Pittsburgh Wedding, Boudoir, Senior Photographer

Jill and Jonathan | Ohiopyle Engagement Session

When Jill and Jonathan told me that they wanted to photograph their engagement session at Ohiopyle, I was *so* excited to capture this fun couple in all of the beautiful scenes that this state park has to offer! Although Jill calls herself a “city girl,” I didn’t buy it for one second- she was scaling rocks as we literally crossed over rapids to get to a section of Cucumber Falls. It was so cute to watch this couple together- Jonathan was always holding out his hand so Jill could steady herself as she hopped over rocks and logs (in her beautiful white dress- what a trooper!) They would hug and nuzzle as they soaked in all of the beautiful scenes.

Here is a sneak peek of images from their engagement session! And, we are looking forward to photographing their wedding at The Fairmont this fall!

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Stephanie and Ross | LeMont Wedding

They got married at the same church that Stephanie’s parents did, the historic and stately church that you see right off of Route 28 in Sharpsburg. How absolutely special it was for Ross and Stephanie to say their vows at the altar that her parents did! We mimicked the picture that her parents took in the arched doorway of the church, and I imagine the pictures side by side, framed on a wall.

From start to finish, Stephanie and Ross’s day was relaxed, fun, and they absolutely GLOWED as a couple. One of my favorite moments was capturing their first look- when Ross turned around to see his bride for the first time, we literally experienced his heart leaping out of his chest, and he embraced Stephanie with such excitement and happiness! You could feel their emotion from the 50 feet away that we were photographing.

We also loved watching their elated introduction… Ross spun Stephanie around once they got onto the dance floor, and the rocked back and forth, laughed, and sang to each other the entire way through their first dance.

It was certainly a day filled with laughter, love, friends, and family. Stephanie and Ross are incredibly close with their families, and on top of the special moments they had as a couple and with the bridal party, they had just as many beautiful moments with their families.

Take a look to see what I mean…

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Love the pop of gold in their wedding invitation suite!

“Oh my gosh, this is it! My day!”

Cake: Fenoglietto’s Wedding Cakes
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Church
DJ: Pittsburgh DJ Company (DJ Dean)
Florist: Always in Bloom
Hair and Makeup Artistry: Eye Do Makeup LLC
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Venue: The LeMont
Transportation: Vogue Limousines

Beautiful Mia’s City Senior Session

Calling class of 2018 seniors! I have just started photographing senior sessions, and am in love with this genre! There’s just something about capturing them in their element, and being able to tell the story of who they are in the few hours that we have together photographing.

This *lovely* high school senior Mia is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She really trusted me, and opened up to me instantly when we started photographing. Through the course of these images, you can see so many elements of her personality! She is simply stunning.
And, if you know of anyone that is looking for a senior session, please have them contact me! leigh@lavenderleighphotography.com

Julie and Matthew | Pittsburgh Field Club Wedding

As we pulled up to the getting ready location, Julie’s sweet father Tim comes out of the front door to greet us, clad in his festive wedding suit (we loved his colorful bowtie and suspenders), and a large smile on his face. He introduces himself, and also their pet dog, who was meandering around the yard. Tim invited us into the house, and we climbed up the steps to the second floor to gather the wedding dress and shoes and begin photographing. Ann, Julie’s mother who I met at a pre-wedding timeline meeting, was at the top of the steps and said “Hi Leigh! Can you help me with my dress?” She turns around, and I zip the last inch of the neck of her dress to the top. What I absolutely adore about this family is, not only that they are some of the most kind and genuine people you will ever meet, but also that they made us feel comfortable and right at home instantly after stepping out of our car.

We hear the front door open. Julie and her bridesmaids had just finished at the salon. Julie’s beautiful strawberry blonde locks had been styled into elegant, long curls (which stayed in throughout the wedding day) and her eyes gleamed with excitement and she was absolutely radiant. So began the story of Julie and Matthew’s wedding day.

Watching Julie and Matthew together that day, they had so many subtle yet beautiful moments of love. They would gently squeeze of the other’s hand, laugh upon hugging each other, and exchange smiles when people talked about how perfect they are for each other. One of my favorite moments of their wedding day was watching their reactions to the toasts at the reception- happy tears and laughter were split seconds apart. Tim’s welcome toast made me tear up the most; it was the earnest words when he said that Matthew was absolutely everything he could ask for in a husband for Julie (but Tim said these words one million times more eloquently.) After the toasts, the dance floor opened up with the most amazing music, and it created a vibrant and lively celebration! (Barry and I couldn’t help but to dance as we took pictures!)

Take a look to see what I mean…

Cake: Bella Christie and Lil Z’s Sweet Boutique
Ceremony Musicians: Hilal String Trio
Ceremony Venue: Saint Scholastica
Entertainment: Studio e Entertainment, LLC
Florist: My Garden Floral
Hair Artistry: eDry Bar: ESSpa Kozmetika
Makeup Artistry: ESSpa Kozmetika
Photographer: Lavender Leigh
Reception Venue: Pittsburgh Field Club
Transportation: Regency Transportation

Eugenia and Robert | Montour Heights Country Club Wedding

When the email titled “Another wedding?” popped up in my inbox, and when I saw the familiar name of one of my clients as the sender, I was so excited and curious to read it! As it turned out, Robert, who is the brother to Kristina, (we photographed Kristina and Scott’s wedding in April), was engaged to be married. He and his lovely fiancé Eugenia decided to get married before they moved away from Pittsburgh at the end of summer.

It is one of the greatest honors to capture and share one of the most important days of a couple’s life, especially when you have the chance to photograph the weddings for multiple members in a family! Robert and Eugenia’s wedding is the third wedding for Robert’s family that we have photographed! Prior to Kristina and Scott’s wedding, we photographed Robert’s brother’s wedding- Gordon and Anne were married in 2014. Having been a part of this family’s love and laughter for each of these occasions, we really feel like we got to know them.

Eugenia and Robert make such an elegant and beautiful couple! Behind their calm and collected demeanor, you will find their fun and light-hearted personalities! Eugenia has an energetic spunk and a tremendous sense of humor. As we photographed, one moment she would give a look that was sultry and she looked like a high fashion model, and the next minute you would see her giggling and giddy (like when she drove the golf cart around the green for the first time!) Robert has a smooth and patient personality, and he was up for anything that we asked of him! He is incredibly romantic- he would carry Eugenia across the puddles of water that had collected on the green- and to our delight, Eugenia would joke and act as if she were a damsel in distress! These two are such a fun couple!

Take a look to see what I mean…

(To view Kristina and Scott’s wedding, click here.)
(To view Gordon and Anne’s wedding, click here.)