Maria & Matt: Spring Mellon Park Engagement Photos

If you are a Disney fan, you’re going to love this blog post! But even if you’re not a Disney can, I think you’ll still enjoy the sweetness of Maria & Matt’s colorful Spring, Up-movie-inspired engagement session!

If you’re unfamiliar with the movie “Up,” its beginning centers around two characters named Carl & Ellie, who meet as young children, become friends, fall in love, and get married. There are many twists and turns throughout the movie (I won’t ruin it for you if you haven’t seen it! ;) ), but two of the main visual features include a colorful set of balloons, and an “Adventure book” where Carl & Ellie store their past, current, and future adventures.

In representation of the movie, Maria & Matt brought both of those things with them to their engagement session, just for a subtle nod to the movie they love so - which they will also be using as style inspiration for their wedding day! As a major Disney fan myself, I had so much fun incorporating these small elements into their photos and cannot WAIT to photograph their wedding day!

Besides loving Disney, Maria & Matt love spending time visiting new places and exploring their home town area of D.C. They are both extremely family-oriented, and their love and adoration for each other is so very apparent in the way they interact with one another! One of my favorite things I learned about their story is how Matt first pursued Maria, before they were even dating! He drove FOUR HOURS just to be able to go on a date with her. Talk about commitment!

Spoiler alert: I have known Matt since he was a kid - our families lived across from one another for quite a few years! To be able to photograph people I know or have known - past and present - is such a gift. Seeing people grow, transform, and find the love of their life is something incredibly fulfilling. And Maria, you are such a gem! I am so thankful that we have been able to connect during this exciting season in both of your lives.

And with that - enjoy a few of my favorites from Maria & Matt’s engagement session! I have WAY too many favorites from this one!

Rachel & Peter: Hartwood Acres Mansion Engagement Photos

What a blessing it was to spend an early Spring morning with these two!

Rachel and Peter are getting married in just a few weeks after postponing their wedding from 2020. I am so thankful to have been able to photograph them before their wedding day, so that we could all get a feel for what it would be like to work together on their wedding day! And of course… they were total naturals in front of the camera! And now I am even more excited for their wedding day than I was before.

I cannot wait to celebrate with you two so very soon! ❤️

Daniel P: Main Street Zelienople Senior Photos

Get ready for a photo overload right here featuring some Zelienople senior photos!!

This senior session not only featured the shortest commute of my life (three blocks total ) but my favorite town - the one I am so thankful to call home! And it just so happens to the one that Dan and his family call home, too.

Dan and his family are a part of the Zelienople community - they know all of the "goings on" and Dan even works at one of the best local restaurants - Kaufman Tavern! So of course, it was only fitting that his session took place in the town he's grown up in, worked in, and lived in.

Dan is graduating with the class of 2021, and plans to continue his education to become an elementary school teacher! It was so much fun to hear about his heart for kids and training up the next generation. I am so thankful to have been the one to take these photos!

Congratulations on your senior year, Dan!

Dylan N: Hartwood Acres Mansion Senior Photos

Good old Hartwood Acres… it was good to be back after a few month hiatus!

Dylan is a North Catholic senior who's graduating as a part of the class of 2021. He's a fan of Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, and - fun fact - works at Giant Eagle and is a wicked fast shopper (the fastest at his store!). Congrats on your senior year, Dylan! Thanks for the honor of taking your senior photos!

Josef C: McConnell's Mill Senior Photos

You never know what sort of weather you’ll get in March in Pittsburgh, but on this particular Saturday for Josef’s senior photos… we had… wait for it… SUN! It may have been a little cold (30’s?), but the sun kept our heads and spirits high during this session!

Josef is a senior at Seneca Valley who plans on studying botany post-high school graduation! McConnell’s Mill was an easy choice as far as location goes for his senior session, considering it’s a favorite spot of his for hanging out with friends. It was easy to see his love for botany throughout the session. Even though much of the landscape was still slightly dead from winter, Josef identified plants for us as we went throughout his session - which was so much fun! Honestly, I don’t give plants very much thought when I’m out walking around, so it was cool to be able to see what I usually miss through Josef’s eyes!

A HUGE congratulations to you, Josef, on your senior year! I’m so thankful we had the opportunity to photograph you!

McConnell's Mill Family Photos

If you’ve ever wondered what a family mini session looks like - this is it! I had the pleasure of photographing this family right before I took their oldest’s senior photos (on the same day). They added a family mini session on to their senior collection, and we were able to get some great photos of them all together within a 20 minute timeframe!

Senior photos are a great time to get some updated family photos, too! If you’re interested in a joint senior + family session, feel free to reach out to me directly via email at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com, or use the “Contact” tab in the navigation above!

Garrett D: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

How is it already March?! I’m not sure about you, but January and February seemed to FLY by this year! We spent those two months moving into our new home, and going to Disney (since the winter is my “vacation” time!), but towards the end of those two months was Garrett’s senior session in Historic Harmony!

While February can be a toss up when it comes to weather, the day of Garrett’s senior session was absolutely gorgeous! The sun was shining and it was relatively warm for a Pittsburgh winter day! I know Garrett was especially thankful to not have his photos done in the snow! 👏

Garrett’s mom and sister joined us for his photos, and they were so much fun! Bringing a family member or friend along to your senior session can be a great way to feel a bit more comfortable during your session… and they can even step in front of the camera for a couple of photos towards the end of our time together!

Garrett is a Seneca Valley senior who plans on heading into the Navy post-high school graduation, and hopes to work in Marketing and Business someday! Harmony ended up being the perfect choice for his session, considering that he loves historic towns like Charleston and Williamsburg!

He also brought along a purple hat in honor of his grandma's battle with pancreatic cancer. Such a sweet tribute!

Congratulations on your senior year, Garrett!

Favorite Photo Related Products & Accessories 2021

Every photographer has their favorite accessories that make their lives a little easier while they shoot! I’m excited to share a couple of my favorite photography-related pieces of gear and accessories that I’ve started using over the last year that have been game changers for me. All of the gear/accessories are linked so you can view additional details, and possibly even purchase!

(*Note that the links contained in this blog post are affiliate links, which means that I would receive a small credit if you decide to purchase any of the products listed here from the links below!)

The Spider Camera Holster

This piece of equipment (pictured in the photo below) has been the BIGGEST game changer for me in the last year. As someone who has dealt with back pain for my ENTIRE life and has two herniated discs and three bulging discs in my lower back, I will shout my love for the Spider Camera Holster from the rooftops!

This genius alternative camera strap sits on your hips (sort of like a belt), and allows you to hook your camera onto it (there’s a metal mechanism that attaches to your camera in order to make this possible!). No more neck or mid-back pain after shoots, because the weight sits on your hips and is distributed evenly for a better hands-free experience!

And, believe it or not, they also make a Dual Spider Holster, which allows you to hook TWO cameras onto your hips. This is the version that I use especially for wedding days when I like to have two cameras available for use! I love the convenience of having both of my cameras right on my hips!

If you have back pain and you are a photographer, you HAVE to check this holster out! It literally allows me to shoot 12 hour wedding days virtually PAIN FREE - a first for me in 7 years of being a wedding photographer!

Spider Holster Camera Hand Strap

If you like the idea of the Spider Holster, you may want to consider a hand strap - you know, to give you a little extra grip on your camera, since it won’t be hanging from a strap anymore!

The hand strap linked in the title above is actually made by the same company that created the Spider Holster, and while it’s one of the more expensive hand straps - I can tell you, from experience with many cheaper versions of camera hand straps, that it is WELL worth the money. This hand strap is designed to fit the shape of your hand perfectly - it doesn’t flap around like some others on the market. It stays in place, is easy to slip your hand into for quick use, and is made of a durable leather material.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Peak Design Field Pouch

By now, you know how obsessed I am with the Spider Holster, so of course you know I’m going to recommend some additional accessories to go with it!

The spider holster has space for additional accessories on the belt area - and the one linked above (Peak Design Field Pouch) is my favorite! (See photo to the right for how it looks on the belt!).

It is similar to a fanny pack, and is great for holding things like extra batteries, wedding day timelines, your phone, extra memory cards, etc.! It really fits a LOT of items, and is great for carrying around extra things you might need on a shoot! It is designed for use with the Spider Holster, so it has holes on the back and can easily be looped onto the Spider Holster. It uses velcro for securing the opening flap, and has zippered pockets to keep your cards safe from falling out, if it accidentally opens (mine rarely does!). This pouch is a great addition to your Spider Holster belt!

Beeway CF Card Holder

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Praise the Lord for sturdy card holders that give peace of mind on wedding days! I am ALWAYS terrified that something will happen to my memory cards once I fill them up and put them away on a wedding day, so this past year, I upgraded to something more durable than I’ve ever used before: the Beeway CF Card Holder (it also can hold SD cards! Just save the little plastic container the SD cards come in, and place your full SD cards in there, then put them in this card holder. They fit perfectly in the slots designed for CF cards! They also have ones made specifically for SD cards).

This card holder is waterproof, dust proof, and has the ability to protect cards, even if the case is run over by a car! It can also be attached to your bag easily. I have two of these and I absolutely LOVE them! I never have to worry about losing my cards or getting caught in the rain.

Thinktank Retrospective Shoulder Messenger Bag

This is my favorite camera bag I think I’ve ever owned.

I am so picky when it comes to camera bags, because I like to carry a LOT of gear on me. This is the only bag I’ve found that is durable AND holds all of the equipment I want it to.

I can easily fit a camera body, 3 lenses, and a couple of speedlights, along with extra batteries, memory card holders, a water bottle - it really carries everything I need it to! I love that, if I have it on my shoulder at a wedding, I can easily access my gear, too.

5-in-1 43” Portable Reflector

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

My favorite piece of gear EVER will always be solid reflector. It pops light in people’s faces and eyes, giving their skin a beautiful glow on sunny days AND overcast days, simply by holding it close to their face and bouncing the available light! This one is particularly a favorite of mine, because it has two handles on either side, which makes it easier for me to use when I don’t have an assistant to help me. If you are looking for a way to up your portrait game - a reflector is a GAME changer!

Also, the bigger the reflector, the more WIDE of a span the light reflects. A smaller reflector will result in a more focused, smaller light, and a larger reflector will result in a wider “throw” of light across your subject, with softer shadows (at least, I’ve found this to be the case in my experience!). I typically will not get any reflectors smaller than 43” because of this.

For more resources for photographers, check out the product links below, or be sure to follow along on the Jenna Hidinger Photography blog!

JHP Maternity Photo Highlights 2020

2020 was a year full of maternity photos - and I’m not mad about it!!! In fact, it was an absolute joy to photograph so many growing families - more than I ever have in past years!

Many of the couples I had the privilege to photograph were past wedding clients, which made me so happy! And all of the others became fast friends. It’s always such an incredible honor to be a part of new, exciting seasons of life.

To each and every couple who allowed me to be a part of this growing season: thank you. You are a blessing, and I pray that your family is filled with joy!

If you are interested in booking a maternity session, feel free to use the “Pricing” tab above to view packages, and the “Contact” tab to reach out and say hello! Or, feel free to email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com

In Home Lifestyle Blog Photos

I cannot believe that I have never shared these images here on my blog! They are truly some of my favorites I’ve had the privilege to create in the last couple of years.

A few summers ago, I received a message through my website for a mom-blogger looking for someone to take some lifestyle, in-home photos for brand, Cake for Breakfast. Intrigued by the name (cake lover here! 👋) and in alignment with her vision style and content-wise, I gratefully accepted the opportunity to take photos of Christi Lukasiak’s family and happenings in her home!

I knew after our first shoot when she sent me home with a full, floral-covered cake (with the good buttercream icing, might I add!) that we would be just fine working together 😉 I had the privilege of hanging out with this family on a few different occasions , and they truly are a blast to work with! I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorite photos from our time together, AND to possibly give some inspiration into what an in home “lifestyle” family session could look like.

With a name like "Cake for Breakfast," you can bet that there was a LOT of cake involved in the making of these images!

All photos are styled by Christi - including the epic flower arrangement!

Clara's Cinderella inspired bedroom. Totally a dream!

A few photos taken around Christmas time! Definitely obsessed with that blanket.