For at least a year Christie and I were discussing how she wanted to do a Trash the Dress session. Like many people I know Christie was not satisfied with the very traditional style photos they ended up with from their wedding day. She wanted a way to get the more artistic style photos that can be created with a Trash the Dress session…and I think getting to wear the dress again for the weekend made her pretty happy too! Christie and I know each other from college where we were in the art department together so I knew they would be up for trying out pretty much anything. Rather than actually trashing her dress, we used this shoot as a chance to get some nice elegant and artistic photos which serves as a good example for all you brides out there who want to get creative but not ruin your dress. Now more about the shoot…

Christie and her husband Dave live in Pittsburgh which is conveniently where my sister lives as well so I was able to head out for both their photo shoot and my sisters birthday all in one trip. The weather that weekend was less than ideal with heavy rain rolling through every few hours but we made the most of the few hours a day we did have dry skies. I guess we should have just been thankful it wasn’t snowing after all it was October in Pittsburgh.

The first day it rained the entire morning and afternoon but finally let up in just enough time for us to get ready and head over to this amazing overlook called the West End Overlook. We were able to get some really great pictures.

By the time we were done at the overlook the sun had fully come out so we headed down to an area known as the Mexican War Streets. I’m not sure if the name is any indication of the reputation of the neighborhood but they had some really great doorways, stoops and fun colored walls to shoot in front of.

After the Mexican War Streets we headed off to the local laundry mat. I have always thought it would be a neat idea to do a photo shoot in an old school laundry mat for some reason with a bride sitting in the laundry cart. This was the result…

Since we got rained out for the majority of the day Saturday we wanted to make up for it on Sunday before I had to head to the airport. We headed out to McConnells Mill State Park. It was obviously not a place accustomed to seeing someone walk around in a wedding dress because we got quite a few stares! I’m sure it had nothing to do with the fact that the 3 of us camera bag, wedding dress, high heels and all climbed down the side of a steep drop off to get to the rocks and rivers edge below. The park had some really neat roadways and trails most of which have tall rocks on either side of them and were a pleasant change to the suburban backdrops I am used to. If you are ever in the area it is worth checking out!

Christie LOVE’S her shoes!!!

Thank you both for a fun filled weekend!!

On a random side note on the flight home I had the chance to fly past Citizen’s Bank Park right in the middle of game 4 of the World Series. The score was 1-0 in the top of the 2nd when we had to board the plane so needless to say it was a long 45 minutes until we landed and could check the score on our cell phones. We couldn’t quite make out the score board on the way by but It was very reassuring to see the huge Liberty Bell flashing as we passed. The picture is not the best due to those pesky no electronics while landing rules and being a point and shoot but hey the Phillies were in the World Series could you blame me for snapping a quick picture???