Weddings
Engagements
Portraits
Posted on November 23, 2009
A fabulous wedding at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center!
Saturday, November 21, did not bring the 70-degrees-and-sunny weather we had the previous Saturday, but 50-something and not raining is still fine by me. Especially in November. So it was a pleasure to assist the talented and vibrant Randi Voss in photographing Jill and Todd’s wedding.
The Wedding – St. Philip’s in Crafton
I spent a little time with the guys before the ceremony at St. Philip’s in Crafton.
Uncle Matt here got a little silly for his one-on-one photo with Todd.
Full of fabulous expressions all day, here’s Jill just before heading down the aisle.
Just married!
Bridal Party Photo Time!
First stop – Mount Washington, West End Overlook
I have to include this next one… not just because I love how Groomsman Matt perched himself up there, but because my 4-year-old, Leo, saw this over my shoulder and asked, “is that George Washington?”
No idea what he’s learning in Pre-K…
And then on for some photos in Oakland…
Reception – Pittsburgh Marriott City Center
Jill and Todd’s reception was at the Marriott City Center in downtown Pittsburgh, next to the Mellon Arena and new hockey rink.
I love when brides and grooms use names instead of numbers for tables. And Jill and Todd personalized theirs even further by explaining the significance of each title on the back of the card.
Maybe my favorite father-daughter dance ever! Jill loves baseball, so she and her father danced to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
And I love when there’s a band! Nightlife had everyone dancing.
It was also a pleasure to meet Barb and Gordon Schu, who are creating Jill and Todd’s wedding video.
Pittsburgh Marriott City Center
112 Washington Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 471-4000
Posted on November 22, 2009
This past Friday, I had a dream that there was an alligator in my house. I saw it in the hallway on the first floor and it scurried off into the office, a room with just one way in and out.
While it wasn’t a full-grown alligator, it was no baby, either. Probably about four feet long and maybe 50 pounds. Certainly it was enough alligator to alarm!
In reality, I imagine if I’d just seen an alligator in my house, I would call 911. Or at least call for my husband, Matt, who in the dream was upstairs. But in the dream, all I could think was, “I need to get a picture of this!” And I woefully realized that all of my camera equipment was, of course, in the office. With the alligator.
I tried to devise ways that I could somehow get through the room and over to my camera, lying on the table. I tried to remember which lens was on the camera, and thought about whether it would be the optimal choice for that situation when there’s an alligator in your house.
A little bit of sense came to me as I thought of Chase Jarvis and his book The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You. In this case, I thought Chase was right, and that the best camera was the one that was not in a room with an alligator in it. And so I retrieved my point and shoot from my purse, which was easily accessible.
I then crept into the office, peeking around the corner. No alligator. I figured it had to be under the futon, and as I bent over to look underneath, sure enough, an alligator jaw emerged and chomped my hand. Rather gently, though, for an alligator. It was a hard enough bite to hurt, but not hard enough to do any real damage.
And then it took off, back through the house and out the front door, and a moment later Matt came downstairs. I told him there had just been an alligator in our house. Really! I know it sounds crazy, but there was!
He didn’t believe me.
I’ll never know what would have happened next, because my dog woke me up. THE END!
Posted on November 19, 2009
I know – you may be thinking, “chocolate and beer? Is she crazy?” Well – let’s just move on from the crazy part. And focus on the deliciousness that it is a fine chocolate stout.
Many years ago, I discovered Brooklyn Chocolate Stout. This is the perfect beer to sip (or chug, if you lack patience or discipline), sitting in a comfortable chair in front of your fireplace on a cold day. At 10.15% ABV, you might want to be careful, though, when you get up out of that chair, as it does pack a bit of a wallop. It’s not a beer to drink every day, but it does make a rather tasty treat.
And as it’s not really an every day beer, it would be nice if Brooklyn would include the chocolate stout in a variety pack with some of their other choice ales. But alas, the Brooklyn variety packs don’t include the chocolate stout. And here in the great state of Pennsylvania, you have to buy beer at either a “beer distributor,” which means by the case or keg, or at a “bottle shop” or a bar that sells beer by the 6-pack. Well… with my busy schedule and love of beer, I prefer to buy my beer by the case. It’s a better deal than buying 6-packs and more convenient for me.
So… I was happy to discover that Vermont brewery Harpoon has added a chocolate stout to their lineup. And not only that – it’s in their variety pack! Yay!
At the end of a busy day, I do love to kick back with (one) beer, and the Harpoon chocolate stout is every bit as tasty as the Brooklyn. At 6.3% ABV, it’s not as overpowering as the Brooklyn. Thank you, Harpoon!
Side note: in looking for the links included above, I discovered you have to confirm you’re over 21 to enter the brewery websites. Interesting that you can’t even look at beer or read about beer until you’re 21!
Posted on November 15, 2009
In 2009, apparently November is the new September. This past Saturday, November 13, delighted with yet another unseasonably warm and beautiful day. The skies were a deep blue and the temperature was nearly 70. Amazing!
I joined Randi Voss to photograph Jessi and Benjamin’s wedding. Randi had told me what special people they are, and as soon as I saw Jessi’s dress and shoes I knew we were in for an uncommonly awesome day.
The blue skies begged to have Jessi’s dress come and be photographed outside.
Jessi and Ben had a first look before their ceremony. Jessi and Benjamin were both rather emotional – so sweet.
Check out Jessi’s fun shoes! You’ll get a better look at them in a bit…
Jessi and Benjamin had the good fortune to ride in a borrowed Corvette.
It gets dark so early now! The sun set just as we left the church for the reception. We captured this silhouette just moments before the sun disappeared.
They are Dave Matthews Band fans… hence the table names, all DMB song titles.
Jessi’s maid of honor, who also happens to be Randi’s sister, made the cake.
Jessi gave each of her bridesmaids a different funky glass.
First dance.
Finally, a better look at Jessi’s fun shoes… which were cuter than they were comfortable.
Jessi and Benjamin – congratulations. I’m very happy for you and felt honored to be there for your wedding day. I loved all the personal touches that made your wedding so personal to you!