Mellon Institute Engagement
We kept this one simple, only shooting in the area around the Mellon Institute. I’m a huge fan of Neoclassical design (and almost every building in a Greek revival style - I’m looking at you Washington D.C.). The architect behind the Mellon Institute, Benno Janssen, is responsible for many of the cherished buildings and popular wedding venues around Pittsburgh - The Omni William Penn Hotel, Longue Vue Club, Alumni Hall, and the Pittsburgh Athletic Association building, to name a few. I’m grateful for the ability to borrow from their beauty in my photographs.
In general, I’m not a morning person. Inspiration tends to find me at 9 p.m., and if I recently captured an exciting wedding or a gorgeous engagement session then odds are good that I’ll be up until ~2 a.m. working on it. But then get up before sunrise the following day? Not so much. With one exception: engagement sessions like Taylor & Ryan’s.
Morning photo sessions can be a godsend, especially during the summer months when it’s a bit toasty and humid. Mid 60’s at 6 a.m. instead, please. The other big benefit is having a location all to yourself. Evening sessions can be a bit busy, requiring time to instead herd people away from photogenic spots and waiting for background loiterers to move on. There’s also something beautiful about the summer morning light. The air is a bit thicker thanks to the humidity & higher dew point, which catches and refracts the morning sun in every direction. You’ve seen it yourself when you see a beam of light through the trees, seemingly highlighting what has to be a very special spot where the light rays touch below. Ethereal is a good word for that type of air and light quality. It’s just as beautiful when I’m out west in the desert, but for different reasons. Desert light is more crisp and the refraction comes from the dust in the air, It’s often just as colorful, but certainly more intense. I digress.
Taylor & Ryan were a treat to capture. Effortlessly beautiful and natural together, they really made my job easy. And, despite the stately backdrop, they were still able to sneak a little ass-grabbing in. Enjoy their images below.
