Tag Archive for: Pittsburgh

Full Pint Brewing Co. Beer Photography

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Through a connection by my friend and fellow blogger of FoodBurgh, I picked up a fun job earlier this month: photographing beer.  This assignment took me to the Rivertowne Pour House in Monroeville, one of several locations where the beer can be found on tap.  I set up a mini studio in a small banquet room at the back of the restaurant and got to work.  Here’s one shot of the six varieties I photographed that day.  The brew master there referred to this one as Blonde.

Beer photography

The beer is isolated on white for graphic design purposes, as Full Pint is getting ready to produce and market their beer for distribution.

While there, the brew master offered me a taste and I happily tried their mango beer because I love mango and was curious about how it would taste in beer. Well, it’s delicious! I am definitely heading back to the Rivertowne Pour House for dinner and another mango beer. To other mango fans out there, you’ll have to head to Monroeville too, because the mango beer is not one of the varieties that they will be distributing.

Light painting at PGH Filmmakers

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I just heard from a friend, Ellen, who I met through Pittsburgh Filmmakers.  She was writing to let me know she noticed a photo of mine is on the front page of Filmmakers’ Web site and on the cover of their 2010 summer catalog which is also available on the site.  It’s the small photo of Ellen swimming in waves of light on the right of the site above the summer classes info.  This was one of those experimental projects that we just had a lot of fun with.  Here’s a larger version of the photo:

pol11 by Mad_Madam_Mim.

You can also check out our classmates photos on Flickr. This class had lots of great ideas.

As a wedding photographer, this project forced me to let go of my obsessions over making sure everything is just so.  For those who have hired me or are considering hiring me in the future, don’t worry I’m still meticulous about the details, it’s in my nature.

We were painting with light and there were lots of people involved in making this photo: strobe operator, light painters, and of course, the talent.  I was behind the camera and directing the scene during the 30 or so seconds the shutter was open.  So given the chaos of the process and the fact that it’s a Polaroid, I have come to accept that it’s not perfectly focused and that the multiple flashes cause ghosting of Ellen’s face as she made breast strokes while balanced on a coffee table.  It was so much fun and helped us all to remember some of the reasons we fell in love with photography in the first place.  Thanks to Sally Bozzuto who scanned in the Polaroids and submitted them for the summer catalog!

Oakland venue reviews

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Have you heard of the new University Center in Oakland?  Ok, this isn’t an ad, but this beautiful new venue prompted me to post a Oakland venue review as part of my Bride’s Guide.  Oakland is a popular setting for many Pittsburgh weddings, with the surrounding college campuses, beautiful churches and parks.  For a long time, this college town was more limited in reception venues, but the University Club is definitely a stand-out in my opinion.  I photographed a corporate event there in the fall.  However, I don’t have any photos that really show the beauty of this venue, because my assignment was mainly what we photographers call “grip and grins” or informal group shots of guests at the event.  So you’ll have to check out their site to get a sense of what this place looks like.

It seems that lots of brides and grooms nowadays are planning for their ceremony and reception to be close-by to save time in their busy day and also to keep it simpler for guests.

Heinz Chapel

Now there are a lot of gorgeous churches in this neighborhood: Heinz Chapel (photographed above), St. Paul’s Cathedral, Bellefield Presbyterian Church, just to name a few.  Other reception venues include: The Twentieth Century Club, the Concordia Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, or St. Nick’s Cathedral Room, as well as the local hotels.  These venues have the catering covered from linens through glassware.  Other unique venues include Soilders and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Carnegie Museum or Carnegie Music Hall, and Phipps Conservatory.  These venues might require more planning, for instance, renting chairs and collaborating with outside caterers, etc.

Whew!  There are more Oakland reception venues than I thought.  And that’s just off the top of my head from my experience in photographing events at these locations.

One last consideration if you’re planning for an Oakland wedding: there are plenty of great locations for the photography within walking distance.  Can you tell I’m a fan of Oakland weddings?  Check out a few of the great Oakland locations in the photos below.

Mellon Institute

Pitt's campus

Schenly Carousel

Cathedral of Learning


Omni Bedford Springs Resort engagement session with Sara and Luke

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I met up with Sara and Luke in Bedford for an engagement session in the posh Omni Bedford Springs Resort. We were both en route from holiday family gatherings and the resort happened to be a terrific place for an indoor engagement session, out of the snowy cold. I highly recommend staying there if you’re traveling across Pennsylvania. It is a beautiful 200 year-old resort that was recently renovated with respect for it’s original design and a nod to the luxurious. Anyhow, Sara, Luke and I were happy to spend a couple of hours there. And this couple was a complete delight. Below are a few favorites from our shoot:
Engagement collage

Sweet nothings

At one point through the shoot, a man walked by in just a bathrobe. Sara and Luke were trying to keep from cracking up for their photos, but they couldn’t hold it for long.

In an embrace

I really liked photographing them in this lounge. It had tons of natural light and wicker chaise lounges lined up all along the windows for guests to stop and enjoy the view.

Leisurely stroll

Proposal

Kissing her hand

I love sequencing moments and this adorable couple can pull it off.

At the fireside

Their wedding will take place at Green Gables in Jennerstown this summer. Sara and Luke, I’m looking forward to working with you again at your wedding!

Christmas portraits ~ Merry Christmas

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Over the last few weeks I’ve worked with some great families and friends on family portraits in front of the Christmas tree. This season’s portraits included a couple of really well behaved kids and babies and a few furry friends.

Children's portrait

Dog by the Christmas tree

Dog with reindeer antlers and santa cap

Family portrait

I love Christmas tree portraits. The glowing Christmas trees are so sentimental—trimmed with the family’s collection of ornaments over the years. And people just seem to glow with warm feelings about the holiday to come. Merry Christmas to all and thanks to all my clients for a wonderful 2009!

Christmas family portrait