As Rachel and Bary both live out of town, currently in separate cities, we made some time together on Black Friday for their engagement shoot. We began at their (and my!) alma mater, Carnegie Mellon.

After a quick stop to the place where they had their first kiss, we did most of the shoot at Mellon Park.

Rachel and Bary have quite a height difference. I asked if Bary ever picked Rachel up and the answer, surprisingly, was No. I love Rachel’s face here.

My favorite from their shoot

For our final stop, Pittsburgh’s North Shore for an amazing late November sunset…..at 4:56pm.

Congratulations, Rachel and Bary! I’m so excited to work with you.

Briana also mentioned that she loved creative photography and was willing to try any crazy thing I wanted to photograph.  For their engagement session, they chose a rural location on Tim’s family’s property.  She promised (and delivered) open fields, old tractors, and two happy people.  Some of my favorites….

While I was driving to their session, it was raining the entire time.  I was sure it was going to clear (it did), and we were rewarded for our patience with beautiful light!

Also on the property was this rusty, old blue pickup truck.

Good thing I didn’t see these new friends until I was done shooting from inside of the cab.

These two are totally adorable!

See what I mean about this amazing light?!?!?!?

Their dog, George, was around for some of the shots too.  Here are one of the few shots were I didn’t get “dog butt” in my shot.

For a while,  I’ve wanted to shoot an engagement session with balloons.  After meeting her, I knew that Briana would be really  into this, and she was.  I bought the balloons and after breaking four balloons on the way to the session, I told Briana and Tim I might not post these images on my blog.  But I couldn’t resist, as they were some of my favorites.

Especially this last one.

Briana and Tim, it was great working with you and I’m so excited about your wedding this October!

I am so thrilled to be photographing their wedding this summer at Lingrow Farm!

Here are their engagement photos from the Allegheny Commons Park and the Mexican War Streets area of Pittsburgh.  Beautiful smiles!

Tabetha was a litlle nervous because we were pressed for time during the shoot (and she had taught 6-8th graders all day).  All it took was a run through the “squeeze machine” and she was relaxed, happy, and ready to be photographed. 

One of the most important things to me is how you feel when I am photographing you.  If you are stressed out or worried about something, it will show in your photos.  Here, Tabetha and Peter spent a moment alone while I was making an equipment change.  Photo by Nicki.

A fun climb in a tree….

Our final stop was to Randyland.  I do love that name! 

I really like this building.

2 great photos….at the same time.

Photo by Nicki.

Thanks Tabetha and Peter for a great session!  See you again in July at Lingrow Farm for your wedding.

Good luck to Tabetha and her sister, Kristen, on their run in the Pittsburgh Marathon coming up on Sunday.  See you ladies there (with my camera….and not running shoes)!

Tatiana and Marc visit the Strip District in Pittsburgh often on the weekends, so we decided it was a good place to grab some photos (even better since the parks in the area as still full of trees without leaves).

They are really funny together.

Lots of kissing for this one, but it happens when the couple is seriously in love.

Funny faces sometimes come out when the photographer is too serious.  I like these way more than the serious photos.

Here is Marc making a “Tatiana Face.”  Tatiana agreed that this is definitely the face/expression she makes, complete with eye roll and sass. 

The news about Tatiana and Marc get even better–their wedding is less than 6 weeks away, so you’ll get to see them again soon!  Congratulations and good luck!

Jessi’s awesome dress.

Jessi putting on her beautiful dress.  I love Keagan on the phone.

Real laughs

Jessi and Benjamin saw each other at a private meeting before the wedding.  They got to spend a few moments alone.  Truly a rare occasion on a wedding day.  Once they had their private moments, we took a TON of photos with the two of them together.

Three photos of Jessi by Christina Montemurro.  Thanks for your help, Christina!

It was a super special time. Jessi cried at the first look meeting and Benjamin cried in the church.

How did they get this gorgeous day in November?

Beautiful

The bridal party met us at Washington and Jefferson’s campus for some group photos around the courthouse.

The famous triple kiss for this new family. Image by Christina.

You were right, Benjamin, you should have worn pink socks.  Because Jessi is totally stealing the show with those shoes and hot pink petticoat.

There it is!

If you check out the engagement photos, this is how they say “I love you” without words.

Jessi still married Benjamin even though he is a Flyers fan.  At least she is the Captain.

First Dance.  Excellent entertainment by DJ Andy Hutelmyer.

After about 10 seconds of dancing alone, they were joined by their son, Keagan.  It was so special.

More from Jessi and Benjamin…They had these jerseys made for their engagement session, but we had to keep them a secret for the wedding.  Secret’s out!

Wedding date: November 14, 2009.

Jessi is “Captain” and Benjamin “Assistant Captain.”

Penalty on Jessi!

Love this too.

Congratulations Jessi and Benjamin!!!

I really felt like I couldn’t do much to help Jacqui, but I soon learned (through lots of comments posted on facebook) that she was a fan of my photography.  What cheers a girl up more than having her photo taken and feeling fabulous?  Please enjoy these photos of Jacqui and Rich (taken very close to their first wedding anniversary) at their wedding reception site, Westwood Golf Club.

For someone going through a health challenge, Jacqui sure looks healthy and vibrant to me.  She has beautiful hazel eyes.  Her makeup was looking great too!

Rarely do I get to see a full wedding ring set in a casual portrait.  Usually I only see the bride-to-be’s engagement ring.  What a nice treat for me.

They are stinkin’ adorable!

Here, much to Rich’s refusal, they got IN this patch of tall grasses.   What’s a randi voss photo session without a little trespassing?

Again, so cute!

Rich was super concerned for Jacqui because it was getting cold.  I think their jackets look cute in this photo.  Plus, who even sees the jackets with those happy faces?

Rich was razzing her about the jacket.  I’m sure that he would have to answer to the doctor if she got sick from not wearing a jacket.  It’s all for love.

Beautiful tree for a beautiful kiss.  I had another photo planned for this spot, but had to vacate because some golfers were coming through.  That’s a hazard of shooting photos at a golf course.

Again, you can read about Jacqui on her website, tell her she looks great, and send some love her way.  Leave a comment here for her too!

Lisa and Mike were excellent and very easy to work with. Asking them to kiss was not a problem and they told me that they often gross out their friends with the affection. Sorry for their friends, but makes my job easy!

Lisa has a serious case of Fabulous Boots.

Nancy was nice enough to give us a tour of the inn. We grabbed this shot on the right on the porch swing upstairs in the Inn.

Mike was nice enough to bring me chocolate chip cookies from a Nancy B’s Bakery in Homestead near the waterfront. His mom is Nancy B, so cool!

You can see Lisa and Mike in June 2010 for their wedding (and reception at the Pittsburgh Zoo)

If you are getting married, consider the Morning Glory Inn for your wedding. They can hold up to 120 guests in this beautiful location!

These photos were taken on their beautiful property on a sun drenched evening. For real, this is where they live!

Laura’s favorite purple flower is on the left hand side of the photo in the middleground.

We took this photo in the shade of a nearby barn.  So romantic!  Laura’s ring is stunning.  Good job, Don!

Enjoy your beautiful home, you two!

It was windy at times, and Erin was wearing this little dress.  I thought it made for a fun photo.

Photo by Ryan.  He was there to help me carry things (and go out for ice cream when we were finished).

And of course, the pose that makes everyone look good.

We went indoors to the Renaissance Hotel lobby.  The staff there was super nice and even offered to turn on more lights for us.  So staff, Thanks for letting us get in the way and lounge around all over your lobby!

And a ring shot.  This is Erin’s ring in the bottom of a Martini glass on a cherry.  You can see the ring reflected and distorted in the base of the glass.  This photo was a joint effort between Erin and I, so I can’t take all of the credit.

Until October…..

Jessi and Benjamin are naturally adorable.

Jessi’s fab shoes

Everyone looks good in this pose. They are no exception.

He is so lucky to have her.

Jessi and Benjamin have a special scrunchy face to say “I love you” without words. Here they go trying to show me those faces. First Jessi..

Then Benjamin….

Cuteness in a can!

You can see more of them at their wedding arriving on November 14, 2009!