Pittsburgh Engagement Photo Ideas

The cool weather and the lovely fall leaves seem to cry out for cute couples to kiss beneath branches and snuggle up on park benches. Not surprisingly, I have quite a few engagement sessions scheduled for the next few weeks. So, I thought I'd try to help folks prepare to get their best engagement pictures with a few tips I've learned along the way.

1) (this is the most important tip): HAVE FUN. Period.

This seems too simple to be true, but it's not. If you and your fiance/e can relax and just enjoy each other's company, the photos will reflect it. That means not worrying about what happened at work that day, forgetting about the list of things you need to do for the wedding, and just focusing on the person you love the most. Even if it's just for a couple of hours amidst a hectic schedule.




2) Location, Location, Location.

I've photographed engagement sessions all over the Pittsburgh area, and I know of some really great places to go. I'm also up for the new and unexplored. So, I can give you good advice on locations, but you have to decide where you'll be most comfortable. A busy street downtown might not be your cup of tea, so a quiet park might be a better fit. Or, conversely, wandering under shaded trees just isn't your thing--and you love the idea of graffiti-ed walls and cool concrete. Let's do it!

Or, maybe you like them all--we can do that, too. Just let me know your thoughts, and we can plan for the perfect location.




3) Dress appropriately.

This is really broad--but basically, wear what you're comfortable in. And bring a change of clothes to add some variety! Just be sure not to clash with each other. Ie, avoid overly patterned clothes or colors that don't mesh well.

I loved how this couple changed things up with different outfits:






4) Be You (And Affection is OK)

Every engagement session I photograph is unique, and that's because every couple is unique. That's part of the fun--I love getting to know each of my couple's story and seeing how they interact. So, try to forget about my big camera (trust me, you will), and turn your attention on your lover.

Above, be yourselves! I loved how this couple brought their bikes, an integral part of how they met.



...and I love the simple affection here.



I hope you're looking forward to your engagement session! Let's have fun!

Jeremy Ganss Productions | Favorite Vendor

As a wedding photographer, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the best vendors in the Pittsburgh area, and I love being able to refer my brides to people who will provide quality services.

For those brides still planning their weddings, I'd like to highlight a few of my favorite vendors. I'll start with the DJ services of Jeremy Ganss.



Jeremy was the DJ for Amy and Ian's wedding back in August. To put it simply, he is the best DJ I've ever worked with. Apart from the location you choose, your DJ probably plays the most important role in determining the success of your reception. A good DJ can create an elegant atmosphere and keep the party moving, while a poor one can make guests scatter and leave you cringing from embarrassment.

Jeremy recently provided me with a copy of his F.A.Q. for prospective couples, and I thought I'd share a few with you.

How did you get started doing Weddings?

I started DJing in 1997 and started weddings soon after that in 2000. At that time, I learned first hand all the challenges weddings present. Then in 2005, I began performing full time and have been ever since. I just always had a knack for keeping guests dancing and making the evening very enjoyable for everyone WITHOUT being annoying and cheesy.

Why do you specialize in Weddings?
I am very passionate about weddings and love to see the shining faces of the varied elated guests. No other performance can bring that. I am also attracted to the challenge of music variety, the diversity of the guests, and the intense, detailed planning that Weddings demand.

How do you distinguish yourself from other DJ's?

First and foremost it would be my personalized service you receive from the first time we speak until the end of your event. I make myself available to you most anytime you need me. I answer my business line up to 10:30pm. I am also someone who is always striving for perfection in every aspect of DJing. I am always trying to improve, whether it be by buying more music, getting the newest equipment, and/or expanding my ever growing wedding knowledge.

Do you play the "cheesy" music some couples hate?

No, unless specifically requested by the Bride/Groom. It is NOT standard for me to play "the Macarena", "the Hokey Pokey" , or “The Chicken Dance” unless they are specifically requested by the Bride/Groom. Again, this is your day and you can tell me exactly what to and what not to play--it's up to you!

Why do you feel that you are on of the “Top” DJ’s in the area?
(abbreviated answer:)

Over the years, I have met, seen and/or spoken to countless other DJ's and have received endless feedback and input. I offer a unique mix of:
a.) PROFESSIONALISM.
b.) EXPERIENCE.
c.) PERSONALIZED ATTENTION.
d.) MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE.
e.) WORK ETHIC.

So, if you're looking for a DJ for your wedding, be sure to check out Jeremy Ganss.

How to Get Your Best Wedding Photos

I'm guessing that if you're reading this blog and planning a wedding, you place a high value on your wedding photos. After all, when it's all said and done, the only thing you're going to have left from your wedding is a used dress, tired feet, some frozen cake, and of course, your pictures.

So, I want to share some of the best tips I've learned for getting great wedding photos. This is also my "wish I'd known that" list when I was planning my wedding.

1. Choose a Professional Photographer

This should go without saying, but I'm including it here as the foundation for everything else. If you really do value your wedding photos, I highly recommend choosing a professional--if not me, someone else who has professional equipment and has experience shooting WEDDINGS. Also, choose a photographer whose style you like. If you don't like their style, you won't like your own wedding photos.

2. Give Yourself Some Time

This was one of my biggest regrets from my wedding--I didn't allot any time for photos outside of the church. HUGE mistake! While most of your photos will look more like this (ie, candid--which I LOVE):



The ones you'll probably want to hang on your walls may look more like this:



The truth is, you can't get those kind of shots unless you give yourself some time to take them (and a nice location doesn't hurt). How much time? As much as you can spare! Of course, you should be mindful of your guests, but you should also realize they probably expect to wait a bit for you.

I would recommend giving yourself at least 1 hour to take photos at a second location--in reality, you'll probably end up having less time as few things go as punctually as you planned. If you can spare more time, go for it!

3. Appoint a Wrangler

That's right, my brides--I may be from Texas, but I'm not kidding about this one. Find the friend, relative, or unlucky guest who has the loudest mouth and knows who is who and appoint that person to be your wrangler. Their main task is to make sure everyone who should be in a family photo is sitting in the pew ready to go when you are.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen brides having to wait on missing relatives--and that just cuts into your time for fun formals!

4. Communicate With Your Photographer

I want to know your expectations, and I want you to know how I work. That's why I include the engagement session with every package--I want to get a feel for how you and your fiancé interact, and I want you to be comfortable with me. If you've got some ideas for your wedding photos, I really want to hear them! If there's things you absolutely can't stand, let me know. I'm not really good at guessing that type of information, so you'll have to tell me about it.

5. HAVE FUN!

You've planned for months and you've covered every detail, now just enjoy your wedding day! Let everyone else sweat the small stuff! You will look gorgeous, rain or shine, trust me. I can fix little things in photoshop, but I can't create a belly-laugh-smile. If you have fun on your wedding day, your photos will be BEAUTIFUL. So relax and soak up the moments!

Rain on your wedding day?

I've been thinking about rain this week, as two of my photo shoots had to be rescheduled due to the soggy weather. Personally, I like rainy days, and fortunately, engagement and portrait shoots can usually be postponed. But, you can't postpone your wedding.

So, what should you do if it does rain on your wedding day? How can you still get nice photos?

Amazingly, none of the weddings I've shot this year have been totally rained out--but odds are, one wedding this year will be. However, that doesn't mean your photos have to be a total wash out--no lame pun intended (actually, it was). The key is to plan ahead and to prepare yourself. Rain photos can be really fun.

First, take a look at the forecast (I know this is obvious). If it looks like even a hint of rain a week out from your wedding, purchase some large umbrellas for you and your wedding party. I recommend going with solid colors--white or black. Also, if you're worried about getting your shoes wet, I would recommend buying some cheap flip flops--white, black, something simple.

As long as we don't encounter a torrential downpour, we can get some neat photos outside in the rain. This, of course, depends on how much you want to risk getting a little wet. If you absolutely don't want to risk any rain--then we won't do any outside photos. We'll find some nice spots inside your ceremony and reception locations. But, if you have an adventurous spirit, then I say bring on the rain!

These are from a bridal portrait shoot I did last summer. They were done post wedding, so the bride wasn't too worried about her dress getting wet when it started to rain.

Should Price Determine Your Wedding Photographer Choice?

The answer is yes and no. I'll try to explain.

One of my best friends and former college roommates is getting married this October in Texas, and I unfortunately already had her date booked and won't be able to photograph her big day (I'm so sorry Lesley!). So, we've been discussing wedding photographers as she is going through the process of selecting one. She has found a photographer she really likes (and so do I), but the photographer's basic package is about $500 more than she planned on spending.

So, should she choose that photographer and spend a bit more than she planned, or should she choose a photographer with a lower rate?

My first thought is this, will you be able to redo your wedding photos if you don't like them?

Of course, the answer is no. So, this is how I would suggest determining your wedding photography budget and how you choose your photographer. First, ask yourself what kind of photography style do you want. Do you prefer a traditional, posed look? Do you want purely photojournalism (no posing), or would you like something in between? Then, ask yourself how important your wedding photography is to you. This really does vary between brides and grooms. Would you be just as happy with a student or family friend photographing your wedding, or do you want a professional? Are you willing to cut other areas of your budget for photography, or is it farther down on the priority list? Lastly, come up with your baseline budget. By baseline, I mean the price you would be overjoyed to spend if you got your first choice photographer. Then, determine what your maximum budget is--there should be some room between this number and your baseline.

For example, if your baseline budget is $3,000 and your absolute maximum is $4,000, you should have some choices that fall below $3,000 and some that are in between the $3,000 to $4,000 range. Obviously, if you find a photographer that you really, really like but their lowest price is $6,000, then they are out of your budget. But, if you find one that is $3,500, you shouldn't hesitate to choose that photographer, as long as they meet all the criteria mentioned above. And, if you find your first choice for $2,500, then be excited--you've got what you wanted, and you spent less than you planned!

If your wedding photography is important to you, you should look at it as an investment that will last a lifetime. After all, good photography will last a lifetime--but so will the bad, too! Yes, price does matter when choosing your photographer, but it shouldn't be the only deciding factor.