Olivia + Spencer: Historic Harmony Maternity Photos

Olivia and Spencer are the sweetest pair! I had the honor of photographing this season of their lives (heading into a new adventure as a family of 3!) in a place that is oh-so special to them.

If you’ve been following along on the blog, you might know that Historic Harmony is one of my favorite locations for photos! The bright colored walls, quaint buildings, and variety of backdrops make for the perfect photo spot. I was SO excited when Olivia and Spencer wanted some photos around town - and their session here was extra special considering they live IN town! (I have to admit, I’m slightly jealous!!!) So not only was this location absolutely beautiful, but so incredibly meaningful to them!

And, if you’re reading this blog post - they’ve already had their sweet baby boy!!! 💛Olivia and Spencer, thank you SO much for giving me the honor of capturing the end of this beautiful season of your lives! Here’s to a new season full of joy and love!

HD + Jeff: Pittsburgh Grand Concourse Wedding Photos

I’m not sure HD and Jeff could’ve asked for a more perfect fall day for their Grand Concourse wedding. Not too cold, not too hot - beautiful and bright! Oh, and what a joy they were to celebrate with from beginning to end!

If you’ve never been to the Grand Concourse in Station Square (and you live in Pittsburgh), you simply must check it out! A few weeks before their wedding, I stopped by to have a look around the train station turned restaurant (and wedding space!) for the first time ever - and couldn’t help but stand in awe of such a spectacular, historic building! The Grand Concourse has been on my wedding photography bucket list for some time, so getting to finally photograph a wedding here was a dream come true!!

HD and Jeff opted for a first look before their wedding ceremony, which worked out perfectly and allowed us to have more than enough time for photos in daylight prior to their sunset 6:15PM ceremony! After their first look, we headed over to Point State Park (after stopping for a snack at Subway! 😉) for some bridal party and bride & groom portraits!

My (personal!) favorite part of their entire wedding day took place during their ceremony. Have you heard of a traditional unity candle ceremony, or a sand pouring ceremony? Well, a few weeks before the wedding, HD told me that in lieu of a candle or sand ceremony, they would be having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich unity ceremony. And it was literally the best thing EVER! The mother of the bride and mother of the groom had absolutely no idea, so when they came up to “unveil” the ingredients out of their coverings, their reactions were priceless! HD and Jeff even took a bite of the sandwich together to symbolize their unity. It was amazing! (And Mark DeNuzzio, their officiant, was the best person for such a fun unity ceremony!)

Besides the unity sandwich, HD and Jeff had other fun elements mixed in their day, including adorable signage featuring their pup, Zelda, and a cookie table for DOGS, where dog owners could take a treat home for their pet, as well as fresh made donuts, featuring the Grand Concourse’s famous donut maker!

All in all, their day was magical and so much fun from start to finish. HD and Jeff, it was such an incredible honor to be a part of your wedding day! Thank you so, so much for letting us celebrate with you and capture the story of your love!

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Vendors: The Grand Concourse, Bella Sposa Bridal (Bride’s dress), Bridal Beginning (Bridesmaid dresses), Philip Pelusi in the South Side (hair & makeup), Steven Vance Entertainment (Violinist, DJ), Cakes by Tammy, Only by Invite (Invitations), A Simple Vow (Mark A. DeNuzzio, Officiant), Alex’s East End Floral Shoppe, Lux Photobooth, Jenna Hidinger Photography (Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer)

Snow-Filled Family Photos at North Park

Early November in Pittsburgh is always a toss up. Will it rain? Will it snow? Will it be 20 degrees, or 85 degrees?! No one quite knows! 😉 This incredible family pictured in this blog post decided to embrace the early snow and went with their planned session time in the snow and cold! We worked fast, took a mid-way break, and were able to get some beautiful, snow-filled images.

To this sweet family: thank you all for being such incredible troopers, and for braving the unexpected weather! 💛

Check out some of my favorites from their session below!

Kele + Max: Highland Park Engagement Photos

Kele and Max met at Penn State in 2010, which their first official date happening on Valentine’s Day of 2013. After six years of dating, Max proposed epically at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France!

These two have such an ease about them. They’re easy together, easy to get along with, and just so easy to photograph! For their engagement session, we started off at their home (which used to be Kele’s mom’s home!), then headed over to the nearby Highland Park, where we found some gorgeous architecture and beautiful yellow leaves (yay for finding the last remnants of fall! 🍁)

Kele and Max, I couldn’t be more excited to document your wedding day! 💛 Congratulations on your engagement!!!

Lydia L: Hartwood Acres Mansion Senior Photos

Hello gorgeous!!! We had the most beautiful fall-esque senior session at the beginning of November with Lydia at Hartwood Acres 😍

Lydia is a senior at Portersville Christian School who plays volleyball, and hopes to study dermatology! She's sweet, kind, and was a total pro in front of the camera. Congratulations on your last year of high school, Lydia! 💛

Ty T: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Ty is a North Catholic lacrosse-playing senior who plans on attending Kentucky for engineering! I had the honor of photographing yesterday around one of my favorite spots, Historic Harmony. It's hard to believe that it's been three years since I photographed his brother at this very same location 😲 AND that I used to babysit them both back in the day! Time truly does fly. Congratulations on your last year of school, Ty! 🎉

Trey T: Heinz Hall Senior Portraits

Oh my. This senior session was such a fun one! I had the pleasure of photographing Trey in the Heinz Hall lobby and outdoor garden for his senior photos at the end of October!

Trey currently performs in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, and plays at Heinz Hall a few times a year, which made his location of choice extra personal! His instrument of choice is the clarinet - and he even played us a little bit of music during his session. He is an incredible musician, and just an all around great guy!

Congratulations on your last year of school, Trey! 🎶

Alyssa & Ben: Vibrant Autumn Shady Elms Farm Wedding

Alyssa & Ben first met in December of 2016, but didn’t start dating each other exclusively until New Years Day, 2017 - the perfect day to start something new 💛Shortly after they started dating, they just “clicked,” and, a few months into 2018, Ben popped the question while the pair was on a trip to Tennessee!

Though they currently live in Florida, Alyssa & Ben came back up to Pittsburgh to exchange I do’s and celebrate their wedding day with their friends and family! Personally, I think there are few better places than Shady Elms Farm for couples who want a laid back, family-oriented wedding day. And Shady Elms Farm definitely delivered for this incredible couple!

Alyssa & Ben, I am SO thankful to have been a part of your wedding day. You two are a picture of kindness and are so comfortable to be around. Congratulations again on your marriage! 🎉

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Vendors: Shady Elms Farm (Ceremony, Reception, Florals), Bethel Bakery (Cake), Michael Thomas Entertainment (DJ), Styld Hair Salon (Hair & Makeup), PW Catering, Zazzle (Invitations)

Fall Family Photos at Cleland Rock (McConnell's Mill)

Oh, fall - the best season of the year, but also the most unpredictable! You never know when the leaves are going to change and hit their “peak” color, and you never know when the weather might take a turn for the worst. Lucky for this sweet family, the location they had chosen for their family photos “peaked” with fall color the same week of their session (yay!). But, not so luckily, we had to deal with an unexpected rain shower that lasted for the entirety of their session!

But let me tell you - that didn’t stop them from stepping out into a damp field, rain sprinkling all over their fresh outfits and broad smiles, to get some photos with the epic fall colors! I am so, SO thankful for the perseverance of this incredible family, and their willingness to roll with the rain. I definitely think it was worth it for these gorgeous fall colors!

Fall Family Photos at McConnell's Mill

You might recognize Anthony (the oldest son) from his senior session at McConnell’s Mill! This sweet family opted for a “mini” family session following Anthony’s senior session, and they were all so incredible in front of the camera! And we had some absolutely gorgeous fall colors 😍 So thankful to know you all!