I had such fun working with The M Family on a warm October evening at Hartwood Mansion. The girls were full of personality, and we talked everything from Wicked to Halloween to Spice Girls to Dolly Parton!
Their sweet smiles really shined through. As much as I love Fall colors, I am so drawn to the shots of them in black & white, especially against the stone background of the mansion. Such timeless, fun captures.
It is always an honor when my friends ask me to photograph their families. Brittany and I have been friends for 20 years, and were college roommates. She has always been one of the most solid, supportive people in my life, and I’m so proud of the beautiful family she and Rob have built.
For their session, I’m so grateful that this South Hills family was willing to cross bridges and come up to see me in North Park. We let the kids play around my favorite tree in the area. I absolutely love the outfits they wore. Despite the sunlight, it was a bit chilly, and Lily’s cute coat was the perfect solution! It’s always a great idea to have photo-ready layers on hand.
We stopped by a few more of my favorite spots in the park, and the kids cooperated so well!
We ended the night at Marshall Island for some stunning shots on the bridge. I love this sweet family, and it was so great to spend some time with them!
Nothing could prepare me for the amount of cuteness in this session. Oh my goodness! From the moment I first saw Nora and Benny, I could not stop smiling.
These absolutely precious one-year-old twins were so sweet and smiley for their session!
I just adored them (and their glasses!). I told their parents, you must give them kissies all day, to which they replied, pretty much. I don’t blame them!
Thanks for coming to see me! It was such a pleasure meeting your family!
Sometimes, plans can fall apart just so something better can fall into place. That is exactly what happened with my cousin Lauren’s Senior Session.
Our first session date got rained out. After moving the date, we could no longer do our original location because it was being rented out for a wedding. On a whim, I suggested North Park, and the beautiful (perfect!) weather followed.
I believe in signs, and I felt these perfect, picturesque conditions were a gift from Lauren’s daddy, my Uncle Dave, whom we lost nine years ago. Not only was the temperature warm and comfortable, but a gentle breeze would blow at the most opportune times throughout the session - as if I had brought along a fan for the effect. The sun was making Lauren glow, when suddenly a ladybug landed on her boot. A good luck wish from above.
I am so proud of the sweet, kind, talented young woman Lauren is becoming. When she isn’t playing volleyball for Canon-McMillan, listening to Olivia Rodrigo, or working at Old Navy, she is a phenomenal artist. I’m talking her drawings look like photographs. I am so eager to see where her attributes take her throughout her college years and beyond.
There is no doubt that she has blossomed into this amazing person, due to the love and support of her mom, my Aunt Jill. She has shown strength, resilience, and joy through these formative years - setting Lauren up for success.
I wish you all the best in your senior year, Lauren! Love you!
I met up with the D Family on a crisp Fall morning - one of the first of the season! I was so excited to meet their sweet baby girl Olivia, who immediately gave me some big smiles. She looked so sweet and cuddly in her soft pink knit dress.
This child was in such a happy mood, showing off her sweet little teeth with every giggle. She loved being high up on her daddy’s shoulders, and being tickled in her mommy’s lap. We ended our session with some shots of her peering over her parents shoulders as they walked into the woods. Such an adorable shot!
I can’t wait to see this little one again in a few months for her First Birthday Session!
I was welcomed into The V Family’s beautiful home to capture the first images of them as a family of four, with the arrival of their newest bundle of joy, Abigail Anne.
She was such an angel for her session. She slept sweetly, giving me the occasional smirk of contentment. Big Brother Andrew was equally as adorable, showing me his books, trucks, and pumpkins.
I love these up-close shots of the tiniest details in black & white - from her ten tiny toes, to the creases in her little lips. All perfect. Welcome to the world, sweetheart.
It was such a pleasure working with Max. He and his mom wanted some bright backgrounds for his senior pictures, so they chose Historic Harmony as their spot. I love this location so much! There is no shortage of variety in the backgrounds one can find, and the colors are vibrant and bold.
Max is a musician at Pine-Richland High School, and I couldn’t help but think some of these shots would make amazing albums covers. We ended his golden hour session just as the streetlights were coming on. A perfect ending to a fun session on a late summer evening.
Best wishes for an unforgettable senior year, Max!
I love having repeat costumers return with their new additions! It was great to see The S Family again with new baby Nora.
I couldn’t get over the amount of hair this little angel has! She is so precious. Big Sister Emma did such a great job attending to her sister, bringing her a bottle, her pacifier, and counting her sweet little toes. I told Emma that when she was a newborn, I had photographed her in a basket too, so she crawled into one and asked for a photo. So funny and adorable!
What a blessed family to have these two precious little girls. Welcome to the world, Nora!
Cash is ONE, and he is also a dream to photograph! This boy pulled the rare trifecta of having an easy Newborn, Mid-Year, and First Birthday Session. He was a sleepy angel for his Newborn, a smiley guy for his Mid-Year, and a happy guy for his First Birthday! He radiates such joy, and I’ve loved getting to know him and his family.
I absolutely loved his outfit, which his mama snagged way back at Easter time for his August birthday. She made such a good choice! I love a little man in classic suspenders.
He ended his session with a cake smash, and he knew exactly what to do.
Happy 1st Birthday, Sweet Boy! It’s been my pleasure to watch you grow.
When my session starts with a running hug and kiss on the cheek from a very smiley three-year-old, I know I’m about to have a fun session. The K Family and I met at Hartwood Mansion on a warm August evening, and they were such a joy!
I love how photogenic this family is. They are very natural in front of the camera, giving me lots of opportunities to capture their joy in images. A game of peek-a-boo behind the flower pot is always sure to get some natural grins, too!
After working our way around the property, we ended our session in the mansion “backyard” where I witnessed little Daniella fly through the air with her daddy, and spin through the garden with her mommy. A magical way to end a beautiful evening.
I really enjoyed meeting The Y Family at Hartwood Acres Mansion for their morning session! They brought along their darling daughters and fur baby Murphy. Sunset sessions may not always work for families with young children, so I’m always willing to meet in the morning as well! The sun is similarly lower in the sky, and with locations like Hartwood, we can find many shady nooks in which to create a little magic.
I had to laugh to myself at the dynamic of these two sisters. The oldest was calm, quiet, and sweet, while the youngest was active, funny, and equally as sweet! Little Eliza loved playing “Wheres Eliza?” with me, which made for some precious shots of her little teeth! Darling Molly was such a great listener, and I loved capturing her playing in the garden with the morning light shining through her sweet curls.
It was a pleasure to see The E Family again to capture their first images as a family of four! Big Sis Avery was so proud, and did such a great job during our session.
After family poses, we moved on to individual shots of sweet baby Asher Ray. He was an absolute angel, and slept soundly the whole time!
Finally, we ended this session the same way we ended Avery’s newborn session two and a half years ago - with some skis! Both Daddy and Mommy are skiers, and have these photos in their game room. I just love hearing when families have a specific way they are using their photos to decorate their home.
Welcome to the world, Asher! You are were a little dream!
I have known Kaelin’s family since she was a little girl, so to see her as a senior really felt surreal. She was so mature and poised in her photos. I truly felt her natural beauty and sweet demeanor shined through in each of her images. We started off her session in ruffly, feminine dresses as we explored the grounds and gardens at Hartwood Acres Mansion.
Kaelin is a senior at Seneca Valley, and hopes to study Early Childhood Education at Slippery Rock University next year.
We ended her session in her most casual look. For senior sessions, I recommend two or three outfits, and at least one should be a comfortable, every day look that captures exactly how the senior may dress on an average day. These images should convey who they are right now as they stand at the crossroads of childhood and adulthood. Such an exciting and unforgettable time in their lives!
Kaelin, thank you so much for allowing me to capture this milestone in your life! I wish you all the best in your senior year and beyond!
First Holy Communion season may be over, but it’s not too late to get some portraits done! I was happy to meet Bella and family over at the prayer grotto at North Catholic High School for a quick portrait session. Little Sis got in a few, as well! These girls were so sweet and beautiful. God bless them both! Congratulations, Bella!
I love a golden hour session at Hartwood Mansion. The property is so magical, with no shortage of nooks and crannies to explore. Families who choose this location will get a variety of backgrounds in one locations, which is great for gallery variety.
The summer flowers were in full bloom, making the gardens absolute magic for The K Family. Their girls, especially sweet 3-year-old Ryleigh, felt like princesses inside a story book.
It was so fun to meet Jordyn and her mama at the studio for her First Birthday Session! Right from the start, Jordyn was all smiles and full of energy. I loved her birthday theme of watermelons - perfect for a summer birthday!
She finally sat down when we placed her watermelon cake in front of her. She knew exactly what to do, neatly feeding herself little bits of cake, at first, and then smashing it. She even stuck her little foot in it! So cute and funny!
It was so nice to meet you, my new little friend! I hope your birthday party was “one in a melon” kind of fun!
What a special session this was. As our nation celebrated it’s 250th birthday, The P Family welcomed their dear parents/grandparents visiting from Taiwan. Natasha’s sweet parents were clearly so proud of their daughter and the life she and her husband have built here in the United States. It is truly an honor to capture these images of family being together.
It was such a pleasure meeting Lucy and her parents! I always enjoy incorporating a few special items into a session, so when her parents asked to bring along some things relating to their hobbies, I was all about it!
Lucy’s parents met on the golf team at Robert Morris University, and golf is still such an important part of their lives. They also both grew up in rural areas, and have a love of hunting - a hobby they still enjoy together. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until little Lucy is learning both sports right alongside them.
It’s clear both Mommy and Daddy are so in love with their baby girl. I have a feeling that being her parents has already become their new favorite thing to do. Welcome to the world, Sweet Lucy!
It was a pleasure to photograph The F Family on a beautiful June afternoon on Father’s Day weekend. I had photographed their individual families for years, but had never photographed the entire extended family together. What a special occasion for them all, especially Pap and Grandma.
As someone who enjoys both art and history, I can’t help but think about where these portraits may end up in the future. Some day they may very well be in the hands of a person who is yet to exist - looking back at their family tree. Extended Family portraits are so important. They are freezing time and preserving memories for not only the people in the portraits, but those future generations, as well.
Thank you for entrusting me with your future memories. You’re such a beautiful family!
From double-scoops to double adorable! It was wonderful to see The S Family again. I first met Mom and Dad in April for our two-part maternity session, beginning with some fun shots at The Meadows where we highlighted a favorite pregnancy craving - ice cream!
In May, their precious new additions arrived and their family doubled! The new family of four visited the studio for their newborn session.
The sweet boy-girl twins wore classic pink and blue for their first ever session.
They also requested some starry sky themed photos, as well, and I just happened to have the perfect background packed away from years ago. They were so sweet lying together in the same wrap. Sissy loves to snuggle her brother.
Welcome to our big, beautiful world, you two! I can’t wait to watch you grow!
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