Let’s talk about something that might sound a little strange coming from someone who’s been photographing weddings for over 20 years. Your anniversary photos might eventually mean just as much to you as your wedding photos. Maybe even more. Hear me out. Your wedding day is a big deal. The dress, the flowers, the vows, the people you love gathered in one place. It’s the beginning of a whole new chapter, and absolutely worth documenting.

But here’s the thing.

Your wedding photos show where you started. Your anniversary photos show who you’ve become together. And I think there’s something pretty special about that.

As a photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, I’ve spent more than two decades photographing couples and families throughout Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania. One thing I’ve learned is that photographs don’t necessarily become meaningful because of how elaborate the occasion was. Sometimes, the photographs that matter most are the ones that remind you what life actually felt like.

Your Wedding Was the Beginning. Your Marriage Is the Story.

Think about your wedding day for a second. You probably spent months planning it. You had a timeline, a list of people who needed to be photographed, and approximately 47 things happening at once. You were excited, maybe a little nervous, and probably wondering whether everyone was having a good time. And then, just like that, it was over. Fast-forward one year. You’ve spent 365 days figuring out married life together. You’ve navigated schedules, responsibilities, everyday routines, and probably had at least one ridiculous disagreement about something neither of you can remember now. You’ve learned more about each other. You’ve grown together. And while you might not look dramatically different from the two people standing at the altar a year ago, you’re not exactly the same people, either. That’s what I love about anniversary photography. It documents the relationship beyond the wedding day. Not just the promises you made, but the life you’ve started building together.

Less Pressure. More Personality. And Honestly, Better Stories.

One of my favorite things about anniversary sessions is how relaxed they can be. There’s no wedding timeline. Nobody is waiting for you to finish portraits so they can eat dinner. You don’t have to worry about your dress getting dirty, your guests getting restless, or whether you’re running 20 minutes behind schedule. It’s just the two of you. For this particular one-year anniversary session, we had a beautiful Pennsylvania fall setting, an old rustic barn, colorful trees, and a couple who could simply enjoy being together. No elaborate setup required. And that’s exactly the point. When couples aren’t worried about everything happening around them, there’s room for their actual personalities to show up. The little glances. The way someone naturally reaches for the other person’s hand. The laughing, the leaning in, the moments that don’t need much direction. Those are the things I look for. After more than 20 years behind the camera, I’ve learned that sometimes my job isn’t to create a moment. It’s to recognize one that’s already happening.

Your Anniversary Photos Don’t Have to Look Like Wedding Photos

Here’s another thing I love about anniversary sessions: you get to make your own rules. You don’t have to get dressed up unless you want to. You don’t need a fancy venue. You don’t even need to celebrate on your actual anniversary. Maybe you choose a favorite place to spend time together. Maybe it’s a field in the fall, your own backyard, a downtown street, or somewhere that has meaning to your relationship. Maybe you wear jeans and comfortable shoes. Maybe you bring your dog. Maybe you do absolutely nothing extraordinary, and that’s what makes the photographs feel like you.

I always encourage couples to think less about what they believe professional photos are supposed to look like and more about what feels natural to them. Because 20 years from now, you’re probably not going to care whether your outfit was trendy or whether you recreated something you saw on Pinterest. You’re going to care that the photographs remind you of yourselves.

The Photographs You Don’t Realize You’ll Miss Yet

Here’s something I’ve come to appreciate more and more as I’ve gotten older, both personally and professionally. We don’t always recognize the good old days while we’re living them. We assume we’ll remember what everything looked like. The way someone smiled. The way they held us. The version of ourselves we were at a particular age. But life changes. Sometimes slowly. Sometimes all at once. And photographs have this incredible ability to bring us back to a version of life we didn’t realize we’d eventually miss. That’s why I believe in documenting more than the obvious milestones. The wedding matters. But so does the first anniversary. And the fifth. And the fifteenth.

And honestly? The random Tuesday when you decided it had been way too long since you had a decent photograph together. You don’t need to wait for something extraordinary to document a life that’s already worth remembering.

The Wedding Was One Day. Keep Documenting the Rest.

If there’s one thing I hope couples take away from this, it’s that your story doesn’t become less important after the wedding. In a lot of ways, it’s just getting started. You don’t need another big celebration, a perfectly planned outfit, or some elaborate excuse to get in front of the camera together. You just need each other. And someday, when you’re looking back through photographs from different chapters of your relationship, I think you’ll be glad you documented more than just the beginning.

Looking for an anniversary or couples photographer in Blairsville, Indiana County, or Western Pennsylvania?

I’m Jen McKen, and I specialize in photographs that feel like real people living real lives. Whether you’re celebrating your first anniversary or your twentieth, I’d love to help you document this chapter.

Let’s plan your anniversary session.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anniversary Photo Sessions

When should we schedule anniversary photos?

You can schedule an anniversary session around your actual wedding anniversary, but there’s no rule saying you have to. Many couples choose a season they love or a time of year that works better for their schedules. Fall is especially popular for couples photography in Western Pennsylvania because of the changing leaves and beautiful outdoor scenery.

What should we wear for anniversary pictures?

Wear something that feels like you. Coordinating colors and textures generally photograph better than perfectly matching outfits. You don’t need to dress formally unless that’s your style. Comfortable clothing that allows you to move, interact, and relax often works beautifully for lifestyle couples portraits.

Where can we take anniversary photos in Indiana County, PA?

There are plenty of possibilities throughout Blairsville, Indiana County, and the surrounding Western Pennsylvania area. Open fields, wooded locations, rustic barns, small-town streets, and meaningful personal locations can all make wonderful settings. I help couples choose locations based on the look they love and the kind of experience they want.

Do we have to know how to pose?

Absolutely not. Most couples aren’t professional models, and I don’t expect them to be. I’ll offer direction when it’s helpful, but I also create opportunities for you to interact naturally. My goal is for your photographs to look and feel like your relationship, not like two strangers following a posing instruction manual.

I Didn’t Become a Photographer Because I Loved Taking Pictures

Anyone Can Show You What It Looked Like. But Can They Show You What It Felt Like?

There’s a difference between a photograph that shows you what something looked like and a photograph that reminds you what it felt like. And if you’ve ever lost someone you love, you probably understand exactly what I mean.

As a wedding and family photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, I’ve spent more than 20 years documenting people’s lives throughout Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania. But here’s something you might not know about me. I didn’t become a photographer because I loved cameras. I became a photographer because I knew what it felt like to desperately wish I had more photographs of someone I could never photograph again. And that has shaped every single thing about the way I do my job.

Can We Talk About the Word “Passion” for a Second?

When I first started in photography, I used to roll my eyes every time I heard another photographer say photography was their “passion.” You know the stories. “I’ve loved photography since I was five!” “I used to flip through magazines dreaming of becoming a photographer!” “I was born with a camera in my hand!” And listen, good for them. Truly. But every time I heard it, I thought, Well, that’s nice. Can’t relate.

I didn’t grow up dreaming about aperture settings. I wasn’t collecting vintage cameras or studying fashion magazines. I didn’t have some romantic vision of becoming an artist. My story was a whole lot less glamorous. And a whole lot more painful. Over the years, I’ve realized that loving photography and understanding what a photograph can mean to someone are two different things. Neither is wrong. But I think when you’re choosing someone to document your wedding or your family, it’s worth asking what motivates the person behind the camera. Because their answer might tell you something about what they’ll notice when they’re photographing your life.

My First Camera Was Purchased With Money I Wish I’d Never Received

I was in my junior year of college when my 17-year-old sister, Nicole, was killed in a car accident. Seventeen. There are some things in life that divide everything into before and after. That was one of mine. And while losing her was devastating, there was another moment that changed me in a way I couldn’t have understood at the time. We were going through photographs for her funeral. A shoebox of pictures. And there weren’t enough. There were school portraits. Holiday photographs. Pictures of us dressed up in our Easter outfits, smiling because somebody told us to.

We had photographs of what she looked like. But I wanted MORE. I wanted the pictures where she was laughing so hard you could almost hear her. The faces she made. The way she interacted with people. The little things that made her Nicole. I wanted photographs that reminded me of what it felt like to have her here. And I couldn’t find enough of them.

Here’s the part that still gets me. We didn’t know we needed those photographs when we had the chance to take them. Nobody thinks about that when they’re living an ordinary Tuesday. Nobody thinks, I should photograph this moment because someday I’d give anything to have it back. You just assume there will be more Tuesdays. Until there aren’t.

I Bought a Camera Because I Couldn’t Go Back in Time

After Nicole died, I received insurance money. It sat in my bank account for almost a year. I couldn’t bring myself to spend it. It wasn’t money I wanted. It was money that existed because someone I loved was gone. But eventually, I made a decision. If I was going to use that money, I wanted it to mean something. So I bought my first professional camera.

I cried when I placed the order. And I made myself a promise. I couldn’t go back and photograph my sister the way I wished someone had. But I could photograph my life, my children’s lives, and other people’s lives differently. I could pay attention to the things that might not seem important right now. I could create the photographs I wished I had.

That camera was purchased because of one of the worst things that ever happened to me. And somehow, it became the beginning of something beautiful. More than 20 years later, I still carry that promise with me. In a strange way, every time I create a photograph that means something to someone, it feels like a little piece of Nicole is still part of what I’m doing.

What Something LOOKS Like vs. What It FEELS Like

Let me give you a few examples. A photograph of a bride standing next to her dad tells you what they looked like on her wedding day. But a photograph of him holding her face in his hands, trying not to cry? That tells you something about their relationship.

A photograph of a family sitting together on a blanket shows you what everyone looked like that fall. But the photograph of Mom laughing while her toddler climbs into her lap for the fifteenth time? That tells you what motherhood felt like in that season.

A photograph of Grandma smiling at the camera is wonderful. But a photograph of Grandma with her head thrown back laughing at something ridiculous Grandpa said? That might be the photograph her grandchildren treasure most someday.

And sometimes the difference is even smaller. A hand resting on someone’s shoulder. A familiar look between two people who’ve spent decades together. The way a little girl reaches for her daddy without even looking because she knows he’ll be there. Those are the things I’m watching for. Not because they’re trendy. Not because they’ll get a thousand likes on Instagram. But because I know how much those tiny, ordinary moments can mean when they’re no longer ordinary.

Your Wedding Photos Aren’t Just About Your Wedding

I think couples sometimes get so caught up in planning their wedding that they forget what they’re actually gathering everyone together for. Yes, the flowers are gorgeous. Yes, your dress deserves its own moment. And YES, we’re absolutely getting that beautiful portrait of the two of you looking like you belong on the cover of a magazine.

But you know what else I’m thinking about? Your mom. Your dad. Your grandparents. Your siblings. Your childhood best friend. The people who knew you before you were somebody’s husband or wife. All those people in one place, celebrating one chapter of your life. And here’s something that becomes more obvious the older you get.

That exact group of people, at those exact ages, in that exact season of life, will never exist again.

That’s what makes wedding photography so much bigger than pretty pictures. Someday, the photograph of your mom fastening the buttons on your dress might remind you of her hands. The photograph of your grandfather on the dance floor might remind you of how he always danced like nobody was watching. The photograph of your dad giving a speech might bring back the sound of his voice. And that candid photograph of your parents sitting together at the reception? It might become one of the most meaningful photographs you own. Not because the lighting was perfect. Because they were there.

And Family Photos? Oh, Don’t Even Get Me Started.

Parents, I’m talking to you. I know you’re worried about what to wear. I know you’re wondering if the kids will cooperate. I know somebody is probably going to have a meltdown, someone will refuse to smile, and someone else will suddenly develop an intense fascination with a stick they found on the ground. It’s fine. Haha! We’ll get the beautiful family portrait. But I want the other stuff, too.

I want the way your little boy wraps his arms around your neck. The way your daughter scrunches up her nose when she laughs. The way your kids pile onto you even though you just wanted ONE photograph where your hair looked decent. I want the chaos that makes your family YOUR family. Because someday, your house might be quiet. The toys will be gone from the living room. The shoes won’t be piled up by the door. Nobody will be yelling “MOM!” from the other end of the house approximately 47 times before lunch. And you might look at a photograph of yourself sitting in the middle of that chaos and think… God, I wish I could have just one more day like that. That’s what I want to give you.

Life Has Taught Me What Actually Matters

I wish I could say losing my sister was the only hard thing life ever handed me. It wasn’t. And while I wouldn’t wish some of those experiences on anybody, they’ve given me perspective I don’t think I could have learned from a photography workshop. Life changes. People change. People leave. Kids grow up. And sometimes the things we thought were such a big deal turn out to mean absolutely nothing compared to the things we almost overlooked.

That perspective follows me into every session. It’s why I don’t get too worked up when things aren’t perfectly posed. It’s why I pay attention to what’s happening behind me while everyone else is looking straight ahead. It’s why I might keep photographing even after you think the moment is over. Because sometimes the best part happens right after everyone stops trying to look perfect. And because I know that 20 or 30 years from now, you might see something in one of those photographs that you didn’t even notice was there.

I’m Always Photographing for Someone 30 Years From Now

Here’s a question I quietly ask myself when I’m working. How can I make this photograph mean MORE in 20 or 30 years than it does today? It’s a strange way to think about photography, I suppose. Most people are thinking about what will look good on their walls or what they’ll post on social media next week. And those things matter. I want you to LOVE your photographs right now. But I’m also thinking about the future version of you. The version whose kids have grown up. The version who has celebrated anniversaries and birthdays and graduations. The version who might be missing someone who was standing right beside them in the photograph. What would that person want to remember? Would they want to see how perfectly everyone stood? Or would they want to remember the way their dad laughed? How tightly their child used to hug them? What their family felt like before everyone grew up and life moved on? I can’t know which photograph will become the important one.

Nobody can.

But I can photograph with the understanding that every ordinary moment has the potential to become extraordinary with time. And that changes what I look for.

I Want to Be a Time Traveler

I know. Sounds a little ridiculous. But hear me out. Photography is probably the closest thing we have to time travel. A photograph can take you back to a room you haven’t walked into in 30 years. It can remind you of the way someone used to smile at you. It can bring back a laugh you haven’t heard in decades. For a second, you can almost smell the perfume they wore. Hear the music that was playing. Feel their arms wrapped around you. You’re not just remembering what happened. You’re remembering what it felt like to be there. And THAT is what I want my photographs to do.

I want them to take you back. Back to when your kids still fit on your lap. Back to when your parents were younger. Back to the day you married your favorite person, surrounded by all the people who helped make you who you are. Back to a version of your life that you didn’t realize you’d someday miss. Because I know what it’s like to stare at an old photograph and wish, more than anything, that I could climb inside it for just five more minutes. Five minutes to hear her laugh. Five minutes to see her face move instead of being frozen in a school portrait. Five minutes to just be sisters again. I can’t have those five minutes. But maybe, through the photographs I create, I can give somebody else a little piece of theirs.

So When You’re Choosing a Photographer, Ask Them Why.

Not just what camera they use. Not just whether their editing style is trendy. Not just whether they can recreate that photograph you saved on Pinterest. Ask them what they notice. Ask them what they want you to feel when you look at your photographs years from now. Ask them what makes a photograph meaningful to them. Because a photographer’s perspective influences what they see, what they anticipate, and what they choose to preserve.

There are incredibly talented photographers with all kinds of stories, and I don’t believe mine is the only reason to care deeply about this work. But it is MY reason. And it means I will never see your photographs as just another gallery to deliver. They’re pieces of your life. Pieces of people you love. Pieces of a story that will keep changing long after I’ve put my camera away. So yes, I can show you what you looked like.

I’ll make sure the lighting is beautiful, your angles are flattering, and your photographs are something you’re proud to display. But what I really want? I want you to open your gallery 30 years from now and feel something. I want you to remember the sound of the laughter. The weight of that little hand in yours. The way it felt to be surrounded by your favorite people.

Anyone can show you what life looked like.

I want to remind you what it felt like.

And if I can give you even a handful of the photographs I wish I had of Nicole, then I know I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.

—

Jen McKen is a wedding and family photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, serving Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in beautiful, honest, emotionally meaningful photography that preserves not only how life looked, but how it felt.

If you want your wedding or family photographs to mean as much decades from now as they do today, let’s create something worth remembering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between posed and candid photography?

Posed photography uses intentional direction to create flattering, composed portraits. Candid photography captures genuine interactions and moments as they happen. Both have value, and I use both during weddings and family sessions. You deserve beautiful portraits AND photographs that capture the personalities and connections that make your story unique.

Can you capture candid moments during a family session with young children?

Absolutely. Some of my favorite moments happen when children are simply being themselves. I guide families when needed, but I also leave room for natural interactions, laughter, snuggles, and yes, a little chaos. You don’t have to have perfectly behaved children to have meaningful family photographs.

How do I choose a wedding photographer who captures real emotions?

Look beyond the highlights on Instagram. Ask to see complete wedding galleries and pay attention to the moments between the formal portraits. Look for genuine expressions, family connections, and storytelling throughout the day. Most importantly, choose someone whose approach and personality make you comfortable enough to be yourselves.

Do we still get traditional family or wedding portraits?

Of course! Meaningful photography doesn’t mean abandoning beautiful portraits. I’ll help with posing, flattering light, and making everyone look their best. My goal is to create a gallery that includes both the photographs you planned for and the moments you didn’t even realize you needed.

Just got engaged? Here’s what you should book first, what can wait, and how to plan a wedding whether you have two years or two months.

You’ve probably already taken approximately 400 screenshots of wedding inspiration, started a Pinterest board, and had at least one person ask you when the wedding is happening. You might not even know what you’re having for dinner tonight, but apparently you’re supposed to know what color napkins you’ll want in 2028. Welcome to wedding planning! As a wedding photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, I’ve spent over 20 years photographing weddings throughout Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania. And one thing I’ve learned is that no two couples plan their weddings exactly the same way. Some couples have two years to plan. Others have six months. Some already know exactly what they want, while others are figuring it out as they go. The good news? There isn’t one perfect wedding planning timeline. But there ARE certain things you should prioritize, especially when it comes to booking wedding vendors. So let’s break it down.

What Should You Book First After Getting Engaged?

Before you start worrying about centerpieces, favors, or whether you really need those adorable custom cocktail napkins, focus on the things that determine the rest of your wedding day.

Your biggest priorities should be:

1. Your wedding date and venue. The location determines which dates are available, how many guests you can invite, and which vendors you’ll need.
2. Your photographer. Many wedding photographers accept only one wedding per date. Once they’re booked, they’re booked.
3. Your wedding planner or coordinator. Especially important if you’re planning a large wedding, a complicated event, or simply want someone else to manage the logistics.
4. Your caterer. Some venues provide catering, while others require you to hire someone separately.
5. Other high-priority vendors. If there’s a specific band, videographer, florist, or other professional you absolutely love, don’t wait until the suggested booking window.

Here’s something couples don’t always realize: vendors who can only serve one wedding per day tend to book earlier than vendors who can accommodate multiple events. And in Western Pennsylvania, those beautiful fall Saturdays can be especially popular. If you already have your heart set on a particular vendor, reach out sooner rather than later.

The Wedding Booking Timeline: How Far in Advance Should You Book Everything?

These are general recommendations, not strict deadlines. Availability depends on your location, wedding date, vendor, and how flexible you’re willing to be.

12–18+ Months Before the Wedding: Book Your Biggest Priorities

If you have a year or more to plan, this is the time to secure the people and places that matter most.

What to book or begin:

• Wedding venue and date
• Wedding photographer
• Wedding planner, if using one
• Caterer, especially if your venue doesn’t provide one
• Videographer or entertainment if you have a specific favorite
• Preliminary guest list and overall budget

My photographer advice: If you have a particular photographer whose work you love, inquire as soon as your date is confirmed. You don’t need to have your colors, decorations, or wedding party figured out before contacting them.

9–12 Months Before: Build Your Wedding Vendor Team

Once the venue and date are secured, focus on the professionals who will bring your day together.

What to book or arrange:

• DJ or live band
• Videographer, if not already booked
• Florist
• Officiant
• Wedding dress shopping and ordering
• Engagement photos and save-the-dates
• Hotel room blocks, if needed

Wedding dresses often require significant time for ordering and alterations, so don’t leave that decision until the last minute. And if you’re planning an engagement session, this is a wonderful opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day.

6–9 Months Before: Handle the Important Details

This is where the wedding starts feeling a little more real.

What to book or arrange:

• Hair and makeup professionals
• Wedding cake or dessert vendor
• Transportation
• Specialty rentals
• Groom’s or wedding party attire
• Invitations and stationery
• Honeymoon planning, if applicable

If your wedding is during a busy season, some of these vendors may need to be booked earlier.

3–6 Months Before: Bring Everything Together

By now, many of your major vendors should be secured.

What to work on:

• Finalize your menu and floral plans
• Plan ceremony details
• Prepare and send invitations at an appropriate time
• Schedule dress fittings and alterations
• Start discussing the wedding-day photography timeline
• Organize transportation and guest accommodations
• Begin seating chart planning

This is also a great time to start thinking about family portraits. Not necessarily every single combination of relatives just yet, but who are the people you absolutely want photographed together? Trust me, thinking about this ahead of time can make your wedding day run much more smoothly.

1–3 Months Before: Finalize the Logistics

You’re getting close!

What to work on:

• Confirm vendor arrangements
• Finalize the wedding-day schedule
• Complete attire fittings
• Track RSVPs
• Prepare your family photo list
• Review your ceremony and reception details
• Order remaining signage and favors
• Check payment deadlines

Your photographer, planner, and other vendors may have questionnaires or planning meetings during this stage. The more information everyone has ahead of time, the less you’ll have to worry about on the actual wedding day.

The Final Month: Confirm, Organize, and Enjoy

At this point, the big decisions should be behind you.

What to finish:

• Provide final guest counts by vendor deadlines
• Confirm arrival times and contact information
• Finalize seating arrangements
• Share your completed wedding timeline
• Prepare final payments and tips, if applicable
• Pack important wedding-day items
• Attend your rehearsal, if you’re having one

And perhaps most importantly? Give yourself permission to enjoy the experience. You don’t need to spend your wedding morning worrying about whether someone remembered the cake knife.

What If You’re Planning a Wedding in Six Months or Less?

Here’s where I want to reassure you. You absolutely can plan a beautiful wedding in six months or less. You just need to approach things a little differently. Instead of following the traditional timeline, focus on availability and make several major decisions at once. Start with your venue and date, then immediately contact your must-have vendors. Be prepared to make decisions quickly, consider alternative dates, and remain flexible. A Friday or Sunday wedding might give you more options than a Saturday during peak wedding season. And if you’re planning something intimate, you may have even more flexibility. The most important thing is to prioritize the experience you want rather than trying to squeeze 18 months of wedding planning into six months.

Planning a Wedding in Three Months or Less?

It’s possible, especially for smaller celebrations, elopements, courthouse weddings, and intimate gatherings. Your first priorities should be confirming the legal marriage requirements, securing your location and officiant, and finding available vendors. You may need to simplify certain details, purchase attire that’s available sooner, and choose vendors based on current availability. But here’s something I’ve learned after photographing weddings for more than two decades: The amount of time you spend planning your wedding doesn’t determine how meaningful your wedding day will be. Some of the most memorable photographs come from the simplest moments.

Why You Should Book Wedding Photography Early

I might be a little biased here, considering what I do for a living. But hear me out. Your venue determines where your wedding happens. Your photographer helps preserve how that day looked and felt. The nervous excitement before the ceremony. Your dad seeing you dressed for the first time. The people who traveled to celebrate with you. The completely unplanned moments that end up being your favorites. These are the things you can’t recreate once the day is over. When choosing your photographer, look beyond a handful of pretty Instagram photographs. Look at full wedding galleries. Pay attention to how they photograph different lighting situations, family interactions, emotional moments, and the parts of the day that aren’t perfectly staged. And make sure you actually like the person behind the camera. After all, you’re going to spend a pretty significant portion of your wedding day together.

Your Wedding Doesn’t Have to Follow Everyone Else’s Timeline

Here’s what I hope you take away from all of this: Wedding planning isn’t a competition.

You don’t get bonus points for booking your florist 18 months ahead of time, and your marriage isn’t any less meaningful because you planned everything in four months. The goal isn’t to create the most elaborate wedding possible. It’s to create a day that feels like the two of you. A day where you’re surrounded by your favorite people, making memories you’ll want to hold onto long after the flowers have wilted and the cake has been eaten. And if you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Blairsville, Indiana County, or anywhere throughout Western Pennsylvania, I’d love to hear what you’re planning. Whether your wedding is two years away or right around the corner, reach out and let’s see if your date is available. Because the best wedding photographs aren’t just about how everything looked. They’re about remembering how it all felt.

— Jen McKen Photography

Frequently Asked Questions About Booking Wedding Vendors

How far in advance should I book my wedding photographer?

Ideally, 12–18 months in advance if you have a specific photographer in mind, particularly for popular wedding dates. However, shorter-notice bookings may still be available. It’s always worth asking.

What wedding vendors should I book first?

Your venue, photographer, planner (if you’re using one), and other vendors who can only accommodate one event per day are typically the best places to start.

Is six months enough time to plan a wedding?

Yes! Six months can be enough time to plan a wedding, particularly if you’re flexible about dates, vendors, and certain details. Prioritize your major bookings immediately.

Can I book a wedding photographer before I have everything else planned?

Absolutely. Once your date and location are confirmed, you can begin contacting photographers. You don’t need a completed wedding timeline or final guest count to start the conversation.

When is the busiest wedding season in Pennsylvania?

Late spring through fall is a popular time for weddings in Pennsylvania, with September and October especially appealing to couples who love autumn scenery. Exact demand varies by venue and vendor, so inquire early if your date is important to you.

Drone & Aerial Photography in Western Pennsylvania

A different perspective. The same attention to detail.

Sometimes the best way to tell a story is to see the bigger picture. Literally.

After more than 20 years behind the camera, I’m expanding Jen McKen Photography to include professional drone and aerial photography.

Based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, I work with businesses, real estate professionals, builders, and property owners throughout Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania to create photographs that do more than simply document a space. They help people understand it, appreciate it, and see its potential.

Whether it’s a beautiful property tucked into the Pennsylvania countryside, a construction project taking shape, or a business looking to showcase its location, aerial photography offers a perspective traditional photography simply can’t.

Real Estate & Luxury Property Photography

First impressions matter, especially when you’re marketing a property.

Aerial photography can highlight a home’s architecture, surrounding landscape, outdoor features, and overall setting in ways that ground-level photography cannot.

Ideal for luxury homes, larger properties, farms, estates, and distinctive real estate listings.

Construction & Commercial Aerial Photography

Big projects deserve the bigger picture.

Aerial imagery can document construction progress, showcase completed developments, highlight commercial facilities, and provide visual content for company websites, marketing campaigns, and stakeholder communications.

Business Branding from Above

Your building, location, and surrounding environment are part of your business story.

Combining traditional commercial photography with aerial perspectives can help create a more complete visual identity for websites, advertisements, social media, and promotional materials.

Wedding Venues & Special Events

Some locations deserve to be seen from above.

When weather, location, permissions, and safety regulations allow, aerial photography can provide an additional perspective of a wedding venue or surrounding property.

Aerial coverage is available only when specifically arranged or at the photographer’s discretion and is never guaranteed as part of standard wedding photography.

Why I Added FAA-Certified Drone Photography to My Business

I’ve been a photographer for more than 20 years, which means I’ve been doing this long enough to remember when “learning photography” didn’t involve firmware updates, algorithms, AI, content creation, vertical video and apparently studying airspace charts. But one thing I’ve never wanted to become is the photographer who says, “Well, this is how I’ve always done it.”

So I went back to studying. This time, instead of lighting patterns and camera settings, I was learning about controlled airspace, sectional charts, weather, FAA regulations and a whole bunch of aviation terminology I never expected to know. And I earned my FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. For my commercial clients, this means I can now tell an even bigger piece of their story, from the people inside the business to the property, building or project from above.

Apparently 20+ years into being a photographer, I decided I didn’t have enough things to learn. So I learned to fly.

That means I’m qualified to operate drones commercially under FAA regulations. It’s not just about owning a drone and sending it into the sky. It’s about understanding how to operate it safely, legally, and responsibly. So while the perspective might be new, the professionalism, preparation, and attention to detail behind it aren’t.

Same photographer. New perspective. Officially FAA-certified to fly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer drone photography in Indiana County, PA?

Jen McKen Photography is based in Blairsville and serves Indiana County and surrounding areas of Western Pennsylvania. Aerial photography assignments are considered based on location, project requirements, and flight restrictions.

Can drone photography be combined with traditional photography?

Absolutely. Combining aerial and ground-level imagery can create a more complete visual presentation for real estate, commercial properties, branding, and construction projects.

Can you fly a drone at any property?

Not necessarily. Drone operations depend on airspace regulations, weather, safety conditions, and necessary property or venue permissions. Each location must be evaluated before flying.

Do you offer ongoing construction progress photography?

Construction progress documentation is an available project type to discuss. Recurring coverage, scheduling, and deliverables can be customized to the needs of the project.

Let’s See Your Project from a Different Perspective

Have a property, construction project, or business that could benefit from professional aerial photography?

I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Contact Jen McKen Photography to discuss aerial photography in Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania.

There are certain photography sessions that remind me just how long I’ve been doing this. And not in the “my knees hurt after photographing a wedding” kind of way. Although, let’s be honest, there’s some of that too. I’m talking about the sessions that make me realize I’ve had a front-row seat to some pretty incredible chapters in people’s lives. Morgan and Ryan’s fall engagement session was one of those.

I’ve been photographing Morgan for years. In fact, I photographed her at her parents’ wedding SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO! And now, all these years later, she’s planning a wedding of her own with Ryan. Excuse me while I have a tiny emotional crisis over how quickly time flies. As a wedding and engagement photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, I’ve spent more than two decades photographing couples and families throughout Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania. And one of the greatest unexpected privileges of this career has been watching the people in front of my camera grow up.

The Beauty of Photographing Different Chapters of the Same Story

When I photographed Morgan all those years ago, neither of us could have known we’d end up here. She was a little girl celebrating her parents’ wedding. Now she’s an adult preparing to celebrate her own love story. And somewhere between those two moments, life happened. That’s what I find so fascinating about photographs. We take them thinking we’re documenting what’s happening right now. But years later, they become something entirely different. They become proof of who we were, who we loved, what life felt like, and how much things have changed. A photograph of a pre-teen at her parents’ wedding might seem like just another family picture at the time. Until that little girl grows up and becomes a bride herself. Then suddenly, that photograph becomes part of a much bigger story.

Your Engagement Photos Should Feel Like You, Not a Pinterest Checklist

Morgan and Ryan’s engagement session had everything I love about photographing couples in the fall. Warm sunlight filtering through the trees. Beautiful autumn colors. That golden, almost hazy light that makes everything feel a little nostalgic. And two people simply enjoying being together. There’s something about fall engagement photography in Pennsylvania that naturally lends itself to a romantic, timeless feeling. The colors, the textures, the softer light, and the way everything seems to slow down just a little. But here’s the thing I’ve learned after more than 20 years of photographing people:

A beautiful location is wonderful. But the connection between the people in the photograph is what makes it meaningful. You don’t need an elaborate setup, twenty different poses, or a perfectly curated Pinterest board. You need photographs that actually feel like your relationship. Sometimes that’s a quiet moment together. Sometimes it’s laughing because one of you feels completely ridiculous in front of a camera. Sometimes it’s a kiss in the middle of the woods with the afternoon sun shining through the trees. Those are the moments that tend to mean more as time goes on.

Why Your Relationship With Your Photographer Matters

When couples are searching for an engagement or wedding photographer, they’re usually looking at portfolios. And they should be! You absolutely want to love someone’s work. But there’s something else I think deserves just as much consideration. How comfortable do you feel with the person behind the camera? Because the best photographs rarely happen when you’re worried about what your hands are doing or whether you’re standing at the correct angle. They happen when you can relax enough to be yourselves. That’s part of why I approach photography the way I do. Yes, I’ll give you direction. Yes, I’ll find the beautiful light. And yes, I’ll absolutely tell you when something isn’t working. But I’m also paying attention to the little things. The way you naturally stand beside each other. The expressions that happen between the posed photographs. The moments when you forget, even briefly, that I’m holding a camera. Those details are different for every couple. And they should be.

Fall Engagement Photos in Western Pennsylvania: A Few Things Worth Knowing

If you’re planning fall engagement photos in Indiana County or elsewhere in Western Pennsylvania, there are a few things I always encourage couples to consider.

Don’t wait for peak foliage to schedule

Everyone wants those beautiful autumn colors, but peak foliage doesn’t last very long, and the timing changes from year to year. The good news? You don’t need every tree to be bright orange to have beautiful fall photographs. Early fall greenery, golden grasses, changing leaves, and late-season textures can all create gorgeous backgrounds.

Light matters just as much as leaves

One of my favorite things about Morgan and Ryan’s photographs is the sunlight coming through the trees. That warm, hazy glow adds so much atmosphere. I often plan outdoor sessions around the quality and direction of the light rather than choosing a time simply because it’s convenient. The right light can turn an ordinary location into something pretty spectacular.

Wear something that feels like you

Fall photographs don’t require matching flannels, coordinating boots, or dressing like you just stepped out of a seasonal catalog. Unless that’s actually your thing. In which case, carry on. I recommend choosing clothing that complements the environment without competing with it. Neutral tones, interesting textures, and outfits you feel comfortable wearing usually photograph beautifully. Most importantly, you should still recognize yourselves in your photographs.

Think beyond the save-the-dates

Engagement photographs are often taken with wedding invitations and save-the-dates in mind. But these photographs have a much longer life than your wedding planning checklist. Someday, they might be hanging in your first home together. They might be tucked into an album your children flip through. They might become the photographs your family pulls out decades from now. Which brings me right back to Morgan.

One Day, These Will Be the Old Photographs

I think about that a lot. The photographs I’m taking today will eventually become someone’s old photographs. The ones their kids laugh at because of the hairstyles. The ones they find while cleaning out a drawer. The ones that bring back a version of life they hadn’t thought about in years. And if I’m lucky enough to keep doing this work, maybe I’ll be photographing some of those same people again in another chapter. That’s exactly what happened with Morgan. From being a little girl at her parents’ wedding to standing beside Ryan, preparing for a wedding of her own. It’s a full-circle moment, and those are some of my favorites. Because photography isn’t just about how things look. It’s about remembering how life felt while we were living it. And sometimes, the greatest part of being a photographer is realizing you’ve been trusted to document more than one chapter. Morgan and Ryan, I’m so excited for everything that’s ahead of you. And Morgan, I still can’t quite believe we’re here already.

Looking for an Engagement Photographer in Western Pennsylvania?

Whether you’re newly engaged, planning a fall engagement session, or looking for a wedding photographer who cares about the story behind the photographs, I’d love to hear what you’re planning. I’m Jen McKen, a wedding and portrait photographer based in Blairsville, PA, serving Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania. I’ve been photographing people for more than 20 years, and the longer I do this, the more convinced I become that the real value of a photograph isn’t always obvious the day we take it. Sometimes it takes another twenty years.

Let’s tell your story.

Same photographer. Different chapter. A whole lot of life in between.

Frequently Asked Questions About Engagement Photography

When should we schedule our fall engagement photos in Pennsylvania?

For autumn colors in Western Pennsylvania, late September through October is often a good starting point, although foliage varies by location, elevation, and weather. I recommend booking ahead rather than waiting until the leaves reach peak color, especially if you need a particular date.

Do we need to know how to pose for engagement pictures?

Absolutely not. Most couples aren’t professional models, and I don’t expect you to be. I’ll guide you when needed, but I also create opportunities for natural interaction so your photographs feel comfortable and genuine rather than overly posed.

Should we use the same photographer for engagement and wedding photos?

There are real advantages to it. An engagement session gives us a chance to get comfortable working together before the wedding. You’ll experience how I direct, how I work with light, and how I photograph your natural interactions. By the wedding day, we’re not starting from scratch.

What should we wear for fall engagement photos?

Choose clothing that fits comfortably, coordinates without being overly matching, and complements the setting. Creams, browns, muted greens, warm neutrals, and subtle textures often work beautifully with fall scenery. I generally recommend avoiding distracting logos and overly busy patterns.

Let’s talk about senior pictures for guys for a minute.

Because if you’re the mom of a high school senior boy, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve had some version of this conversation:

Mom: “We need to schedule your senior pictures.”

Son: “Why?”

Mom: “Because you’re graduating!”

Son: “You already have pictures of me.”

And somewhere in Pennsylvania, another mother is questioning how she managed to raise a child who apparently doesn’t understand the importance of documenting the last 18 years of her emotional and financial investment. I get it. I really do. As a senior photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, I’ve spent more than two decades photographing teenagers throughout Indiana County, Pittsburgh, and Western Pennsylvania. And one thing I’ve learned? Not every senior shows up equally excited about having their picture taken. Sometimes Mom is the one who really wants the photos. And that’s exactly how Adam’s story started.

Meet Adam: North Hills High School Senior

Adam is a senior at North Hills High School near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and when his mom started looking into senior pictures, she came across my work on Instagram. She liked what she saw, showed Adam, and eventually he agreed to the whole senior photo thing. Maybe not with the same level of enthusiasm as Mom, but hey, we’re calling it a win. And here’s the thing about Adam. Once you get past the fact that senior pictures weren’t necessarily at the top of his priority list, he’s actually a pretty interesting guy.

He’s a wrestler, competitive powerlifter, skier, surfer, and climber. He’s earned his third-degree black belt in Taekwondo, loves math, and wants to become an engineer because he hopes to make the world a better place. He also enjoys thrifting, late-night drives, pickleball with friends, and apparently has a ski setup in his backyard so he can practice during the off-season. I don’t know about you, but I feel significantly less productive after reading that list. When I asked Adam to describe himself in three words, he chose determined, respectful, and mindful. And when I asked what he wanted to remember most about senior year? The fun times with his friends and the freedom that comes with growing up. Which, when you think about it, is exactly what senior year is about.

Senior Pictures for Guys Don’t Have to Be Awkward

One of the biggest misconceptions about senior photography is that you have to know how to pose. You don’t. You don’t have to practice your smile in the mirror. You don’t have to show up knowing what to do with your hands. And you definitely don’t have to stand in a field staring dramatically toward the horizon like you’re about to release your debut country album. Unless, of course, that’s the vibe we’re going for.

My job as your photographer is to figure out what feels natural for you. For some seniors, that means movement. Walking, leaning, sitting, changing positions, and having an actual conversation instead of holding a smile until your face hurts. For others, it’s choosing an environment where they feel comfortable enough to relax. I give direction, but I don’t want every photograph to look directed. There’s a difference between helping someone look their best and making them look like someone they’re not. And after 24 years behind the camera, I can tell you that the best photographs usually happen when someone stops worrying so much about being photographed.

Choosing Senior Photo Locations That Actually Fit Your Personality

When Adam started thinking about locations, he wasn’t picturing the traditional park or grassy field. He liked the idea of downtown Pittsburgh, graffiti, urban textures, and Mount Washington. And I LOVE when seniors have ideas like that. Not because there’s anything wrong with a pretty field at sunset. There isn’t. But because your senior photos should reflect your personality, not just whatever location happens to be popular on Pinterest that year. Urban senior pictures can have an entirely different feel from traditional outdoor portraits. Think brick walls, interesting architecture, stairways, city streets, graffiti, and the Pittsburgh skyline. Those environments can work especially well for guys who prefer a more casual, editorial style.

Adam described his style as “casual, but cool.” He’s a fan of Hollister and thrifting, which honestly fits that urban aesthetic perfectly. And here’s something I always tell my clients: You don’t need an elaborate location to create interesting photographs. Sometimes a parking garage, an alleyway with great light, or an interesting wall can create a photograph that feels like it belongs in a magazine. It’s not always about finding the prettiest location. It’s about finding the right one.

Your Senior Pictures Should Include the Things That Make You, YOU

Adam has a pretty impressive athletic background. Wrestling. Powerlifting. Skiing. Surfing. Climbing. Taekwondo. And yes, we wanted to incorporate his skis into his senior pictures. But here’s something I think is important when planning senior portraits for athletes: You are more than your sport. Sports can be a huge part of your high school experience, and absolutely deserve to be documented. But you’re also the person who hangs out with friends, has a favorite hoodie, listens to Drake, and has absolutely no patience for people who chew with their mouths open. (Adam, I’m with you on that last one.) That’s why I love combining a senior’s interests with photographs that simply capture who they are outside of those activities. Bring the skis. Bring the football. Bring the guitar. Bring whatever matters to you. But let’s also make photographs of YOU. Because someday, when you’re 35, you might appreciate seeing what you looked like at 18 just as much as remembering what sport you played.

Moms, This Part Is for You

I know something about photographing teenagers. I also know something about being a mom. And I understand why senior pictures matter so much to parents, even when their kids aren’t nearly as excited about them. Because you’re not just looking at an 18-year-old. You’re seeing the little boy who used to need help tying his shoes. The kid who lost his first tooth. The one you drove to practices, reminded to do his homework, and watched grow approximately six inches overnight. And now you’re looking at college applications, graduation announcements, and a bedroom that might be a whole lot quieter this time next year. You want photographs because you know this version of him isn’t going to last forever. He might not understand that right now. And that’s okay. He doesn’t have to. I think that’s part of what makes senior photography so meaningful. Sometimes we’re creating something that will become more valuable with time. Right now, he might be thinking about graduation, college, friends, and finally having some independence. Twenty years from now, he might look at those photographs and remember exactly what it felt like to be 18. And you? You’ll probably still see that little boy.

Senior Pictures Can Be Something You Both Feel Good About

Here’s my advice to moms trying to convince their sons to schedule senior pictures: Give them some ownership of the process. Let them help choose the location. Ask what they’d actually feel comfortable wearing. Find out whether there’s a hobby, sport, or interest they’d like to incorporate. And most importantly, choose a photographer who understands that not every teenager wants to spend two hours pretending to be a professional model. They don’t need to arrive excited. They don’t need to know how to pose. They don’t even need to have a Pinterest board. They just need to show up. I’ll take it from there. And if we can create photographs that Mom absolutely loves AND her son doesn’t cringe at? Well, I’d call that a pretty successful afternoon.

Ready for Senior Pictures That Actually Feel Like You?

Whether your senior has been planning his photo session for months or you’re currently negotiating with him to get out of the house for two hours, I’d love to help. I’m Jen McKen, a senior photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, photographing high school seniors throughout Indiana County, Pittsburgh, and Western Pennsylvania. My approach is creative, relaxed, and focused on capturing real personalities rather than forcing everyone into the same poses. You bring the senior. I’ll bring the ideas.

And yes, Mom, we’ll get some good ones for you, too.

Let’s Plan Your Senior Pictures

Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Pictures for Guys

What should guys wear for senior pictures?

Wear clothing that actually feels like you. A favorite pair of jeans, a simple T-shirt, a casual button-down, or a jacket can all photograph beautifully. I usually recommend bringing a couple of different outfits so we can create some variety without making the session feel like a fashion show.

What if my son doesn’t want senior pictures?

You’re definitely not alone. Plenty of senior guys aren’t particularly excited about having professional photos taken. Giving them some input into the location, clothing, and overall style can make a big difference. My approach is relaxed and conversational, with plenty of direction so they don’t have to figure everything out themselves.

Where are good locations for guys’ senior pictures near Pittsburgh?

Downtown Pittsburgh, Mount Washington, and urban areas with interesting architecture can be great options for a more modern senior session. For guys who prefer nature, parks, wooded areas, and open spaces can work just as well. The best location depends on the senior’s personality, clothing, and the overall look we’re trying to create.

Can we incorporate sports equipment into senior pictures?

Absolutely! Skis, footballs, basketballs, musical instruments, and other meaningful items can help personalize a session. I usually recommend mixing those photographs with regular portraits so your final gallery tells a more complete story.

How far in advance should we schedule senior pictures?

I recommend reaching out several months ahead of time, especially if you’re hoping for summer or fall photographs. It’s also important to check your school’s yearbook submission deadline, which may be earlier than you expect.

Featuring Anna + Steve’s Pennsylvania Wedding

Here’s something I’ve learned after 24 years of photographing weddings: the prettiest photographs aren’t always the ones that mean the most. Don’t get me wrong. I love a gorgeous wedding portrait. Give me beautiful light, a dramatic wedding dress, and a couple who trusts me to get a little creative, and I’m in my element. But you know what I love even more? Photographs that actually feel like the people in them. The kind where you can almost hear someone’s laugh. Where you recognize that little look two people give each other. Where the people, the relationships, and all those wonderfully imperfect moments are what make the photographs beautiful. As a wedding photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, I’ve spent more than two decades photographing couples throughout Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania. And one thing has become increasingly important to me:

Your wedding photographs should look like your relationship. Not somebody else’s Pinterest board.

Anna and Steve’s wedding story is a perfect example of why.

It Starts With Who You Are, Not What You’re Wearing

Before I photograph a wedding, I like to get to know my couples. Not just what colors they’re using or how many bridesmaids they have. I want to know the good stuff. How did you meet? What makes you laugh? What are the little things you love about each other? What does an ordinary Tuesday look like in your world? Because those details tell me more about how to photograph you than any inspiration board ever could.

Anna and Steve met through mutual friends when they were just 19 years old. Steve would come over for bonfires at Anna’s parents’ house, and somewhere along the way, something clicked. Anna remembers noticing how tall Steve was, his amazing smile, and how genuinely sweet and kind he seemed. Steve remembers Anna wearing a beanie, thinking she was adorable, and being so nervous talking to her that he had trouble maintaining eye contact. I mean, come on. That’s adorable.

Their first date was golfing, which eventually became one of their favorite things to do together. And here’s my favorite little detail. Later that same day, they were at a summer yard party at a small-town bar, where Steve’s sister Michelle was apparently working overtime trying to play matchmaker. She had no idea they’d already gone on their first date. Sometimes the best love stories don’t need much help. Although I’m sure Michelle would still like to take a little credit.

Your Relationship Has a Personality. Your Wedding Photos Should, Too.

Anna describes Steve as hardworking, patient, loving, and caring. He’s the calm, grounded one. Steve describes Anna as joyful, friendly, and loving. And according to Anna, she’s the one who gets him to live a little more on the wild side. They love golfing, camping, spending time with family, working on the farm, and lying outside watching the stars on summer nights. They’re building a life together, sharing hobbies, making plans, and finding reasons to laugh even when life gets chaotic. And THAT is the stuff I want to know. Because a couple who spends their evenings watching the stars on the farm might not need the same direction as a couple who loves getting dressed up and spending weekends in the city. Neither is better. They’re just different. Some couples are naturally affectionate. Others show their love by teasing each other relentlessly. Some are quiet and sentimental. Others can’t keep a straight face for more than five seconds. My job isn’t to make every couple behave the same way in front of my camera.

My job is to recognize who you already are and photograph that beautifully.

Yes, You Can Have Gorgeous Wedding Portraits AND Real Moments

Somewhere along the way, wedding photography started feeling like it had to be one thing or the other. Either perfectly posed, editorial-looking portraits or completely candid documentary photographs. But why can’t you have both? I believe you absolutely should.

Anna and Steve planned an elegant, sentimental, joyful wedding with a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Nicktown, Pennsylvania, followed by a celebration at the Carrolltown Fire Engine Company Social Hall. They chose navy suits, mismatched dusty blue bridesmaid dresses, and white flowers. Anna wore a beautiful strapless satin gown with a detachable train, and she specifically wanted dramatic portraits on the staircase at Schwab Estate in Loretto. And listen, I’m never going to turn down an opportunity for a dramatic staircase portrait.

Those photographs deserve their place in your wedding gallery. But so do the in-between moments. The nervous excitement before walking down the aisle. The expressions during the ceremony. The way your friends react when they see you. The hugs that last a little longer than expected. The moments that aren’t necessarily planned, but end up becoming some of your favorites. That’s why my approach combines beautiful, intentional portraits with documentary-style photography.

Sometimes I’ll give you direction because good lighting, flattering angles, and thoughtful composition matter. Other times, I’ll step back and let things happen. Knowing when to do each is something that comes with experience.

The Best Wedding Photographs Often Have Nothing to Do With the Wedding Decorations

Anna and Steve both come from families that are incredibly important to them. They planned a wedding with approximately 280 guests and a wedding party of 20 people. That’s a whole lot of people who have played a role in their lives. And while the flowers, dresses, and reception details are absolutely worth documenting, I always remind couples that the people are what make those details meaningful. Twenty years from now, you might not remember exactly how your centerpieces were arranged. But you’ll probably remember the way your dad looked at you before walking you down the aisle. You’ll remember your best friend laughing so hard she couldn’t finish her sentence. You’ll remember the people who traveled to celebrate with you, the hugs, the happy tears, and the completely ridiculous things your wedding party did. And as the years pass, those photographs often become more valuable. They’re not perfectly composed because they hold pieces of your life that you can’t get back. That’s why I pay attention to what’s happening around me, not just what’s happening directly in front of my camera.

How to Make Your Wedding Photos Feel More Natural

If you’re planning a wedding and you’re worried about looking awkward in photographs, here’s what I want you to know. You don’t have to be good at having your picture taken. Seriously. You don’t need to practice poses, memorize TikTok trends, or figure out what to do with your hands. That’s my department. But there are a few things that can make your photographs feel more like you.

1. Tell Your Photographer About Your Actual Relationship

Don’t just tell me what colors you’re wearing. Tell me about the first date. The inside jokes. The people who mean the most to you. Tell me if you’re naturally affectionate or if public displays of affection make you want to crawl into a hole. I can work with either. Promise.

2. Don’t Build Your Entire Wedding Day Around Photographs

I know that might sound strange coming from a wedding photographer. But hear me out. Your wedding isn’t supposed to be an eight-hour photo shoot. It’s supposed to be a celebration of your relationship. A thoughtful photography timeline gives us enough time to create beautiful portraits without making you feel like you’re constantly being pulled away from your own wedding. For Anna and Steve, that meant planning around a traditional church ceremony, family photographs afterward, and portraits at a separate location. Those logistics matter. Especially when you’re working with a large wedding party and multiple locations. The more thoughtfully we plan, the more freedom you have to actually enjoy the day.

3. Leave Room for the Unplanned

Some of my favorite wedding photographs have happened when absolutely nobody was paying attention to me. A spontaneous hug. A ridiculous dance move. Someone wiping away a tear when they think nobody notices. You can’t schedule every meaningful moment. And you shouldn’t try.

4. Choose a Photographer Whose Work Makes You Feel Something

When I asked Anna and Steve what attracted them to my photography, their answer stuck with me. They loved that my photographs tell stories and that each image feels unique and beautiful. That means a lot to me because that’s exactly what I’m trying to create. Not a collection of photographs that could belong to absolutely anybody. A collection that could only belong to you.

Your Wedding Photos Are Eventually Going to Become Your Family History

One of the things Anna and Steve mentioned was how excited they were to display their wedding photographs throughout their home and have an album in their living room. And I love that. Because while we’re photographing a wedding today, we’re also creating something that will outlive the wedding itself. Someday, those photographs might be sitting on a coffee table while their children flip through the pages. They’ll see how young their parents looked. They’ll recognize family members. They’ll laugh at the hairstyles, the dresses, and whatever trends we all thought were a good idea in 2026. And hopefully, they’ll see something else. The beginning of the life Anna and Steve were building together. A life that started with bonfires, a first date on the golf course, and a sunset proposal on an island green surrounded by water. A life filled with family, laughter, dogs named Winston and Willow, and summer nights under the stars. Those are the things that make their story theirs. And that’s what I hope their photographs will always remind them of.

Your Story Deserves to Look Like Your Story

After 24 years of photographing weddings, I can tell you that trends will come and go. Editing styles will change. Dress styles will change. The poses everyone is obsessed with this year will eventually look a little dated. But genuine emotion? That never goes out of style. So yes, let’s create the beautiful portraits. Let’s find the good light, make that dress look incredible, and give you photographs you’re excited to hang on your walls. But let’s also make room for the laughter, the nerves, the happy tears, the ridiculous inside jokes, and all those little moments that make your relationship different from everyone else’s. Someday, when you look back at your wedding photographs, I don’t just want you to remember what your wedding looked like. I want you to remember what it felt like.

If you’re planning a wedding in Indiana County, Cambria County, Blairsville, or anywhere throughout Western Pennsylvania and want photographs that feel beautiful, personal, and genuinely you, I’d love to hear your story.

Let’s Talk About Your Wedding Photography

Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Wedding Photography

How do we get candid wedding photos if we’re awkward in front of the camera?

You don’t need to know how to pose. An experienced photographer can give you simple direction, create opportunities for natural interaction, and recognize when to step back. The goal isn’t to pretend the camera doesn’t exist every second. It’s to help you feel comfortable enough that your real personalities come through.

Should we make a Pinterest board for our wedding photographer?

Absolutely, if it helps communicate what you love. Pinterest can be useful for showing lighting preferences, overall style, or specific photographs that matter to you. Just remember that your wedding will have different people, locations, lighting, and moments. Use inspiration as a starting point, not a checklist that your entire wedding day has to recreate.

Can we have both posed and candid wedding photographs?

Yes, and I recommend it. Traditional family portraits, beautiful couple photographs, and thoughtfully composed wedding party images are important. So are the unscripted moments throughout the day. A well-rounded wedding gallery should include both.

How much time should we allow for wedding portraits?

It depends on your wedding party size, family photo list, locations, and whether you’re doing a first look. If you’re traveling between a church, portrait location, and reception venue, that travel time needs to be included. I help my couples build photography timelines that allow for beautiful portraits without sacrificing the celebration.

Do we need a first look to get natural wedding photographs?

Not at all. A first look can make the timeline easier and provide a private moment together, but it isn’t required. If you prefer to see each other for the first time during the ceremony, we can plan your portraits afterward. The important thing is creating a realistic schedule.

If I had to describe Alyssa and Trevor’s relationship based solely on their questionnaire, I’d say this: It would make a terrible Hallmark movie. And I mean that as a compliment.

They matched on Tinder, ghosted each other before they ever met, and then somehow ended up at the same questionable bar in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Alyssa wasn’t even there looking for a guy for herself. She was trying to find one for her friend. She pointed Trevor out and said he was cute. Her friend’s response? Basically: He’s more your type than mine. Apparently, she was right. They’ve been together since October 3, 2021. They moved in together after four months, which Alyssa herself followed up with, “Do not recommend, but we survived.”

And when Trevor eventually proposed? No elaborate setup. No photographer hiding in the bushes. No rose petals spelling out MARRY ME. He threw the ring at her while she was sitting on the couch. Romance is alive and well, people. But here’s the thing: It sounds exactly like them. And after more than 20 years of photographing weddings, I’ve become pretty convinced that’s what your wedding photographs should feel like, too. Not like Pinterest. Not like whatever is trending on TikTok this year. Not like the photographer’s last wedding. Like you.

You can check out their engagement session here.

Alyssa and Trevor’s October wedding at The Rose Cabin in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, was a perfect reminder of why the best wedding photography isn’t about recreating someone else’s beautiful photographs. It’s about creating photographs that couldn’t belong to anyone else. Their day included the traditional pieces, family photos, wedding-party portraits and time for photographs around the property, but it also deliberately left room for the actual wedding to happen. That’s where the good stuff usually lives.

Pinterest Is Inspiration. It Shouldn’t Be a Shot List.

Listen, I love a good Pinterest board. It’s incredibly useful for figuring out what you’re drawn to. Maybe you notice that you love photographs with movement. Maybe you prefer darker, moodier images. Maybe you keep saving photographs where nobody is looking at the camera. That tells me something. What I don’t want to do is spend your wedding day staring at someone else’s wedding on my phone trying to recreate it. Because you aren’t them. Your people aren’t their people. Your venue is different. Your light is different. Your relationships are different. And most importantly, the moments happening in front of me are different.

If I’m concentrating on recreating a photograph someone made at a wedding in California three years ago, I might miss your grandma laughing behind me. I’d rather photograph Grandma. Every single time.

Your Relationship Has Its Own Personality

Some couples are romantic. Some are quiet. Some roast each other relentlessly. Some cannot stand next to each other for twelve seconds without one of them grabbing the other’s butt. I’ve met all of you. That’s why I don’t believe every couple should be photographed the same way. Alyssa rides horses. Trevor likes basically anything with a motor. She works as a nurse but says she’d probably be a veterinarian or vet tech in another life. He works in law enforcement but would apparently be flying something if he’d chosen another path. Their relationship didn’t begin with some perfectly orchestrated first date. It was Tinder, mutual ghosting, a shady bar, a friend saying he’s more your type, and life doing its thing. That’s personality. And I want the photographs to have it too.

Natural Wedding Photos Still Need a Little Direction

There’s a misconception about documentary or candid wedding photography that I occasionally want to clear up. “Candid” doesn’t mean I show up and hide behind a tree for eight hours. I will absolutely tell you where to stand when you need me to. I’ll fix your dress. I’ll find good light. I’ll organize your giant family. I’ll give you something to do when suddenly you’ve forgotten what human beings normally do with their hands. I’ve been doing this a long time. But once I get you where I need you? I want something real to happen. Maybe I’ll give you movement instead of asking you to freeze. Maybe I’ll intentionally get you laughing. Sometimes I’ll back off completely because what’s happening without my involvement is better than anything I could manufacture. The skill isn’t simply knowing how to pose someone. It’s knowing when not to.

A Good Wedding Timeline Makes Better Candid Photos

This probably sounds backward. If you want natural, spontaneous wedding photographs, why would we need a detailed timeline? Because it’s really hard to be present when everyone is running 45 minutes behind. A good photography timeline isn’t about controlling every minute of your wedding day. It’s about protecting enough time that we don’t have to control every minute. For Alyssa and Trevor, we intentionally built breathing room into the afternoon before their 4:00 ceremony. Afterward, we had dedicated time for family photographs, the wedding party and approximately 45 minutes to wander the property for photographs of just the two of them. Then they got to go be married. That’s important to me. I don’t want you spending your entire wedding day with your photographer. You should actually attend your wedding. Wild concept, I know.

Pick the Photos That Matter to YOU

There are photographs that matter to almost everyone: your parents, grandparents, siblings, wedding party. And then there are photographs that specifically matter to your family. Those are the ones I want to know about. For Alyssa’s family, one request included photographs with her great-grandmother, Jerri, along with different generations of the family.  That’s not something I could learn from Pinterest. It’s something I learn by getting to know my couples before their wedding. And someday, those may be among the most valuable photographs from the entire gallery. Not because they’re technically more impressive. Because people matter more with time.

The Photographs You Can’t Put on a Shot List

There are photographs I know I’m going to take before I arrive at a wedding. The dress. The rings. Family. Wedding party. The two of you. But some of my favorite photographs from more than two decades of photographing weddings are images I never could have planned. A parent’s expression. Someone wiping away a tear when they think nobody is watching. Your friends absolutely losing their minds on the dance floor. The way your grandmother looks at you. The split second after the formal photograph when everybody stops “posing” and becomes themselves again. Those images don’t exist on Pinterest yet. Because they haven’t happened yet. And that’s exactly why I’m watching for them.

So, Should You Send Your Photographer a Pinterest Board?

Sure. Send me inspiration. Tell me what you’re drawn to. Tell me you love movement or golden light or dramatic black-and-white photographs. Tell me you’re uncomfortable in front of a camera. Tell me your dad is probably going to cry. Tell me which grandparent means the world to you. And definitely tell me about the weird family situation before we’re lining everyone up. But then? Trust me enough to put the Pinterest board away. Because the goal isn’t to make your wedding look like everyone else’s wedding. It’s to create photographs that, years from now, couldn’t possibly belong to anyone but you.

Planning a Wedding in Western Pennsylvania?

I’m Jen McKen, a wedding photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, photographing weddings throughout Indiana County, the Laurel Highlands, Altoona/Hollidaysburg and Western Pennsylvania. My approach is a mix of documentary storytelling and intentional portraiture, which is a fancy way of saying I’ll step in and direct you when you need me, and I’ll disappear into the background when you don’t. Because I want the beautiful portraits. But I also want the weird laughs, Grandma’s expressions, your people being your people and all the little things you didn’t even realize were happening.

Real over perfect. Every time.

If that’s how you want your wedding remembered, I’d love to hear what you’re planning. Reach Out Here

Vendor Dream Team

A wedding like this doesn’t magically appear, and Alyssa and Trevor had one heck of a team behind the scenes.

• Wedding Coordination: Occasion Creation by Missy
• Venue + Ceremony: The Rose Cabin,  Hollidaysburg, PA
• Tents + Rentals: Windswept
• Florals:  Roots in the Cove
• Makeup:  True Beauty by Laney
• Hair:  Studio Bliss
• Cake +  Catering:  Amici’s Catering
• Entertainment: Second II None
• Videography: Lakeland Media
• Photography: Jen McKen Photography

FAQs About Getting Natural Wedding Photos

How do we get candid wedding photos if we’re awkward in front of the camera?

You don’t need to know what you’re doing—that’s my job. I’ll give direction when it’s helpful, especially during portraits, but I use movement, interaction and prompts rather than expecting you to magically know how to pose. As you get comfortable, I can give you more space and photograph what naturally unfolds.

Should I give my wedding photographer a shot list?

For family groupings and specific people or traditions that are important to you, absolutely. For every individual photograph throughout the wedding, usually not. Tell me what matters and what you’re drawn to, then give me enough freedom to photograph what’s actually happening.

Should we schedule time for sunset or golden-hour wedding photos?

If that look is important to you, yes. I prefer building a short sunset window into the timeline instead of disappearing with you for a huge chunk of the reception. Even 10–20 minutes in beautiful evening light can give us something completely different from your earlier portraits.

How much time should we allow for bride and groom portraits?

It depends on the wedding, location and whether we’re doing a first look, but I build portrait time into the timeline before the wedding. I also like having a little breathing room instead of scheduling every part of the day back-to-back. That gives us beautiful portraits without making your wedding feel like one giant photo shoot.

I recently had the opportunity to work with Lincoln Crossing Dental Care to create a full library of commercial branding photography for their practice. We spent the day creating everything from professional team portraits and patient interactions to candid moments, environmental images and all those little details that help tell the story of what it actually feels like to walk through their doors.

And the best part? These photographs weren’t created just to sit in a gallery looking pretty. They were created to work. Lincoln Crossing Dental Care has incorporated the images throughout their website and marketing, which is exactly the point of a commercial branding session. If you’d like to see what that looks like in the real world, check out the Lincoln Crossing Dental Care website to see how they’re putting their images to use.

What Is a Commercial Branding Photography Session?

When people hear commercial photography, I think a lot of them immediately picture a headshot. You know the one: stand here, shoulders this way, smile, click. And yes, headshots are important. But your business is a whole lot more than everyone’s face from the shoulders up.

I’m a commercial and branding photographer based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, serving businesses throughout Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania. One of my favorite things about commercial photography is creating images that don’t just show what a business looks like, they show people what it feels like to work with that business. That’s exactly what we set out to do during this recent full-day commercial content shoot. And spoiler alert: we made a whole lot more than headshots.

Think of a commercial branding session as creating your own custom stock photography library, except instead of random people laughing suspiciously hard over a salad, it’s actually your people, your space, your clients and your brand. A full commercial content day can include traditional headshots and team photographs, but it can also include your employees working, interactions with customers or patients, environmental portraits, office details, equipment, behind-the-scenes moments and all the little things that make your business different from the one down the street. The goal is to create useful marketing assets. Images you can pull from months later when you’re redesigning a page on your website, writing a social media post, creating an ad, announcing a new employee or realizing at 9 p.m. that you need a photograph for tomorrow morning’s email. Ask me how many business owners have probably been in that last situation.

Professional Headshots Are Only the Beginning

Of course, we photographed individual team members and created the more polished images every business needs. Those photographs are perfect for employee bios, About pages, LinkedIn profiles, press releases and marketing materials. But I don’t want to stop there. Because if someone is considering doing business with you, they’re probably wondering about more than what you look like. Who are these people? What is it going to feel like when I walk through their door? Do they seem approachable? Can I trust them? That’s where the rest of the story becomes incredibly valuable.

Commercial Photography Should Still Feel Human

This might be the biggest thing I want businesses to understand about the way I photograph commercial work. I don’t want to walk into your business, line everybody against a wall, take the obligatory photographs and leave. I want to understand what makes the place tick. Who are the personalities? How do you interact with the people you serve? What do you want someone to feel when they land on your website? What makes your business different? Because branding isn’t just your logo or your colors. Your people are your brand, too. And when someone sees photographs of your business online, they’re already forming an impression before they’ve ever spoken to you. I want those photographs to feel polished enough to represent your business professionally, but real enough that when someone eventually walks through the door, they recognize the people they saw online. That’s the sweet spot.

Commercial & Branding Photography in Western Pennsylvania

Your business has probably spent years building its reputation. Your photographs should look like it. Whether you need updated professional headshots, team photographs, environmental portraits or an entire library of custom marketing imagery, I offer commercial and branding photography for businesses in Blairsville, Indiana County, the Pittsburgh region and throughout Western Pennsylvania. And while I’ll absolutely make sure we get the polished photographs you need, I’m also going to be watching for the things you might not realize you need, the personalities, interactions and tiny moments that show people who you actually are. Because I don’t just want to photograph what your business looks like. I want to photograph what it feels like to work with you.

Does Your Business Actually Look Like Your Business Online?

If your website is still relying on outdated headshots, stock photography or a random assortment of phone photos, let’s change that. From individual professional headshots to full-day commercial content libraries, we can create photography specifically around how your business actually markets itself. Let’s plan your commercial content day.

One Commercial Photography Day = A Whole Lot of Content

This is one of the biggest advantages of planning a full commercial content day instead of calling a photographer every time you suddenly need a picture. We’re intentionally creating variety.

One session can provide photography for your:

• Website and landing pages
• Social media
• Google Business Profile
• Digital and print advertising
• Employee bios and headshots
• Recruiting and hiring materials
• Brochures and printed marketing
• Email campaigns
• Presentations
• Press releases and media features
• Future marketing campaigns

And because the imagery was created together, it all looks like it belongs to the same brand. Same visual quality. Same overall feeling. Same people. Same story. That’s a whole lot different than a website pieced together from professional headshots, three-year-old cell phone pictures and a stock photo of people you’ve never met shaking hands in a conference room.

Show People What It Actually Feels Like to Work With You

This is probably my favorite part. I come from more than 20 years of photographing people, not just businesses and I’ve learned that some of the strongest images happen when people stop thinking about being photographed. It’s the employee who makes everyone laugh. The way someone naturally interacts with a client. The conversation happening between appointments. The little gestures you’d never think to put on a shot list. I’m always watching for those moments. During a commercial session, I’m creating polished marketing imagery while also looking for the real interactions happening around me. Because professional doesn’t have to mean stiff. Your potential customers want to see real people. They want to picture themselves walking through your door. And in a world where businesses have access to endless stock photography and increasingly perfect AI-generated imagery, I think photographs of your actual people doing the actual work have become even more valuable.

The Little Details Matter, Too

Not every photograph needs a face in it. In fact, some of the most useful commercial photographs don’t. Hands working. Equipment. Products. Signage. Workspaces. Architectural details. Someone walking down a hallway. A computer screen over someone’s shoulder. The little pieces of your environment that immediately tell someone, this is what we do here. I intentionally photograph these details because they’re incredibly useful for website design and marketing. Your web designer needs banner images. Your social media manager needs something behind text. Your marketing company needs vertical images. Your Google Business Profile needs fresh content. Suddenly, that photograph of someone doing their job that didn’t seem terribly exciting while I was taking it becomes exactly what you needed six months later. That’s why I’m thinking beyond individual photographs and looking at the entire visual library we’re building.

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Photography

How long does a commercial branding photography session take?

It depends entirely on the business and what we’re creating. A smaller headshot or branding project may only require a few hours, while a full commercial content day may last 6–8 hours. For larger projects, we’ll create a schedule ahead of time so we can photograph efficiently without unnecessarily disrupting your business.

What types of businesses do you photograph?

Commercial branding photography can work for nearly any business that needs professional imagery, from medical and professional offices to contractors, financial institutions, restaurants, small businesses, manufacturers and larger corporations. The photography plan is built around how your particular business needs to use the images.

Can you photograph our employees and customers or patients?

Yes, provided the appropriate permissions and releases are in place. We’ll discuss who will be photographed during the planning process so your business can handle any necessary consent or compliance requirements ahead of the shoot.

Can you photograph individual headshots during a branding day?

Absolutely. In fact, combining employee headshots with a larger commercial content day can be incredibly efficient. We can create consistent headshots while everyone is already scheduled and camera-ready, then move into team, environmental and lifestyle imagery.

Do we need a shot list?

I recommend having one, but don’t worry, you don’t have to figure it out alone. We’ll talk about how you currently market your business, what imagery you’re missing and what you anticipate needing in the future. From there, we can build a photography plan while still leaving room for the candid, unexpected moments that happen naturally.

How often should a business update its branding photography?

There’s no universal rule, but it’s worth refreshing your imagery when your team changes significantly, your physical space changes, you’ve introduced new services or your existing photography no longer represents your business accurately. Some businesses also schedule recurring content days so they always have current imagery available for marketing.

Micro Wedding Photography vs. Traditional Wedding Coverage

Here’s an important distinction: shorter micro-wedding coverage isn’t simply traditional wedding photography squeezed into two or three hours. It’s designed for a wedding day that is actually smaller and simpler.

A traditional wedding may include getting ready in separate locations, a first look, wedding party portraits, multiple family groupings, a full ceremony, travel between locations, cocktail hour, introductions, first dances, dinner, speeches, cake cutting, sunset portraits and an open dance floor. That’s a lot of story to tell. And when those things are part of your day, having enough photography coverage matters. Trying to cram all of that into two or three hours usually means rushing through the very moments you hired me to preserve.

Micro-wedding coverage works differently. It’s best for couples whose wedding itself has fewer moving parts…not couples trying to fit a full wedding into a smaller photography package. Penny and Chris chose to have theirs at Red Barn Winery in Delmont, PA-previously the Apple Hill Playhouse. It was officiated by her children…and it was beautiful.

Who Is 2–3 Hours of Wedding Photography Best For?

Shorter coverage can be a great fit if you’re:

• Getting married at a courthouse or by a Justice of the Peace
• Planning a small ceremony with only immediate family or a handful of guests
• Getting married at home, on family property or in your backyard
• Having an intimate ceremony at a traditional wedding venue without a full reception afterward
• Planning a second marriage or vow-centered celebration where many traditional wedding-day elements aren’t important to you
• Having your ceremony followed by a small dinner, cake or champagne rather than a traditional reception
• Primarily wanting your ceremony, family photographs and portraits of the two of you documented

In those situations, two or three hours can tell the story beautifully because we’re not leaving important pieces out. There simply aren’t as many pieces to begin with.

When Would I Recommend Traditional Wedding Coverage Instead?

If you’re planning a traditional wedding day with getting-ready photographs, a wedding party, multiple locations, a larger guest list and a reception with entrances, dances, speeches, dinner and dancing, you’ll probably benefit from traditional wedding coverage. Even if your guest list isn’t huge. That’s an important distinction because guest count alone doesn’t determine how much photography coverage you need. Your timeline does.

You could have 35 guests but still have a full wedding day with everything from getting ready through dancing. Likewise, you could have 60 guests gather on your family’s property for a ceremony and dinner and only need a few hours of photography. That’s why I don’t think couples should choose wedding photography coverage based solely on a number.

I want to know: What is actually happening on your wedding day…and what parts of it would you be heartbroken not to have photographed? That’s how we figure out how much coverage makes sense.

What You Give Up With Shorter Wedding Coverage

This is also worth talking about because I never want someone choosing shorter coverage without understanding the tradeoff. With two or three hours, we’re intentionally prioritizing the essentials. That might mean we photograph your ceremony, family, couple portraits and the beginning of your celebration, but I’m not there hours earlier while you’re getting ready or later when Grandma takes over the dance floor.

And sometimes those are the photographs people didn’t realize would matter until afterward. I’ve photographed weddings for more than 20 years, and one of the things I’ve learned is that wedding photography isn’t only about documenting the scheduled events. It’s also about everything happening around them. Your mom seeing you dressed for the first time. Your dad standing off to the side before the ceremony. Your best friend fixing your veil. Your grandparents dancing. The completely ridiculous thing your college friends do at 9:47 p.m. Those moments require something that can’t be manufactured later: time.

So if those parts of the story matter to you, more coverage isn’t unnecessary. It’s what gives me the opportunity to photograph them. But if your wedding genuinely doesn’t include those things? You shouldn’t feel like you have to turn your wedding into an eight-hour event just because that’s what wedding photography traditionally looks like. That’s exactly where micro-wedding coverage makes sense.

The Goal Isn’t Less. It’s Appropriate.

I don’t look at a micro wedding as a lesser version of a “real” wedding. And I don’t look at shorter photography coverage as a budget version of traditional wedding photography. They’re simply different. A traditional wedding needs enough time to tell a larger story. A micro wedding gives us the opportunity to tell a smaller, more concentrated one.

The question isn’t: “What’s the fewest number of photography hours we can get away with?”

It’s: “How much time do we need to photograph the parts of this day we’ll actually want to remember?”

Sometimes the answer is eight hours. Sometimes it’s six. And sometimes, two or three hours really is exactly enough.

When the wedding itself is intentionally small and simple, sometimes two or three hours really is enough to tell the whole story…not just a shortened version of it. See other versions of “Micro Wedding Coverage”

• Micro Wedding on Private Property
• Courthouse Micro Wedding