The brightest smile and kindest heart…just a few ways to describe this sweet 2021 senior guy that I had the pleasure of photographing on a gorgeous, late summer September evening. Joey (along with his adorable mom + sister) went right along with me, letting me drag them all over our glorious city til the sun dipped well below the horizon- the very best of evenings! Wishing you love and luck as you wrap up high school and set off on the next adventure!
It goes without saying that while 2020 certainly hasn’t been the year everyone thought it would be, there have absolutely been some incredible moments with awesome folks….like Reese. Beautiful, kind, smart, funny, a smile to melt the masses (and my camera) and sweeter than a bit of Reese’s Pieces. I had the most wonderful evening making these photographs with this lovely young woman and her equally stunning mama. Wishing her so much love and luck as she prepares to head to college in Maryland in the fall!
This is Reese—North Allegheny 2020 Graduate.
Last month I had the chance to travel out to Palm Springs, CA, where every corner is an Instagram post waiting to happen, haha. After spending so much time over the years swooning over the delicious desert images I see online, I was thrilled to have the chance to break out of the standard Pittsburgh gray skies we seem to live under during winter and let that buttery, desert light spread all over my skin! This family drove all the way in from Oregon so that a few of us photographers could work with them during desert golden hour- SO. FUN. And how about that Reclamation dress mama is wearing?? If you aren’t familiar with the company Reclamation, then you must go visit their site because the dresses are a dream, just like this shoot. Please enjoy some delights from Joshua Tree! :)
Ashlyn, 2019 North Allegheny Senior!
Nostalgia.
Often it comes knocking at the strangest moments, but, for whatever reason, it's been a perpetual visitor lately. Perhaps it's the approach of a milestone birthday or the bittersweet pleasure of watching my own kids grow, knowing time is moving forward, regardless, stopping for nothing.
One of my very favorite childhood memories is frequenting the carpet wall-covered skating rinks that used to pepper our region-- many of which, have since been torn down or converted into different spaces. Lucky for us, we still have an incredible roller rink relic nearby and my daughters get to experience it regularly, in all its terrible snack bar glory. :-) It seems the rollerskating culture has had a resurgence in recent times and, so, it seemed like a perfect way to commemorate my sweet girls' annual birthday shoot. It's no mystery that my girls and I love color and live colorfully whenever possible; hence, rollerskating + graffiti + bubblegum + a retro-rainbow wardrobe= a perfect storm for a shoot.
These are my Rollerbabes. :)
2018 Senior, Kaden!
When I was a kid (growing up in rural southwestern Pennsylvania), I could easily say, without a doubt, that my favorite sound in the world was that peaceful whoosh that befalls the world around you during a snow storm. White noise in the truest sense of the term-- pure meditative magic. Those perfect, white-noise snowfalls seem to be fewer these days, in comparison, but, oh, what a novelty when they come! I've spent probably the better part of the last five winters learning how to best shoot in the snow and cold, along with the help of my sweet little ladies who are [usually] willing to spare a few minutes to dear old mom for my experiments. I won't pretend for a minute that it's rainbows and unicorns every time I ask them. I am not above a well-timed bribe. Believe it. :)
Thinking of shooting in the snow with your kids? A few helpful tips:
1. BE PREPARED! --> If you're going out to shoot with a "vision" in mind (and I recommend that you do), do your homework ahead of time before you drag the kids out into the cold. Your shoot will be over before it even begins if they're cold BEFORE you start shooting (especially little ones). The whining will ensue, which will turn into tears and then everyone will be frustrated before it even started. Preparation is key.
2. LOCATION --> Scout out your perfect spot before you head out with the kids in tow and know the shortest way to get there to eliminate long, cold walks or snowy tumbles. I'm fortunate to have quite pretty scenery and wooded areas right in my backyard and neighborhood, but it doesn't take an elaborate setting to make a beautiful image. I've been known to pull over on the side of a road because of one pretty snow-covered tree, an unseemly patch of bushes, or even have a spontaneous shoot in a retail store parking lot (much to the delight of my kids, who think I'm a few frames short of a full roll at this point, ha). The point is, beauty is everywhere, you only need to look.
3. STYLING --> Depending on what you are envisioning, you will probably want to steer clear of the bulky ski coats and snow pants for the shoot. Styling is huge if you're looking for that "magical" snowfall photo. I personally tend toward muted tones and soft, natural textures, like crocheted or knit items. (Though, recently, I do love a pop of color!) I have BIG LOVE for the use of faux fur in my images: Fur vests, furry hats or even a coat edged in fur, I can't get enough of it. It creates a coziness I love in juxtaposition to the cold scene. It also looks beautiful with snowflakes catching in the tips of the fur. Keep it simple! If I'm using a fancy dress for a photo, then I might add a cozy, fuzzy blanket as the "coat". I always dress my kids in layers discreetly under what they'll wear in the snow to help keep them warm; thus, prolonging the shoot time! If I know I want to use different hats or jackets during the shoot, I make sure to tuck those into my pocket or a small bag I can carry so I don't have to run back indoors. Whatever you decide on, have it ready to go before the shoot.
4. SHOOTING --> Know that you will likely have less than 10 minutes (sometimes as little as 3-5 minutes if it's pretty cold!) to get the shots you have been planning. Knowing what you want to shoot before you head out is the best approach. Kids, especially young ones, have little to no patience for waiting around while you pick a spot or think of a new directive for them. Have that spot picked out and a good idea of what it is you're hoping to achieve in your images. Anything impromptu or cute that happens after that is just the 'ice-ing' on the cake.
I hope this was at least a little helpful if you're thinking of snow photos this winter. This is all just what works for me, though- I'd love to hear what works for you! Here are a few favorite images I've taken with my kids this winter- they really are some of my very favorites.
2018 Senior Chella rocked her senior session earlier this fall- show this beauty some love... xoxo
2018 graduate Ben is now on my blog!
Milk & Cereal (bath!)
This is 40: Fatherhood never looked so good.
Reflejos de Frida Kahlo
Hey all! It's been a wild and wacky summer filled with ALL the good things...including continuing to hone my video-making chops. In an effort to keep my learning momentum going, I'm thrilled to be a part of a video circle, along with some amazing photographer/videographer colleagues. Each month I'll be sharing a small project as part of the Life in Motion video circle. Nothing is more impactful and meaningful than a living, breathing memory of moments that are already far-gone into the deep recesses of our brains. Video resuscitates them in the most beautiful way. I hope you'll enjoy... :)
Life In Motion Video Circle- September 2016
Now head on over to check out Eboni's film!
A little ray of sunshine just landed on my blog! :)
Family is spelled "L-O-V-E"
A gorgeous family and I came together to create a little magic on a splendid October day!
With a kind and gentle spirit and a heart filled with grace, 2016 high school senior Julianne is preparing to share her light with the world! :)
It's summertime, why NOT run around in your birthday suit, right? Figuratively speaking, my girls were most definitely donning their birthday suits for MOST of their birthday shoot. Birthday bathing suits that is! I just can't pass up a good bathing suit. It's almost become an internal competition with myself each year to try and find a bathing suit even cuter than the previous year. Janie and Jack has created a monster. But they also create some pretty rad (and retro) bathing suits for little girls. I mean, COME ON! Ridiculously cute. And so, here we are. Glamorous gold elephants and all, on an evening where the sunset was jaw-dropping (see the final photo in the blog post). These little girls rocked it. They also just happen to be my favorite people to photograph. Our girls turned 8 and 2 in the same month (little June bugs that they are), and time just keeps swimming on by. What amazing little people they are becoming. Happy Birthday to the two most beautiful, funny and imaginative girls I know. I love you anyway {too}. (to quote our favorite children's book, Olivia). xxoo
I thought I couldn't love photographing high school seniors more than I already do (I really do!). Then I met Paige. But let's back up for a moment. I first met this young woman when she was probably no more than 11 years old. A few years later, as I officially kicked off my photography business, her sweet mama reached out and asked if I would take Paige's senior photos when the time came...4 or 5 years from then! Time passed quickly (as we all know it does) and before I knew it, those 4 or 5 years had PASSED and here we are! This beautiful girl, ready to burgeon from her high school shell, is, quite simply, an anomaly. Gorgeous (right down to her grace-filled soul), talented (her vocal chops are nothing short of amazing), funny, kind, deeply spiritual and quirky in all the right ways, she is what every parent could ever hope for in their teenage child. Oh, and she wears Chuck Taylors like a boss. ;-) Her parents should be proud of this stunning young woman and commended for a job well done. Remember this, Paige, as you stumble out into the world, eager to do great big things with each touch of your grace:
"Fight for the jewels within you. They are praying you say YES." --Elizabeth Gilbert
You are filled with a light that the world needs. Keep that light alive, no matter how windy it gets. Best wishes on your upcoming senior year! xo
How did I get so lucky to have not ONE, but TWO gorgeous sweethearts named Charlotte to photograph this spring? But just call this stunning little lady "Charlie." She insists. This energetic little chica is the picture of childhood innocence. Her curious, Kindergarten enthusiasm is contagious and shines through in every one of her photos. It was a complete honor and incredibly fun to photograph this handsome family in their very first official family photo shoot. The way they adore their sweet daughter is beyond measure and I hope I did it justice. Show Charlie and her family some love in their blog debut!
