Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

Danielle and Austin | Mingo Creek Engagement Session

Danielle and Austin’s engagement session fell on one of the last warm days in November, right before the leaves fell from the trees. We began photographing their session at Austin’s family farm- the most beautiful scenery of rolling farmland hills and an old barn with charm and character. Then we hopped over to Mingo Creek five minutes down the road and grabbed some pictures in the woods and around the red covered bridge.

Danielle and Austin are a fun and laid-back couple, who are having their wedding in May of 2020 at Heaven Sent Farms. I had the best time getting to know them (and their pups!) as we photographed their engagement session. One of my favorite images from the session occurred so organically- I asked Danielle and Austin to take a walk together in the sun-splashed field with their dog, and out of nowhere, two of their family’s other dogs ran through the field and caught up with them, swirling Danielle and Austin with puppy-like excitement.

A special thanks to one of our past brides, Carissa, who referred Danielle and Austin to us! We are so incredibly appreciative when our clients tell others about us! <3

Here are a few of my faves from Danielle and Austin’s engagement session…
An engagement session photographed near Mingo Creek around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Sara and Tim | One Year Anniversary Session

I first met Sara at a wedding vendor networking event almost three years ago (where does that time go?!) Sara is part of the Wanderlust Wedding and Events team, and of all of the wedding vendors that I met that night, she and the rest of the Wanderlust team were some of my absolute favorite people that I met that night. They are incredibly personable, fun, hard working, and just *real*. A few weeks after this event, I received a phone call from Sara about photographing her and Tim’s engagement session and wedding, and the rest is history! I love when you feel so connected to your clients as if you have been friends forever. That’s how I feel about Sara and Tim.

It has been a little over a year since their wedding, and to commemorate their first year together (and the addition of their two pups) we went to Hartwood Acres and grabbed some images at the mansion and throughout the gardens. Sara even broke out her wedding dress for a few of the pictures, and she looked just as amazing in it one year after her wedding as she did on her wedding day. Tim is as handsome as ever, and next to his bride, well, they are seriously a model couple.

Here are some of my faves from their anniversary session…

Haldis and David | Hidden Valley Wedding

It was a beautiful fall day in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania- the leaves had just started to change color, and when the sunlight hit them a certain way, they seemed to sparkle. As we drove through the grounds of Hidden Valley, I was completely in awe of how gorgeous these surroundings were. I’ve only been Hidden Valley in the winter, so seeing colorful foliage on the ski slopes was breathtaking.

As we walk into the lodge, we find Haldis having her makeup done, while her bridesmaids are scattered about, watching the final touches being put on this beautiful bride. Haldis has a constant smile on her face, and you can tell how much she is enjoying the moment. At one point, Haldis’s mother enters the room, takes Haldis by the hands, and with excitement tells Haldis how absolutely gorgeous she looks. One of my favorite moments of the day.

Another touching moment was during Haldis’s first look with David. As Haldis walked down the steps into the courtyard towards David (who was facing away from her), you see her take a deep breath as she fought away the tears. You could tell she was thinking “this is it… the moment he sees me as his bride.” As David turned around, his expression said it all- he was enamored and teary eyed at the same time. Watching them interact was like what you would see in a romance movie- they held hands, talked about their love for one another, and even danced in the courtyard together. It was a beautiful moment for a beautiful couple.

And even though threatening clouds rolled in during their outdoor ceremony, the rain held off until the very end, and only lasted for a brief minute. I think the purpose of the rain was to create the vibrant double rainbow that arched above the autumn trees.

We stayed through the bonfire after the reception, which was incredibly fun to photograph because we got to play around with our lighting, while Haldis and David casually hung out with their guests.

But enough talk, take a look below to see some of the images that depict Haldis and David’s wedding day…

Lavender Leigh Photography, wedding photographer, photograph, pittsburgh, picture, engagement session, couple's photography, Pennsylvania, Best of the Knot, Couples' Choice, chic, sophisticated, wedding venues, ceremony reception, Hidden Valley Resort

Loving the dance floor moves!

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Hidden Valley Resort
Florist: Pisarcik Flower Farm
Hair and Makeup Artistry: Classic Hair and Makeup
Photographer: Lavender Leigh

Michele and Erik | The Grand Concourse Wedding

Growing up, eating at The Grand Concourse was a treat that my family indulged in for special occasions. One of the most intricate architecturally designed buildings in Pittsburgh, the space began as a train station in the early 1900s, and was turned into this elegant restaurant circa 1978. When we have the pleasure of photographing at this restaurant, it always brings back special memories.

So naturally, when Michele contacted me to photograph her and Erik’s intimate wedding at this venue, I was pretty excited to be a part of their wedding day! Yes, TGC is a gorgeous venue, but honestly what was even more exciting was that I would have the opportunity to get to know this charming and down-to-earth couple. Intimate weddings are so much fun to photograph because they are more laid back, they are not rushed, and you get a great sense of the beautiful relationships that the wedding couple has established with each and every guest.

Speaking of beautiful relationships, well, these words about sum up Michele and Erik together. Erik has a gentle and calm demeanor, and has such a knack for getting Michele to smile. While I was photographing them together, Erik would make quiet remarks to Michele, and her smile would turn into a spurt of effervescent laughter. Seeing them interact together that day… they were just so *happy*. They weren’t stressed about the timeline of the day, or where to be and when. The day was theirs to relax and enjoy, and so they did.

Here are some images that paint the picture of Michele and Erik’s wedding day…

Lavender Leigh Photography, wedding, photographer, photograph, picture, engagement session, couple's photography, Pennsylvania, Best of the Knot, Couples' Choice, chic, sophisticated, wedding venues, ceremony reception, The Grand Concourse, Station Square, bridge, train, marriage

A little behind the scenes action.

Cake: Bethel Bakery
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Grand Concourse
Florist: Gidas Flowers
Hair and Makeup Artistry: Classic Hair and Makeup
Musicians: Buffalo Rose
Photographer: Lavender Leigh

Natalie and Nick | Hartwood Acres Engagement Session

One of the best parts of being a wedding photographer is having the opportunity to connect with people on one of the best days of their lives. What is even more special is when we are asked by other relatives in the family to capture their wedding day. Each wedding, it feels like a mini reunion for us because we really get to know their friends and family over the course of all of the weddings that we are a part of for them.

This scenario is exactly how I met Natalie and Nick. We photographed Natalie’s brother’s engagement and wedding photos this past year, and when Natalie and Nick asked us to be a part of their wedding day, we were ecstatic!

We photographed Natalie and Nick’s engagement session at Hartwood Acres, on a beautiful fall day. Natalie and Nick are getting married at Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort in August, and I had such a great time hearing about their wedding plans as we hopped around to different spots at Hartwood Acres.

Here are some of my faves from Natalie and Nick’s engagement session…