Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Megan and Bill's Excellent Wedding!

Wow, where did THIS WEEK GO? My sincere apologies to all who have been waiting to grab a sneak peek at Megan and Bill's awesome wedding, so finally and without further ado, here are a few of my favs.

Thanks again guys, it was so much fun. Enjoy your honeymoon!






This little guy was out like a light during the ceremony.


One of my favorite shots of the day, and I wasn't even behind the camera (and no, I didn't have an assistant either).














This series is so fun! Give a boy a mirror and watch him go to town making faces.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Duquesne University Wedding

In a few hours I'll be photographing the wedding of Megan and Bill at the Duquesne University Chapel.

Because the couple live out of town, the last time we actually saw each other was a few months ago at her sister's wedding, which I also photographed. So right after their rehearsal Friday night I stole them away to do a quick "engagement" session at Megan's favorite place on campus.

Come back Sunday for a few shots of the wedding!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Nick + Sarah

Just finished this very cool album for Nick + Sarah. I love these guys, they trusted me to select the images to best tell their story. Of course they had the final say and they said yes, with no changes! What an awesome compliment, thanks guys, you're the best!!

Click the link below to see their book...

Nick + Sarah's Album

Monday, July 14, 2008

Amanda & John's Wedding Show

I hope you enjoy this show as much as I do. I can't imagine a more perfect song. Talk to you guys soon.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Weirton WV Wedding 07.12.08

Saturday I had the pleasure of spending the day with Amanda and John for their wedding at the Weirton Heights Memorial Baptist Church in Weirton, WV. Originally from West Virginia the couple now calls North Carolina home.

We started early at Legal Hair Salon and Day Spa where the girls got some fabulous styles.

Soon it was time to dive into the dress, almost literally! Amanda’s father, Bart, couldn’t hold back the tears when he saw her for the first time.

After a beautiful service by Rev. William C. Stout it was on to make a few special pictures. Since the couple was from a steel town I couldn’t resist suggesting we shoot next to some giant steel coils I spotted while scouting the area. We also did some photos on the railroad tracks near a mill. As you can imagine passersby were quite curious why we were making wedding photos in such an unusual location!

Amanda rode on John’s back for a very special entrance to the reception. After a nice meal prepared by the staff at the Knights of Columbus hall it was time to party!

Thanks so much guys, it was so much fun! I hope you had a good trip home and I'll be talking with you soon.








Very cool shoes!




Rev. Stout had a tissue to the rescue when Amanda started crying during the vows


Bubbles are awesome!








First dance. I love my 85mm 1.2 lens!!

Monday, July 07, 2008

Lisa and David

Saturday I had the pleasure of working with my good friend Eddie Macko at Lisa and David's wedding. It's always great to team up on a big event. Eddie booked the wedding so I was there in a supporting role this time. Here are a few images from the day...


We started coverage at Phipps Conservatory outdoor gardens with a "First Look" session


The competition gets younger and younger all the time!


Last Dance, and Lisa had the same beautiful smile she had from the moment we met her.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Station Square eSession!

Megan and Ernie will be married next month, but Wednesday evening we went out on the town for their engagement session. After seeing some of the recent e-shoots I've done Megan asked if they could do one too because they looked so fun. And they are fun! After exploring the Station Square area for a time we paused for a wonderful dinner at The Melting Pot. Ironically, that's the same restaurant Ernie took Megan the night they became engaged! I love serendipity!!


Great light and great love... an unbeatable combination!


Great light makes great shadows


Lovin in the elevator! Great lights!!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Hartwood Acres 6.28.08

What a sweet wedding! Heather and Dean were married at the beautiful Hartwood Acres Mansion Saturday afternoon. Right now it's late, I'm tired, but I was so excited to see these images I had to peek (and show off a couple of favs!). Thanks so much guys for allowing me to share your day! I'll see you when you get back from your honeymoon! Enjoy!!



Friday, June 27, 2008

Wedding Favors

One of the things I love about my job is I get to help my brides and grooms by referring other vendors I have worked with and respect. I’m also constantly searching the web for sites that make couple's lives just a little easier as they plan their big day.

Finding the right wedding favor is always a challenge. You want it personal, touching and surprising. Thanks to fellow photographer Jessica Claire, today I can whole-heartedly recommend beaucoup. These folks have some of the coolest favors around! They offer hundreds of gift ideas, most of which can be personalized, and free shipping to your door.

If you know other places please share the love and let everyone know by leaving a comment below.

Enjoy the day!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Marcia and Ron slideshow

Hope you enjoy the show!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Heinz Hall Wedding 06.21.08

This was one of those weddings I KNEW was going to be over the top from the moment I first met Marcia and Ron almost a year ago. The more Marcia talked about their plans the more excited I got. When she called back to book I literally did the happy Snoopy dance! On Saturday my anticipation and expectation was realized, it was indeed a wedding to remember!

Marcia and Ron are such a awesome couple – they met at work, dated on the low down (no fraternizing at work), fell in love and on Saturday married at the Heinz Hall garden, surrounded by great friends and family. The blending of their respective cultures and religions was handled with grace and style. Calling this a “beautiful wedding” would be a monstrous understatement.

The reception was incredible! First off, it was held at the uber stylish Privilege Ultralounge in the Strip. A Chinese ribbon dancer, dragon dancers and others performed between introductions of parents and the bridal party. The Boilermaker Jazz Band provided absolute killer music (proven by the packed dance floor all night). And, to top off the evening right, their cater, the divine Greco’s Gourmet Catering, served a mouth watering Chinese feast prepared on site!

Guys, thank you SO much for everything, it was truly an honor, a privilege and a joy to be a part of your day!


It's hard to go wrong with a bride this beautiful...


and a groom this good looking


Long strings of buttons make for cool pictures!


There are so many great places to make pictures in Heinz Hall!
















An emotional father daughter dance






The cake was made from Styrofoam to avoid any chance of face smashing!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Graduation Day!

It's official, my daughter, Cailyn, is now a graduate! Saturday was the big day of pomp and circumstance followed up on Sunday with a delicious celebratory luncheon for friends and family at our favorite restaurant, Sushi Tomo. Grandparents were not 100% into the sushi ("what, no bread?") but they made the best of it. Everyone, however, enjoyed the awesome chocolate cake with almond icing from Potomac Bakery in Dormont (412-531-5067). They create one of the absolute best tasting cakes around. And I KNOW cake!!

Ah, but as this door closes another will soon open as my "little girl" gets ready for the next step... college!

Where does the time go? It feels like only yesterday I was holding her in my arms. When I see a bride's father choking back tears I understand and relate.


Picture proof (note diploma in hand!)


Proud pappa


Something sushi


Dee-licious cake!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Random thoughts on Friday

What a great (and busy) time it's been lately!

The big news for the week (year, decade, millennium), is my daughter, Cailyn, graduates Saturday from the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center! Her emphasis of study has been music composition. Several pieces she's written have already been performed. Cailyn plays the flute, piano, guitar and several other minor instruments. We are all super excited, and yes, there will be photos next week! Next year she's off to college (yet to be determined) to study, what else, music. It's neat the creative apple didn't fall too far from the tree!!

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Several commercial portrait assignments this week allowed me to experiment with multiple light and create some really cool images. Examples coming in a few days, after the client receives the photos.

Using many lights to shape and add drama to a photo is really nothing new (I've been doing it for decades), but with today's "smart" flashes it's both exciting and challenging. Usually the challenge is to get them all to go off at the same time! More on that in another post later on...

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This week I had the pleasure of photographing Sheena and David's eSession in Oakland and on the Southside. They're a super sweet couple and I'm really excited to photograph their wedding this coming October. We had a great time and ended the shoot with a wonderful dinner on the Southside. Here are a couple shots from the session...









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Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Amanda & Jeremy Slide Show

Without further ado, here is a slide show of Amanda and Jeremy. Hope you enjoy the show!