Fall Oakland Engagement Session | Sarah & Colin

Sarah told me that they wanted to just have fun for their engagements, so we frolicked through the tall grasses in Schenley Park. The best photos always happen when you’re willing to act silly and just go with the flow. We ended their session at Mellon Park, which is timeless for a Pittsburgh engagement.

There was a zero percent chance of rain on the day of Marissa & Billy’s session, but that didn’t stop the rain from happening anyway. It absolutely poured the second half of their shoot. Luckily, these two were down to adventure and they went out and danced in the rain. We got completely soaked, and decided to finish their session a few days later. Well worth it!

These two wanted a date-night style engagement session, and our first choice of location happened to be closed. We were able to make a quick change and head to Revel & Roost in Market Square to capture happy hour images, and I LOVE how they came out! Then we finished out their session with rooftop night-shots.

When your clients are ballroom dancers, you get extra epic photos with many, many lifts. Also, can I just say that I love this combination of locations? Allegheny Commons Park always gets the best light, and then we ended with classic Pittsburgh spots to grab that beautiful skyline. Sometimes it is great to be a photographer in PIttsburgh!

Lorena and Sam brought their cute puppy to their engagement session. I always love when pets come to the session. We started things out at Mellon Park - a photographer favorite for a reason. For some classic Pittsburgh, we ended the night at Washington’s Landing. I love this view of the city.

I LOVE traveling. It is a core part of my identity. So when Polina asked if I’d come down to Charleston for their engagements, of course I said yes! It ended up being my daughter’s first flight at 3 months old as well, so we really had an adventure. I can’t wait to celebrate with these two on their wedding day.

I am obsessed with Becca & Marco’s engagement session. They started out at the new and colorful Highline area in south side. I love the bold colorful walls and murals in the area. Plus there is a great view of the skyline.

You all know that I love a classic Pittsburgh engagement session. There is just no better city for skyline views and that great mix of nature. We started Tim & Lauren’s session on Washington’s Landing to get that perfect mix. The skyline view from the end of the island is one of my favorites in the city. Then we headed down to the North Shore to wrap things up with yellow bridges and riverfront views.

These two flew in from out of state for this engagement session, so there was no rescheduling even with the threat of thunderstorms. By the end of the shoot, there actually ended up being a tornado warning! We dealt with some crazy downpours, but had enough breaks to get some great images. To start things off, we switched locations to the Columns in Oakland to have a spot with some cover. It ended up being a great option with Sam’s gorgeous dress! Sometimes it is fun to dance in the rain.

These two were all laughs throughout the entire engagement session. I knew it was a start of a fun day. We went to the Bloomfield/Garfield area of Pittsburgh to grab some shots at their favorite date night location, and grab whatever murals we could along the way. We wrapped up in Oakland at a bar they were often at while in college. Doesn’t get more authentic than this!

I love a fun mini engagement session, especially when it is in a classic Pittsburgh location like the Point. Even though the fountain was already off for the season, it is still a great option for yellow bridges, skyline views, and a park vibe.

They were kind enough to invite me down to their place in Cincinnati for engagement photos. I’m kind of obsessed with the locations they picked. Can we just move Ault Park to Pittsburgh? Because that would be nice. Sunrise there was absolutely unreal.

Pittsburgh Winter Engagement | Kristen & Brett

I love a good engagement session in the winter season. Snow on the ground just makes for amazing portraits. Throw in a stop to Millie’s Ice Cream and the Point, and you know it is going to be epic. Plus their puppy made an appearance!

Aspinwall Riverfront Park is such a cool blend of nature and industrial. Add some winter weather vibes, and you have Emily & Matthew’s engagement session! It was a chilly day for photo, but well worth it to get that pop of snow and light in the background.

Can you believe she made it through a two hour shoot with those shoes? That is mad bravery.

I’m especially thrilled with how their night shots up on Mt. Washington came out. With the leaves being off the trees, you really get a great view of the city lights.

Mt. Washington & The Point Engagement Session | Whitney & Ian

What better way to start a photoshoot than a picnic and champagne in the back of a pickup overlooking the city skyline! After enjoying a glass (or two), we headed down to grab some epic shots at Smithfield Street bridge, before wrapping things up at the Point.

Maura & Lexi were such a joy to photograph! I cannot wait until their wedding next year. If it is this full of love and laughter, it is going to be an amazing celebration!

A photogenic pup, lots of laughter, and a Chicago sunset makes this session a standout! I hadn’t been back to Chicago since the wedding I captured there in 2018. Beth & James wanted my favorite spot in the city for their pictures, Lincoln Park. It is a natural and gorgeous setting, with the perfect view of the skyline in the background.

Michael reached out to me about planning out a romantic surprise proposal to his long term girlfriend Hsaio. They take photos together a lot, so planning it to happen during a photoshoot just made sense. Throw in exploring a new place while staying socially distant - and there you have it!

Allegheny Commons Park Engagement Session | Samantha & Tim

Samantha & Tim had the sweetest sunset engagement session at one of my favorite Pittsburgh parks - Allegheny Commons. The area right behind the Aviary is so gorgeous at the end of the say. You can just see the hints of the skyline over the trees, and Lake Elizabeth is a fun water feature. Can’t wait to celebrate their wedding!

This is such a fun loving couple. You can tell from the photos that we just had a blast working together. It was cold, but totally worth it. I love engagement sessions in the Mexican War Streets of the north side. The character and pops of color just add to the images.

Okay, can we talk about this dress!?!?!?! When Brittney sent me pictured of the dress she was planning to wear, I was in awe. The red is a great contrast against the forest, and we even lucked out with a little bit of snowfall at the end of the photoshoot. The outfit definitely brings in some drama! I can’t wait for their wedding this year.

Let’s celebrate love with a 2019 recap. First up, we are taking a look at all the beautiful couples photos from the past year.

2019 was amazing. I had the tremendous opportunity to travel to quite a few locations early this year to capture engagement photos, and (of course) had beautiful photo sessions right here in the Burgh. Here’s a look at my favorite images: