Shell Bailey Photography

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.

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Here’s to 2013

Shell — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:15:55 +0000

Happy New Year! And many, many congratulations to everyone newly engaged over the holidays!

I’ve been wrapping up the last bits of business from 2012 and just feeling really blessed. Last year had so many amazing weddings and unexpected good moments, and I woke up today to several emails to new opportunities. You know, this is probably silly, but even after several years of business, I still get really excited anytime when people get in touch with me about photography. Really excited. Every single time. I can’t say this any more simply- it’s what I love to do. Taking pictures of people in love just never gets old. So I would just send a huge, heartfelt thank-you to all of the couples who helped make 2012 so fantastic. You’re the best. :D

2013 is going to rock. So is 2014. I’m so excited to work with the wonderful couples I’ve already met and can’t wait to meet the ones I haven’t. :D I do still have dates available for 2013, & am just starting to book into 2014- please contact me if you’re planning your wedding for this year! I’d love to hear from you.

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers: Wendi & Tom

Shell — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:43:45 +0000

This one was my last wedding of 2012… Wendi and Tom asked me cover their beautiful ceremony at St. Therese of Lisieux in Munhall, PA. It’s such a joy to photograph small weddings like this. Wishing Wendi & Tom the best & many happy years to come. :)

Pittsburgh Wedding | Kelsey & Evan

Shell — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 01:46:18 +0000

Kelsey and Evan were married on a beautiful fall day at St Vincent College’s Basilica. After the ceremony, we snuck into their gardens and finally, the yellow stacks of the college library for a couple amazing portraits. (Much to the bafflement of the assistant librarian, suddenly confronted with an entire bridal party!) If I wasn’t a photographer, I would probably be a librarian, so that crossed off one of the lines on my list of dream portraits. :D

So many details that I loved- the excitement that comes with putting on the wedding dress, the parents’ teary eyes, the excitement of all of their friends, and the way everyone at that wedding was invested in Kelsey and Evan and their shared love. It’s a beautiful thing to see, and the best kind of celebration.

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Sneak Peek | Kelsey & Evan

Shell — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:03:11 +0000

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Virginia & Chris

Shell — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 03:11:19 +0000

There are so many things I could say to describe this wedding. I could say that when we first met, Virginia and Chris told me to expect hot rods and moonshine. Or that when the limo broke down, the entire bridal party came together to make sure that everyone got where they needed to be without a hitch. But I think the best thing I can say is that there were more props, more schtick, and more ongoing jokes at this wedding then I think I’ve ever seen. It was pretty fantastic. The priest’s popstar glasses, the epic first dance that was eight minutes long and choreographed with props. Virginia & Chris brought that crazy, exuberant joy to every part of the wedding, and it doesn’t get much better than that. Loved 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…!