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Archive for April 2012

Pittsburgh Senior Portraits

I always love the opportunity to photograph high school seniors. As a wedding photographer primarily, I like to be able to switch my mindset and focus on photographing people individually. So I was thrilled when I received an inquiry for two high school seniors who happen to be twins, Jack and Alora. They were so much fun to work with and each in their own way. We did two separate sessions on different days and came up with some great shots that I hope really reflect their personalities. Here are some favorites from the sessions.

For Alora, I wanted to photograph her in soft light and was really thrilled with how this one came together—I love her outfit complete with her cute boots and how she is so relaxed and natural.

high school senior

For Jack, I wanted to go with a more industrial setting, so we moved to an unfinished section of the building with lots of windows which create a really nice rim light around his face. I love how the neutral surroundings and his blue shirt really set off his blue eyes.

senior guy photo

I love close-ups and this one of Alora is one of my favorites. She just exudes sweetness.

close-up portrait

And when it comes to the traditional yearbook photo, I will always shoot it vertically, but when I’m sure I’ve got what we need, it’s fun to switch it up to a horizontal shot. It just feels so much more free this way and allows some room for Jack to really shine.

yearbook photo

Alora collects hats, so we had lots of fun photographing her on white seamless with all of her cute hats. I just love this one because it’s so playful and flirty.

senior girl full length portrait

And Jack brought along his guitar—one word describes this one well: heartthrob.

senior boy with guitar

It was so much fun getting to know you, Jack and Alora! I wish each of you the very best in the years to come!

Pittsburgh Engagement Session: North Shore and West Park

We met up with Valerie and Tom for their engagement session on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, early on a bright Saturday morning a few weeks ago. Alex joined me for this session as some extra added support as I was just getting over some food poisoning. It’s always nice to have such great support in moments when you don’t know if you’re going to toss your cookies! Thankfully, we made it through the session with no incidents and were feeling warm and bright—because it’s hard not to feel that way when you’re hanging out with Valerie and Tom. They are incredibly cute together and so much fun to photograph!

engaged couple

I love photographing couples on the North Shore. That will never get old for me. There’s just something about being down by the river and the view of the city that’s magic no matter what time of the day.

dancing by the river

The sun was unmercifully bright, so it made for a lovely opportunity for back-lit portraits. Plus, Valerie and Tom wouldn’t have to squint with the sun in their eyes.

on Pittsburgh's North Shore

Then we headed over to West Park on Pittsburgh’s North Side to photograph them in a more casual setting. I love this shot by Alex.

engaged couple at West Park in Pittsburgh

The trees were in bloom and the water sparkled, so while it was a little chilly, there’s no telling in these photos. But I guess that had more to do with the warmth between Valerie and Tom than the park’s surroundings.

soon-to-be husband and wife

Tom’s more flirty and Valerie’s more shy. I love that combination.

flirty couple

Tom is from Texas, so they both had these awesome boots that you’d never be able to find in Pittsburgh.

cowboy and cowgirl boots

I think their wedding is going to be lots of fun!

by the lake at West Park in Pittsburgh

Valerie and Tom, thanks for a great session and we’re looking forward to photographing your big day in June!

Cute-As-A-Button Newborn Photos

I know the title to this post is a bit boastful, but I think I can get away with it as a proud aunt. I got to visit my sweet niece, Kynleigh, just about a month ago and she is an absolute bundle of cuteness. Normally, I like to do newborn portraits in the studio, but with my sister living four hours away, this session was definitely going to be on-location at my sister’s home in Baltimore. After a day or so of cuddling with her, my mom, sister and I unloaded my car full of gear and props and made a crazy mess of my sister’s living room. It took a while for little Kynleigh to adjust to the change of scenery, but once she settled in we had so much fun! Here are a few favorites from our session:

bunny baby

Kynleigh has no shortage of cute accessories and this bunny hat is perfect for a springtime baby. My sister made prints of this image as Easter gifts for our mom and her mother-in-law.

newborn in a white cap

I think this one above is my favorite. I love how she is cuddling her arms close to her face.

baby in a hammock

We, very carefully, placed Kynleigh in this hammock. What you don’t see is my mom laying on the floor beneath her and my sister close at her side. I know that hammock is very secure, but there’s something unnerving about seeing a newborn suspended underneath a small tree branch, so we take every precaution.

close up of a baby

Just some more cuteness. I think she was actually quite comfy hanging there.

apple for the teacher

And last, but not least, we put her in this apple cocoon. This little one could snooze! It was at least a full four hours of changing her accessories, moving her, and posing her, intermixed with the usual needs of a newborn such as feeding and changing. She was pretty tuckered out and was like clay in my hands!

Some of My Favorite Shots as a Second Shooter

It’s been a long while since I’ve posted, so my blog is in desperate need of some love. This past month has been full of traveling to spend time with my family to celebrate the birth of my sister’s precious daughter and the life of my sweet grandmother who has gone on to be with Jesus, and in the middle of those highs and lows, struggling through the symptoms of the first trimester in my pregnancy. Yep! That’s right, we’re expecting and we recently shared the news with our family, friends and clients. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support over these last few weeks. It means the world to me and I’m glad to say that I’m back in the saddle again and gearing up for the 2012 Pittsburgh wedding season.

I left off blogging about the importance of wedding photographers having a good second shooter and shared some of my favorite photos by Alex Jones, my primary second shooter. This time, I’ll share some of my own favorites as a second shooter. Being a second shooter can be fun. There is more freedom to explore different angles, to notice interesting things happening on the periphery, and to catch wonderful candid moments with the bride and groom while the main photographer is focused on the many responsibilities that come with that job. Here are some favorites from weddings I’ve shot with Alex, Photorise Photography and Scheller & Co. during the past season.

flower girl running down the aisle

bride and groom with roses for the Blessed Mother

bride in her hotel room

groom whispering to bride during the ceremony

bridesmaids laughing and sipping their mimosas

bride resting in between shots

bride and groom walking to their reception

groom kissing bride

first dance at the wedding reception

Up next, I’ll share some photos from an on-location newborn session with my sister’s darling baby, Kynleigh.