Meghan J: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

Thankful for seniors who aren't afraid of rain! 💪 It's not everyone's style, but it sure can get you some unique photos, and Meghan was totally up for it!! We loved hanging out with this incredibly smart lady yesterday evening at Hartwood Acres and were SO impressed by her post-high school dream of attending Harvard or Brown University. Meghan loves ice cream, is going to Nationals for debate (yas girl!) and has been to a ton of different countries (most recently Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic!). You are going to do great things, Meghan!

Favorite Books for Personal & Creative Growth

If you were a late nineties or early two-thousands kid, you might remember the school book program where reading a certain number of books would earn you your own personal pan pizza. Oh my gosh, I LIVED for that challenge because it included two of my all time favorite things: books and pizza. I already LOVED to read as a young child, but adding in pizza to the mix was like the cherry on top of the sundae (or maybe the pepperoni on top of the pizza??) Regardless, it was amazing!

Throughout the years as I became busier and busier in high school and college, my love for reading became more of a duty to read. Classes, after school activities, and part time jobs put my love for reading on the back burner (or at least for reading books that I actually wanted to!) until about midway through college. Then I read a book that catapulted me back into my love for reading: “Start” by Jon Acuff, a simple book about starting something you love. At the time, I was starting to take my business more seriously as a real source of income and purpose (and not just as a hobby), and this book hit me right where I needed to be hit to get off my butt and actually pursue this thing - which, today, happens to be my full time job.

I realized after reading that book how important reading was to me, and once again, my love was sparked again. I’m not the most consistent reader, as I’ve only read anywhere from 4 to 8 books per year for the last 5 years, but nevertheless, my love for knowledge still remains.

There are some books I’ve read over the past few years that have completely changed my view on the world, on my work, and on what I’ve been called to do and pursue, and today I’d love to share them with you!

1. "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brene Brown

This book HAD to be first on my list because it was such a game changer for me. Brene Brown has dubbed herself as a “shame researcher,” which basically means that she talks to people about shame, guilt, love, insecurity, security, and all of the topics that fall under that general umbrella. In this book, Brene uses cold hard facts mixed with emotional vulnerability as a guide to experience “a wholehearted life” to help readers “let go of who they’re supposed to be and embrace who they are.” This book helped me see my struggles with insecurity and self-doubt in the face of truth, and for that, I am eternally thankful! If you're interested, check it out and/or buy it here!

2. "The Best Yes" by Lysa Terkeurst

Do you have trouble saying no? I know I do, and back whenever I was first recommended to read this book by a friend, I wasn’t sure if I actually wanted to stop. I remember thinking what’s so bad about saying no if I’m chasing my dream/passion? How can I say no and still pursue what I love and what I’ve been called to do? Won’t I come off as a jerk? Well, Lysa goes through all of this and more! This book really is a must-read if you struggle with being a people-pleaser and with saying “yes” because you just don’t know how or when to say no! Interested? Check it out here!

3. "Creative Confidence" by Tim Kelley & David Kelley

One of my favorite parts about this book is the vast amount of case studies Tim and David offer, as well as their belief that everyone, regardless of job title, position, or career path, has the ability to foster incredible amounts of creative confidence. They inspire readers to think outside of themselves by using empathy to build services, products, experiences, and teams that not only are outside of the box, but all of the way on the other side of the room! This book is a must-read for everyone who wants to develop more creative confidence. Check it out here!

4. "Love Does" by Bob Goff

I read this book for the first time in February of 2018 and literally cannot stop thinking about it. This book is a collection of stories about how Jesus has worked in Bob Goff’s life. It was such a challenge to me to love people more openly and fiercely, regardless of their background or issues. We all have issues; we all have struggles. And Bob demonstrates how important it is to love people in today’s world. It’s just amazing.

And BECAUSE this book is so amazing, I've it's being lent out to someone else and I don't have a photo of it - ha! But if you'd like to see the book and read a little bit more about it, check out the link below!

5. "Girlboss" by Sophia Amoruso

If you want to be inspired to chase your dream, then this book is a must-read (especially if you’re a female)! Sophia talks about her life story and journey from rebel to CEO of an incredibly successful online clothing business, giving practical advice along the way for how the reader can follow their dream and pursue their passion along the way. I try to read this book at least once a year because it’s just that inspiring to me! Buy it here!

Shelby & Anthony: Mount Washington Pittsburgh Proposal

There are not many Saturdays where I don't already have a wedding or session scheduled, but somehow, Anthony contacted me the week before he was planning on proposing to Shelby and I had NOTHING going on! To say I was PUMPED to photograph Anthony proposing to his girlfriend of seven years was an understatement!! These high school sweethearts met as a freshman and sophomore and have been dating ever since (much like my husband and I, who met our freshman and sophomore year, too!)

Throughout the week, we planned out the proposal, and Anthony decided on the platform of Duquesne Incline for the big moment. I stood towards the back of the platform, pretending to take photos of the Pittsburgh skyline as I watched for them from behind my camera and darted in and out of the incline building between bouts of rain. Thankfully, Shelby had absolutely no idea who I was, so I was able to hide in the open!

The pair meandered around the platform, taking photos, before Anthony stopped Shelby right in the middle of the platform, pulled out a ring box, and got down on one knee. I remember Shelby saying "you're really doing this right now!" as he slid the ring onto her finger and the crowd of people behind them erupted into applause and shouts of congratulations!

After I introduced myself to Shelby, we ran around Mount Washington for a few more photos before Anthony's second surprise for Shelby - a dinner reservation at the Le Mont Restaurant, with the most spectacular city views!

Shelby and Anthony, aside from being SO easy to get along with, are incredibly kind, joyful, and truly seem like the best of friends. It was such an honor to document this moment for you both! Congratulations, you two!!

Spring Mini Sessions 2018 Recap

One of my favorite books I've read recently is entitled "Love Does" by Bob Goff. If you've never had the privilege of hearing or reading this man's words, I HIGHLY recommend checking him out! Bob's mission is simply to love the people around him extravagantly - and not just the people who make it easy to love them, but the people who are tough to love - the people who annoy us, get under our skin, make us want to bang our head against a wall - you catch my drift. Anyways, while reading this book, I came across a story that totally blew me away.

One teeny tiny important detail you have to know about Bob Goff is that he is the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Uganda, and that his book "Love Does" is actually the name of his nonprofit that starts schools in areas of the world that are in unrest - like Uganda, Iraq, Iran, etc. One of the stories in his book details the first time he started one of these schools with his friend. They sent out, like a bajillion letters, telling parents and families that they were going to open a school for their kids, and only a few came. I think the number was between three and five (it's been a while since I read this book!) But really, it's not the exact numbers that matter in this case, just the HUGE difference between how many flyers they had sent out and how many kids had actually showed up.

What do you think his and his friend's response would have been? If it were me, I probably would've sulked. Why the heck did only three people show up! All those flyers with such little payoff. How do I know that would be my response? Because, truthfully, I was tempted to feel that way with these mini sessions, which were halfway booked. My immediate response was to be annoyed. Upset. To let myself feel like I had failed. But then I remembered this story, and I was challenged when I remembered that that was NOT Bob's response:

Bob had a freakin' field day. I remember him saying something in the book like they were too busy fist bumping and shouting for joy that they got ANY kids to come to even think about being disappointed that more hadn't shown up. This man decided that those kids were the exact kids that God had wanted he and his friend to love that day. And you know what's really awesome? God blessed their faithfulness with what they were given and grew that school over the years into hundreds. And now there are multiple schools in multiple countries just like that first one.

Who are we to think that what we've been given isn't enough? Maybe it's actually exactly what God wants us to have. Maybe it's what we're supposed to have. And maybe we're just called to love the people that God puts in front of us - whether it's one person or one hundred people.

So, what does this long introduction have to do with this mini session post? I'm glad you asked 😉

When not a ton of people jumped on these sessions, I was a little bummed - slightly disappointed. I was tempted to feel like I had failed because these time slots weren't overflowing with people. But then - I remembered Bob's response, and I realized how incredibly BLESSED I was to be able to serve and love on these three families who were trusting me with the honor of photographing the people they loved most. And I don't say that just to say it - I truly feel that God brought exactly who he wanted to be here to these sessions!

To the families who I had the honor of working with - THANK YOU! I was blessed by each one of you and am SO thankful to be able to continue loving on you all!

And if you're interested in reading the book that inspired this post, click here! My husband, also an avid Bob Goff fan, wrote a bit about Bob's content and it's awesome! Check it here!

My Favorite Lenses (Canon)

I think it's safe to say that every photographer has a favorite lens or two - or, at the very least, a lens or two they use more than the others to achieve a specific look and feel!

There are TWO lenses that I use most often when I'm photographing weddings, engagement sessions, senior sessions, and family sessions - both of them have been strong work horses for me and help me achieve the look and style that I have created for my brand! The first lens is my favorite (and one that I love so much that I actually have two of, just in case something happens to one of them!):

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 art dg hsm for Canon

What I Love:

The thing I love MOST about this lens is how versatile it is! I use this 50mm for senior portraits, couples, wedding details, and pretty much everything in between to achieve a sharp focus point with a dreamy-creamy background. I used to use the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM, but I've actually found this one to be more reliable when it comes to lens sharpness and overall image quality.

What I Use it For Most:

I use this lens most for portraits, especially for close up senior portraits. I love to set the aperture to the widest it will go (f/1.4) and completely knock out the background of my photos - or at least, create a dreamy affect!

Sample Photos:

If you're searching for a more cost effective way to test out this focal length, I would recommend giving the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens a try. Priced at $125, it's a great way to try out the 50mm focal length at a reduced price! (This lens isn't as sharp or as fast as the Sigma 50mm 1.4 ART, but for those just starting out, this is a great lens to try!) And if you'd like to go a step up from the 1.8, give the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens a try! It's a bit more expensive and a step up in quality from the Canon 50mm f/1.8.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon

What I Love:

This lens is another one of my favorites for its far reach, which is something I especially love when photographing couples! I love having the option to back super far off from a couple, but still get those intimate, close up shots while they're interacting, or even wider shots that are clear and crisp!

Another thing I love about this lens is how SHARP it is. This is by far the sharpest lens I have ever owned!

What I Use it for Most:

I definitely use this lens most for couples and for wedding ceremonies so I can stay as far back as possible! I also love being able to create wider shots by manipulating backgrounds and scenes with this lens through lens compression, which is when elements in the background of a photo appear larger and closer to the subject (almost compressed looking, opposed to looking at the scene through a wider lens or with the naked eye), resulting in a different sort of composition.

Sarah + Mike: Armstrong Farms Wedding Photos

A year ago, I photographed a wedding at the White Barn for two awesome people - Brian and Rachel (click here to see their wedding photos!), the brother and sister-in-law of Mike, who just so happened to be the best man. Shortly after, Sarah, Mike's fiance, reached out to me saying that the two of them were getting married, planning a wedding, and would love for us to capture it! And of course, I was so excited to work with this amazing family again!!

A few months later, we scheduled an engagement session for Sarah and Mike (see those photos here!) which they TOTALLY ROCKED in the heat and humidity (which was a whopping 100%!!). I feel like I learned so much about these two during their session just through the way they interacted with each other. So loving, so kind, so gentle. So, so in love. (You know a couple is truly in love when they snuggle together in 100% humidity!)

Thankfully, though, their wedding day was much less humid - almost the perfect temperature, actually. From the moment I stepped inside the farmhouse where Sarah and bridesmaids were getting ready, I knew it was going to be an amazing day. The whole day, including her bridal details, were sprinkled with meaningful details that pointed back to the couple's story. Her bridal details alone included: a ring from the bride's grandma, a cork from the champagne bottle popped at their rehearsal dinner, and lace to be wrapped around the bride's bouquet from a friend who also wrapped it around hers. Perfection.

After getting ready, Sarah and her dad placed roses on chairs in the ceremony space for a few relatives who watched the day unfold from above. It was an incredibly thoughtful and emotional moment!

From Armstrong Farm's Fieldstone Farm, we journeyed over to where Mike and his groomsmen were getting ready (Westminster Farm) for an intimate first look between the bride and groom, followed by bridal party photos around the property and in the barn, followed by the ceremony overlooking the rolling hills of Pennsylvania and a cocktail hour featuring some Cinco de Mayo inspired food and beverage holders! After a bit of celebrating, we stole these two out into one of the fields for just a few more photos!

I am so excited to share Sarah and Mike's beautiful day!

Vendors:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Armstrong Farms

Florals: Crystal Robinson of Darlington Flower Co.

Cake: Main Street Bake Shop

DJ: Pittsburgh All Stars

Makeup: Brazil Raine

Hair: Profiles Salon

Bride's Dress: from MB Bride by Rebecca Ingram

Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie

Invitations: Minted

Linens: Lendable Linens

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Second Photographer: Kim Tryon, Kim Hadden Photography

Wedding Photography Bucket List

We all have those crazy, far fetched dreams - bucket list items, if you will - that don’t seem real until you put them out into the world. The more I’m alive the more I realize how much of a team sport life is - I’m learning over and over that I can’t do it all on my own. Sure, that might seem obvious to some who are naturally awesome team players, but the control-freak inside of me wants to do it all on my own. I think starting a business points to the fact that, sometimes, you have to be willing to do it all on your own.

But that doesn’t mean you have to stay there.

And it doesn’t mean I have to stay there.

So today, I want to share one of my huge wedding photography dreams with you! If you’ve been following along on the blog or over on Instagram, you might’ve caught onto the fact that my husband and I are BIG Disney fans. We’ve gone a total of three times since we’ve been married (don’t worry, we’re still big time killing our debt!), and we’ll have only been married for three years in August. We talk about going other places for vacation, but somehow, we always seem to end up asking each other, “what if we just went to Disney?!?”

You might be wondering, what does Disney have to do with your wedding photography dream?

Well… the current biggest item on my wedding photography bucket list is to photograph a wedding on Disney property. At one of the resorts, or in the parks - but, the ultimate dream would be to photograph a wedding at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort!

We recently went down to Orlando (February of 2018) and for the last few days of our trip, we treated ourselves to a few nights at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. It wasn’t the first time we had stayed there (actually, it was the third!) but every time we walk away loving it more and more. And GUESS WHAT:

One evening as we were strolling around on the Boardwalk at twilight, eating some free ice cream samples (we might be able to afford staying at the cheapest room at the Boardwalk by a hair but affording the food is a whole ‘nother story!) I saw a white vision out of the corner of my eye and whipped around to see a bride, a groom, and a photographer all walking towards the “Dance Hall” reception venue on the boardwalk. I immediately told Nick “we’re following them” and as he started to protest how much of a creep I was being (which, I totally admit, I was) I pulled him along with me and we walked behind the threesum all the way to their venue, watching as they stopped to take photos against the gorgeous Boardwalk Bay along the way.

I was being a little bit of a creep, but I realized something that night: how much I want to photograph a wedding at the Boardwalk. It seems a little silly to even type because I know how much of a long shot it is without family or friends in the area to pass along my name, but nonetheless - it’s still a dream, and if it’s meant to be, it will be!

I also thought this would be the perfect time to share a few of my favorite photos from our anniversary photo session at the Boardwalk for our first year of marriage (taken in November of 2016). Enjoy (and see some of the little reasons why we love the Boardwalk so much!)

Elena L: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

I think senior sessions at Hartwood will always be some of my favorites - but a senior session at Hartwood in the SPRING with beautiful, fluffy, pink trees totally takes the cake! And of course - so does Elena!

Elena is graduating from Fox Chapel High School this spring and is headed to the University of Pittsburgh to continue her education! These sweet lady plays tennis, loves Chinese food, and obviously has an amazing sense of style (you have to see her two amazing dresses and pant suit she wore for her session - literally the perfect outfits!). I LOVE when seniors show up with some beautifully colored outfits - and Elena's fuschia dress happened to perfectly compliment the pink trees!

I can't wait for you to see this session! And congratulations to Elena on her last few weeks of high school! :)

Koreen + Kurt: Hartwood Acres Mansion Engagement Photos

There are few things I love more than a couple that are best friends - and these two most certainly are! Koreen and Kurt laughed their way throughout their entire engagement session, which made my job SO dang easy!! And really, we couldn't have hit up Hartwood at a better time. The trees were in all of their pink, spring glory - which perfectly complimented Koreen's gorgeous dress from Altar'd State!

And now, for a little back story from Koreen and Kurt!

How did you two meet?

We went to high school together. We met a few years later at a party, and the rest is history!

What do you and your fiance like to do for fun?

"We really enjoy getting to go for a walk together in the evenings. It's a great way for us to find out what is happening in our day to day lives. It's better than sitting on the couch kind of talking and staring at our phones. [Can I get an amen there?! - Jenna] We also enjoy going out to eat and watching movies."

How did he pop the question?!

"He took me out to my favorite restaurant (A Taste of India). Slid the ring in a box across the table and said 'that's for you' I thought that it was maybe another charm for the Pandora bracelet he has been filing up for the past few years. Once I opened the box and saw it was a ring I was shocked! I had every emotion happening all at once. He said 'well what do you think?' I said 'Yes! I can't believe this is happening right now!' When we got home he got down on one knee and asked me."

And now, without further ado - a few of my favorites from Koreen and Kurt's engagement session! Thank you two for trusting me with these precious memories - I cannot wait for the wedding!!

Stark Family: Cranberry Township Family Photos

What an incredible pleasure it was to take photos for this family!! You might recognize Chance from his Baden senior photos last year (featuring a motorcycle and fire - see more here!), and as always, it is always such a blessing to be able to work with the same clients multiple times! :)

For a location, we decided on one of my favorites for family photos - Cranberry Township Park! This spot in particular is one of my secret favorites. The light is always so beautiful there! As a side note, if you're interested, I'll be hosing a mini session date as this EXACT spot on Friday, May 11th. If you're interested in learning more or signing up, click here!

We had SO much fun during this session for so many reasons. This sweet family is so laid back and easy going, and quite obviously love spending time together. Because Chance and Cooper (the boys) both play baseball, and Kyle (dad) works for the Pittsburgh Pirates, they decided to bring along some baseball gear to incorporate into their photos (which I love!). A couple of bats and a few gloves were the perfect personal touch for their portraits! During the session, there was also some intermittent frog catching in the pond nearby - Chance quite literally caught one with his bare hands!

I just love this family and am so excited to share their photos! Check out a few of my favorites below!