Today is the first day of spring and I can not hide my enthusiasm about this. Each time I hear mention of this on the news, I do a little dance. And here are some photos to commemorate this long-awaited day.
This is the first photo I took at Mellon Park yesterday afternoon and it was a gift from God, I’m sure. I love photographing nature and often get caught in a trance, waiting for just the right moment when the bumblebee hovers over the flowers. This moment was within seconds of finding this hillside of blooms. I couldn’t believe that the bee stayed just long enough for me to compose, focus and adjust the exposure. Sweet!
This is the newly renovated walled garden at Mellon Park. I went there yesterday to scout the location for an upcoming engagement session for a bride and groom who are getting married this summer. It looks as though the garden renovation is complete and a dedication is planned for the spring – not sure of a date, though.
This is a beautiful park for on-location photography. It’s one of my favorites because I have a sweet spot for formal gardens. I loved The Secret Garden (movie and musical) growing up, but had never seen a formal garden in person until the summer I spent in London in my early 20s. And Mellon Park in Pittsburgh, captures some of the whimsy and romance that I grew to love about the gardens in London.
Even the gates have beautiful floral details.
This is the other walled garden at Mellon Park. The walls are falling apart, so I hope it will be a future renovation project. For now, it has more of a rustic charm.
This is from the daylily and daffodil garden. The little daylilies look so triumphant with the sun illuminating their form. I can’t wait until the daffodils bloom. They are my favorite flower – I carried a bouquet of daffodils for my wedding, just like I dreamt about as a little girl.
This bird was curious about me and my camera. I think the noise of my shutter clicking is what interested him.
Happy spring!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2010-03-20 13:30:292013-11-18 16:19:40Signs of Spring in Pittsburgh
I mentioned a couple of posts ago, that Sarah and John were married in Texas in the fall of last year. For family and friends who were not able to make it to their wedding, they held a second reception in Butler on Valentine’s Day. It was a Sunday evening reception and it made for a special way to celebrate the holiday with their friends and family.
Sarah carried a simple and elegant bouquet of red and white roses.
Their cookie table did not disappoint. There were plenty of scrupmtious treats and it was tough to choose!
This sweet flower girl is signing their “guest plate,” a more functional alternative to the usual book.
Here’s the happy couple in between welcoming their guests to the reception.
It’s easy to see how Sarah and her little girl adore one another.
Sarah’s a natural beauty and looks stunning in her white fur stole.
They had all of the traditional elements of a wedding reception and were announced into the room, toasted by several loved ones, and shared a first dance and father/daughter and mother/son dances.
Did I mention that Sarah’s from Texas? Check out the cowgirl boots she’s rocking under her dress.
Their cup cakes were delicious. I usually don’t get a chance to eat cake, but when my job was done at the close of the reception, I couldn’t resist helping myself.
Thanks again Sarah and John! It was so much fun to photograph your Pa. reception!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2010-03-13 20:02:462013-11-18 16:32:55Sarah and John’s reception at the Days Inn in Butler, Pa.
On the snowy Friday before Valentine’s Day, I met up with April and Anil for a mini photo session a top the West End/Elliot Overlook before they said “I do” in a ceremony with the Justice of the Peace. They were anxious to tie the knot and planned wait for warmer weather for their wedding reception. So we made the most of this special Friday morning despite the challenges from two feet of snowfall earlier in the week.
It was a pleasure to spend the morning with them and this experience reminded me that it’s the simplest of moments that can be the most intimate and sweet.
We headed to the courthouse after about 30 minutes of shooting in the snow.
We even had a few moments to joke around. I like how Anil is framing April’s face in this one. Actually, I just noticed that there are lots of sepia photos in this post. I like to send clients a mix of color, black and white and other variations. About three quarters of the way into my editing process, I select photos that stand out as good candidates for this and duplicate them so that I have options when designing the album.
It’s refreshing to see where romance can bloom. Congratulations April and Anil! Many blessings to you and your marriage.
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2010-03-06 12:34:302013-11-18 16:33:21A little romance with the Justice of Peace
Through a connection by my friend and fellow blogger of FoodBurgh, I picked up a fun job earlier this month: photographing beer. This assignment took me to the Rivertowne Pour House in Monroeville, one of several locations where the beer can be found on tap. I set up a mini studio in a small banquet room at the back of the restaurant and got to work. Here’s one shot of the six varieties I photographed that day. The brew master there referred to this one as Blonde.
The beer is isolated on white for graphic design purposes, as Full Pint is getting ready to produce and market their beer for distribution.
While there, the brew master offered me a taste and I happily tried their mango beer because I love mango and was curious about how it would taste in beer. Well, it’s delicious! I am definitely heading back to the Rivertowne Pour House for dinner and another mango beer. To other mango fans out there, you’ll have to head to Monroeville too, because the mango beer is not one of the varieties that they will be distributing.
I just heard from a friend, Ellen, who I met through Pittsburgh Filmmakers. She was writing to let me know she noticed a photo of mine is on the front page of Filmmakers’ Web site and on the cover of their 2010 summer catalog which is also available on the site. It’s the small photo of Ellen swimming in waves of light on the right of the site above the summer classes info. This was one of those experimental projects that we just had a lot of fun with. Here’s a larger version of the photo:
You can also check out our classmates photos on Flickr. This class had lots of great ideas.
As a wedding photographer, this project forced me to let go of my obsessions over making sure everything is just so. For those who have hired me or are considering hiring me in the future, don’t worry I’m still meticulous about the details, it’s in my nature.
We were painting with light and there were lots of people involved in making this photo: strobe operator, light painters, and of course, the talent. I was behind the camera and directing the scene during the 30 or so seconds the shutter was open. So given the chaos of the process and the fact that it’s a Polaroid, I have come to accept that it’s not perfectly focused and that the multiple flashes cause ghosting of Ellen’s face as she made breast strokes while balanced on a coffee table. It was so much fun and helped us all to remember some of the reasons we fell in love with photography in the first place. Thanks to Sally Bozzuto who scanned in the Polaroids and submitted them for the summer catalog!
http://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttp://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Web-Use.pngkmiller2010-02-22 10:44:442010-02-22 12:31:42Light painting at PGH Filmmakers
Signs of Spring in Pittsburgh
/by kmillerToday is the first day of spring and I can not hide my enthusiasm about this. Each time I hear mention of this on the news, I do a little dance. And here are some photos to commemorate this long-awaited day.
This is the first photo I took at Mellon Park yesterday afternoon and it was a gift from God, I’m sure. I love photographing nature and often get caught in a trance, waiting for just the right moment when the bumblebee hovers over the flowers. This moment was within seconds of finding this hillside of blooms. I couldn’t believe that the bee stayed just long enough for me to compose, focus and adjust the exposure. Sweet!
This is the newly renovated walled garden at Mellon Park. I went there yesterday to scout the location for an upcoming engagement session for a bride and groom who are getting married this summer. It looks as though the garden renovation is complete and a dedication is planned for the spring – not sure of a date, though.
This is a beautiful park for on-location photography. It’s one of my favorites because I have a sweet spot for formal gardens. I loved The Secret Garden (movie and musical) growing up, but had never seen a formal garden in person until the summer I spent in London in my early 20s. And Mellon Park in Pittsburgh, captures some of the whimsy and romance that I grew to love about the gardens in London.
Even the gates have beautiful floral details.
This is the other walled garden at Mellon Park. The walls are falling apart, so I hope it will be a future renovation project. For now, it has more of a rustic charm.
This is from the daylily and daffodil garden. The little daylilies look so triumphant with the sun illuminating their form. I can’t wait until the daffodils bloom. They are my favorite flower – I carried a bouquet of daffodils for my wedding, just like I dreamt about as a little girl.
This bird was curious about me and my camera. I think the noise of my shutter clicking is what interested him.
Happy spring!
Sarah and John’s reception at the Days Inn in Butler, Pa.
/by kmillerI mentioned a couple of posts ago, that Sarah and John were married in Texas in the fall of last year. For family and friends who were not able to make it to their wedding, they held a second reception in Butler on Valentine’s Day. It was a Sunday evening reception and it made for a special way to celebrate the holiday with their friends and family.
Sarah carried a simple and elegant bouquet of red and white roses.
Their cookie table did not disappoint. There were plenty of scrupmtious treats and it was tough to choose!
This sweet flower girl is signing their “guest plate,” a more functional alternative to the usual book.
Here’s the happy couple in between welcoming their guests to the reception.
It’s easy to see how Sarah and her little girl adore one another.
Sarah’s a natural beauty and looks stunning in her white fur stole.
They had all of the traditional elements of a wedding reception and were announced into the room, toasted by several loved ones, and shared a first dance and father/daughter and mother/son dances.
Did I mention that Sarah’s from Texas? Check out the cowgirl boots she’s rocking under her dress.
Their cup cakes were delicious. I usually don’t get a chance to eat cake, but when my job was done at the close of the reception, I couldn’t resist helping myself.
Thanks again Sarah and John! It was so much fun to photograph your Pa. reception!
A little romance with the Justice of Peace
/by kmillerOn the snowy Friday before Valentine’s Day, I met up with April and Anil for a mini photo session a top the West End/Elliot Overlook before they said “I do” in a ceremony with the Justice of the Peace. They were anxious to tie the knot and planned wait for warmer weather for their wedding reception. So we made the most of this special Friday morning despite the challenges from two feet of snowfall earlier in the week.
It was a pleasure to spend the morning with them and this experience reminded me that it’s the simplest of moments that can be the most intimate and sweet.
We headed to the courthouse after about 30 minutes of shooting in the snow.
We even had a few moments to joke around. I like how Anil is framing April’s face in this one. Actually, I just noticed that there are lots of sepia photos in this post. I like to send clients a mix of color, black and white and other variations. About three quarters of the way into my editing process, I select photos that stand out as good candidates for this and duplicate them so that I have options when designing the album.
It’s refreshing to see where romance can bloom. Congratulations April and Anil! Many blessings to you and your marriage.
Full Pint Brewing Co. Beer Photography
/by kmillerThrough a connection by my friend and fellow blogger of FoodBurgh, I picked up a fun job earlier this month: photographing beer. This assignment took me to the Rivertowne Pour House in Monroeville, one of several locations where the beer can be found on tap. I set up a mini studio in a small banquet room at the back of the restaurant and got to work. Here’s one shot of the six varieties I photographed that day. The brew master there referred to this one as Blonde.
The beer is isolated on white for graphic design purposes, as Full Pint is getting ready to produce and market their beer for distribution.
While there, the brew master offered me a taste and I happily tried their mango beer because I love mango and was curious about how it would taste in beer. Well, it’s delicious! I am definitely heading back to the Rivertowne Pour House for dinner and another mango beer. To other mango fans out there, you’ll have to head to Monroeville too, because the mango beer is not one of the varieties that they will be distributing.
Light painting at PGH Filmmakers
/by kmillerI just heard from a friend, Ellen, who I met through Pittsburgh Filmmakers. She was writing to let me know she noticed a photo of mine is on the front page of Filmmakers’ Web site and on the cover of their 2010 summer catalog which is also available on the site. It’s the small photo of Ellen swimming in waves of light on the right of the site above the summer classes info. This was one of those experimental projects that we just had a lot of fun with. Here’s a larger version of the photo:
You can also check out our classmates photos on Flickr. This class had lots of great ideas.
As a wedding photographer, this project forced me to let go of my obsessions over making sure everything is just so. For those who have hired me or are considering hiring me in the future, don’t worry I’m still meticulous about the details, it’s in my nature.
We were painting with light and there were lots of people involved in making this photo: strobe operator, light painters, and of course, the talent. I was behind the camera and directing the scene during the 30 or so seconds the shutter was open. So given the chaos of the process and the fact that it’s a Polaroid, I have come to accept that it’s not perfectly focused and that the multiple flashes cause ghosting of Ellen’s face as she made breast strokes while balanced on a coffee table. It was so much fun and helped us all to remember some of the reasons we fell in love with photography in the first place. Thanks to Sally Bozzuto who scanned in the Polaroids and submitted them for the summer catalog!