Summer Mellon Park Family Photos

What a blessing it is to work with families over the years - and this one is no different! You might remember this sweet family from their rainy fall Cleland Rock family session a few years ago. And while it didn’t rain for their session this year, it was definitely by far one of the most hot and humid days of the whole year so far! But I’m not sure you would even be able to tell from these photos. Don’t these four look fantastic?!

Because it was such a hot day... there were very few people in the park, which made it easy to get a wide variety of locations at a park that is usually very busy with photographers and patrons!

Thank you so much to these four for allowing me to capture this season of your lives! I am so thankful that you would trust me with these memories!

Summer Moraine State Park Family Photos

Oh these three were so much fun to photograph! If you follow along on the blog, you might recognize these three from their adorable summer mini session last year. I was so thrilled to have them back in front of my camera again this year!

Even though we had to reschedule once for weather, we all checked the forecast before leaving our houses and didn’t see rain on the horizon for our second attempt. However… much to our surprise, during our time together, it started to POUR! We ran back to our cars, and when I had gotten into my vehicle, I looked out my window towards theirs and saw all three sitting in their trunk with it open. It was cutest thing! So of course, I grabbed an umbrella and took a few shots of the fam hanging out in the back of their car. They turned out to be some of my favorites from our time together!! It stopped raining soon after, and we were able to continue shooting. I was so thankful for their patience with the crazy Pittsburgh weather!

Their little one was FULL of energy (and smiles!) the day of their session, and it was so much fun letting him run around while having his parents interact with him! To any parents getting photos of their toddler - the session can seem a bit chaotic, but I’ve found that embracing that toddler energy is a great way to go about getting some fun, interactive photos while keeping the whole family happy and the mood upbeat!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from our time together at Moraine State Park! ❤️

Bridget & Sean: North Shore Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

Bridget & Sean wanted a true Pittsburgh session, and there was hardly a better place than the North Shore! We had an absolute blast hanging out with these two and exploring along the riverwalk. Even better… we had a cloudy day for their photos, which was sooo helpful with this particular location… it usually gets blasted with afternoon light, but fortunately, the clouds created a beautiful, diffused glow on the city!

However, this perfectly lit engagement session didn’t happen without a few obstacles that we had to overcome!

First, we found out there was an event happening at our original location (Point State Park) that would make it near impossible to get photos without crowds in the background. So, we changed our game plan for the location. Then, the weather forecast started to get worse and worse as the day went on… the rain went back and forth, then back and forth again - so we opted to move the session up by an hour or so to try and beat the rain, which was definitely a must, since Bridget was driving a few hours in from out of town! But in the end, I was so thankful that this sweet couple was willing to be so flexible and roll with the unexpected punches… and I am so excited about the images that we were able to get!

Congratulations on your engagement, Bridget & Sean! I couldn’t be more excited for your wedding day next year! ❤️

Cierra & Hunter: Pittsburgh Engagement Photos

Talk about a Pittsburgh engagement session! While Cierra and Hunter aren’t Pittsburgh natives, they did want to capture the beauty of the city they currently call home in their engagement photos… and in the place where they will be saying “I do!” So of course, Point State Park & the North Shore provided the perfect backdrops for their engagement session, not to mention some gorgeous light! We had the absolute BEST evening hanging out with these two, who truly felt like fast friends. Congratulations on your engagement, Cierra & Hunter!! ☺️

Heidi W: Hartwood Acres Mansion Senior Photos

This was such a fun session because it was so unique - and so personalized to Heidi! I had the pleasure of taking Heidi’s sister’s senior photos a few years back, and was so excited to get to work with such a sweet family again!

Heidi brought two ballgown/prom style dresses to her senior session - a beautiful lilac one, and a sleek black one! They were absolutely GORGEOUS against the Hartwood Acres Mansion backdrop. We also incorporated her car into her photos, which was so fun! There are so many different angles you can get (from a photo perspective!) with just one vehicle.

As we were taking photos, little girls stopped and stared at the “princess” that was walking by. It happened so many times - and was so, so sweet!

All in all, it was a beautiful & fun evening that really got my creative juices flowing! Heidi, congratulations on your senior year, and thank you so much for the honor of celebrating this next season of your life!

Amy & Matt: Camp Russell at Oglebay Resort Wedding Photos

Amy & Matt celebrated their wedding day at the famous, beautiful, Ogelbay Resort in Wheeling, WV! Their day was intimate, relaxed, and laid back... it was an absolute joy to photograph! Their ceremony and reception both took place at Camp Russell - an adorable little pavillion and lodge nestled in the woods of Ogelbay!

Amy & I went to the same university, and actually studied abroad in Ireland for a few weeks together! So, getting to photograph her wedding day was so so special.

Amy & Matt - thank you for the incredible honor of photographing your wedding day! Congratulations on your marriage!!

Megan & Devon: Highland Park Engagement Photos

These two music lovers met in band at Slippery Rock University, got engaged around Christmas time (during which time Devon, a cat lover, promised Megan that they would get a pup!), and a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking their engagement photos at the beautiful Highland Park! And of course, the promised pup (Murphy) joined us for the session, too! What a sweet treat!! For a seven month old puppy, he was one of the most well behaved dogs I've ever had at a session!

Megan & Devon are both so laid back and easy to talk to! One of the very best parts about an engagement session (for me at least! ;) ) is getting to hear a couple’s story, and everything that had to happen - all of the events that had to line up - for them to get together. Thankfully, these two were so willing to share! And their love & friendship is obvious… you can tell when a couple really is the best of friends, and these two certainly are!

Megan & Devon, it was such an honor to photograph you two! Congratulations on your engagement... and I couldn't be more excited for your wedding day!!

Ed & Meghan: Sheraton Station Square Wedding Photos

I have had the huge honor of celebrating Ed & Meghan on so many milestones of their relationship - from the proposal, to engagement photos, to their 2020 wedding ceremony, and now to their wedding reception at the Sheraton Station Square!

They had originally planned for a 1920’s themed wedding, as a nod to the year they were getting married, 2020, so they forged ahead with their original plan for their 2021 reception! They had lots of 20’s themed details (one of my favorites was their gorgeous cake by Bethel Bakery!) incorporated into the day, and their reception took place in a beautiful room full of windows overlooking the Pittsburgh skyline. It’s a tough view to beat!

Because Meghan & Ed are already married, they had a small overlap of “getting ready” photos instead of seeing each other down the aisle, and instead of a first look. Ed even helped Meghan put her red heels on… which ended up being such a sweet moment from their wedding day!

After getting ready, we headed out to the surrounding Station Square area for some photos. The aesthetic of Station Square in Pittsburgh has some nods to the 20’s (industrial looking, trains, etc.), which made it a great spot for their photos together and with their bridal party!

I won’t lie, I’ve worked with Meghan & Ed so many times over the last two years that I am super sad to not have anything else on the calendar to look forward to with them! Meghan & Ed - congratulations on your marriage, and thank you so much for letting me be a part of this sweet season of your lives!

Vendors: 2nd II None Productions (DJ), Bethel Bakery, Sheraton Station Square, Flowers by Terry, Marjorie Bezilla (bride’s hair & makeup, sister of the bride)

Madison P: Sunrise Mellon Park Senior Photos

Sunrise senior sessions have always, and forever will be, a favorite of mine.

Madison’s session was supposed to take place on a Friday evening at Mellon Park, but when the forecast called for rain, we chatted and switched our start time to a morning timeframe instead. And even though it was early… really REALLY early, we beat the rain, got some beautiful light, and had Mellon Park almost completely to ourselves (except for a few joggers and dog walkers!). Mellon Park is typically super busy in the evenings, so it was a fun treat to be able to have allllll of the spots to ourselves! ;)

And what a blessing it was to spend the morning with this lovely lady! Madison is a 2021 senior who is planning on pursuing pre-med post-high school graduation! She loves her pups - so of course, we had to incorporate them both into her photos. She was a pro in front of the camera and a true joy to photograph. We laughed so much (maybe that was the tired delirium setting in! ;) ), which made for some super fun and relaxed shots!

Congratulations on your senior year, Madison! I am so thankful to have been able to celebrate this season with you!

Mellon Park Extended Family Photos

Incredible evening, gorgeous light, and the most fun family?! Check, check, & check.

When you're a photographer who loves their family, hardly any gift makes nearly as much sense as some photos with the people you love most... especially when the last "professional" family portrait was taken before you were born!

I was so honored when Amelia, who is also a photographer (talk about an honor to take a photographer's family photos!!), reached out to me about taking some photos of her family. Who, after this session, I completely adore! They were so much fun, laughing and chatting the entire evening together, which made my job SO EASY! I love when families come to sessions ready to have a good time.

A HUGE thanks to this sweet family (and to Amelia!) for allowing me to be a part of this season!