Laurel Highlands Portrait Session: Abrey + Anthony

It’s past time I introduce you to Abrey and her little guy, Anthony! I got connected with these two through a mutual friend back in Pennsylvania and after a few chats, Abrey set up a session!

We met at Twin Lakes Park in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on a particularly hot and humid day. Luckily for me, these guys were my last session for the day so we had plenty of time to let Mr. Anthony run around!

Mom, Abrey, was so good about dressing her little man. I love a timeless, classic outfit and this Mama hit the nail on the head. I even fell in love with their accessories. That red, white and blue ball cap was just too cute! And, Mom’s chambray dress was perfect for the occasion.

After running around in the woods for a bit, we made our way to the rhododendron bushes near the front of the park. These guys were in full bloom and I knew they would be the perfect backdrop for a few Mommy and Me photos!

As little boys tend to do, Anthony began to wander around a bit. Mom informed me that he was very much on the move these days! He was climbing stumps and picking up just about every stick he could find.

As the sun began to set, I made sure that we got this little guy wound down. Mom hd brought along a light blue and white striped blanket that coordinated ever so perfectly with their outfits and I directed this girl to just love on her little guy. Abrey snuggled Anthony and he snuggled his teddy bear!

Having just began to walk, I wanted to make sure that we captured a few of this little man while he was on the move. Under normal circumstances, the babes run/slowly/drunkenly walk to me but not this little guy, he has mastered putting one foot in front of the other and honestly, I cannot wait to see where he goes next!

Huge thanks to Abrey and Anthony for a wonderful afternoon of exploring the park. I look forward to seeing you both again!!

To book your unique Portrait Session, email therustienailhead@gmail.com for packages and pricing details! I cannot wait to see what you have in mind!

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Laurel Highlands Portrait Session: The Grasmick Boys

The Grasmick Boys are back on the Blog! These cuties were featured last summer when little man, Dean, was just learning how to walk.  You can check out last year’s session here. Well, it’s no surprise here that Dean isn’t just walking. He is a running, tumbling wild man, just like his Daddy and his big brother, Miles!

 

We met on a warm day at Twin Lakes Park in Greensburg, Pennsylvania for an evening of playing on the swings and climbing a few trees. As usual, these little guys kept me on my toes!

 

I don’t know how but Miles definitely got more handsome in the last year! It was so good to see his smile, even with that front tooth missing!! He was happily helping his little brother climb rock formations and showing Dean which way he should sit for the photos! I was so impressed!

 

We stopped by the Veteran Memorial to pay our respects and these little guys raced their way around the flags. There wasn’t a better way to spend our Memorial Day Weekend.

 

I am so glad this group came out for our Spring Minis. It is always so nice to catch up with their Mama, Colby, and my longtime pal and their Dad, Doobie. They were asking about Baby Norris and wanted to know if we were having a boy or a girl and when I told them I didn’t know, they both grinned. Mom and Dad had waited to find out what Baby Grasmick would be and they both seem pretty pleased that their blue eyed baby, Dean, was the result!

 

These boys are wild and crazy and soooooo very sweet. Miles is the helpful, loving big brother and Dean is the adventurous little guy practicing his “Cheese” face 24/7! I was so glad that I had the chance to run around with these guys for a bit and I hope I get the chance to do it again soon!

 

To book your unique Portrait Session, email therustienailhead@gmail.com for pricing and packaging details! I cannot wait to see what you have in mind!

Laurel Highlands Portrait Session: Brit + Izzy

I have been waiting quite a long time to get this little peanut in front of my camera and I am so glad that I finally had the opportunity over Memorial Day Weekend! Ya’ll, Meet Izzy and her Mama, Brit!

You would never know it by looking at her now, but this little pumpkin came into the world when her Mama was only 32 weeks along. After spending close to 50 days in the NICU, Isabella Nicole came home and has been thriving ever since! She just turned 1 back in January and has been walking and running ever since!

Brit reached out when she heard about our Memorial Day Weekend Minis and booked a Mommy + Me session with her sweet little lady! She had the cutest vision in mind too! She wanted to dress Izzy in a tulle maxi skirt and flower crown. Talk about a dream come true session!

We met at Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania shortly after a storm hit the area and the lighting was just perfect! Izzy’s curls wrapped ever so tenderly around her sweetheart rose crown and Mama’s lavender and pink dress was the perfect compliment to her baby girl’s mauve colored lace top!

Did I mention that Isabella brought her A-game?! Seriously, she is the happiest baby ever and had so many perfect smiles for our session! It was hard to choose which ones to put in their gallery!

Once the humidity kicked into high gear, I suggested we all take a short break in the air conditioned cars.  I am a big believer in not pushing the little ones and I was so glad that Brit followed my lead on this. Once they start to show signs of being “done”, I listen and usually, the little ones calm down, Mom can check her make-up and hair and then we’re back at it like we never even took the break. Once we got a little water and some cool air, Mama, Baby + the super preggo photographer were all smiles!

I had so much fun at this session and I am so thankful that Brit trusted me to photograph this sweet memory for her family! This was just Part One though! Stay tuned for a behind the scenes look at Part Two, when my bestie, Emily, and her newborn babe, Liam, joined these lovely gals for a few family photos!

If you would like to book your unique Portrait Session with me, email therustienailhead@gmail.com to discuss pricing, packaging and to book! I cannot wait to see what you have in mind!

 

Engagement Session: Sam & Andrew

Are you guys ready for the most adorable engagement session?!? I had the great pleasure of documenting this special time for a longtime family friend, Samantha, and her sweet fiancé, Andrew, while I was back in Pennsylvania and I have been itching to share a few highlights with you guys!

 

Samantha is the very best friend to my younger cousin, Lisa, and over the years, I have had the great pleasure of watching their sweet friendship blossom. We’ve spent 21st birthdays together and almost every Memorial Day for the last 10 years chilling by the pool. Flash forward to today and these childhood besties are still going strong hence the reason I felt compelled to love on Sam and her adorable fiancé.

 

This session has been in the books for quite some time now. When we first started talking about engagement photos, she mentioned that she would love to have fall colors in her photos since they would be getting married in October. I love that she wanted to incorporate the beautiful fall foliage of the Laurel Highlands into their shoot so I made it a point to fly back in November to help make her wish come true!

 

We could not have picked a better week for a portrait session. Though it was a little bit chilly, the colors were in full force and I couldn’t wait to capture these two celebrating their love story. We decided to meet at Linn Run State Park in Ligonier, Pennsylvania for an afternoon basking in the last little bit of sunlight before Daylight Savings hit.

 

We started our shoot at Adams Falls. We even blew off a few smoke bombs but I am not gonna lie, the shots were no bueno. My assistant, aka My Mama, wasn’t the best special effects coordinator so we ended up with a few photos of these two choking on the smell of the sulphur but I gotta give them props, both Andrew and Sam just laughed it off.

 

It is amazing how much I got to learn about these two while photographing these images. Considering how long I have known them, I thought had their personalities down to a T but sure enough, they kept surprising me. Sam and Andrew have 2 completely different personalities. Sam is wild and crazy, witty and so hilarious at all the right moments and by contrast, Andrew is quiet and stoic, smart and more than happy to let Sam take the lead 80% of the time. But together, these two have their own personality. Together, they both smile bigger and brighter. They have that sort of affection that only could only come from really knowing one another. After all these years together, I think it is fair to say that these sweethearts have got it figured out.

 

After playing around at Adams Falls for a bit, I told them to jump in the car to follow me on a little adventure. We raced our way down the mountain towards a dirt road for those really pretty natural light photos and then we made our back towards Ligonier so we could fence-hop. Yes, I do trespass with my clients’ consent and thank goodness these two are always down for an adventure. We made our way to a small stream that was surrounded with sugar maples and elm trees. When the light began to flicker in, these two got their snuggle on for some of the most adorable shots.

Our last set of images were the best. Sam wanted to add a little personal touch to their shoot. Since they got engaged in New York City, she had brought along the infamous “I LOVE NY” shirts for a few fun shots.  I even laughed out loud when I realized that Andrew had been wearing it all along under his flannel! Smart guy, he is!

 

If I were to offer any solid piece of advice to these two as they embark on this wonderful journey together,  it would be this…

 ‘It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love, rivers cannot wash it away.” Song of Solomon 8: 6-7

In other words, love each other hard through all of it because there will be good and there will be bad but you guys, you will always have each other to lean on. Remember that and remember that marriage is work, really hard work but the absolute best kind of work too. Stay true to your love for one another and you two will be golden. Oh, and Congratulations!!