Not Your Average Joe-- {Joey, Class of 2021)

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!

Pieces of Reese {2020 Graduate}

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.

Fierce....and Fabulous: Presenting Class of 2016 Senior, Paige!

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 

Better Late than Never, right?

Steps to Starting your own Business

[A Desirée Deli Photography (and mama of two) chronological timeline]:  

1.  2012:  After many sleepless nights (and dreaming of being a photographer most of my life) of excitement and thinking non-stop about this awesome new endeavor, proudly proclaim to anyone who will listen that you have started a business.  Post like mad on social media every 10 minutes about any and every aspect of your new adventure.

2.  Order business cards.  Like 3,000 of them.  Because those bad boys are free on Vistaprint.  Then hand out them out to everyone.  All 3,000 of them.  In one day.  

3.  Start building a website.  Get interrupted by a cross-country move.  Buy a new house.  Moving boxes crowd my space and my soul.  All hope lost for any business progress.  

4.  2013: Have baby #2.  Forget about website.  Remember website.  Forget again.  Oh yeah, new baby=no sleep=low levels of cognitive functioning.

4.  2014:  Change website providers and work like mad on a new website altogether.  Get interrupted again by tiny savages.  [7 months pass]  Come back to computer to work on website.  Tiny savages are back asking for grapes and string cheese.  Return to computer.  What was I doing again???

5.  2015:   New Year=Resolutions.  No, really, I'm going to do it this time.  I mean it.  No soup for you, kids, till it's done.  

6. 2015 {just a few months in}:  Happy Dance [minion-style].  I present you with my very own fancy website n'at.  Yinz enjoy it, you hear?