Meet the Mooney's ...

I've known Sophia since Junior High, frankly I don't know who met who first, but regardless we hit it off and have been friends since.  In taking this step into 'Photographer for Hire' I have to give credit where credit is due and will use this blog as my platform for thanking those that encouraged (gently nudged?) me to bring this business to fruition.  That said, there will be more thank you's as I go, but Phia, you get my first "Thanks!"

This year Phia got engaged and married to one Bob Mooney - it was a whirlwind romance that played out for a lot of us over the course of 2009 on FaceBook.  I'll not divulge too much about their courtship here, as that's her story to tell ...  but will skip to the important part of the story -- where I fit in, and why I'm thanking her.  Fast forward to a couple of months before the big day and Phia and Bob are going through the usual wedding planning stuff.  Phia, either through the knot or some other blog she's been screening daily, comes up with an idea for a Photo Guest Book.  For those that have not attended a wedding in a while, the guest book is the book that sits on some podium at the reception that all attendees are to sign as they walk in.  In its simplest form, the guest book is a prettied up version of tablet. Pages with lines. Ho hum. Kind of boring and low brow for our bride-to-be. In short, Phia was not having her guests sign a tablet.


So, Phia and Bob reach out to a photographer friend (not me) to discuss having some engagement photos taken. Sadly (or happily for me?) their schedules did not seem to gel and Phia approaches me with the idea. What's a lifelong friend to say but 'of course, I'd be happy to!'. I'll openly admit now I was a little nervous (yes Phia, I was).  Although not a fan of Bridezilla, a title of some Lifetime show I'm sure exists, I was nervous about taking photos for 1. a friend, 2. a bride, and 3. a book that was going to be displayed for the world (exaggeration here, but there were a lot of people invited to this wedding). I know I take a good snap, but this was kicking it up a notch.

Fast forward to the day of the shoot and I think you'll agree I captured some pretty special photos for Phia & Bob. Bob had the day planned out from start to finish, and although it was one of the hottest days of the year, we all put on our happiest faces, hopped in the car, scooted around Pgh and the North Side, and even managed a wardrobe change or two.  The end result -- a collection of photos any bride-to-be would be happy to use in their Guest Book.  Ultimately, the finished product was a thing of beauty on their special day, I don't think it got more applause than the bride and groom, but I want to say it came in a close 2nd? (perhaps wishful thinking, but that's me).

So, it's that photo shoot and the feedback I got from friends, family, and random wedding guests that added fuel to the fire that had been slowly building to continue to explore Photography as a business.  I've included some of the shoot here, but if you're interested in scrolling through a larger set, click the happy couple below.

05-2010 Sophia & Bob

In closing - Thank you Phia (&Bob)!   Thank you for thinking of me, thank you for asking me, and thank you for trusting me ... All the best to you both.

xo