Ava S: Sunrise Mellon Park Senior Photos

Meet Ava!

Ava is a senior at Avonworth who is hoping to study engineering post high school. She's in lots of different clubs at school and loves fall! We had the most beautiful morning at Mellon Park for her senior photos, and she brought some gorgeous outfits that complimented the changing fall scenery so well!

Congrats on your senior year, Ava!

4 Quick Tips for Avoiding Glasses Glare in Photos

Ever since I started wearing glasses daily a year and a half ago, I became much more conscious of how glasses photograph. The first pair of glasses I purchased had regular old lenses, which meant that they reflected everything around them – and the reflection was especially noticeable in photos (and made it so hard to drive at night!!). Glare on glasses has the ability to block the eyes (aka the windows to the soul ;) ), and when you’re getting your portrait taken… having clear, in focus eyes are definitely one of the most important pieces to the overall photo!

So, when it comes to your senior, engagement, wedding, and family photos, it’s important to be prepared in advance so the glare on your glasses can be reduced!

WHAT CAUSES GLARE ON GLASSES?

The reflection (or glare) that often happens on lenses comes from the light that’s being used to light the subject reflecting off of the lens. It may come from the sun, or a reflective building or sidewalk, or from an artificial reflector (i.e., a big shiny circle disc used to “bounce” light back onto a person’s face!).

Personally, I always use a reflector during my portraits sessions (and sometimes during my engagement sessions and weddings, too!) because it helps 1) light the eyes, 2) make the skin extra creamy, and 3), further illuminate my subject, causing them to “pop” a bit more off of the background. Because of this, I like to try and let my clients know ahead of time what their options are when it comes to reducing the glare on their lenses so that I can use my reflector to achieve the style that my clients have come to know, love, and expect!

If you wear glasses and are hoping to reduce lens glare, below are a few of my top tips and tricks!

WAYS TO AVOID THE GLARE

1.     Opt for non-reflective lenses

If you want to wear glasses in your photos, one of the best things you can do happens when you buy your new frames: opt for non-reflective lenses. Non-reflective lenses greatly diminish the amount of glare in your glasses that can be caught on camera on a bright, sunny day!

2.     Pop out the glass of an old pair of frames

If you have an old pair of frames that you still love and want that glasses-look in your photos, consider popping out a pair of lenses on some old frames. That way, you’ll be able to have the look without the reflection!

3.     Ask your frames provider to borrow a sample pair

This tip came straight from some very smart clients of mine! I once had a groom who wanted to wear his glasses for his wedding photos, but realized that he did not have non-reflective lenses – so he went to the store where he bought his frames and asked if he could borrow a sample pair of glasses for his wedding day (did you know that most sample frames have non-reflective lenses?). They let him, and the photos turned out amazing! Whether you’re having engagement, wedding, senior, or family photos taken, this is a great option if you want the look of your own frames in your photos without a reflection!

4.     Wear contacts

My very last tip that you might want to consider: completely removing your glasses. If glasses aren’t that important to you, opt for wearing contacts instead, or simply take your glasses off!

That’s it for now, friends! If you’d like to hear some additional tips on what to wear for your photo session, feel free to leave a comment below!

Ashley R: Hartwood Acres Mansion Senior Photos

It’s spring, and you know what that means… Pittsburgh is in bloom! 🌸 And it just so happens that Ashley’s senior session took place during April when a few of the most gorgeous Magnolia trees were in full bloom at Hartwood Acres Mansion! Which I was SO thankful for, considering that we had originally planned for Ashley’s senior photos not once, but twice in the fall, with one session date getting rained out, and the other snowed out. And if you’re more of a spring girl… you definitely do not want snow in your senior photos! So instead of pushing through the snow, we moved her session to the spring and it totally paid off!

Ashley is a senior at Eden Christian Academy who is graduating this year in just a few short weeks! After her high school graduation, she’s planning on heading to Cedarville to study nursing (go girl!). Ashley, it was such an honor to take these portraits of you! You are an incredible lady, and I know you are going to do amazing things!

7 Crucial Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Senior Photographer

Looking for a senior photographer? One size does not fit all when it comes to senior photos – senior photography and photographers vary vastly in style, approach, and experience, among many other things, including packages and availability. So, how are you supposed to figure out the best senior photographer for you with so many options to choose from?!

Below, I’ve compiled a list of seven questions to ask a potential senior photographer before committing. In addition to these questions, don’t forget to check out their website and social media pages, as well as their reviews, before signing on the dotted line!

 1.     How would you describe your style?

Did you know that there are three general, popular styles of photography? These styles can be broken down into: moody, natural, and light and airy (for a great article explaining and showcasing the differences, click here!) Moody editing showcases deep tones and contrast, giving the work a modern look. Light and airy editing lightens shadows, reduces contrast, and showcases soft color palettes beautifully. Natural editing showcases classic, true-to-life colors and contrast. Knowing which style you prefer and what photographers in your area offer that style is a crucial first step in narrowing down potential candidates for the job!

2.     How would you describe your approach?

Beyond the actual photos, the experience your photographer provides before, during, and after a session can vary vastly from photographer to photographer, because personalities vary from photographer to photographer. It can be challenging to get an idea of someone’s personality if you haven’t met them before, but a great way to get some insight into a photographer’s personality is to: (1) schedule a call with them to chat, (2) check out their website, and (3) check out their social media. Many photographers used social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook as their brand “voice,” designed to give potential clients a feel for what they can expect from them in real life!

3.     How long have you been photographing seniors for?

Experience can be a key player when it comes to a senior photography investment, and should be weighed along with a photographer’s portfolio. I would never ever suggest to not hire a photographer just because they haven’t been in the field for a certain number of years – there are some incredibly talented photographers who hit the ground running with awesome work! And, likewise, there are some photographers who have been photographing seniors for years who simply have the experience without the greatest portfolio work. My advice: find someone who has a great portfolio (i.e., ask to see a full gallery from one of their sessions instead of just the highlights from a few different sessions!), and weigh it against their experience.

4.     What is your availability?

Are you looking to have your photos taken during a certain time of the year? Do you need to have your yearbook photo in by a certain date? Believe it or not, senior session timeslots can fill up fast, and many photographers only offer a certain number of timeslots per season. From personal experience – I am typically fully booked for the fall (all the way through November) by the beginning of September. If you have a photographer in mind, make sure you contact them early to reserve your spot!

5.     What packages do you offer, and what is included?

Much like style and approach, the packages senior photographers offer can vary widely from photographer to photographer. Before you start looking at senior packages, ask yourself: what do I really want to use these images for? Are you looking for physical print products to hang in your home? Do you want digital files to share on social media or to make your own announcements? Knowing your intentions for your photos will help you decide what senior photographer offers the best product for you!

Some senior photographers will offer only packages that include prints with no digitals. Some senior photographers will offer packages that only include digital images, with no prints. Some will offer packages that include both! The bottom line: make sure you know what you’re paying for before you sign a contract!

6.     Do I receive digital copies of my photos? 

I know, I know, I kind of talked about this one above, but it’s so important that I feel the need to mention it again: if you want to end up with the digital files from your session, make sure to ask if they are included in your package. Because we live in a digital age, I love including digital files with my senior packages. Plus… I was a senior once. My mom printed images to hang in her home, but what I really wanted were the digital files!

7.     How long does it take to receive my full gallery of images?

If you are receiving a gallery of images from your senior photographer, make sure you ask how long it will take to edit and process your images! Why is this important? If your senior session is scheduled for October 25th and your yearbook photo is due on October 26th, there’s a very good chance you won’t have your full gallery of images to choose from! Asking your photographer for a general timeframe of when you should expect to receive your images is a great way to make sure you don’t end up without a photo in your senior yearbook!

The key: know what you want before talking to you potential senior photographers. Hiring someone who is the right fit for you and who can provide the experience and end product you are looking for is worth the time!

 And if you are in the Pittsburgh area and in need of senior photos, feel free to reach out using the contact tab above – I’d love to chat!

PS - if you want to learn a little bit more about me and see a bit more of my personality and approach, check out my Instagram!

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! 💛

Natasha K: Fall McConnell's Mill Senior Photos

Natasha’s senior session took place on a crisp October morning, just when the leaves began changing at McConnell’s Mill. One of the BEST things about scheduling a session in the morning is the fact that there are so few people (usually!), which helped us SO much at such a popular location like McConnell’s Mill - we basically had the park to ourselves!

Natasha is graduating in 2019 from Montour High School and has such a fun and carefree personality! She brought a hat to her senior session, which really helped pull her fall look together (even though she rarely wears hats!). It goes to show that sometimes going a little outside of your normal comfort zone in terms of style can be a great idea! If you’re looking for some more ideas on how to up your senior outfit game, (or really, any photo shoot outfit game!) feel free to check out this article I wrote a little while back!

Natasha, thank you for the honor of taking these photos - you are going to do incredible things! 💛

Mahika S: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

It’s hard to believe that senior season is starting to slow down! I can hardly believe that November is already here - which means just about one month left of senior photos! But truly, fall is my favorite time of year for photos - I love the crisp air, the warm and earthy clothing color palettes, and the beautiful fall colors!

I have to say, though - Mahika might’ve had one of my favorite senior outfits of the entire year! Her red, black, and gold authentic Indian dress was the perfect choice against Hartwood’s neutral backdrop, and really gave the feeling of fall! I had her twirling her gorgeous skirt basically the entire time - and it was so worth it!

Mahika is involved in lots of extracurricular activities, including Speech and Debate, Future Business Leaders of America, Global Relations Club, SciGirls (a club she made that promotes science to girls), NHS, volunteer at Youth Seva (her local religious group) and Classical Indian Dancing (Kathak) for 12 years. And she’s totally not busy at all! 😉 But seriously - I admire this young woman for her dedication to excellence. It’s truly amazing!

Mahika, it was such an honor to take your senior photos - you are going to do amazing things! 💛

Kate P: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

I had a blast hanging out with Kate and her dad for her Hartwood Acres senior session! Every fall, I inevitably become obsessed with the clothing color palettes and soft, earthy hues - and, of course, there was no difference with Kate’s session! So excited for this sweet lady’s bright feature. Congratulations on your senior year, Kate! You are going to do incredible things! 💛

Brooklyn B: Mellon Park Senior Photos

Mellon Park is one of my favorite locations for photos - the light is always beautiful, and there’s a beautiful balance between architecture and natural scenery. It ended up being the perfect location for Brooklyn, who had the perfect outfits to match, and was a total natural in front of the camera! The only downside: I literally fell into a bush. I squatted down to take a photo - and just keeled over. Good thing Brooklyn was a good sport and laughed with me! ☺️ Thank you so much for the honor of taking your photos, Brooklyn! You are a rockstar, and I know you’re going to do incredible things!

Erin S: North Park Senior Photos

It’s been a while since I’ve had a session at North Park - but this nature-filled scenery was perfect for a nature-lover like Erin! One thing that really stuck out to me about this incredible senior is her desire to work in the nonprofit sector after graduation - I feel like that’s rare for a senior! On a trip out of the country with a friend’s family, she saw the stark contrast between the resort she was staying at, vs. how the locals were living, and it stirred her heart to do want to do something about it! Erin, I just know you’re going to do incredible things. You can do anything you set your mind and heart to! Congratulations on your senior year! 💛