Memorial Day for me has been more about the picnics and the pool opening than a time of memorializing or remembering anyone that I knew personally. That changed a year and a half ago with the ambush and death of my cousin’s son, Eric. Stationed in Iraq with the US Army, the danger was high, but still his family assumed that he would return un-harmed. Eric was only 20 years old.
In 2 weeks, my brother’s stepson will be leaving for Marine Boot Camp - 2 days after he graduates from High School. You might remember Bob from a senior portrait session that we photographed earlier this year. We are praying for his safe return.
Abir and Bob were married on May 10th at Nemacolin Woodlands in a beautiful outdoor Greek Orthodox ceremony on the Chateau’s upper deck, with a reception following at the new Horizon Pointe ballroom at Falling Rock.
We were a little worried about the weather that day for an outdoor ceremony, but the rain stopped in the morning, the skies parted and it turned out to be a perfect day.
We photographed Abir and Bob’s engagement session last December and got to them pretty well, which always makes wedding day a bit more relaxed. They’re fun, personable, down to earth and make a very sharp couple.
Abir’s gown was a beautiful creation by Pnina Tornai - a celebrity Israeli designer, exclusively commissioned through Kleinfelds of New York. She’s a very unique designer whose gowns are all hand beaded with precious crystals and stones.
Bob’s wedding day present from Abir - he was so excited!
The belly dancer is a tradition - she was so much fun and really got the crowd going.
Marco and Jenny at Cana Videography provided multimedia services. I have a special bond with Marco - we work really well together and always feed off of each others’ creativity.
Abir and Bob honeymooned in Bermuda - I spoke to them after they returned a few days ago - the weather was perfect and they had the best time.
Congratulations!
Barb and I donate our time through the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep organization to photograph very sick babies and children at Children’s Hospital. In some cases, these are the only photographs the parents have of their children.
We’ve been near that situation and have a special bond with the parents. I think I still have a little post traumatic stress from our experience with Kate and still shake a little when a life-flight helicopter flies overhead.
We’ve had two of these sessions in past week or so, and I have had a hard time sitting down to write blog posts, which seemed a bit superficial. But, I’m coming out of my “funk” with a new appreciation for all that we have - a nice place over our heads, a wonderful wife and 3 fantastic kids.
And, we’re fortunate to have an amazing job with such great clients. We know there are a lot of photographers out there and Barb and I truly feel honored when we’re selected to photograph the beginning of a couple’s new life together - their wedding day.
We photograph all types of wedding, large and small - many at the more upscale venues around Pittsburgh, but also quite a few where photography services are a significant portion of the wedding day budget. Thanks so much for your trust.
We photographed Erin & Dave’s engagement session just a few weeks before their wedding - maybe you’ll remember the blog post with the motorcycle?!
The bike was absent on wedding day, but not the connection that Erin & Dave have for each other. Their families came together for a beautiful intimate ceremony at Phipps.
They were joined later at the Craftonian for a great party and one of the best wedding meals I have ever seen. Dave has an interest in cooking and works for the catering service, mostly for fun. He definitely knew what to order for the guests.
Erin is such a beautiful girl, and she is very humble about that; in her wedding dress - she absolutely sparkled and Dave couldn’t keep his eyes off of her! He looked good to and seemed right at home in his tux, even though he said that his usual fashion statement includes a t-shirt and baseball cap.
Both of their families were warm and welcoming, which we really appreciated.
Congratulations!
Barb
We had the pleasure of photographing Shalini & Jim as our very first wedding of the season! Shalini has since become an email pen pal of mine and I hear from her occasionally, most recently to show me photos from her friend’s wedding in Chicago.
Shalini and Jim’s bridal party were awesome - from steaming their dresses, helping Shalini dress, carrying her train and bags; the bridesmaids were the most helpful of friends and the guys were easy-going and laid back.
Even Paige and Nicholas, the ring bearer and flower girl, did a great job! We were able to get some great photos of everyone because the day was so relaxed. Shalini & Jim were joyful and calm.
The Heinz Chapel ceremony was beautiful and stirring with the addition of the Children’s Festival Chorus. The Westin staff did a wonderful job of keeping everyone fed and happy at the reception. Shalini looked so beautiful in her a-line strapless dress and her bridesmaids wore tea length, pale gold, halter style dresses with matching pashmina shawls – very cute! (And yes, they really CAN wear those dresses again!).
The beautiful bouquets were created by Renee’s Florist in West Mifflin; the centerpieces were simple and elegant.
You wouldn’t get the full feeling of the day, if we didn’t mention two honored guests, Tuttle and Pippen, Shalini & Jim’s Golden Retrievers!
Barb
The morning that we met was beautiful - blue skies and peaceful. The lighting was perfect. I had no idea what to expect from a planned photo session with my friend, Pat Miller and her artwork. We have known each other for 15 years, since our kids were in pre-school. Pat is an artist, a mother, and a wife. She is active, youthful and attractive. She loves her kids - 17 year old twin boys, Adam & Jacob. She attends their sports events and volunteers for their team and their school. She describes her husband Alan as her ‘best buddy’.
2 years ago, Pat was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Her treatment lasted 360 days, but the story of her recovery and her acceptance of what most people would consider to be her burden, continues.
When the chapter of Pat’s treatment ended, a new one began. Through her art, Pat began the process of healing. Her paintings and projects of different mediums tell the story of the discovery of her disease, her method of coping with her medical procedures and her feelings - her hopes, fears and struggles as well as her passion and her victories.
Each painting, plaster mold, engraved stone and resin form is a page in her story. Her emotions are etched and painted on every piece - she is an open book. She describes her work as imperfect and unfinished. The emotional reaction from people viewing her artwork has ranged from unsettling and curious to empathetic and supportive. Deep down, Pat has a sense that there is a place and a purpose for her art.
I had no idea what to expect from our photo session. What I left with was less about what I saw and photographed and more about what I felt - the beautiful day, peacefulness, and hope. It is difficult to explain. I am looking forward to hearing about what comes next for Pat and her projects; her next chapter. The story is hard to resist.
We’ve been extremely busy for the past couple of weeks, with a number of portrait sessions and a wedding every weekend. David and Nina returned from school and we’ve been chewing through groceries like a combine. It’s been a bit crazy, but so much fun and great to have everyone home.
I’ll post some of our recent weddings this week including Shalini and James, Erin and Dave, Abir and Robert’s wedding last Saturday at Nemacolin and Jennifer and Jim’s wedding today at The Heinz History Center - we’re very excited and ready for a great afternoon!
Maternity portraits have become much more popular and rightfully so… the birth of a baby and especially your first, is such an amazing and indescribable experience and impossible to imagine. I remember the birth of our children like it was yesterday.
I also remember the look of awe on our kid’s faces, when they were old enough to understand, after showing them photographs of Barb (unfortunately many of them in oversized sweat shirts - before the days of beautiful maternity portraits) when she was expecting. I don”t think it really sunk in when we explained the process, until they saw photographs of themselves before they born. “Wow, that really is me”.
I think you can see in Emily’s images that there is a stunning beauty to an expecting mother with a universal life connection.
We photographed Emily and Matthew’s wedding a couple of years ago and are so excited and happy for them. We can’t wait to photograph their new bundle of joy!
These are the Mom’s that I met or talked to this week. Some of them are women that I have known for a long time, others I just met. To learn their stories, I didn’t even have to ask any questions – I just listened to what they were telling me. Every Mom has a story, and everyone has a story about their Mom.
A Mom with a brain tumor that was expected to have serious health problems that is now raising 2 healthy, beautiful girls
A Mother-to-be, about to deliver her first child in 2 weeks, wondering what it will be like
A Mom who just learned the bitter-sweet news that her youngest child was accepted to the college of her choice, far from home
A 22 year old brand new Mom of twins who is feeling a little overwhelmed
A Mom who is a soccer coach of six year old girls, who for the first time, played like a team - even though they lost
A Mom of 4 boys who just had her first grandchild - which turned out to be twin girls
A Mom who had to make the decision to take her 2 month old son off of life support
A Mom whose only child, a 20 year old son, saves his money to buy her a little piece of jewelry every year - his twin brothers died shortly after birth
A Mom who was going to have 24 people at her house for a Mother’s Day Brunch
An elderly Mom who was spending the day by herself because her kids live far away
A Mom who had to work on Mother’s Day, so she wore the painted macaroni necklace that her daughter made for her - to work
And finally, a Mom who knows that she used to have kids, but can’t remember who they are - My Mom.
Whatever your story is, Happy Mother’s Day.
