Newborn Photography | Introducing Baby Christian

I had wonderful time cuddling this little cutie pie to sleep – another aspect about newborn photography that I love!  He tried his hardest to stay awake the whole time, but he caught a few winks towards the end of the session. ;)

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Thanks, Meghan and Dennis, for bringing in your precious little man in to the studio.   Congratulations!!

Aaron - So cute! I love his little army pants and the dog tags :)

Jenny - aaawwww… such sweet images.

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Pittsburgh Engagement: Cara & Scott

A perfect, sunny evening in Pittsburgh with an awesome couple and their three adorable dogs – what more could a photographer ask for?  I met up with Cara and Scott for a stroll through Riverview Park, which has a great off-leash area for dogs.  Their family members were kind enough to babysit their furry children while I had Cara and Scott alone for a while, bringing them in for the second half of the session.  Doesn’t Cara have one of the most dazzling smiles you’ve ever seen?

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Look at that gorgeous golden lighting…swoon.

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Oh yeah…a little to the left…that’s the spot.  Ahhhhhh….

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Cara and Scott, I had a fabulous time with you both.  Can’t wait for the wedding in July!!

 

Amanda - Mmmm delicious delicious backlighting… and adorable dogs! Love this new processing you’re doing. Whatever it is I like it 110% I think if you like it as much as i do that you have definitely arrived at your “style”.

Aaron - I’m loving that backlighting too! These are great. The wide shot of the “almost kiss” under the tree is definitely my favorite, and I love the B&W shot!

Jenny - I love this session. The backlighting, the processing, the one with them sitting under the tree, the black and white one, and of course the one with all three dogs with their backs towards the camera. I agree with Amanda that this feels so You.

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Baby Photography | Introducing Baby Declan

When a friend has a baby, it makes a newborn session all the more special for me.  I am so happy for my dear friend Mollie, who is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.  We go way back, from when I worked as the Activity Director at a nursing home.  Mollie, who was one of my assistants, was someone that I could always count on, rain or shine; words can not describe how grateful I am for all the times that Mollie pulled through for me when I needed her, always going the extra mile, always someone I could place my complete trust in.  A friend like that is truly priceless.

I love this first image, and I have my Dad to thank for the awesome tree stump prop.  He actually hollowed out the inside with a chainsaw to make it easier to move around, plus he made another one for me that has bark.  Thanks, Dad!!

Look how precious, smiling in his sleep.  I wonder what he’s dreaming about.

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My photog friend Aaron Varga was there to help out, and I must say, I was impressed with his ability to jump right in and learn how to calm the baby. Thanks, Aaron!

 

Mollie, congratulations on your little one.  I am so happy for you – he is going to be the joy of your life!  XOXO  Sandy

Aaron - Woah, who is that helpful and incredibly talented assistant you have there!? :)

These photos are just beautiful. I love that you captured the split second where Declan smiled, and I really like the two of mom & baby; such great emotion.

Sandy - Lol, he’s awesome, isn’t he? And he really IS helpful and incredibly talented! :)

Amanda - Ooo tree stump ! I can just picture you and Eric rolling those into the car and strong-arming them back to the studio ! Made of a great photo – Props to Aaron for being the baby whisperer!

Jenny - Sandy, these photos are so beautiful. Love the first one.

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Maureen & Art|Phipps Conservatory Wedding

It’s been a while since I posted a wedding, dear Reader!  I have been obsessed with building up the newborn and child photography part of my business – but never fear, my brides and grooms-to-be, I haven’t forgotten you!  I have a number of weddings I want to share with you, but I thought I would start with my most recent wedding.  (My photog friend Amanda would be proud of me for setting aside my Obsessive Compulsive Chronilogical Blogging Disorder.)

Maureen and Art were blessed with a beautiful afternoon of sunny weather for their ceremony at the outdoor garden at Phipps Conservatory; the weather forecast was threatening rain, but it held off just for them!

 

Aren’t this little lego bride and groom adorable??

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Maureen’s dress was simply stunning.  There is no other word for it.

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Their wedding was full of sweet little details.

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They had their rings custom made by a local artist – how cool is that?

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Art and his son had awesome Lego cuff links.

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Love this reaction to seeing Maureen in her dress.

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A moment between mother and daughter.

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Before the wedding, Maureen told Art that she just got a “simple dress”.  I loved the look on his face when he saw his gorgeous bride walking down the aisle in that amazing dress.  Wowza!

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Art’s brother explained the meaning of a special part of the ceremony, something akin to the unity candle or a sand ceremony, but truly unique.  He began by telling the story of how Maureen, Art, and his kids went on a hike together, and they each found the perfect stick.  They took them home and decorated them, adding ribbons with words and phrases written on them, like favorite pastimes, memories, and other things that were meaningful to them personally.  Then they placed them in an urn full of sand, until the wedding day when they would bind the sticks together.

 

 

 

Image by Jenny.

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My second shooter, Jenny, was so thoughtful to bring coins for Maureen and Art to make a wish in the fountain.  I am sure it brought back some fond memories for Jenny, who had her wedding ceremony in the Broderie Room, photographed by yours truly. :)  Thanks, Jenny!

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One more look at Maureens fabulous dress, which had so many cool details.

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Jenny and I took a moment to have a delightful caffeinated beverage. :D

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I just love this shot of a romantic kiss in the pouring rain.

 

Maureen and Art, thank you for allowing me to capture your amazing wedding day!  (((Hugs))) Sandy

If you liked the images from this wedding, dear Reader, take a moment and like me on Facebook!

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Ceremony/Reception Venue: Phipps Conservatory

Florist: Mt. Lebanon Floral Shop

Entertainment: Steven Vance (String Trio during ceremony), Hard & Purdy (DJ)

Cake: Oakmont Bakery

Makeup: Susie Popovich (412) 951-2774

 

 

Shannon - OMG – what a cool wedding!! Love all the little details, and the CAKE!! WOW!

Aaron - Sandy, these are just incredible. I seriously love every single one! The detail shots are fantastic, and I’m always impressed with your ability to capture great reactions and emotion. And that last pic is AWESOME! I’ve been dying to get a backlit kiss shot in the rain! Well done :)

Amanda - WOW! You guys outdid yourself this time! These are all awesome, what a fantastic wedding ! There are too many favorites for me to pick from here, the rain shot, the low angle in the broderie room, the shot of maureen with the flower girl walking under the arch, and so many more. I looked at these and thought – I can’t wait till you shoot my wedding so that I can have shots that capture moments like this :-)

Sandy - Aw, thanks Amanda. :)

Sandy - Thanks Aaron! Let me tell you, I was seriously excited that Maureen and Art gave me a few minutes after the reception to take that picture. I’ve been waiting for a willing couple to do a shot like that for the longest time! :)

Sandy - Thanks Shannon!

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Maternity Photos Pittsburgh|Tanya & Josh

This is my second maternity session with this wonderful couple, and I am honored to be the one to capture the growth of their family.  Thanks Tanya and Josh!  ((Hugs))  Sandy

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Amanda - I love shot #2 with all three of them ! So perfect! What a great moment captured for their family :-)

Aaron - Awesome photos! It doesn’t hurt that it’s a great-looking family either :)

Jenny - Great photos. Love the second photo with the whole family.

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Children’s Photography Pittsburgh|Red-haired Beauty

I am always sooo excited when I get repeat clients, because it means that I get to see their little ones grow!  And when that little one is a gorgeous little red-haired beauty like little Miss A, I am just giddy.  LOVE me some red hair.

I’ve known Miss A since she was a baby bump, and here she is at 8 months.  Not only does she have red hair, but a style that kind of reminds me of Conan O’Brien.  :)

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And of course it’s always nice to see the furry members of the family again, too.

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Love this stage of baby-hood.

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You gotta love the attitude in this one.  Cuteness overload!!

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I cannot wait to capture her next milestone!

Want to know more about setting up a session for your precious little one?  More information here.

Like me on Facebook!

 

 

Anna - Oh my GOODNESS look at that hair and those eyes! shes so precious! such an expressive little bean. I love the second to the last one so much

Suzanne - Oh my goodness! There are no words to describe how ADORABLE that last image is! That needs to go up on the wall BIG! great capture. Wonderful work :-)

Jenny - Wow! Absolutely love the last image.

Amanda - Adorable shots! Also – totally dig the new blog logo on the images…the dragonfly is flying “right” and everything ! So cool looking !

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Baby Pictures Pittsburgh|Little Miss R

 

Did I ever tell you how much I love photographing babies?  I have?  Oh, sorry – I can’t help repeating myself.  I just love photographing babies!!  (Oops – there I go again! :))

Meet 7 month old Little Miss R, who just lit up my studio the moment she entered!

 

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She’s the prettiest little flower I’ve ever seen!

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I love how babies are playing with their toes at this age.  So cute!

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Thank you, Elizabeth and Mike, for bringing your little darling to my studio!

Find out more about setting up a baby session!

Jenny - Oh Sandy! These are awesome. I looove the third one, and the one where she look at the pearls, and the one where she is sitting on the yellow chair…. So hard to choose favorites when they are all so good.

Suzanne - Love these! The flower pot one is just too too cute! Love the black and whites. Gorgeous!

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Newborn Photographer Pittsburgh|Sweet Adeline

This little sweetheart was a a delight to photograph.  Here she is, framed by a gorgeous new product that I am really excited to now offer: Organic Bloom Frames.  Organic Bloom frames are elegant and curvy with a distressed finish that I just adore.  Thank you for modeling the frames so beautifully, Little Miss Adeline!

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Aaron - SOOO adorable! I absolutely love the last one; I’m such a sucker for tiny little squished faces :) The frames are a perfect fit too.

jen mcken - I’m jealous of your newborn photos :-) Awesome!!!

Amanda - White hat – totally my favorite !

Jenny - Love the last one. These frames are so cool too.

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Mommy and Me | Maternity Photos Pittsburgh

I’ve been photographing this family since the time when they were just a couple, waiting for the birth of their first child.  How lucky am I that I get to watch this family grow?  This moment between mother and daughter is so sweet!

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Amanda - SOO CUTE ! I love the last two the best :-D

Aaron - Beautiful photos! I agree with Amanda, the last two are my favorites!

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New Logo, New Website, New Blog, New Everything!

Or, as I like to call it, the long-awaited release of “Sandy 3.0”!  At last, dear Reader, I have finally been able to finish all the changes I have been working on for months.  At last, I have a clearer direction for my brand, one that feels more like “me” than ever before.  I am sooo excited!

The first thing you’ll notice is the new logo in the blog header.  I worked closely with a wonderful artist I found on Etsy, who designed it with just the right mix of elegance and whimsy that I was looking for.  I put the logo in a static blog header, rather than a flash header like I had before, to make it more iPhone/iPad-friendly, and reinforce brand recognition.

The next thing you might notice is the whole new color scheme/blog theme.  I wanted something a little more of a subtle, organic, earthy feel to it.  Overall I think it has a cleaner look than before, and I love it!

My sweet husband added a Facebook comment box to the bottom of every post for me; now you can either comment on the blog itself, or click on the little “thumbs up” like button and comment via your Facebook profile if you are logged in.  I’m hoping this will drive more traffic to my blog, so please feel free to leave me some Facebook blog love any time!

I have two new websites, one specifically for weddings, and one for baby and child photography; both are accessed through a single splash page.  You still only need to know one web address as before, which is www.redlotusphotography.com.  The new websites now feature full-size photos for that “wow” factor, and now that I have separated the two types of photography, each viewing experience has a clearer direction than before.  I want to give a shout out to my girl Amanda Wilson for designing the awesome pinkish-gold textured background with faded handwriting that graces my children’s website – thanks Amanda!

 

 

There are lot of other changes I’ve been making and am planning to make, but these are the biggies.  So, look around, check things out, kick the tires a bit.  And then come back here and pretty please, leave me some blog love below!!

Marcia Furman - Everything looks wonderful Sandy!

Amanda - I love how everything turned out ! You just get better all the time ! I’m so jealous, I miss my blog :-(

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B E   I N   T H E   K N O W !