Katie P: Mellon Park Senior Photos

Mellon Park has been quite the popular choice this year for senior photos! With its gorgeous flowers and architecture, along with lots of different picturesque spots within a very short walking distance, it’s a great spot for senior photos - possibly one of the most popular in Pittsburgh!

Because of its popularity, Mellon Park is usually full of photographers. Like, anywhere from 10 to 20 photo sessions going on at one time! But Katie’s session took place in the morning, which meant that we had the park almost entirely to ourselves… so we had our choice of all of the best spots! Even though it was super crazy early, it was SO worth it to be able to get these gorgeous images for Katie!

Katie is a senior at Seneca Valley who is graduating in 2022! She has the most gorgeous curly hair, and some mad braiding skills… which you’ll see below! Yes.. part of her wardrobe change was a hair change, which she did all on her own, without a mirror! That takes some serious skill.

Congratulations on your senior year, Katie!!

Lila Z: Golden Hour Mellon Park Senior Photos

Mellon Park at golden hour is a magical place to behold.

And Lila was an absolute gem to photograph during her senior photo session! She came dressed to kill, and was a natural in front of the camera. She is simply lovely inside and out!

Congratulations on your senior year, Lila!

Madison P: Sunrise Mellon Park Senior Photos

Sunrise senior sessions have always, and forever will be, a favorite of mine.

Madison’s session was supposed to take place on a Friday evening at Mellon Park, but when the forecast called for rain, we chatted and switched our start time to a morning timeframe instead. And even though it was early… really REALLY early, we beat the rain, got some beautiful light, and had Mellon Park almost completely to ourselves (except for a few joggers and dog walkers!). Mellon Park is typically super busy in the evenings, so it was a fun treat to be able to have allllll of the spots to ourselves! ;)

And what a blessing it was to spend the morning with this lovely lady! Madison is a 2021 senior who is planning on pursuing pre-med post-high school graduation! She loves her pups - so of course, we had to incorporate them both into her photos. She was a pro in front of the camera and a true joy to photograph. We laughed so much (maybe that was the tired delirium setting in! ;) ), which made for some super fun and relaxed shots!

Congratulations on your senior year, Madison! I am so thankful to have been able to celebrate this season with you!

Meg E: Mellon Park & North Shore Senior Photos

Oh what a beautiful evening we had for Meg’s senior photos! Meg is a sci-fi-80’s-lover who loves wearing black clothing! (Same! 🙌). She’s an ex-cheerleader who loves musical theatre, and is truly one of a kind, and beautiful inside & out!

Meg opted for two great locations for her senior photos - Mellon Park, and the North Shore bridges! Side note: did you know that you can add additional coverage onto any session booked with JHP by half hour increments? If you’re interested in using two locations that are too far to cover in the typical 90 minute time frame, this is a great option! And this is exactly what we did for Meg’s photos. Which I am SO glad we did - we were really able to get the best of both worlds with some nature/historic architectural focused scenery, then with the classic downtown Pittsburgh scenery!

Congratulations on your senior year, Meg! You are going to do great things!

Abigail & Lydia: Twin Pittsburgh Senior Photos

What an absolute treat it was to take photos of twin sisters Abigail and Lydia! We had so many awesome locations to go to that we spent not one, but two days together over the course of a week, traipsing all around Pittsburgh!

Abigail & Lydia both attend Oakland Catholic in the heart of Oakland… so it was only fitting to use Oakland as the backdrop for their senior photos! We started off on Pitt’s campus, then ventured over to Phipp’s, then lastly, to Schenley Park. For day two of our time together, we spent all of our time at one of my favorites - Mellon Park! The light is always SO good there!

It’s so easy to tell that these two ladies are the best of friends! Abigail and Lydia, it was such an honor to take your senior photos. Congratulations on your senior year!!!

Anna E: Mellon Park Senior Photos

We had THE absolute most beautiful evening for Anna's Mellon Park senior session a few weeks ago!

Anna flew into Pittsburgh for a few short days all the way from Texas to visit family, and is graduating this year! I was SO excited that we were able to sneak in her session while she was here, and have some beautiful light.

Congratulations on your senior year, Anna - you are just the sweetest!!!

Megan G: Oakland Senior Photos

When I heard that Megan was a Disney fan, I knew we were going to get along just fine 💛 But for real. Photographing another Disney lover always results in WAY too much geeky side-talk about favorite rides and meals in specific parks. And I can never get enough of it!!

Besides being a Disney-lover, Megan is graduating THIS MONTH (May 2019, if you’re reading this in the future!), and is planning on studying Psychology at Chatham University! She hasn’t cut her hair since 8th grade (hence the gorgeous long locks!), her favorite Disney ride is Haunted Mansion (you knew we’d circle back around to Disney!), and her favorite place to eat is Chick-fil-A. And during the session, she told me that she mostly wears black, which might seem like a random detail, but it’s one that I can totally relate to because I do the same! I’m pretty sure 90% of my wardrobe is black, so one I meet someone else with the same tendency… I love it!

Megan, you are beautiful inside and out and I know you’re going to do amazing things! Congratulations on your last month of school!!!

Best of Senior Photos 2018

Senior sessions are always one of my FAVORITE parts of my entire year! With all of my seniors, I have two goals: to capture them authentically, and for them to feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. I love seeing seniors who might not feel comfortable in front of the camera initially walk away feeling encouraged and loved - and like they are totally capable of doing whatever they set their hearts and minds to!

I had so many sessions at lots of beautiful locations this year, but when I went back through my records, I could hardly believe that just about 50% of all of my senior sessions this year happened at Hartwood Acres Mansion. And for good reason! It is such a beautiful location with so many different spots that lend themselves to amazing backdrops!

My seniors had their sessions through freezing temps (in the single digits!!), rain, snow, thunderstorms, humidity - and all of them handled their shoots like pros. To all of my seniors: I am so incredibly grateful for you! You are going to do amazing things - I hope you believe it! 💛

Montana F: Winter Mellon Park Senior Photos

How brave is Montana for scheduling a winter senior portrait session?! Luckily enough, her session ended up falling on one of the few 50+ degree days we had in January - which was a huge blessing, considering we had rescheduled multiple times for rain and extremely cold weather! The wait was truly worth it for such a warm, beautiful January day!

Montana actually currently attends Westminster College and is right in the midst of her freshman year! (It's never too late to have senior photos taken!). This sweet lady loves reading, along with gothic architecture, making Mellon Park the perfect location for her photos. Montana also has the most beautiful green eyes that popped SO well in her photos!

Thanks so much for a wonderful session, Montana! And good luck with the rest of your freshman year! :)