the place where they said "I do" - Calvary United Methodist Church on the North Side of Pittsburgh! The surrounding area just so happened to be very close to where they first lived after they tied the knot, which made those photos even more special! After a few photos on the North Side, we headed over to Mellon Park to finish up their session with some beautiful, golden light. I couldn't speak more highly of these two - if you'd like to read more about their story, check out some of the questions below!

How long have you been together for? "We've married for 5 and together for 7.5."

When/how did you two first meet?: "We met at a Christmas party at Grove City College. We had mutual friends who introduced us. I [Cam] immediately fell in love with her smile. Kim also drew a snowflake on my cheek that night, so that helped too. We actually have pictures together from the first day we met!" 

How, when and where did he pop the question?!: "In Moscow, Russia. Kim grew up in Moscow with missionary parents. So, Cam traveled there with her during her senior year. He proposed on Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral. It was really cold, but special. Kim's parents and best friend, Jess, were all in on the secret. Kim remembers Cam being so uptight and nervous about traveling, but couldn't figure out why. She eventually found out."

What was the BEST date you ever had together?: "One of our favorites was Jet Skiing in Florida. The wind and waves were intense, but Cam convinced the rental guy that he was experienced (which he is). We were practically the only ones out on the water. We laughed and screamed every time we jumped the huge waves. And then a group of dolphins swam within 15 yards of our jet ski. It was so cool! "

If you could sum your relationship up in 3 words, what would they be?: "Adventurous. Loving. Supportive."

Best of Wedding Details, 2017 Edition

If you've worked with me (or have seen my work!) you can probably guess that I LOVE photographing bridal wedding details! And this year I photographed some absolutely STUNNING bridal details with a variety of different color palettes and themes! I love how styled detail photos can pull a whole wedding gallery together - so without further ado, here are a few of my favorite bridal details from 2017 weddings!

Mason H: McConnell's Mill Senior Photos

Mason is an Eden Christian Academy senior who had the perfect foggy morning for his senior photos! Congratulations on your last year of school, Mason! You're going to do great things!

Katie + Nate: Westminster College Wedding Photos

A Pennsylvania late-November wedding can sometimes take a turn for the worst in regards to weather, but Katie and Nate's November day is what every couple prays and hopes for! Katie and Nate tied the knot at Westminster College (where they met!) in Wallace Memorial chapel on a beautifully sunny day. They incorporated SO MANY personal details into their wedding day, from the flowers to the cocktail hour food! Some of my personal favorite details include:

• Flowers by her uncle, who just so happens to be a florist!
• Photos in front of the residence hall (Shaw) where they first met (adorable)!
• Nate (the groom) wore his grandfather's cuff links and watch.
• Katie wrapped a piece of her childhood blanket around her floral bouquet.
• Each groomsman had his favorite sports team on his socks!
• The kielbasa at the reception was made by Nate’s family and the applesauce is Katie’s grandfather’s recipe.
• Nate knew from the first time he tasted the pepperoni rolls Katie made him while watching a Steeler game together, that he was in trouble - they were served during the cocktail hour!

All parts of their wedding day were absolutely beautiful and so heartfelt! Congratulations on your marriage, Katie and Nate! We were so honored to be a part of your day!

Vendors:

Ceremony: Wallace Memorial Chapel (Westminster College)

Reception: Palermo Center

Getting Ready Location: The Jacqueline House

Bride's Dress: Morilee

Bridesmaid Dresses: Morilee

Hair & Makeup: Rebecca's Salon

Tuxes/Suites: Joseph A. Bank

DJ: Andy Borts

Flowers: Mike Zimmerman (bride's uncle!)

Caterer: Monica's Catering

Cake: Jessica Kennedy

Desserts: Hermitage Bakery & Garder Pie Company

Videographer: Peter Chace

Honeymoon: Sunday Night Football - Steelers vs. Packers

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Best of Senior Photos, 2017 Edition

This was by far my busiest year for senior photos yet, with over 50% of my total number of senior sessions taking place at Hartwood Acres Mansion - by far my most popular location of the year! Thank you to all of the seniors who trusted me with their photos - you all are rockstars and I know you're going to do awesome things after high school!

Best of Engagement, Anniversary, & Couple Photos, 2017

There is something about photographing couples that's so uniquely challenging and exciting. This year, I really wanted to focus on capturing interaction between my couples, and I'm excited to have seen some growth not only in my work as a whole but in the fun that my couples are having during their sessions! This year, I had the distinct honor of photographing some strangers who turned into friends, and friends who turned into family, starting in February and extending all of the way into December! From engagements to proposals to anniversaries to maternity sessions, it has been my joy and privilege to see so many couples reach new milestones in their relationships together. Thank you all for the honor of capturing these moments!

Angelica M: Chic Downtown Pittsburgh Senior Photos

Don't get me wrong - I love Hartwood Acres, but when Angelica decided on downtown Pittsburgh for her senior session I was PUMPED. There's something about shooting in a different location that always gets my creative juices flowing! And, having photographed quite a few weddings and couple sessions in this same downtown area, I was so excited to see how I could work the space with a senior!

Angelica came SO prepared with beautiful outfits to match the surrounding area (plus a wine-colored hat, which complimented the city surroundings so stinking well!). What you decide to wear and how it compliments your backdrop can make a huge difference in the final images from a session! We were all over the place - from the Omni William Penn, to the downtown Embassy Suites, to Strawberry Way and much more! Angelica even brought a friend with her, and we were able to get a few photos of the two of them together near the end of her session!

Congratulations on your last year of school, Angelica! I am so excited for you! :)

Alisha + JJ: Coffee Shop & Vegan Pizza-Making Engagement Photos

SO EXCITED to share these photos of my sister-in-law and her husband-to-be!! I am beyond excited for these two to tie the knot and spend the rest of their lives together because it's so evident that God has brought them together.

Alisha and I have become less like an "in laws" and more like real sisters over the past couple of years, and for that, I am beyond grateful. She's truly one of my closest friends and confidants. So whenever these two asked me to take their engagement photos, obviously I was BEYOND pumped because I just love them so stinking much! (And in case you were wondering if I am photographing her wedding, I am NOT, because I am in it! ;) - but we have her covered with one of Pittsburgh's best wedding photographers, in my opinion!). Also, I have to give a major shout out to JJ for being literally one of the best guys I have ever photographed. He is a natural!

Since I know these two so well, I knew their engagement session had to be something special. Originally, we had planned to take a little trip down to the Strip District, but because the day we chose for their engagement session ended up being bitterly cold, we stayed close to home and hit up the ever-wonderful Historic Harmony! We stopped by the Wunderbar Cafe for some coffee and then headed back to Alisha's parents' house for a little vegan pizza making! These two LOVE to cook together, so a little pizza making in the kitchen was the perfect way to reflect their relationship a little bit more!

So without further ado, here are just a few of my favorites from their session!!

Love these two SO much! Huge thanks to Audrey for braving the cold with us to carry everything! She's the true MVP!!

Hair & Makeup for Alisha by Kaylin Simonic

The Illingworth Triplets: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

I have to say, this was a first for me!! I've never photographed more than one senior at a time, so when Sarah, Dan, and Ashley's mom contacted me about senior photos for her TRIPLETS I was SO excited for the challenge! And let me say, I don't think I could've asked for a better trio to photograph. All three of these Seneca Valley seniors were SUPER easy to work with and were totally meant to be in front of the camera! We even had an unseasonable warm day for their Historic Harmony session, which made things all the better. Congratulations on your last year of school, you three! Thank you for an awesome time!