Reminder: I'll be away from Oct 30 through Nov 6

Just a quick reminder that I'll be away from the studio from October 30th through November 6th. During that week, my access to email and voicemail will be extremely limited so please understand that if I don't respond to you promptly, that's why. :)

I hope everyone has an incredible Halloween!

Are you expecting a baby?

I'm always looking for new and fun ways to capture peoples' memories through photography and my latest goal is to photograph a family's journey through pregnancy and the birth of their baby. What I had in mind was a storytelling series of photos, chronicling the pregnancy and finishing up with portraits of the baby and the parents shortly after it's birth (and before you ask, no, I won't be there for the birth because well, eww).

So, if you're expecting a child or know someone who is, send me an email. I'd be provide my services free of charge and I'll gladly include some neat photographic freebies for the
first family to take me up on my offer.

Senior photo season is coming to an end...

I'm setting an Oct. 30 deadline for new senior portrait sessions for the class of 2008. Due to school's yearbook deadlines, it won't be possible to shoot new sessions after that date, so if you've been putting off having your senior photos taken, please contact me as soon as possible to schedule a session. Also, because my schedule is so packed this time of year, I'm only booking 1 hour sessions. The 1 hour Basic session still includes unlimited outfits, unlimited locations and unlimited poses so we'll be able to get tons of amazing photos!

Jennifer & Corey's Engagement Photos

This afternoon I met with Jennifer and Corey to shoot their engagement photos. The couple was actually referred to me by Christy and Chris, whose e-pics I shot last October, so it was fun to meet their friends. I had a blast working with Corey and Jennifer and I managed to get as much fall foliage into the shots as possible. My little town has it's drawbacks, but it sure is pretty this time of year.

Michelle & Chuck's Wedding

Yesterday Sharon and I were once again in Pittsburgh shooting a wedding. This time it was Chuck and Michelle's big day and we started the day at Chuck's house where he and his groomsmen were waxing his car (a sweet, black Impala!) to get it ready for the ride to the church. After that, they played a couple games of ping pong and before long it was time for us to head to Michelle's dad's house for bride prep photos.

Michelle was so beautiful and she was smiling all day long! The day was filled with emotion from everyone involved and it was a pleasure to be able to capture their memories. Michelle and Chuck, as well as their friends and families were all so friendly. We did some portraits at the waterfall near Campbell's Run and then went to a park to find some fall foliage before heading to the Airport Marriott for the reception. It was a great day and we had so much fun working with everyone involved!

Michele & Rich's Engagement Photos

Earlier this week I shot engagement photos for Rich and Michele. The couple is getting married in Hawaii next year (needless to say, I won't be shooting their wedding photos). I had actually donated a portrait session to the Somerset County Humane Society to be auctioned off for a recent fundraiser and Michele and Rich were the winners. I had a blast working with them and hope they have a great wedding!

Kirsten's Senior Photos

Monday afternoon I met with Kirsten to shoot her senior photos. Kirsten brought along her boyfriend Ben, whose senior pics I shot a little while ago and who is also the cousin of Jake, whom I photographed earlier that morning. It's always fun to be able to photograph family/friends of clients and I had a great time on the shoot!

Jake's Senior Photos

Monday morning I met with Jake and his mom to shoot his senior photos. Jake's a musician and artist and had a lot of cool ideas and props to use during the shoot. I loved his enthusiasm and really enjoyed working with him. His band is performing in an upcoming show and as soon as I get some details, I'll post the info on the blog.

Braden's Senior Photos

Sunday afternoon I met with Braden and his mom to shoot his senior photos. I had a blast working with them. Braden is a great athlete and a standout baseball and basketball player and I was thrilled when he agreed to let me set one of his basketballs on fire for a killer sports shot.

Erica & John's Wedding

Saturday Sharon and I were back in Pittsburgh for Erica and John's wedding. The day began at the 20th Century Club where the ladies were getting ready. After about an hour there, we headed to St. Mary's on the Mount, which is right by the beautiful Mount Washington overlook. The ceremony was lovely and afterwards we got some great shots at the aforementioned Mount Washington and at the Carnegie Building downtown before heading back to the Club for the reception. John and Erica were great to work with, so sweet and fun. Their families and friends were a joy and the day went great!

Erica & Jamie's Engagement Photos

Friday afternoon I met with Jamie and Erica to shoot their engagement photos. I'll be shooting their wedding next May and it was so much fun to have a chance to work with them last week. I know their wedding will be a blast!

The Walker's - Family & Senior Photos

Yesterday afternoon I headed to Central City for a combo photo shoot where I shot family photos for the Walker's and senior portraits for their eldest daughter. The shoot was so much fun as we went to locations that had personal significance to them and which made for some really cool backdrops. I don't market myself for family photos, so all of my work in that field comes through referrals and I have to say, I've really enjoyed it this year. I just might have to try more. :)

Rachel & Ben's Wedding

Saturday Sharon and I were in Pittsburgh shooting Rachel & Ben's wedding. We began the day at the church in Shadyside and then did some outdoor photos at the Carnegie Building. The reception was at the James Centre, where we shot John and Karyn's reception earlier this year and which is always a wonderful venue to work (and they have great cookies!).

Despite the unseasonably hot 90 degree temperatures, we had a great time working with Ben and Rachel. They are so nice and their family and friends were very easy to work with. I especially like the "prep" photos of Rachel getting ready for the ceremony. Sharon took some incredible shots and I had a hard time picking out just a few of the best for the blog.

I know what I'm doing over 2 years from now...

This morning I headed over to Ligonier to meet with Arlene and her family. Arlene recently got engaged and was interested in my photography services. After we chatted for a bit, she booked me for her wedding, which is in November of 2009. That is my first booking for '09, and it's nice to know I'll still be shooting weddings 2+ years from now. :)

Things are shaping up well for 2008 as well. As I mentioned in a previous blog and on the website, I am only booking 20 weddings for next year. I've booked a few more in the past couple of weeks, and I'm now up to 11. I'm over half way to my limit and expect to be fully booked before the holidays.

I also wanted to mention that from October 28 through November 8 I will be away from the studio and I won't be receiving messages nor will I have access to email. If you need anything, please contact me before the 28th (actually before the 27th as I'll be in Pittsburgh that day shooting a wedding). I'll post a reminder on the blog before heading out.

Family portraits

One of the reasons I love photography is because it provides me with a chance to meet so many wonderful people. One of the nicest families I've met this year are the Custer's. The whole family is extremely warm and welcoming and I was really glad to have the chance to shoot their family photos this afternoon. As always, I had a blast working with them!

Lindsey's Senior Photos

This morning I met with Lindsey and her mom to shoot her senior photos. I had a great time working with them. It was my first morning session in a while so we were able to hit some different locations which don't usually work in the afternoon sun.

Ben's Senior Photos

This afternoon I met with Ben and his mom to shoot his senior portraits. Ben was such a cool guy and I loved working with him. We got some neat shots with him and the family pup and later he even threw on his coveralls and pulled out the sander and I photographed him with his classic Roadrunner. That car is going to be sweet when he has it fully restored!

Heather & Jason's Engagement Photos

Sunday afternoon I met with Jason and Heather to shoot their engagement photos. We had a blast hitting several different locations in and around Somerset. I'll be shooting their wedding in a few weeks and I can't wait to work with them again!

Nicole & Tim's Wedding

Saturday Sharon and I were back in Pittsburgh shooting Tim and Nicole's wedding. It was our first wedding in 4 weeks and those weekends off were much needed as they allowed us to get a bit caught up on our backlog. We're still a few events behind, but at least it's not as bad as it was in August. Next year, by taking only 20 weddings, we won't have to worry about that problem - thankfully!

We began Saturday at the downtown Marriott Hotel where Nicole and her bridesmaids were getting ready in the presidential suite. It was a great way to kick off the day and after a little bit I hit the lobby to get some shots of Tim opening his wedding gift from Nicole. After the prep shots were done, we headed across the street to a gorgeous Catholic church for the ceremony. We did some exterior portraits at Mellon Park and outside the old Pittsburgh jail (which is one of the coolest buildings ever!) before we went back to the Marriott for the reception. I had an awesome time working with Tim and Nicole and their friends & family!