Like coming back from vacation and looking at life and work with a fresh start, it takes some time and a step away for me to think about our recent weddings.

It was extremely hard to look through 40,000 photographs from our 2009 weddings to pick 3 or 4 from each wedding that tell the essence of a couple’s wedding day.

We’re going to go back and post more photographs from each wedding. We know our brides and grooms like to look at weddings for ideas, whether dresses, tuxes, cakes or details.

But I wanted to include photographs that spoke to me – that captured a fleeting moment in time. I see a part of myself in each of these photographs – they represent how I felt about each wedding. Of course we photograph families, friends ceremonies, dancing and details. But I think the most meaningful photographs are those when a bride or groom is not aware of the camera, let down their guard and reveal their true personality and feeling.

We’re unlike any other vendor at a wedding. Florists and cake artists drop off their work and leave, rarely interacting with the bride and groom. We spend a lot of time together with our couples from our initial meetings and engagement session through wedding day. We’ve built a special relationship that allows us capture moments like these -  our couples have to be comfortable with us to let us into their world and become a part of their friends and family.

We’re so busy during wedding season, processing and editing, photographing engagement sessions, running our business. It’s very long hours and we move from one task to the next without thinking. This little January break has allowed me to step back and reflect – to realize again how much I love my work.

Barb and I have been married for a long time – 25 years this August – and like anything life becomes routine. But every week, in a way, we renew our vows. We see the love and affection of our newlyweds and steel a glance at each other and nod. It brings back that moment when Barb first walked down the aisle and thet flood of emotion and love.

We would like to thank all of our couples for trusting us to tell the story of their wedding day. You’ve enriched our lives. We can’t wait for this year’s wedding season!

Barb and I were shocked at how busy it was this past Sunday, what with the Steeler game (better to have gone to Kennywood). It took about 20 or 30 exposures to get this shot in between people coming and leaving – OK NOW!

I’ll share more, once all of their photographs are ready (I did share this one with Brooke and Nate from the back of the camera).

Brooke and Nate will be getting married next June with a ceremony at Heinz Chapel and a reception at The Carnegie Museum’s Music Hall Foyer. We can’t wait!

Cecily and Mike used to live and spend a lot of in the South Side, so it was a natural spot for their engagement session. We had a great time just wandering around, chatting and then a quick drive up to Mt. Washington for some beautiful light at dusk. They’ll be getting married next August at St. Paul’s Cathedral with a reception at the Carnegie Museum Music Hall Foyer.

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Megan and Andy were married at The Carnegie Museum of Art with a ceremony in the Hall of Architecture and a reception following in the Music Hall Foyer.

Like many of our clients with a late ceremony, Megan and Andy chose to see other before their ceremony. We always make this a special and private “first glance” after both are dressed, although Megan and Andy wanted to share their special time with their best friends – their bridal party. They were so much fun.

The evening was beautiful with a sophisticated, contemporary tone. Jeff Jimmerson (who frequently sings the national anthem at the Penguin’s games) with Kim Alexander has one hot band – Airborne. It was one hopping evening of dancing and fun.

Parkhurst always does a fantastic job with catering at the museum and every cake they design is beautiful and unique. Michael at Blooms Florist provided the florals which were creative and unique – always gorgeous.

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One of our clients, Jenny and Howard has their wedding featured in the latest edition of The Knot Pennsylvania – a great wedding resource. You can check out the article here: Jenny and Howard

And it never fails that it’s either snowing, raining, blasting heat, blazing noon sun or in the case of Megan and Andy’s session, freezing cold – about 25 degrees. 

Station square was a great location where we could spend a few minutes outside, put down the winter coats, take a few quick pictures and then run into a building and get warm. 

Barb and I had so much fun with Megan and Andy. It was the first time we had met, so it always takes a few minutes to get cozy and comfortable. 

Megan and Andy will be getting married this August in the Carnegie Museum’s Hall of Architecture with a reception following in the Music Hall Foyer. We can’t wait!