Bio Excercise by a Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer

A friend of mine, and fellow photographer, sent me a fun exercise today to help with marketing my Pittsburgh wedding photography business. The point of these simple questions with no punctuation, just words, is to encourage honest answers without thinking too much. I plan to use this information as I draft up some goals for 2011, but I thought it might be fun to share.

why photography

because it helps to remember

why weddings

because I’m girlie and I like them

why portraits

I like to help people look their best and feel confident

who are you

a woman who lives in Pittsburgh and wants to serve God, family, and enjoy life

favorite things (no nouns)

dancing, singing, laughing, eating, traveling, helping, sharing

favorite food

mexican

how did you get here (with a camera in your hand)

i’ve always enjoyed being creative – used to create mini musicals with my cousins, dance recitals with my barbies, once I had a camera,     that was just as fun

first picture you remember taking

a self portrait

what’s next

I want to keep making photos and I want to do something with my skills that helps others – maybe organize a non-profit for photographers     who happen to go on mission trips to educate people about poverty or other issues and also to help promote missions

what’s behind

a bumpy road and loving family and friends who’ve helped me along

Pittsburgh Photo Christmas Cards

If you’re like me, this fall has thrown me for a loop with above average temperatures. The Pittsburgh wedding photography season may have come to a close, but I’m still busy with designing albums I haven’t done a lick of Christmas shopping and I’m starting to feel time slip through my fingers. And before I get started with presents, I am one of those crazy ladies who likes to send Christmas cards with a photo of my dog. I think this will change someday when we have children, but for now Brownie graces the front of the Miller Christmas cards.

Personalized Christmas Cards by Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers

And if you would like to schedule a portrait for your family, call soon to reserve some time in the studio. Sessions are $150 and last about two hours. The session includes a web gallery and the choice of one high-resolution digital image to be retouched and emailed to you with permission to print for personal use. Additional photos from your session can be purchased online via your web gallery. Time is ticking!

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers at the 2010 PDN PhotoPlus in NYC

This past week, I spent time in NYC for the PDN PhotoPlus event. It is the first major photography conference I’ve attended and I came away from it with a lot of inspiration for my Pittsburgh wedding photography business and I’m so grateful for an awesome experience. My family was a little bit leery about me going on this trip alone (because of my child-like tendency to often get lost in the moment), but I survived! And for anyone who is thinking about going to NYC, but is hesitant about reports of bed bugs, I stayed in a hostel and it was bed-bug-free and very tidy, I might add.

Anyway, back to the conference. This is a great conference and it’s easily accessible if you happen to be living in the North East. As a wedding photographer, I have given a lot of thought to which conference I’d try first and I have to say, I have no regrets. I took the Megabus (which is awesome) from Pittsburgh and was within walking distance of everything. On top of that, I made some friends and learned a lot. So for other photographers out there who might be considering a conference next year, I give this one a thumbs up! Here’s the Javits Center where it takes place:

Javits Center by a Pittsburgh wedding photographer

My favorite speaker? Joe McNally. I’ve read his book Hot Shoe Diaries and knew he would give a great seminar. Now I have tons of notes for new things I’d like to try—too bad the wedding season is winding down. I may need to schedule some test shoots if there are any past clients out there who would like to have some fun and let me experiment a little. Just let me know if you’re interested.
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Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers Sneak peek: St. Frances Cabrini Parish and The Club at Shadow Lakes wedding

I had the pleasure of photographing Jennifer and Timothy’s wedding in Beaver County two Saturdays ago. I’m a Beaver County gal though I live in Pittsburgh now, so it was fun to work in some familiar locations. Plus Jennifer and Timothy were tons of fun and their wedding day schedule allowed enough time for them to enjoy the day without feeling rushed. This is a major plus when it comes to photography, where rushing is not so good, that can be a total mood-killer! Anyway, this is a sneak peek and I’m already rambling on. Let’s get to the good stuff.

Isn’t Jennifer lovely?

portrait of a bride in Pittsburgh

I really like this one of the two of them. Jennifer is standing on a curb because Timothy is quite a lot taller than her.

wedding photography

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Wedding at Ingomar United Methodist and Greystone Fields

Alex and Jon were married two Saturdays ago at Ingomar United Methodist Church with a reception at Greystone Fields in Gibsonia, Pa. This fun-loving couple planned a lovely day and enjoyed it to the fullest. I started with Jon and the guys and while they were very hesitant to have a female with a camera in the room, it didn’t take long for them to get comfortable and ham it up. Jon’s best man is just outside the frame on this one, egging him on. When guys can have fun like that it really sets the tone for a great day.

Groom getting ready

Meanwhile, Alex and the ladies were busy bees perfecting the finishing touches.

Bride getting ready

I love these shoes. They’re so my style. Just not my size…

Cute shoes

Here’s Alex looking gorgeous at her dining room table. Alex and Jon just recently bought their first home and they did a fabulous job decorating and furnishing it.

Bride at window

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