Tabitha and Bryan’s downtown engagement session was so much fun. These two were playful and relaxed, which made the photos feel like scenes straight out of their own rom-com. Instead of stiff poses or forced smiles, they just enjoyed being together which is exactly the heart of my work.
One of my biggest priorities during an engagement session in Pittsburgh is protecting a couple’s ability to be present. Your session should feel like time spent together, not a photoshoot you have to perform for. With Tabitha and Bryan, that meant lots of laughter, inside jokes, and quiet pauses that showed their connection.
The best photos aren’t always the prettiest or most polished. They’re the ones that feel real — like the way Tabitha scrunched her nose when Bryan made her laugh or how his whole face lit up when he looked at her. Those are the moments that matter.
The beauty of a Pittsburgh engagement session is the variety the city gives us. From historic architecture to gritty textures, bridges to skyline views, there’s space for every kind of story. For Tabitha and Bryan, Downtown fit their personalities perfectly: bold, fun, and a little unexpected.
My approach is what I call guided freedom. I’ll give just enough direction to help couples feel comfortable, then step back so they can actually enjoy being with each other. The result is photos that look natural and feel true to who they are.
As the sun dipped lower, we stopped for a drink and a reset — something I always recommend. Engagement sessions aren’t about rushing through a checklist. They’re about slowing down together. Once refreshed, we headed back out into the night to capture Pittsburgh’s city lights.
The shift from golden hour to glowing streetlights gave Tabitha and Bryan’s Pittsburgh engagement session a cinematic feel. The city became part of their story, framing their laughter and their quiet moments with equal weight.
If you’re planning your own Pittsburgh engagement session, choose a spot that feels like you — whether that’s Downtown, Mount Washington, or a favorite park. The best sessions aren’t about performance. They’re about being yourselves and letting your story unfold, frame by frame.