When was the last time you printed a photograph?

Go on. Think. 

If you're like me, it's been a long time. Before I got married, and ordered a few portraits to hang around the house, I can’t actually pinpoint the last time I printed a photograph. Was it all the way back to college? Ah, yes- so I could hang pictures of my friends and I making weird faces in one of those fantastically cool dorm room collages.

So, it’s been awhile.

“…and that’s the story of the time we spontaneously decided to fly to Barcelona,” Jenna said with a bright laugh.

It was a brisk November evening and Jenna and Eric were getting married in four days. Despite this being the first time I was meeting them in person, the conversation was easy, and meaningful. 

In between European travels and taking leaps of faith across the United States to be with each other, I could have spent hours listening to Jenna and Eric regale me with their adventures.  There is a palpable energy in the air when you’re in the presence of people with such vibrant spirits.  Jenna and Eric love each other so deeply, and are so in sync with each other, that it was a sheer pleasure to watch them talk and laugh and share stories with each other.

Coffee shop engagement sessions are out-- tiki bars are in! When Molly & Jay envisioned their engagement pictures, a brand new hangout on Shady Ave caught their eye: Hidden Harbor in Squirrel Hill, a tiki bar with (and I can personally attest to this) the best darn Josies in town. There's nothing like a tropical drink in the middle of February to make you feel all warm and tingly inside.

Of course, anywhere I went with Molly & Jay was going to feel like that. These two light up the whole room when they're in it. And while being in front of the camera can sometimes feel awkward, it was effortless for these two. Because when they looked at each other, they simply forgot I was there. 

Courtney and Mike are one of my most favorite types of couples: the high school sweetheart variety.  All wedding days are exciting and beautiful- and yes, I still manage to cry at every single one -  but the day seems a little bit sweeter when it brings together a pair of best friends who have seen each other through the crazy of adolescence and came out the other side of adulthood as soul mates.

Courtney and Mike have been together since their Mt. Lebanon high school days, supporting and loving each other from afar while Courtney traveled south to attend the University of Virginia and Mike went to Penn State.  They grew even stronger when Courtney came back up to Penn State for law school, finally getting to tie the knot on this beautiful day at the end of September.

Since many of their friends came from out of state, these two wanted to show off the city of Pittsburgh, with a quirky but elegant wedding at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Shelley and Joey didn't stop smiling the entire time we were together. Their joy at simply being together and in love made their engagement session at Hartwood Acres one of the most beautiful yet! They brought their two sweet pups to the shoot, who didn't at all mind being the center of attention. When you're with these two, you know you're witnessing just the beginning of a beautiful love story.