What a GORGEOUS DAY! I’ve had the window in my office opened all day (as close as I could get to enjoying the summer breeze and shining sun). I’ve really enjoyed working today with the birds chirping in the background and the breeze blowing in. Once again, I’m blogging quickly, but I wanted to at least share something.

Now, what I offer for Senior Sessions is not at all what our parents had, it’s not even what I had for my senior pictures. My Senior Sessions are about breaking the traditional Senior Portrait mold of “Sit there and Cheese in front of the fake backdrop.” When I photograph a senior, I want to capture their true personality and it’s exciting to see that come out as the session goes on. I feel privileged that people allow me to see their passions, what makes them smile and who they are inside-not everyone gets to see or know those things.

I’ll be posting a few senior sessions over the next few weeks where I think you’ll see these things coming through. Let me start with Andrea…

When I pulled up to her house, Andrea came out, greeted me with a friendly smile and helped carry my equipment inside. Andrea and her parents chose my “Combo Session.” The Combo Session is my favorite because it offers a lot of variety and really gives the High School Senior an opportunity to show off his/her personality. The Combo Session is Part Studio Portraits, Part On Location. Technically all my work is “on location,” but what I consider On Location is outdoors in a very unique setting. I always offer/include the necessary Yearbook Head Shot with a Studio & Combo session. I also have four different fake backdrops. HOWEVER, like I said, my senior sessions are about making it personal, SO whenever possible, I encourage Senior and Parent to use areas of their home that provide a unique and personal backdrop.

WELLLLLL, Andrea and her mom hit the nail on the head…Andrea LOVES, I mean LOVES to read! She also has the coolest room with a loft bed and LIBRARY underneath the loft bed. So what else could be cooler and better than Andrea in the spot she would rather spend all her time? Here’s my favorite shot:

SO High School Seniors and Parents, if you’re looking for something that actually says “YOU” and not something random and irrelevant, YOU NEED TO CALL ME! 🙂 We’ll do something off-beat and personal that you’ll both love!

Had to blog this image real quick! I can’t wait to blog more of these images from Amy & David’s wedding…Here’s a teaser pic…

This was one hot wedding! Lindsay chose a pretty popping pink color for her bridesmaids dresses with the guys wearing matching ties. Joe, Lindsay, and their bridal party were totally stylin’ and we had a blast with the photo shoots that day!

Ceremony: St. Mary of the Mount on Mt. Washington

Reception: Marriott City Center (we loved the co-ordinator, TamMichele Borys)

Photographers: Dana Scheller of  Scheller Image and Design

My Second Shooter for the day was Megan Wylie (Thanks Megan!)

Party Bus: Elite Coach Transportation, Inc.

Here are a few images! More images and the music video will be posted soon!!!

you’ve gotta love the shoes!!!

The image below was taken by my second shooter for the day Megan Wylie. How cool is that?!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to join some of my fellow Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers on a little field trip to Ligoneer. Leeann and I had tons of fun chatting all the way up to Ligoneer and back…(btw, 79 is REDICULOUS at rush hour in the AM! UGH! God Bless all of you who HAVE to endure that everyday, YUCK!). Leeann is new to the scene, doing an awesome job and is tons of fun to work with–be sure to check out her blog. Special thanks to Dan Speicher for organizing this great opportunity and to the models for all their hard work! We had a ton of fun just working with and learning from one another AND we got some awesome shots for our portfolio. This was a BLAST to shoot. I have more images I’ll be posting later of our third model Nikkie, but I just couldn’t wait to share some of the fun shots from our “field trip.”…Walt and Don, you were right, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the images and share! 🙂 Thanks to  Dan Speicher, Walt Urbina, Don Merz of Ovation Images, Leeann Golish of Diem Photography for a fun day of shooting! Can’t wait for the next one!

Here are just a few of my images from the shoot (Rachel & Stewart). More of Nikkie to come….

I met Jessica at one of my first Pittsburgh weddings a few years ago. She has the most bubbly sun-shining personality. She and Eric and their families made April 4th tons of fun. I found myself crying behind the lens throughout the day as I watched Jessica and Eric interact. I could hear and see  how much they love each other.

The image to the right was taken by my lovely assistant Lisa.  I thought it was a clever shot! 🙂

what a doll baby. ;o)

So Brad is an uncle again! 🙂 I had the opportunity to visit him before business picked up again for the busy seasons so I was sure to take it. While I was there I got to photograph his new niece Rylee and big sister Kalli. I had a ton of fun and they are such sweet little girls. 🙂 Here’s the video. Music is “Sweat Pea” by Amos Lee…go buy his song on iTunes! 🙂 Welcome Baby Rylee!

Check out all the pictures from the Rylee’s Photoshoot!