Life in Motion Video Circle

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!

Birthday Suits

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

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 

The Season of Charlotte....Just call her "Charlie"

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!    

The REAL "Princess" Charlotte Elizabeth...

I'll apologize in advance-- this is a BIG blog post.  And who can blame me when the subject is so adorable?!  Oh, and she might also be my niece.  On April 29th, when much of the world waited for the arrival of the newest member of the English Royal family, a new little princess was born into my own little family.  And wouldn't you know it, they would soon share the same name!  (But our sweet girl claimed it first!)  Charlotte Elizabeth not only holds a regal name, but is also the owner of some pretty scrumptious cheeks (that, as her Aunt, I got to kiss over and over while photographing her!).  I hope you enjoy reading and viewing my precious niece's formal introduction to the blogosphere as much as I enjoyed creating it!  I'm totally in love... 

Love Never Goes out of Style: A Retro-Inspired Engagement Shoot!

Oh, these two adorable lovebirds: Beth and Matt.  Theirs is such a fun story!  They met while working as extras on a Pittsburgh movie set last year (playing boyfriend and girlfriend, no less!).  That movie role was to become reality as they spent time together and realized that they had found their match in the other's soul.  A swift and exciting courtship, they got engaged in such a sweet fairytale manner.  He, playing prince to her Cinderella (and knowing how much Beth loves Disney), proposed with a "glass slipper" in hand.  They are set to be wed this summer at the Disney World resort:  a destination wedding of fairytale proportions!  

These two cool cats love any and everything retro and vintage-inspired.  When we met for our planning session, Matt told me of his love for cars (he's a successful YouTube automotive journalist) and for all things 1940's/50's.  We knew Pittsburgh wouldn't disappoint with its abundance of throwback era locations.  These two were INCREDIBLY fun and willing to try anything and everything this photograph[her] threw at them!  Thanks, guys, for asking me to showcase your love story.  Cheers to many years of happy endings...  

A "Tiny Chap" is on the way! {A Pittsburgh Maternity Photo Session}

What's better than photographing a glowing mama-to-be?  When one of your very best friends is that person, of course!  I had the distinct honor of photographing Jennifer, her sweet little chap-to-be and husband, Chris (who is just one of the kindest souls around).  This girl was my college roommate and continues to be my insanely fun playmate and all-around compadre in crime whenever life allows!  Documenting what is about to be her biggest adventure yet was an absolute pleasure.  These two are so special to me and this little man is going to be so very loved!  

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?