I recently photographed a family of seven in downtown Pittsburgh, an unlikely setting for any children’s portrait unless the city happens to be home, but this brave family with five kids was up for the challenge and let me say, they have my awe and respect! We started walking through the Cultural District and walking shots like this one are one of my favorite ways to keep a photo shoot moving so that the kids don’t get bored.
We came across this alley with an overhead lighting feature which made for a fun design element in this family portrait.
There are a lot of nice spots for portraits downtown and I’ve learned many of them by photographing weddings. However, just recently, some of the parklets have started to close on weekends, so there are fewer options with greenery these days.
After all of our walking, the kids were getting tired, but I still like this shot of the family by the bridge. The facial expressions on the kids are comical – it’s not a portrait I’d hang on the wall, but it will be fun for this family to look back on someday!
As we headed back to our parking garage, we stopped for one last shot with mom and dad. Well done, mom and dad!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-06-22 08:49:182018-06-22 08:49:18Pittsburgh Family Portraits: Downtown Makes a Great Setting
In May, I had the pleasure of photographing my first quinceañera, I’ve photographed bar and bat mitzvahs before, so I had some idea of what to expect, but let me say, this special milestone for latinas turning 15 is my kind of party! It’s a lot like a wedding in many ways with the formalities—the special dress and cake, but it’s all about the celebration of an emerging young lady. One of the sweet traditions of a quinceañera is that she comes to her party in slippers and later in the night, she ceremoniously changes into high heels! And then of course, she dances in them! What a fun way to celebrate womanhood!
Before the party started, we met at the overlooks at Mt. Washington for some portraits.
The quinceañera was held at Franzee’s-Javy’s in Ambridge, Pa.
After some introductions and a welcome speech the quinceañera danced with her father.
A little later in the evening, came the champagne toast and this quinceañera had her first taste.
One of the littlest members of this quinceañera’s court presented the high heels to her father.
She promenaded in her new heels with grace and poise.
And then the quinceañera court entered for the formal dance.
And after that, the dance floor was jumping!
I’m pleased to add quinceañeras to my events coverage and would love to photograph more. Please contact me if you would like to learn more!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-06-13 10:01:552018-06-13 10:01:55Pittsburgh Quinceañera: A Latina’s Sweet Fifteen!
When I first met with this happy couple, I was intrigued at how thoughtful they were in making their wedding plans. They were simple, but had so much meaning. This couple chose to marry at The Point, where they shared part of their first date. They met by a tree for a prayer moments before their ceremony and invited their closest family and friends to gather by the fountain to witness their ceremony—which was also broadcast on Facebook Live and later replayed for the guests at their reception.
A first birthday is a great time to schedule a portrait session. Our babies learn and grow so much over the first year, so there is so much to celebrate! And while you’re at it, it’s a great opportunity to update your family portrait, which is exactly what this sweet family did. I’ll start of with this photo of the big and little sister – how precious to have a photograph of these two to look back on?
Bubbles are a favorite activity for little ones during sessions and this big sister was pleased to help with the bubble-making!
Little ones learning to walk is pretty high up there in my list of favorite things to photograph. So proud!
And Cranberry Woods has these amazing paths through the woods that make for great and safe walking shots. No roots to trip on!
We stepped a little farther into the woods for this family portrait.
This mama wanted to document her daughter’s first taste of cake and even made the cake herself! Very impressive!
While this little sweetie was timid, she definitely enjoyed her cake!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-05-18 15:13:402018-05-18 15:14:20Cranberry Family Portraits: First Birthdays and Celebrating Milestones
I had the pleasure of photographing my nieces a few weeks ago while visiting my family in Central PA and these sweet girls and their mama were so ready for this photo shoot! That’s one of the many things that makes photographing little girls so much fun – they enjoy the process. Even the youngest enjoyed her time in front of the camera!
One of the challenges we faced was that their preferred location for group shots was an enclosed garden with limited access – think banker’s hours. While you can photograph portraits anytime of day outside, there really are just two ideal times of day: within an hour or two after sunrise or an hour or two before sunset. For this first set of photos, we didn’t have that option, but were blessed with overcast skies at 4 p.m.! Hallelujah!
The sun peeked out again toward the end of our time in the garden, so we ducked under this pagoda for softer light.
After sunrise or before sunset, the light is softer and lower, which is beautiful and means less unflattering squinting and shadows. AND it’s more forgiving for the photographer because while I’m shooting in manual mode, I don’t have to make as many adjustments for the light and can focus on staying with my client and capturing emotion and personality. For their individual portraits, we were able to do just that at a public location closer to sunset.
And the following morning, just after sunrise, we did another mini session with this sweetheart who just turned one!
My talented sister is a blessing to her daughters in so many ways, but one way that she completely outshines any other mom I know is the birthday parties she throws. Just look at these handmade flowers for her littlest daughter’s first birthday party! What a fun backdrop for a few portraits in their own home!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-05-16 12:46:082018-05-16 12:46:08Spring Siblings Session: Timing is Everything
Pittsburgh Family Portraits: Downtown Makes a Great Setting
/by kmillerI recently photographed a family of seven in downtown Pittsburgh, an unlikely setting for any children’s portrait unless the city happens to be home, but this brave family with five kids was up for the challenge and let me say, they have my awe and respect! We started walking through the Cultural District and walking shots like this one are one of my favorite ways to keep a photo shoot moving so that the kids don’t get bored.
We came across this alley with an overhead lighting feature which made for a fun design element in this family portrait.
There are a lot of nice spots for portraits downtown and I’ve learned many of them by photographing weddings. However, just recently, some of the parklets have started to close on weekends, so there are fewer options with greenery these days.
After all of our walking, the kids were getting tired, but I still like this shot of the family by the bridge. The facial expressions on the kids are comical – it’s not a portrait I’d hang on the wall, but it will be fun for this family to look back on someday!
As we headed back to our parking garage, we stopped for one last shot with mom and dad. Well done, mom and dad!
Pittsburgh Quinceañera: A Latina’s Sweet Fifteen!
/by kmillerIn May, I had the pleasure of photographing my first quinceañera, I’ve photographed bar and bat mitzvahs before, so I had some idea of what to expect, but let me say, this special milestone for latinas turning 15 is my kind of party! It’s a lot like a wedding in many ways with the formalities—the special dress and cake, but it’s all about the celebration of an emerging young lady. One of the sweet traditions of a quinceañera is that she comes to her party in slippers and later in the night, she ceremoniously changes into high heels! And then of course, she dances in them! What a fun way to celebrate womanhood!
Before the party started, we met at the overlooks at Mt. Washington for some portraits.
The quinceañera was held at Franzee’s-Javy’s in Ambridge, Pa.
After some introductions and a welcome speech the quinceañera danced with her father.
A little later in the evening, came the champagne toast and this quinceañera had her first taste.
One of the littlest members of this quinceañera’s court presented the high heels to her father.
She promenaded in her new heels with grace and poise.
And then the quinceañera court entered for the formal dance.
And after that, the dance floor was jumping!
I’m pleased to add quinceañeras to my events coverage and would love to photograph more. Please contact me if you would like to learn more!
Pittsburgh Wedding Photography: Sentimental Details Bring Sweet Moments
/by kmillerWhen I first met with this happy couple, I was intrigued at how thoughtful they were in making their wedding plans. They were simple, but had so much meaning. This couple chose to marry at The Point, where they shared part of their first date. They met by a tree for a prayer moments before their ceremony and invited their closest family and friends to gather by the fountain to witness their ceremony—which was also broadcast on Facebook Live and later replayed for the guests at their reception.
Read more
Cranberry Family Portraits: First Birthdays and Celebrating Milestones
/by kmillerA first birthday is a great time to schedule a portrait session. Our babies learn and grow so much over the first year, so there is so much to celebrate! And while you’re at it, it’s a great opportunity to update your family portrait, which is exactly what this sweet family did. I’ll start of with this photo of the big and little sister – how precious to have a photograph of these two to look back on?
Bubbles are a favorite activity for little ones during sessions and this big sister was pleased to help with the bubble-making!
Little ones learning to walk is pretty high up there in my list of favorite things to photograph. So proud!
And Cranberry Woods has these amazing paths through the woods that make for great and safe walking shots. No roots to trip on!
We stepped a little farther into the woods for this family portrait.
This mama wanted to document her daughter’s first taste of cake and even made the cake herself! Very impressive!
While this little sweetie was timid, she definitely enjoyed her cake!
Spring Siblings Session: Timing is Everything
/by kmillerI had the pleasure of photographing my nieces a few weeks ago while visiting my family in Central PA and these sweet girls and their mama were so ready for this photo shoot! That’s one of the many things that makes photographing little girls so much fun – they enjoy the process. Even the youngest enjoyed her time in front of the camera!
One of the challenges we faced was that their preferred location for group shots was an enclosed garden with limited access – think banker’s hours. While you can photograph portraits anytime of day outside, there really are just two ideal times of day: within an hour or two after sunrise or an hour or two before sunset. For this first set of photos, we didn’t have that option, but were blessed with overcast skies at 4 p.m.! Hallelujah!
The sun peeked out again toward the end of our time in the garden, so we ducked under this pagoda for softer light.
After sunrise or before sunset, the light is softer and lower, which is beautiful and means less unflattering squinting and shadows. AND it’s more forgiving for the photographer because while I’m shooting in manual mode, I don’t have to make as many adjustments for the light and can focus on staying with my client and capturing emotion and personality. For their individual portraits, we were able to do just that at a public location closer to sunset.
And the following morning, just after sunrise, we did another mini session with this sweetheart who just turned one!
My talented sister is a blessing to her daughters in so many ways, but one way that she completely outshines any other mom I know is the birthday parties she throws. Just look at these handmade flowers for her littlest daughter’s first birthday party! What a fun backdrop for a few portraits in their own home!