A Family Hike in the Woods {Pittsburgh Family Photography}

I love going for hikes. I love fresh air and nature, and I really really love an excuse to leave my phone at home for some quality time with my husband. Before I met my husband though, I would go on hikes by myself. The extrovert in me feels almost embarrassed and strange to tell you that I enjoyed those lonesome walks! The truth is, it gave me time to pray and to think and to dream in a season when I wasn’t setting aside enough time for those things. I remember rather vividly a particular afternoon when I realized that I was so alone in the woods that I had the freedom to sing aloud while walking. It felt almost therapeutic! 

When Marie reached out to me to schedule a hiking photo shoot for her family, I was ecstatic. You mean I get to hike along with you and just capture moments? YES PLEASE! Oh friends, this family is a group of wonderful explorers! The boys don’t all love photos, but they DO love hiking. They showed me their favorite spots, caught more than 1 frog, and competed in a little brotherly competition of toss-the-biggest-stone-into-the-creek. If you haven’t played, you probably should. Without further ado, some of my favorite shots from our time together…

When Mom Wants Family Pictures...

A little over 2 years ago, my mom asked for 1 thing for her birthday – family photos. This was not received with excitement, as my brother, my brother-in-law, and my nephew absolutely hate having their picture taken. But we did it. We found a local photographer while we were on vacation together, and we took some family photos that turned out pretty well! About a month later, my brother passed away very unexpectedly. Today marks 2 years from that day.

I say all this to point out, that more than we’d care to admit, our mothers are right. When they say that we need to take family photos -- that we’ll look back on those photos with fond memories -- our moms are right. And I don’t say this as a mom! I say this as a child. I think every one of us has told my mom THANK YOU for insisting on family photos during that last vacation we had with my brother. And this year, when my mom asked for a family photo, we all put on a nice outfit and smiled for the camera without a fight. There was a distinct difference in our attitudes, because now we are so grateful for these pictures and for these memories.

So in honor of my brother, here are those family photos we took just a couple years ago! They warm my heart to see. I’d like to give credit to Justin Derato for taking these beautiful photos! What a gift they have been to my family.

And now some photos our friend, Megan Wathen, took this summer! Please note the addition of my husband, Jonathan and niece, Veronica!

Baby Wyatt {Pittsburgh Maternity & Newborn Photography}

I was always told I'd go through a period of life when all of my friends would get married. And then there would be a phase of life when they would all start having babies. Well, it appears I have hit stage 2, and I'm not complaining! There aren't many things a baby can do that aren't cute (especially from my perspective, where I don't have to change the diapers or tend to the tearful wake-up calls). From behind my camera, I can tell you that everything they do is cute - even the squishy faces and occasional cries. 

I have had the privilege of getting to follow Katie and David through this process of becoming parents, and it has been incredible! First I met baby Wyatt as a sweet little baby bump. I then got to first see his adorable little face at the hospital, and now most recently, I got to check out his crib - but no, literally. It's a super cute crib. Scroll down for a little taste of all 3 sessions!