Taylor & Chris: Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

This blog post feels like a blast from the past in the absolute best way possible! I’ve known Taylor for quite a few years - we went to the same school for a period of time (before her family moved to Texas!) and my sister was a friend of hers, but her and I were about six years apart in age!

Taylor and Chris BOTH went to the same school as I did, actually - and that’s where they met, all the way back in high school! They’ve been together for quite a few years, and much of their dating relationship has been long distance. But starting next year after their wedding day, they’ll be together full time here in Pittsburgh! Even though they’re tying the knot in Texas, they wanted their engagement photos done in the city where they met, as a way to incorporate the ‘Burgh into their wedding day! Which, I thought, was an absolutely brilliant idea!

We had the most fun EVER walking around the Mexican War Streets, hanging out at Allegheny Commons Park, and catching the soft evening light on the North Shore, near the Roberto Clemente Bridge. These two are full of love, TONS of laugher, and I am just so stinkin’ excited for them to be husband and wife!

Taylor & Chris, congratulations on your engagement, and thank you SO much for the honor of taking these photos for you!

Meghan & Ed: Bethel Park Wedding Ceremony

First, I just have to say how much I admire Meghan and Ed, the stars of today’s blog post. As you can probably imagine - these two were thrown quite a curve ball, with their wedding date falling right in the midst of a pandemic! But they persevered and were willing to be flexible with each new set of recommendations and regulations that came their way. And, because of that, we were able to join them on their original wedding date for their first look and wedding ceremony! (Even though their reception was pushed back!)

And, to be honest - from a vendor perspective, I so so SO enjoyed photographing their wedding day! It was so laid back, and just so fun! That’s not to underscore the fact that there have been lots of anxieties and fears for my lovely couple and their families leading up to this day, wondering what it would be like. But to see a glimmer of beauty and love in the midst of this storm that the world is currently fighting through was good for the soul.

We started off Meghan and Ed’s wedding day at their church, beginning with a first look! They opted to complete their Bride & Groom portraits prior to the ceremony, so they could focus on family formals afterwards! We watched the radar all morning leading up to their first look - and, while it looked hairy for a period of time, we were able to beat the rain by literally less than a minute! As soon as I said “we’re done with photos!” I felt the first drop. And then it started pouring. The Lord always provides - this time, he provided just the right amount of time for us!

Anna E: Mellon Park Senior Photos

We had THE absolute most beautiful evening for Anna's Mellon Park senior session a few weeks ago!

Anna flew into Pittsburgh for a few short days all the way from Texas to visit family, and is graduating this year! I was SO excited that we were able to sneak in her session while she was here, and have some beautiful light.

Congratulations on your senior year, Anna - you are just the sweetest!!!

Chelsea & Zach: Point State Park Engagement Photos

I can barely contain my excitement to share this downtown Pittsburgh engagement session!! Towards the beginning of Chelsea & Zach’s session, it started to rain - out of no where! But thankfully, it left just as quick as it came, and we were rewarded with the most beautiful evening for their photos!

Chelsea & Zach met in a Finance class in Mervis Hall on Pitt's campus during their 2015 Fall semester! They got this winter in front of the red doors at the Cathedral of Learning - the perfect, most personal spot. Their first date was a Penguin’s game, and they currently live on Mount Washington - you could say that they’re a true Pittsburgh couple, through and through!

We started off their engagement session at Point State Park, then headed over to the North Shore area to get some photos with the skyline and bridges. They brought some champagne (such a great prop!) and were brave enough to dip in the middle of the Roberto Clemente bridge! (Don’t worry - we had someone watching for cars!!!).

Chelsea & Zach, I am SO excited to be a part of your wedding day! Congratulations on your engagement, again!

Erica & Rio: Mint & Plum Greystone Fields Wedding Photos

The last few months have had many twists, turns, and uncertainties leading up to Erica and Rio’s wedding day. Plans have changed once, twice, then again as new information and restrictions have surfaced for businesses in the wedding industry, and for couples planning a wedding amidst it all. But I can’t tell you how excited I am to be writing this post and sharing their photos with you today!

Erica and Rio’s wedding day ended up being one of the most beautiful days so far this summer! Though rain was initially in the forecast throughout the week leading up to their Saturday wedding, they were blessed with a sunny, somewhat cloudless day!

One of my favorite parts about Erica & Rio’s wedding were all of the personal, meaningful, sentimental details woven into each portion of the day. A chair with photos of Rio’s late mother at the ceremony, along with a blue cancer ribbon in Erica’s dress (used as her “something blue”) to honor his mother, and a meaningful “remembrance dance” at the reception all pulled on guests heart strings, and reminded the couple and their families throughout the day to remember those who were unable to be in attendance with love.

Being avid golfers, Erica & Rio also incorporated many golf themed details into their wedding day and reception decor! But I have to say, one of my favorite details came from a family vacation tradition. Before dinner on vacation, Erica’s family has always loved getting an ice cream as a special treat. What better way to incorporate this little tradition into their wedding day than to serve ice cream before dinner on their wedding day! This is just me talking personally… but I think every summer wedding should make that a tradition! ;)

All in all, Erica & Rio’s wedding day was so beautiful, so fun, and so meaningful. We cried, we laughed, and we truly felt like a part of the family. Congratulations on your marriage, Erica & Rio! We are so thankful for you, and so thankful to have been able to be a part of your wedding day!

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Vendors: Greystone Fields (Ceremony & Reception), Weischedel Florist (Florals), Bethel Bakery (Cake), Carlisle Bridal (Bride’s Dress), Men’s Warehouse (Men’s Attire), Porky’s (Caterer)

Summer Mini Sessions at Moraine State Park

Mini sessions have become some of my favorite sessions ever! Especially my mini session “events,” where I schedule multiple sessions back to back (to back!) at a specific location. I’ve hosted Spring mini sessions (click here to see!), and Christmas Tree Farm mini sessions (click here to see!), but never Summer mini sessions - so I thought, with many people spending more time at home due to the pandemic, this would be the perfect summer to do so!

PLUS, it’s super easy to social distance while having your photo taken. I typically use “longer” length lenses at my “regular” sessions, which means I can stay back 6 to 10 feet anyways!

One of my favorite things about mini session days is getting to see so many people I know (and often have worked with in the past!), and to meet new faces, even if it’s just for a short time! This round of sessions was full of familiar faces, and truly, I can’t thank each family enough for trusting me to document this season of their lives! I am so thankful for you all, and so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with you.

If you are someone who might be interested in a JHP mini session in the future, I’d love to encourage you to sign up for my email list! People on my email list are the first to know about upcoming mini sessions, and when my full session time slots are released, seasonally. Plus, I only send a few emails per year (I promise! 👏). Click here to join the mailing list!

And without further ado - enjoy a few of my favorites from the JHP June Summer Mini Sessions below!

Sam P: North Park Senior Photos

Sam is a North Allegheny senior who plays soccer, loves Burgatory (same 🙌) and is planning to study business post-high school. We had so much fun taking his photos around North Park!

Congratulations on your senior year, Sam!

Nicole & Ed: Historic Harmony Engagement Session

Nicole and Ed are engaged and are celebrating their many years of dating (high school sweethearts!) with a wedding next year! 💕

Their first date back in high school was to Cheeseman's Fright Farm (classic!) when they were set up by their friends to be each other's date to that year's homecoming. And as they say... the rest is history!

Not only are Nicole and Ed incredibly kind and genuine - but it's also SO easy to tell that they have an incredible love, admiration, and respect for each other, just from our short time together.

Harmony was the perfect spot for their engagement photos, considering they met in high school at Seneca Valley, right down the road! We were even able to use the Harmony Inn's gorgeous patio for a couple of shots.

Congratulations to you two! 💕 I couldn't be more excited for your wedding day!

Mimi: Oakland Senior Photos

Mimi is a senior at Penn Hills who I had the honor of photographing last week at all of the best spots in Oakland! She hopes to study Criminology (hence the fun set up in one of the photos below!) and is, as you can see from the photos, absolutely stunning!

Her outfit choices were totally on point, too - we were even able to find some beautiful pink flowers to perfectly match her bright pink top!

Mimi, congratulations on your senior year. You are stunning and will do amazing things! 💛

Katie & Paul: Acme Wedding Photography

Friends, I have to admit, I didn’t think I would be writing a wedding blog post so soon since everything shut down in March due to Covid, and Pennsylvania’s regulations to combat it. But man does it feel good to be sharing this new beginning with you up on the blog!!

Katie and Paul’s wedding day was a complete whirlwind! When Katie first contacted me (less than 2 weeks before her wedding date!), she wasn’t sure where her wedding would be taking place (it was supposed to be out of state, originally), because no one was sure what would be allowed at that point in terms of a wedding ceremony! But everything quickly fell into place the week-of, and Polymath Park in Acme, PA was kind enough to host Katie, Paul, and their friends and family for their beautiful wedding ceremony!

The house where the ceremony took place (built by Frank Wright) ended up being the perfect space - there was an outdoor patio, where the ceremony was held, and an indoor space with lots of natural light in case of rain (which thankfully, stayed away!). The rings had been left behind at home, so the pair used a sharpie to draw rings on each other’s ring finger in lieu of the exchange of rings. It was so sweet (and so creative!). The pair even had matching masks made out of the train from Katie’s wedding dress (SO smart!), so of course, we had to stage a few photos in those!

I am so thankful to have been a part of this wedding day, and I am so happy that these two were able to celebrate their relationship and union on the date that they had originally planned. It may not have looked how they had originally thought, but it was beyond beautiful, nonetheless, and so very personal!

ALSO, they had one of my favorite details I’ve ever seen: a “Pittsburgh cookie table book,” featuring the recipe of each cookie that was going to be at their original wedding! Pittsburgh people - isn’t this an amazing idea?! I just had to share!

Anyways - Katie and Paul, a HUGE congratulations to you on your marriage. Thank you a million times for letting me be a part of it! 💛