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Michelle and Francis are Engaged
Not everyone getting married in Pittsburgh actually lives in Pittsburgh. Michelle and Francis live in Delaware but are having their wedding this fall at the Grand Hall at the Priory. They were in town last weekend and we caught a break in the weather for their engagement session on Friday afternoon. We started at the Mellon Institute. It was a regular work day, but there weren’t too many people around. I think we even scared away a smoker or two. Michelle and Francis are awesome! And super funny too. They are both engineers, and the three of us get along well together. Michelle and Francis met through a mutual friend…
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Sarah and Sam–On a Boat! And Married!! – Wedding on the Gateway Clipper
Sam and Sarah met nearly ten years ago when they were freshman in college at Carnegie Mellon. They didn’t start dating until after college when their friendship transformed into a great relationship. Even though neither of them are Pittsburgh natives, they are enjoying the city so much–spending time with their dog, Ruby, and time on their own boat (that is where Sam proposed.) How appropriate to have their wedding in Pittsburgh AND on a boat! Yesterday Ryan and I had the enormous pleasure of photographing Sarah and Sam’s wedding on the Gateway Clipper. Ryan began his day with Sam and the groomsmen. Below, Sam and Ruby taking it easy. And…
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Balloon Ride in Napa Valley
On Wednesday, we awoke at 4:30am to board an early morning balloon ride through Napa Valley. Well, kind of Napa Valley. We were actually chased out of Napa Valley by thick fog so instead took our flight in nearby Central Valley, where lots of the country’s food is grown. First the “inflation.” We were all careful not to call it a “blow up.” My guy, Ryan. “Gregory the Great” Our balloon, “Victory.” I was obsessed with these cannons and the fire. 315,000 cubic feet of air. The balloon (empty) weighs 700lbs, the basket and tanks add 1300lbs, and the 20 passengers about 3,000lbs to total 2.5 tons. After takeoff, the…
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Fireworks in the Fog
On the Fourth of July, we joined our friends in San Francisco to celebrate. Stephanie and Josh made dinner for us followed by lovely patriotic dessert. Then, in grand San Francisco style, fireworks in the fog. And my new friend on a bike Happy 4th!
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Yosemite National Park – Mariposa Grove Giant Sequoia Trees
For our third day of hiking, we took a quick 5 mile stroll around Mariposa Grove–home of Giant Sequioa Trees! A sign to show the scale of and endurance of the Grizzly Giant. Naturally occurring (or carefully prescribed) forest fires are good for the Sequioas. The fires burn off weaker species, create rich soil, and cause pine cones to burst and release Sequoia seeds. I was pretty tired of walking, so Ryan was tempting me along with cocoa-roasted almonds. Shaking the container like I was an animal. Oh and at this time we saw a coyote! so we started yelling and waving our arms so he would run away. The…