Shell Bailey Photography » lifestyle portraits

Youngstown Engagement Photography | Stephanie & Kevin

Shell — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:51:46 +0000

For Kevin & Stephanie’s engagement photos, we drove to the Fellows Riverside Gardens in Youngstown, OH, near to where they will be getting married this summer. The gardens are absolutely gorgeous and have sweeping fields and cozy nooks spread throughout, so many cute places to shoot there. But while the location was amazing, the weather could have used a little work. Don’t be fooled by their cute springtime clothes- it was forty degrees and sleeting most of the day. But with sweaters and a short break for hot chocolate they withstood the cold! It was totally worth it.

“You’ll have to tell us exactly what to do,” Stephanie says, “we don’t know anything about posing.” But by the end of the session, everyone was laughing and shouting out ideas and saying. “Oh! What if we do this!” We had a spectacular amount of fun. Definitely looking forward to their wedding in July (which, from what Stephanie has told me about it, will be amazing.) In the meantime, a little bit of early springtime love. xx

Hartwood Acres Engagement Photographer: Dave & Jennie

Shell — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 03:51:55 +0000

Dave and Jennie did something very brave: they specifically asked if their photos could be in the snow. They are having a January winter wedding next year and wanted the save-the-dates to match! So we braved the cold and met up at Hartwood Acres to get some wintry, romantic shots.

I wish I got to do snowy engagement sessions more often! Although I have to say, this may have been the fastest engagement shoot I’ve ever done. It was a race against cold toes and runny noses. (I’m not sure who won, but it was tight at the end.) That was alright, though, because Jennie & Dave are absolutely adorable together, and it was totally worth it.

Mount Lebanon Engagement | Kelsey & Evan

Shell — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:49:14 +0000

Had a fantastic time at Kelsey & Evan’s engagement sessi0n. :) They choose to do portraits at their home town on Mt Lebanon, and had all of these fantastic, quirky little locations for pictures! Old stairwells and beautifully lit brick alleyways and parking garages- it may sound outside-of-the-box, but it’s such a unique way to capture the place that they live and who they are at this time of their lives. Having that kind of backstory, on the streets they walk down every day, makes it so much more than just a pretty location. I just love that little glimpse of them & now I can’t wait for the wedding.

They’ll be getting married at the end of October and honeymooning in Utah (where Evan is going to go the Bonneville Salt Flats! Chances are you either don’t know what that is, or, like me, you’re now very jealous.) So looking forward to the wedding, it’s going to be amazing.

Morgantown WVU Engagement | Amanda & Ken

Shell — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:16:23 +0000

While most of my weddings are in and around the Pittsburgh area, I am always excited when photography takes me a little outside of my usual realm. I love traveling and seeing new places and don’t always get the chance to do that as much as I would like. Whenever I do get to explore somewhere new, my favorite thing to do is to walk around and take pictures, so of course I’m thrilled whenever a couple has somewhere in particular in mind. :)

Amanda and Ken are getting married at WVU in Morgantown during the summer of next year, and wanted to take the opportunity to get shots of some of the more scenic locations for their engagement portraits. We had so much fun- they gave Andy & I a tour of the campus and told us all about going to school there and the best places to eat. And they both have a great eye for style & what looks good, I absolutely love working with them.

If you’re considering something similar, I am always interested in doing destination portraits- it’s especially a great option if you have to keep the wedding a little closer to home! I am always on the lookout for neat places. In the meantime, I’m totally looking forward to Amanda & Ken’s wedding at WVU next year. :)

White Oak Engagement | Virginia & Chris

Shell — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:27:20 +0000

I’ve been waiting for this one for a while. I may not know a whole lot about cars, but I very much appreciate them, and when Virginia & Chris told me what their plans were for the engagement session, I couldn’t wait.

Virginia & Chris met because of these cars, & were so excited to include them. Two classics- a Challenger and a Cuda- rumbling through the park, drowning out the graduation parties. We would park and pose and you could watch the fathers kind of sneak away from the parties to come stare at the cars until we drove away. :) Despite the occasional audience, it wasn’t hard to get good shots. Virginia & Chris are just so happy together it’s adorable.

And tomorrow’s their wedding day…!

Newborn Photography | Adelaide

Shell — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 19:56:51 +0000

A beautiful little girl… we’re wishing her all the best in the world.

Phipps Engagement Portraits | Chris & Molly

Shell — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 23:08:49 +0000

I only met Molly & Chris two weeks before their wedding, due to some crazy circumstances. We had a consultation, two days later I was shooting their engagement portraits, and the next week I was shooting their wedding. A bit of a whirlwind, but I was so glad we could fit the engagement portraits in- we went to Phipps Conservatory and strolled through the sunlight & leaves. Chris and Molly are so fun to hang out with, I can’t wait to show you their wedding– and it’s coming soon. :)

Pittsburgh Newborn Photography | Grace

Shell — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:00:32 +0000

I’m happy to present a much-expected arrival. She’s a beautiful addition to Steph and Zak‘s family: little Grace! I honestly haven’t had much opportunity to work with newborns in the past, so I was thrilled when they asked me to take her one-week portraits. We took a couple hours just to document this crazy, exciting time for them & to admire this sweet little girl.

Pittsburgh Maternity Photographer | Danielle and Stephanie

Shell — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:31:59 +0000

Two best friends, due just two months apart, surrounded by their families on a gorgeous spring day, and I was thrilled to be with them to capture this exciting time. We’re counting down to a matter of days- Stephanie is due any time now and Danielle is a little later this summer. I’m definitely looking forward to meeting their little ones! You will be seeing more of them later… :)

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Year in Review

Shell — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:06:47 +0000

I know things have been quiet here lately! I have been designing albums and spending too much time on Pinterest and generally enjoying hibernating through the winter. I’ve enjoyed the quiet while it has lasted, but now I’m ready to kick back into gear.

This is an exciting time of the year, when I get to talk to so many couples who are just beginning their wedding planning, and who have so many things to look forward to. I love meeting new couples and hearing their stories. I do still have 2012 dates available and am booking for 2013, so if you’re newly engaged and planning your wedding, please get in touch!

But before I started posting new work, I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from the past year, both from my personal work and from my weddings and portraits. :) 2011 was pretty fantastic and I am so looking forward to what this year has in store.