Heather and Hendrick met me at Eleven in the Strip District, where they had their first date, to kick off our photoshoot downtown. It was a beautiful fall day! I loved the subtle humor these guys threw at each other… I think it really infused into some of my favorite images (below). Take a look and enjoy! Heather and Hendrick, looking forward to your wedding next May!

(Okay, maybe the humor isn’t ALWAYS so subtle!)

The folks at Eleven were gracious enough to let us inside before they opened, to shoot at the bar and in the sofas, and they even gave us some *fake* wine for the photos. Definitely not a concoction that you’d actually want to take a sip of, but it looked great in the images! (PS Eleven is owned by Big Burrito, one of the biggest event caterers in the area. Absolutely delicious food, YUM)

How about those heels! Had to shot ‘em off in a window silhouette

That last shot was taken on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. In the summer, there are patio tables up and it makes for a really cozy meal.

Then we headed downtown, starting with the convention center…

…stopping in a gravel alley along the way…

…then we hit the “eye” plaza for a few…

(Love their expressions in that last one!)

Of course we did some bridge shots before heading back toward the Strip…

I think this next one might be my favorite from the session, although it was certainly tough to choose! At this point Heather and Hendrick were totally relaxed and just enjoying the moment. LOVE it!

Friends and family of the bride and groom can access all of the images from the session here. All prints are 50% off for the first week, in this case until next Saturday morning, November 14! (You will see the discounted rates directly in the price list online when you attempt to buy an individual image. After November 14, 2009, the rates will automatically return to their normal level.) If you have any questions, just let me know, using the contact form on my website. Enjoy!

Congrats to Kate and Art for their beautiful wedding at Glenshaw Presbyterian Church and reception at Longue Vue Club!  The party was a blast, with everyone mingling and having a good time, on the dance floor and beyond. I guess that’s what happens when the bride and groom have been dating as long as these two… everybody knows each other!

It was a classy, elegant affair planned perfectly down to the tiniest details. I have to say, it’s always the details that really complete the whole package. Kate, Art, and their families did a wonderful job.

Enjoy a handful of images from the big day!

I was so in love with this dress!! The fabric is so soft and ethereal and just lays perfectly. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Kate’s mother is a bridal gown consultant.

Loved the fluffy tulle under the gown! Combined with Kate’s perfect posture, it’s such an elegant take on putting on the garter…

In Kate’s room was a beautiful chair that her parents had made for her. I had to use it for a couple of jewelry shots! Kate’s earrings were specially made for her using her mother’s pearls, and the garter was homemade using fabric from her mother’s gown. How wonderful is that!

At the church, the girls freshened up for photos before the ceremony…

Though the bride and groom decided not to see each other before the ceremony, I was able to grab some shots of the boys and then the girls… I loved the look Kate threw in this next pic.

… then it was time for the ceremony. How awesome is this next shot my assistant Mark got of the maid of honor, just before walking down the aisle!

The large windows that flanked either side of the altar made for some gorgeous sihouettes…

And of course it’s always a great shot when the ring bearer decides to let out a big yawn during the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom whisked themselves off to the limo to head to the reception site for photos.

Once we arrived at Longue Vue, we trekked down to a beautiful yellowy orange tree (how I love fall!). The grounds at the club are extensive and gorgeous, so luckily we didn’t have to walk too far.

I’ve been wanting to do a leaf tossing shot for a while, and these guys were game, so I was pretty pumped for this. I know it’s tough to see their expressions in such a small photo, but these guys really had a blast with it!

I LOVE Art’s expression in this next one…

These next two might be my favorites. Had to use the fading light for some soft silhouettes. Gorgeous!!

Time for the party! Just wanted to show off a pic of the placecards, because they were so well done. Just one example of all the wonderful attention to details that these guys paid.

And of course a pic of the happy couple! Congratulations, you two!!

Here are some details from Kate and Art’s beautiful day!

• Venue: LongueVue Club
• Reception Music: Cityscape
• Ceremony / Officiant: Glenshaw Presbyterian Church / Rev. Dr. Michael Hoyt
• Hair: Julie at Laurie’s Total Salon
• Flowers: Michael Jacobs

Friends and family of the bride and groom can access all of the images from the wedding day here. All prints are 50% off for the first week, in this case until the afternoon of Friday, November 13. (You will see the discounted rates directly in the price list online when you attempt to buy an individual image. After November 13, the rates will automatically return to their normal level.) If you have any questions, just let me know, using the contact form on my website. Enjoy!

Lots of good wishes to Melissa and Mark, brand new husband and wife! We had a really good time shooting their engagement session at the Pittsburgh zoo this summer, where I caught their creative vibe, so I was pretty pumped for their afternoon wedding down at Fallingwater this fall. These guys used creativity with a capital C in their reception decor, which I will be blogging about in a separate post. I especially love the stack of pancakes they cut into instead of a cake. It was particularly fitting for a (delicious) brunch reception! Kudos also goes out to Ashley Moss of Hello Productions, their day-of wedding coordinator, for her hard work in getting everything up and lookin’ so good.

Enjoy some of my favorite pictures from the day… and special thanks out to Mark for all his help shooting!

Melissa’s dress was absolutely gorgeous, delicate and feminine and unique. Love it!! She wore two different pairs of shoes, one for the ceremony and the other for dancing. These were for the reception…

In this next shot, I loved the framing of the two windows, while Melissa knelt at a mirror to adjust her hair.

How about the adorableness of this next picture, taken during their first look?? The wind picked up at just the right time, to shift Melissa’s hair and dress and the flap of Mark’s jacket.

My assistant Mark (who decided to go by “Blaise” for the day, to avoid confusion) grabbed this next shot. I’m so in love with the tilt of her shoe and the casual elegance of the image (and how about those shoes!).

I love the way this next pic has such a homey newlywed vibe.

And then it was off to the main Fallingwater venue for some pics by the house… How awesome is the lighting for these??

You know I always love a good sun flare!

This next patch of greenery made for some great intimate shots…

And then time for the ceremony! Originally scheduled for a grove of trees nearby, we relocated to a small patio adjacent to the Barn because of recent heavy rains in the area. The ceremony was touching and personal, full of tears and laughter. Especially when a parade of motorcycles flew by in the middle of it! I loved that they quoted the Beatles for one of the readings. As they walked back down the aisle, their friends and family tossed eco-friendly confetti on them. A lot of it.

After receiving their guests, Melissa waited patiently for her husband. I loved the lighting and the tilt of her head, so I had to grab a pic…

And as it was incredibly chilly in the shade, also had to grab a pic of the newlyweds keeping each other warm.

What a beautiful bride!

Of course had to show off those fancy socks…

And while I grabbed some pics of our groom, my assistant Mark caught this great candid of the two of them. Love the sassy arm on the hip!

We grabbed some photos in a little stone inset,

before the girls bustled up Melissa.

And then a few last pictures before heading back to the reception… Loved the kitchen wallpaper for this one…

Time for the party! The Boilermaker Jazz Band provided great tunes for guests of all ages, and how about that First Dance dip!

There were personalized M&M’s in mason jars on every table…

…which Mark and Melissa showed off so gracefully!!

And by special request, we have a ring shot. Love their expressions in this!

PS I know you’re all wondering about that pancake “cake”… so here you go! Beautifully done, and apparently very yummy.

What a beautiful, personal, intimate affair… congrats to you both!! Here are some of the outstanding vendors that made the day such a success…

• Wedding Day-Of Coordinator: Ashley Moss of Hello Productions
• Venue: The Barn at Fallingwater
• Reception Music: Boilermaker Jazz Band
• Ceremony: Officiated by a friend under a self-uniting license. Music provided by talented friends.
• Makeup: Jenny La Bella

Friends and family of the bride and groom can access all of the images from the wedding day here. All prints are 50% off for the first week, in this case until the evening of Sunday, November 1. (You will see the discounted rates directly in the price list online when you attempt to buy an individual image. After November 1, the rates will automatically return to their normal level.) If you have any questions, just let me know, using the contact form on my website. Enjoy!

Enjoy some of my favorite pics from Leah and Quentin’s wedding! Leah’s bubbly upbeat personality won me over from day 1, and I was really excited to work with these guys. We had a great time on their engagement session and I knew their wedding would be just as fun… which it absolutely was! Despite dismal weather, the whole bridal party remained upbeat and excited about the union. There was a wonderfully positive vibe all night, and it was easy to see the honest affection that Leah and Quentin’s family have for them.

The bride and groom tied the knot at Ingomar United Methodist Church and celebrated afterward at the Heinz History Center. (Love that venue!) Below are some of my favorites, mostly from the couple’s photoshoot. They decided to see each other before the ceremony, so I shared a couple of photos from that meeting as well. Enjoy!

Leah got ready at her parents’ home, so I decided to incorporate elements of the home into the photos, using her piano, a teddy bear made out of her grandmother’s mink coat, and framing her with the home’s window in some bridal photos on the porch (below).

I loved the emotion in the first look, so decided to share a handful of those shots below…

Loved the quiet moment in that last one during the first look! Of course have to share a ceremony pic (below) of the Mr. and Mrs. … they look so happy!

I love doing silhouettes of the groomsmen. And I love love the emotion that my assistant Torin captured in this next candid! This one was taken while I was doing group photos.

The rest of the bride/groom series of photos were taken at the Heinz History Center. Since the building is incredibly dark, we had to get a little creative with the use of lighting. Luckily we had time to do so, and Torin did a wonderful job helping me out!

The museum has these really cool pieces in the Great Hall on the first floor, which we incorporated in…

Love the glare on this next shot!

I was excited to use the natural lighting on this next wall, along with just a bit of off-camera lighting, to create a really dramatic portrait.

And of course the spotlights by the elevator made for some really dramatic pics, too!

The hall was beautifully decorated; here are a couple of pics showing off the centerpieces…

Gotta love First Dance pictures!

Leah and Quentin, what a beautiful wedding! Best wishes to both of you!!

Here are some of the top notch vendors that made the day such a success…

• Florist: Hearts and Flowers
• Makeup / Hair: Studio RAW
• Ceremony Music: Don Meghan, Ingomar Church
• Reception Site: Heinz History Center

Friends and family of the bride and groom can access all of the images from the wedding day here. All prints are 50% off for the first week, in this case until the evening of Friday, October 23. (You will see the discounted rates directly in the price list online when you attempt to buy an individual image. After October 23, the rates will automatically return to their normal level.) If you have any questions, just let me know, using the contact form on my website. Enjoy!

Amy and Greg hired me to shoot their engagement session early this year here in Pittsburgh, the city they love, after they’d already hired a photographer in New York to shoot their wedding there. These guys are a lot of fun, and HUGE sports fans (as you can see from the pictures we took at each of the stadiums)! Their wedding colors were even black and gold, and they incorporated a great Pittsburgh tribute dance into their reception, with their bridal party. Looks like a lot of fun!! Apparently it even aired on KDKA the day the Steelers opened the season! Check it out…

Amy, you look gorgeous. Congrats again to you both!

~

Tomorrow is a big day… Leah and Quentin marry! Looking forward to it…

Congratulations to Brittany and John for their beautiful Ligonier wedding! Below I’ve shared some of my favorites from the day. I had such a tough time narrowing down my choices that I had to ask my boyfriend to bring it from almost 50 down to 20… so actually here you see Mark’s favorites. Brittany and John’s friends and family can access the entire collection of pictures from the day by following the directions at the bottom of this post.

You’ll notice I’ve included quite a few black and white photos… by Brittany and John’s request. They’re big fans of that particular monotone look (which is convenient, as I am, too!).

Great thanks goes out to my second shooter Christina as always for her wonderful help, and to Sara who acted as my photobooth assistant for the evening.

Enjoy!!

What a beautiful bouquet! These guys chose to wed at the Ligonier Country Inn (after their original location closed down not long before the wedding!). It worked out perfectly, as the Inn’s simple friendly vibe was a great match for Brittany and John themselves.

The girls got ready in the “bridal suite” at the Inn’s adjacent Shafer House. Brittany’s sister and mom helped her with her garter. Love this moment!

Of course, as always, the guys were goofing off downstairs while waiting.

We decided to grab some photos of the beautiful bride before allowing her groom to see her. Brittany is so gorgeous and willing to work with me on these poses! (I’m not sure she realized how well she could throw a hip in one of the later poses LOL- friends/family, check ‘em out in her full galleries!)

Then of course John met her for an intimate first look in the bridal suite. Love this next pic!

Since the weather wasn’t cooperating, we ended up shooting the entire session in the Shafer House. It wasn’t the most ideal location (cramped with iffy lighting) but with quite a bit of creative maneuvering we ended up with a variety of beautiful images.

I loved this large window on the house’s enclosed porch. You can’t even tell that this corner space was entirely surrounded by trash, tools, maintenance materials, and displaced random furniture!

I’d say that the unfinished walls and trim only added interest to the photos…

And of course we had to make use of the bridal suite, too! Love this intimate moment in the next picture… might be one of my favorites from the day…

Loved all the kids sitting on a church pew, watching the girls ready themselves over in the corner!

The actual ceremony held out by the Inn’s gazebo, a nice intimate spot for the nuptials. I snuck inside the reception hall for a different viewpoint…

What a reception! Loved the cake (and great lighting!)…

Their first dance was to “Over the Rainbow.” So incredibly sweet!

Had to share a pic of the kids running around. Love it!!

Finally, a pic of the bride and her maid of honor (and sister) in the photo booth. Brittany and John decided the week before their wedding that they wanted to use the photo booth I also offer. It worked out great- the booth was a hit, with people in there all night long!!

(If you’re interested in including a photo booth in your own wedding, just ask me about rates.)

Brittany and John, I wish you only the best!!

Friends and family of the bride and groom can access all of the images from the wedding day here. As before, all prints are 50% off for the first week, in this case until next Saturday evening, September 26! (You will see the discounted rates directly in the price list online when you attempt to buy an individual image. After September 26, 2009, the rates will automatically return to their normal level.) If you have any questions, just let me know, using the contact form on my website. Enjoy!

Jessica and Tom met up with me in the Strip District on a beautiful Friday morning for their engagement session. It was the first time we met, since they hired me over the phone from Philly, but we still had a wonderful time frolicking around the alleyways! These guys had just spent the previous week in New York City where Jessica was getting her photo taken for Modern Bride magazine, as she was one of the finalists for next year’s Modern Bride contest (Congrats, Jessica!!), so being in front of the camera was old hat by then I’m sure. We tried our hand at the serious photos, and got some great ones (check out a couple of my favorites below!) but these guys really stood out in some of these relaxed loving shots. Jessica’s smile was easy and natural, and it was easy to see their affection for each other- despite having spent a week of hectic travel time together 24/7! Enjoy a few of my favorites (and I had a seriously tough time narrowing these down). 

Jessica and Tom, looking forward to your wedding!!

Friends and family of the bride and groom can access all of the images from the session here. All prints are 50% off for the first week, in this case until next Friday evening, September 4! (You will see the discounted rates directly in the price list online when you attempt to buy an individual image. After September 4, 2009, the rates will automatically return to their normal level.) If you have any questions, just let me know, using the contact form on my website. Enjoy!

Meet Maureen and Jamie, the biggest Neil Diamond fans I’ve ever met. They chose this lively tune for their first dance. Boy is it catchy- it’s been in my head since last weekend! And to think I always thought he was saying “Reverend Blue Jeans.” Ha! Jamie, you might have recruited a new fan.

Anyway on to the pics… Maureen and her ladies got beautified in their adjacent suites at the Marriott City Center, next to Mellon Arena. After becoming husband and wife at Jamie’s family’s parish Word of God (St. Anselm’s in Swissvale), we headed to the North Side for some photos and then off to Duquesne’s sharp new Power Center Ballroom for the party!

And of course thanks to Aaron for his wonderful assistance on the big day. Enjoy the photos…

So many photo ops with the little flower girls!

Very elegant shoes. Fit perfectly with the chair decor, if I don’t say so myself.

Love that makeup in the mirror shot!

Of course we grabbed a few shots of Maureen before heading to the church. What a beautiful bride!!

How about this next shot of Maureen running up the stairs? I love it- the motion, the framing, even the crackling walls!

Of course a church pic…

…and a candid of one of the flower girls after she finished walking up the aisle, all proud of herself.

Gotta appreciate men and their sports teams. (These guys even named each of their reception tables after their favorite teams!) Though I was tempted to burn one of Jamie’s socks, I’m thinking the other one redeemed him. We Are… Penn State!!

We had a good time on the North Side taking a few shots of these lovebirds…

Love these next two. Look at how elegant Maureen is! And Jamie, how sharp!

I had to use the industrial lines of the bridge for a couple of group shots. That bright yellow is just so Pittsburgh. And I’d say these guys had fun with it!

Now off to the reception! As usual, only a couple of pics from the party. First off, one of my favorite moments of the night. All of Jamie’s fraternity brothers serenaded his new wife Maureen! Apparently it’s a tradition?

And how about the little ones on the dance floor? This particular little girl was so mesmerized by my light stand over there that I don’t think she even realized she’d lifted up her dress!

The Power Center Ballroom has a striking wall of windows overlooking Mellon Arena. It’s a really effective architectural statement and one of the room’s greatest assets. Here’s another flower girl moment…

And gotta love the lines of the elevated walkway outside…

Maureen and Jamie- best of luck to you both!!!

Friends and family of the bride and groom can access all of the images from the wedding day here. All prints are 50% off for the first week, in this case until next Wednesday afternoon, September 2! (You will see the discounted rates directly in the price list online when you attempt to buy an individual image. After September 2, 2009, the rates will automatically return to their normal level.) If you have any questions, just let me know, using the contact form on my website. Enjoy!

Here are some of Maureen and Jamie’s wonderful vendors. Feel free to ask me if you would like recommendations or feedback on any of their work!

• Flowers: Denise Kinnaman
• Makeup: Julie Marckisotto
• Hair: Clipps Salon in Regent Square
• DJ: Andy Booth

I had a blast shooting Ashley and Todd’s wedding this past weekend! We started out at Pittsburgh’s Downtown Hilton where everybody beautified themselves, then headed up to St. Mary of the Mount on Mount Washington for the ceremony, before hitting a couple of photo spots on the way back to the Hilton for the reception. Good times!

Just wanted to add one more quick note… One of the biggest benefits of wedding photography in Pittsburgh is being able to sample some of the finest delicacies the city has to offer. Yes, that’s right- cookie tables!! Ashley’s mom Pamela outdid herself (yes, her name is Pam- I like her already). Those icing filled sugar cookie sandwiches were to die for. I hereby challenge all my future brides to beat ‘em!

Special thanks also goes to Sara D’Amico for assisting me.

Enjoy the pics!

It’s always fun to find new ways to present the details, such as the shoes shot above. The ladies dressed themselves in a large suite at Pittsburgh’s downtown Hilton (where the reception also was).

And when I see two flower girls just sitting on the sofa, sisters waiting patiently together while everyone else runs around madly trying to wrap things up? Well, that’s just inviting a photo. The light was too perfect!

This next one focuses on Ashley watching one of her bridesmaids touch up her makeup. It’s like keeping tabs on progress. I love it!

Gotta toss in one or two of the guys That’s Todd there on the left, the lucky groom. It helps that they also readied themselves at the Hilton, so I just had to head downstairs.

I loved the smirkish smile of Ashley’s in this next shot. There were some great ones we took of her in this series, but her personality really seemed to come out in this one.

Ashley and Todd married at St. Mary of the Mount, on top of Mount Washington in Pittsburgh.

Loved this next quiet moment!

And of course there’s the limo fun!! We drove Grandview Ave and downtown for a few pictures, before heading back to the hotel for the party. Good times!

When people request photos on top of Mount Washington, I usually recommend a quieter spot down the street, just past the Duquesne Incline. There’s no railing so it affords unobstructed views of the Point, and there’s usually not a wait to get started.

I loved the artistic retro look of that last photo, but I’m also drawn to the higher contrast black and white image below. Every image invites its own treatment, depending on its overall tone.

And then of course there’s the grittier treatment on this next one. Perfect for that moment!

This next shot might be one of my favorites!! Saw their reflections in the limo and compounded with the waiting groomsmen in the corner, it seems to say so much!

Then off to the reception! I don’t usually share more than one or two reception pictures, so here are two of my favorites. I loved the elegance of the ballroom shot through the artistic metal lines of the railing. Made for some interesting contrast. Of course I got the more traditional angles, too.

And how about these two newlyweds completely immersed in each other on the dance floor??

Best wishes to Ashley and Todd, the bride and groom (aka husband and wife)!! Just let me know once you return from your honeymoon and I will release your image galleries.

Friends and family of the bride and groom can access all of the images from the wedding day here, after Ashley and Todd return from their honeymoon (some time after August 18). All prints are 50% off for the first week they are released! (You will see the discounted rates directly in the price list online when you attempt to buy an individual image. After 7 days, the rates will automatically return to their normal level.) If you have any questions, just let me know, using the contact form on my website. Enjoy!

As an FYI, here are some of the outstanding vendors who brought the day to life. Feel free to ask me if you would like recommendations or feedback on any of their work!

• Flowers: Hepatica Florist (412-241-3900)
• Officiant: Father Welding
• Makeup: Megan at Salon Bella (412-343-0100)
• Hair: Whitney at Salon Bella (412-343-0100)
• DJ: John DeJames

What an incredibly sweet couple! I really enjoyed photographing Megan and Kevin’s simple and classy wedding last week, with a traditional ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral, pictures at the Mellon Building on Fifth Avenue and then up on Mount Washington, before heading back to their reception back in Oakland’s Holiday Inn. In Megan’s own words, “We really want the day to be about Kevin and I and starting our new life together with the people who we are closest to. I tried to keep everything very classic, hence the black and white, but also bringing some color into it with the pink gerberas.” Well, you guys definitely achieved the personalized intimate occasion that you were going for!

I had such a tough time narrowing down the photos to share with you, so you get a special treat, extra pics. Enjoy!

I loved that Megan repurchased the same shoes she had worn in a high school dance! Apparently they were THAT comfortable

Yes, that last picture is a tribute to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Please do not boycott my blog for posting it! The garter was a special present for the groom Kevin, as he is an Ohio State grad. He even had the DJ play Hang On Sloopy at the reception.

(Followed by a We Are… Penn State! cheer from the PA guests, of course. )

Loved the architecture in the stairs, and the line of girls walking down.

And while I was taking some shots of the groomsmen, the shuttle pulled up alongside. Of course I had to use that reflection!

Introducing Kevin, the handsome groom…

And of course Megan, the beautiful bride, as she waits for the ceremony to begin…

Her brother escorted her down the aisle. Love the emotion in this next shot!

Of course I had to show off the gorgeous architecture of the church, in this image…

Then it was off to the Mellon Building for our first round of pictures. While I was lining up the bridal party, my assistant Torin captured this great intimate moment between the bride and groom!

Megan and Kevin had chosen to do their engagement session at the same location, so it was old hat for these guys

Loved these poses from the girls- both fun and serious!

Limo rides are always prime opportunity for relaxed, fun photos…

So they were all loosened up when it came time for the ‘top of the world’ jumping shot they’d requested!

Up on Mount Washington we got as many photos as we could, before heading to the reception. Here are a few of my favorites…

I think this next one might be my favorite from the day! Just so romantic!

Just a couple of reception images… During the dollar dance, the bridal party donned matching sunglasses and handed out shots to all the guests. I positively LOVE everything about this next image! The perspective, the glasses on the bridesmaids, the guest’s sassy look at the camera. I couldn’t have planned it better!

I loved how Megan’s mom removed her veil as the dollar dance wrapped up, and then all the guests swarmed the floor cheering loudly… it was like loving chaos!! And Megan in the center was held protectively by her brother and mother. Such a great moment.

And of course gotta share a ring shot! Megan and Kevin gave their guests little tins of personalized M&M’s as a favor. Perfect opportunity for the rings!

Megan and Kevin, I wish you the best with everything. Just let me know once you return from Hawaii and I will release your image galleries!

Friends and family of the bride and groom can access all of the images from the wedding day here, after Megan and Kevin return from their honeymoon (some time after August 14). All prints are 50% off for the first week they are released! (You will see the discounted rates directly in the price list online when you attempt to buy an individual image. After 7 days, the rates will automatically return to their normal level.) If you have any questions, just let me know, using the contact form on my website. Enjoy!

Here are some of the outstanding vendors who brought the day to life:

• Flowers: James Floral Shoppe
• Officiant: Father Tom Burke
• Makeup: Jennifer LaBella
• Hair: ULTA Salon
• DJ: Andy Booth (great job as usual, Andy!!)

Extra thanks goes to Uncle Marty for being my special “assistant” for the day, and to Torin for a wonderful job second shooting!