I’m pretty sure Elyse and Michael are too cool for me. They play in a band (Together! Just the two of them…so cute!), they bike outdoors together, they both have long hair, they’re young and good-looking, and they can rock it in front of the camera. TOO COOL FOR ME. 🙂

I was SO EXCITED when Michael contacted me last summer. He grew up down the road from me and our brothers played hockey together. It’s fun to work with people from my hometown because we have a “Connellsville connection” and it’s neat to see that my wedding photography has brought us back together. But I wasn’t just excited because I knew him…I was excited because he and Elyse are getting married at The Hayloft, which is where Brian and I got married almost seven years ago. I’ve not been back to the venue since then, so I’m very much looking forward to visiting this July for their wedding. 🙂

I met Elyse and Michael at the Barronvale Bridge in the mountains of southwest PA and was pleasantly surprised at all the backdrop options. The red and white covered bridge, the colorful leaves, the roads lined with trees…we had so much to work with! Not to mention Michael and Elyse’s awesomeness including old bikes, musical instruments and the ability to laugh, snuggle and be serious for the camera. 😉 I LOVED their session!

Michael and Elyse each have a dog and they asked to include them in some pictures. They certainly added a little spice to the session! 🙂

This picture…such a favorite! Probably of all time. I swapped my 35 1.4 lens for my 70-200 2.8 and WOW! Look at that bokeh…and look how Michael, Elyse and their dogs just POP from the background! So glad I started using my 70-200 lens more during my sessions last year…

They’re cute with and without the dogs!

These two enjoy biking together, so these two “oldies” were very appropriate! I’ve also encouraged Michael and Elyse to use them as decoration at the wedding. 🙂

Haha Elyse! You’re fun! 🙂

I just love those candid, genuine smiles…

Michael was “so into” the session. He had ideas and was excited  to make them happen. One of his ideas was sitting on this dilapidated bench near the bridge and it made the perfect spot for some doggy licks…

This next series is by far my favorite of the session! These two nailed it!!

This was Elyse’s idea and it turned out to be AWESOME! An engagement favorite from 2014 for sure!

This one in particular was a huge hit on Instagram. 🙂

Some final portraits with their instruments for their band of two. 🙂

Aren’t they so cool!?! I cannot wait to see what they’ll put together for their wedding, and as you can imagine, I CANNOT WAIT to get them back in front of the camera! Michael and Elyse, thanks for being so cool…and for choosing me to take your pictures! 🙂