Winter Mini Session at Phipps for Zach Reed and family
Sewickley PA, Outdoor, Family, City Karina Sewickley PA, Outdoor, Family, City Karina

Winter Mini Session at Phipps for Zach Reed and family

Winter Mini sessions in the City.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens look gorgeous in any weather and any season, even when the skies are threatening with rain any minute.

Love how Zach’s family played with the earth colors in their outfits. I personally have a weak spot for light dresses combined with cowboy boots. So fitting for winter and just gorgeous!

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Alena’s Studio Headshots in Pink

Alena’s Studio Headshots in Pink

We were creating headshots for Sewickley Academy’s senior school musical and Alena asked me to keep these portraits as well. I’m in the process of creating a wall art showroom in the studio and these portraits will be a great addition.

Keep an eye for the musical action shots in early March. I’ve just been backstage and the decorations promise to be stunning!

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Winter Mini Session for Rufa Akhmedli

Winter Mini Session for Rufa Akhmedli

Winter mini sessions.

Rufa Akhmedli wanted a bunch of portraits to use on her Instagram account. They had to look different enough, as if taken on separate occasions. Rufa brought 3 charges of clothes and I was amazed how quickly she changed into yet another gorgeous outfit within the allocated 30 minutes still keeping her poise.

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Winter Mini Session for Victoria Detweiler and her new husband
Sewickley PA, Outdoor, Family, Winter Karina Sewickley PA, Outdoor, Family, Winter Karina

Winter Mini Session for Victoria Detweiler and her new husband

Winter mini sessions.

Victoria Detweiler booked a session for all her extended family but it was so cold that day that the rest of the siblings chickened out.

I always say that the brave and stoic get it all. Victoria’s session turned into a romantic shoot with her new husband who went along with any idea I came up with on how he could say “I love you” to his young bride in a silent photograph.

I wish all the happiness in the world to this sweet and beautiful couple.

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From Pennsylvania with Love - February 2022 edition

From Pennsylvania with Love - February 2022 edition

New Nikon camera with Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 again.

I had to bring this lens again into the woods as the light conditions were perfect to capture the sunshine reflected in every single icicle on the the branches. In my eyes the sparkly winter wonderland wins over the bright-colored fall foliage we enjoy in Western Pennsylvania

I wanted the snow fairytale and I got it and now it’s gone sadly. I must say judos to Joyka who patiently waited for me stopping every five minutes and completing our morning hike only by lunchtime that day.

If you would like to lend me your dog to test this camera’s boundaries, please reach out. :-)

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Testing Nikon’s focus tracking in combination with an ultra-wide lens

Testing Nikon’s focus tracking in combination with an ultra-wide lens

I continue testing my new Nikon camera - this time with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 on.

It was the last day when we could enjoy the light reflected from every single surface - leaves, tree branches, snow flakes before it all melted away. I thought that I needed an ultra-wide lens to capture the overall atmosphere of the ice kingdom while it lasted.

What I also love about shooting wide is this wonderful feeling of a participant in the scene, not a distant observer.

If you would like to lend me your dog to test this camera’s boundaries, please reach out. :-)

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Fall Mini Session for Briana Honrath and her family

Fall Mini Session for Briana Honrath and her family

It was pure joy photographing Briana’s family: 2.5-year-old daughter Aurora, husband Marc, his mother Pat and two friendly labradoodles Leonardo and Arnold. It was mostly chaotic but also organized, if you know what I mean. They certainly came well-prepared for the shoot and I just love the results of our mutual efforts.

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Fall Mini Session for Casey Platt and her family

Fall Mini Session for Casey Platt and her family

Casey was looking for family photos with her husband and her two little girls: 2-year-old Ella and baby Olivia. As always with photo sessions involving young children, we went along with the girls’ moods and impulses. Thus having given up on ideal backgrounds or elegant poses, we captured plenty of genuine smiles, hugs and kisses. The images below were Casey’s favorites.

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Testing Nikon’s focus tracking with a hyper-active dog playing in the snow

Testing Nikon’s focus tracking with a hyper-active dog playing in the snow

I decided to test my new Nikon camera with all my lenses. This time I have Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 on.

Love this lens for its versatility. I can start shooting Joyka when he’s quite far away and keep zooming in until he bumps his head on the lens cap (he does this quite often actually). Wide angle shots give the feeling of presence, as if you are part of the scene. Zoomed in shots offer a nice separation from the background. Both options are available within milliseconds by turning the zoom wheel on the lens all the while the dog is closing up on me.

The only downside is the aperture that wouldn't go wider than f/4 but then again, when the background is not completely obliterated, it offers great for story telling.

Regardless of the distance from the subject or numerous distracting objects around it, the camera locks its focus dead on Joyka’s eye with an amazing sharpness!

If you would like to lend me your dog to test this camera’s boundaries, please reach out. :-)

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Testing Nikon Z9 focus tracking: dog on the run

Testing Nikon Z9 focus tracking: dog on the run

I am getting to know my brand new Nikon Z9 camera and its outstanding focus tracking abilities, this time with Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 on.

Joyka is finally cleared for unlimited physical activity, so we are back to daily hiking. This Golden loves to run fast. Anyone who ever tried to photograph a dog galloping at you knows that it’s not easy to get your photos in focus. But not with the Nikon Z9! This camera tracks not just Joyka, but his eye with admirable determination. Every single shot. Wow!

If you would like to lend me your dog to test this camera’s boundaries, please reach out. :-)

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Sherman Bailey - Headshots for a Certified Engineer

Sherman Bailey - Headshots for a Certified Engineer

Congratulations to Sherman Bailey for achieving an important career milestone - becoming a certified engineer. Thank you for trusting me to create your business portraits and purchasing a few extra prints for personal use.

Great job on preparing perfect outfits and looking confident and handsome during our session.

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