B Family | Strip District

You know how you basically can’t even talk to your accountant or tax attorney friends from March 15th until tax time?  There is a busy season for photographers too–basically April to accountants is what October is to photographers. There is a real ebb and flow in this business, and I structure my year to work with it rather than fight against it! I do all of my traveling, professional development, gear maintenance, and a lot of work on the structure of my business in the winter months (January, February) when I am mostly shooting just newborn and baby sessions.  I do not plan any nonessential travel from late September through Christmas when I am shooting family sessions in addition to my sweet newborns.  I certainly make time to enjoy the fall and all of my favorite holidays, I just plan to be working a lot too.

My thoughts behind this is that a) it’s beautiful in the fall… changing leaves, cooler weather (sweaters and boots!), and it’s generally just b beautiful time of year to be outside.  And b) holiday cards with a gorgeous professional photo on them are a big thing, I know I enjoy sending and receiving.

This family contacted me later in the season to shoot an outdoor family session for their holiday card.  We started in their home and went outside for the rest of the session.

pittsburgh family photography session in strip district loft with the benter family.

They live in the Strip District and dad had some locations in mind… I was a little hesitant since choosing a location has so much to do with lighting and factors about the background that most people wouldn’t think of… however, he nailed it with these incredible spots.  In fact, I will be revisiting this location this week for a fitness-inspired maternity session.

pittsburgh family photography session in strip district railroad location with the benter family.

Baby H is a real charmer with soulful eyes.  He was happy being outside even with the cooler temperatures.  I like the dark backdrop in this next series and the fact that it includes gritty railroad trestles next to an adorable babe.  The bottom photo is the one that ended up on their lovely letterpress card.

pittsburgh family photography session in strip district railroad location with the benter family.

The third location we went to is a little walking bridge that overlooks Pittsburgh… another spot chosen by dad who is a Pittsburgh local and knows the Strip District area well.

pittsburgh family photography session in strip district railroad location with the benter family.

Some families choose more casual outfits but this family was more comfortable in something formal. I was definitely in love with mom’s orange wrap!

See all the images from this session in this video slideshow: 

If you would like to shoot a family portrait session with me in the fall, I book up to nine months in advance (12 for baby planners), so get in touch as soon as you know you want to work with me.  As I am writing this I have several dates in October booked even though I have most of August free.

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Missy Timko is the Pittsburgh Family Photographer photographer behind Powder Blue Photography, a boutique photography studio located in Pittsburgh, PA. She specializes in newborns, maternity, families, seniors, and headshots. Missy’s style is simple, natural, and clean, a mix of slightly posed and lifestyle photography with beautiful natural backdrops, and Missy also runs a studio in the West End Village in Pittsburgh.  There are many session options, from full-length custom sessions to shorter Baby & Child or maternity sessions, inside the studio or outside in a beautiful natural or urban location in Pittsburgh.  Contact Missy for rates and availability.

Newborn Baby Jacob | Lifestyle Newborn Photography Session

in home lifestyle newborn session at shady side home in pittsburgh. in home lifestyle session using canon 600 ex-rt speedlites.

Like most two-year-olds, Lillian is excited about her baby brother Jacob.  And, as you can see, she takes being a big sister very, very seriously.  Incredibly attentive and patient for her age, Lillian took such good care of Baby Jacob during the shoot that I hardly heard a peep out of him.  I love this serious expressions on Lillian’s face (above and below), as if to say, “Having a little brother is an important job.” But at the same time, “…isn’t this fun?”

black and white lifestyle newborn session images of newborn baby boy with two year old sister. in home lifestyle newborn session at shady side home in pittsburgh. in home lifestyle session using canon 600 ex-rt speedlites.

And Baby Jacob slumbered through most of it, although he did wake up long enough to gaze up lovingly at his new family.

black and white lifestyle newborn session with image of baby's feet. in home lifestyle newborn session at shady side home in pittsburgh. in home lifestyle session using canon 600 ex-rt speedlites.

The H family is one of my favorite families to photograph—this is my third session with them!  First was a fall family portrait session two years ago, and the second time was for a maternity session before Jacob was born.  Everybody is growing so fast!

family portrait at lifestyle newborn photography session. in home lifestyle newborn session at shady side home in pittsburgh. in home lifestyle session using canon 600 ex-rt speedlites.

Lee and Jessica have a beautiful historic home in Shadyside, which is decorated to perfection.  And I mean complete perfection.  Lillian’s room was very girly girl’s room, and Jacob’s room is aeronautical in theme; but both are so much more interesting than the usual “cutesy” baby rooms we’ve all seen on Pinterest.  The use of color was stunning.  If you don’t believe me, just look:

Baby’s furniture is by Restoration Hardware Kids.

aeronautical baby nursery with furniture from restoration hardware kids.

One more fashion note:  Baby Jacob was photographed in a simple but elegant crochet diaper cover, and I was able to get some very precious “bottoms up” shots.  This diaper cover worked great because it wasn’t too bulky.  So if your Aunt Sally is knitting a diaper cover for your newborn, and her knitting needles are fatter than highlighter pens, you might want to have a talk with her.

posed baby portraits at a lifestyle newborn photography session. in home lifestyle newborn session at shady side home in pittsburgh. in home lifestyle session using canon 600 ex-rt speedlites.

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Missy Timko is the photographer behind Powder Blue Photography, a boutique photography studio located in Pittsburgh, PA. She specializes in newborns, maternity, families, seniors, and headshots. Missy’s style is simple, natural, and clean, a mix of slightly posed and lifestyle photography with beautiful natural backdrops, and Missy also runs a studio in the West End Village in Pittsburgh.  There are many session options, from full-length custom sessions to shorter Baby & Child or maternity sessions, inside the studio or outside in a beautiful natural or urban location in Pittsburgh.  Contact Missy for rates and availability.

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*Adapted from “My Little Brother” on www.netmums.com chatroom, September 2007, posted by Erin C.

Newborn Baby Nolan | Sports Nursery

Sweet Christmas baby Nolan was born just before the holiday! He is a peaceful little guy and slept the entire time I was shooting. I was very fond of his classic Janie & Jack outfit–sometimes newborn clothes can look very large on newborns but this one fit just right, and I thought the texture looked perfect for photos.

pittsburgh newborn photography session in home. baby boy born in pittsburgh, Sports nursery theme.

Have you ever tried to photograph LED Christmas lights?  I had the hardest time getting them to show up!  Apparently they blink on and off at a frequency that we can’t see with our eyes but that is faster than my camera’s shutter speed. Many of my shots looked like the lights were off; I was so baffled but figured it out later.  Anyway, with a little extra patience and some brainstorming on camera settings, I got some great shots by the Christmas tree anyway!

pittsburgh newborn photography session in home. baby boy born in pittsburgh, Sports nursery theme.

Nolan’s nursery has a colorful sports theme and we also took a baseball photo for dad.

pittsburgh newborn photography session in home. baby boy born in pittsburgh, Sports nursery theme.

This family’s light-filled Southside loft was beautiful for photos–very tall ceilings and beautiful window light.  Even in the brightest of homes though I am usually using Canon 600 EX-RT Speedlites or Westcott Flex LEDs for fill–I don’t mind using a higher ISO if I have to, but I do like the sharpness that comes with adding light to a lifestyle newborn session.

pittsburgh newborn photography session in home. baby boy born in pittsburgh, Sports nursery theme.

More from this session here:

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Missy Timko is the photographer behind Powder Blue Photography, a boutique photography studio located in Pittsburgh, PA. She specializes in newborns, maternity, families, seniors, and headshots. Missy’s style is simple, natural, and clean, a mix of slightly posed and lifestyle photography with beautiful natural backdrops, and Missy also runs a studio in the West End Village in Pittsburgh.  There are many session options, from full-length custom sessions to shorter Baby & Child or maternity sessions, inside the studio or outside in a beautiful natural or urban location in Pittsburgh.  Contact Missy for rates and availability.