Pittsburgh Styling {An Engagement Photo Shoot}

July 6, 2011

In today’s world of engagement photo shoots, gone are the stiff posed portraits and formal studio backdrops, and in are the days of props, set styling, themes, unique locations and FUN that reflect the couple and their interests! Enter Gina and Brian…clients of Elizabeth Craig of Craig Photography in Pittsburgh. This vibrant and adorably earthy couple chose the beautiful Mellon Park as the site for their engagement shots and now have memories of a lifetime!

Let me digress a bit before I share the images that are to die for…When Elizabeth contacted me to participate in styling the shoot I was so excited. I LOVE working with her and John and have been a big fan of their skillful and artistic work for so long. Seriously brides, you need to contact this talented couple for a consultation and hire them on the spot! They have an amazing work ethic, love the industry, are intensely loyal to the integrity of their clients and above all and most importantly– TAKE THE MOST STUNNING PHOTOS!

I approached this shoot wanting to create three distinctly different looks for Brian and Gina from our arsenal of JPC decor collections. I settled on: shabby chic bistro, vintage charm, and modern sophistication. The rest was up to Elizabeth to bring the talent, and Brian & Gina to bring the love!

First up shabby chic bistro.

A collection of our shabby chic picture frames, fresh gerbera daisies and hydrangeas, cherries, beautiful linens from Chaircovers and Linens, and custom created B and G monograms for the chairs. Funny side note that we created the monograms for “Bride and Groom” and realized when we arrived that they were appropriate for “Brian and Gina” too!

[Just love how Elizabeth captured them in the mirror!]

Next up vintage charm…

this look included a log slice, birch bark vase covers, purple and sage florals and wild flowers, moss, a vintage amish quilt Rick gave me as a wedding gift 23 years ago, a rustic chair, our favorite tree bowl filled with fresh organic raspberries, a sweet treat from our kitchen and a sentimental prop.

[The vintage ironing board belonged to my Great Grandmother Ethel! how fun I got to use it so uniquely!]

[Fresh Frangipane Almond Raspberry mini pies from the JPC kitchen- delish!]

[I love the washed out sepia tone Elizabeth applied to this photo to create a vintage look!]

And for the final set: modern sophistication.

When you are already in such a lovely location filled with natural beauty, and the Gods have smiled and given you the perfect azure sky with the fluffiest white clouds, sleek whiteness with reflective surfaces and softening elements of “million star” and organza are your best compliments. That in mind we gathered some of our favorite pieces from our extensive JPC mercury glass collection, along with a piece from our white leather lounge seating collection and hand fashioned a wreath and garland of million star. The results– stunning.

This was just so much fun, and gave us a chance to showcase a few of our JPC decor and floral collections! Thank you to Elizabeth and John Craig of Craig Photography for including us and sharing the amazing photos, and MUCH HAPPINESS to Gina and Brian! Check out Elizabeth’s blog for her take on the shoot– http://craigphotography.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/engagement-photography-mellon-park-gina-brian/ and http://craigphotography.wordpress.com/2011/07/06/pittsburgh-engagement-photographers-mellon-park-gina-brian/ .

One more thing before I sign off…thanks to our daughter Makenzie for postponing her birthday a day so that we could particpate…

Jody Wimer
Founder/Creative Director