Mr. and Mrs. Laing

It was a rainy Saturday, but the soon to be Mrs. Laing was cool and calm all afternoon leading up to her nuptials with soon to be husband Ryan.  We took some time to capture the details, her dress, their rings, and the broaches she gave each of her bridesmaids to embellish their dresses.  After the ceremony the rain didn't stop us. Umbrellas were present and a small gazebo beside the church made for great photos!  This couple was so fun to shoot. Beautiful and delicious cupcakes at the reception, and a dance floor that was full the entire time! Congratulations Kim and Ryan. We are scheduling a "Trash the Dress" session now. So look back for updates on this couple :)

Rings: Goldstock, Downtown Pittsburgh

Wedding Gown: MB Bride, Greensburg

Cupcakes: Fenogliettos, Strip District

Florist: Crescent Gardens, Plum

"Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something."

This is a special blog post for me. Wednesday night me and my Mum participated in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night walk. This event helps raise funds for life saving research and support for people battling cancer. I heard about this event just a week before it took place and signed up immediately to start my fundraising. I have to say, I have the most amazing friends and family! In the short time we had, $515 were raised! I want to take a moment to thank everyone for their donations, we really will make a difference. I am so grateful to know such kind people. Thank you.

My grandmother Joan was diagnosed on Memorial Day weekend in 1989 with acute myelogenous leukemia when she was 50 years old. Just to fill you in on what this type of cancer is, here is a description from the marrow.org website. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. In AML, the bone marrow makes many unformed cells called blasts. Blasts normally develop into white blood cells that fight infection. However, the blasts are abnormal in AML. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The bone marrow may also make abnormal red blood cells and platelets. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs. My grandmother passed away on October 24, 1989. (I was only 2 years old.) Last night, my Mum and I walked in memory of her.

The walk began at Heinz Field, they had snacks and speakers a few hours before the walk was to begin. Walkers also received illuminated balloons - white was for survivors, red was for supporters and gold was in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Survivors wore blue shirts, and just seeing those individuals thoughout the evening you cant help but feel so much compassion for those that are so strong. There were also numerous groups who worked to fundraise and walk together, like the West Allegheny Varsity Cheerleading squad I photographed below.

This is such an incredible event and I look foward to participating next year with a whole team of walkers in memory of my grandmother. I can only imagine how much we can raise next year with more time! This really has inspired me to do more around the community, I hope this blog post can help inspire others as well! "Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something." Gil Scott-Heron

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Cooper

This wedding was extra special to me because the beautiful bride here is my cousin!  While it was a challenge to be in the wedding party and shoot, I loved every minute of it!  Sarah and and Andrew held their ceremony and reception at a barn last weekend.  The new Mrs. Cooper rode in on a black horse where she was helped off by the barn owner and then greeted by her father to walk her down the isle. (Being a part of the bridal party I didn't get to snap any of these happenings.)  After the ceremony we had so much fun shooting in the field and with horses. She always modeled for me in school hah so ended up doing our own little shoot while the groom and his friends relaxed before the reception.  Here is a sneak peek.  Welcome to the family Andrew! Love you both!

Ryan and Christina

 Meet the new Mr. and Mrs. Mann!  Ryan and Christina got married a few weekends ago and I was lucky enough to get to photograph their beautiful wedding.  While rain moved their ceremony inside, we still snuck in a few photos out in the courtyard after the ceremony at the hotel their wedding was held at.  I love brides and grooms who are ready to take on any challenge of a few rain drops!  This adorable couple loved to get their dance on at the reception, the guests were right along with them too. I swear the dance floor was full the entire night, hah.  Here is a sneak peek, congrats Ryan and Christina!

Julie and Mike

I traveled up to North East, PA to shoot an engagement session with Mike and Julie this past weekend.   This adorable couple has been together since April of 2009 and got engaged this August.  We started off at a vineyard (North East is known for their grape growing and Wine Festival in the Fall!)   From there we stopped along the way at a few other spots before hitting the beach on Lake Erie.  While the sky threatened rain all day, some thunder rolled and sprinkles fell, we lucked out and had the sun shining by the time we set off to start the shoot!  This adorable couple was so fun to shoot, I wish them the best and hope the planning for their destination wedding goes smoothly :)