Backyard Wedding Photo from Pittsburgh, PA showing the branches of the tree giving the impression that it was embracing the chuppah
I wanted to shoot this wide enough to show the scene, but also the branches of the tree which gave the impression that it was "embracing" the chuppah which was "embracing" the couple. And that Clorox container stands out perfectly.
Jennifer "Frumie" and Steven were supposed to get married in New York but decided to instead have a scaled-back wedding on private property in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh where they currently live and work. They had an Orthodox Jewish wedding--only the 3rd one I've done in my 12-year career, so there were many elements that were unfamiliar to me, and therefore very interesting to me. They kept traditions such as the Badeken, Ketubah signing, etc., but I tried to select the photos that best reflected Frumie and Steven's unique story the best. I also tried to select the photos that highlighted their humor and playfulness, and photos that emphasized distance, as well as touches and embraces (ironic, given the times).
Pittsburgh Wedding Photo of Guests standing 6 feet apart during the outdoor ceremony
Guests stand at least 6 feet apart during Frumie and Steven's Orthodox Jewish wedding held on June 21, 2020.
Pittsburgh Wedding Photo showing the vintage camper for their yichud
They arranged to have a vintage camper for their yichud. Orthodox Jewish tradition dictates that couples spend at least 8 minutes completely alone after their ceremony. There were plenty of interesting traditions at Frumie and Steven's wedding, but the reason I chose this particular tradition to showcase because I caught a funny moment between Steven and a guest where they jokingly saluted each other, with Frumie laughing in the background--something that she did frequently that day.
Pittsburgh, PA Wedding image of The brides grandmother being sensitive enough to have cried several times
The bride's grandmother was sensitive enough to have cried several times during the day, and I especially love her embrace around the bride's veil.
Pittsburgh, PA Backyard Wedding photo of The groom using his mouth to hold on to a slice of challah
I love this light-hearted moment of Steven using his mouth to hold on to a slice of challah! The photo is sort of a mess, but so was 2020. I love seeing everyone reacting, and Frumie laughing as she had been doing all day.
Pittsburgh Wedding Photo of The couples first dance, fun and playful
Frumie and Steven's first dance was as fun and playful as I expected. I especially love how their body language is mimicked in the branch, as well as the mother's curve of her hip.
Wedding Image from Pittsburgh PA showing it like an outsider peering in on their first dance
I took a gamble and stepped outside of the tent to see if I could make an image that feels like an outsider peering in on their first dance, and seeing the sunshine in the grass and the blue sky with puffy clouds, and the rounded top of the window feels very optimistic.
Wedding image from a Pittsburgh, PA event showing faces reacting, plus the mid-air rose petals
They were exhausted! If you've been married, you can certainly relate to Wedding Day Exhaustion. I love the layers here. I almost didn't choose this one, but seeing everyone's face reacting, plus the mid-air rose petals were too good to pass up. I've never seen anything like this at a wedding before--this is uniquely Frumie and Steven.
Backyard Wedding image of a PA Couple as they are looking towards their friends and family
Frumie and Steven decided to take a moment away from the guests and allowed me to follow. Here they are looking towards their friends and family as their reception began to wind down.
