Front Porch Sessions in Pittsburgh

Front Porch Sessions are mini photography sessions from the comfort of your own porch, with a photographer standing a social distancing 6-8 feet away.

These short sessions became popular at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic because it was a way of memorializing this unique period, with all the time that we spend in our own homes together. Some photographers have even pledged to donate a portion of the session fees from front porch sessions to local food banks (which I will ALWAYS support!). One of the major downsides of front porch sessions, though, is that you really only end up with one picture. The photographer is just too far away to engage with your kids, coax relaxed smiles, and direct a variety of poses. You are essentially paying for a snapshot of your family standing on the porch.

Now that most of the Pittsburgh area has entered the yellow phase, businesses are starting to open up, and social distancing restrictions are lightening, you can definitely get more for your money with a traditional Mini Session! Mini sessions are short 20 minute family photo sessions at a predetermined location with beautiful natural lighting and background. You end up with lots of fun, relaxed candids and emotion-driven photos along with your standard group photo.

This summer, too, at all of my summer mini session events I am offering a promotion: All clients who bring at least a dozen food items to their session, will receive $100 off any prints or future sessions! These food items will be donated to the North Hills Community Outreach food pantry and will support families in need. Please visit their website to see the list of urgently listed items. So while getting your annual portraits done, you can also support those who are is struggling during this crisis, AND receive a photography discount.

You can see mini session timeslot availability here!

If you still want your pictures at home or on your porch, then a regular photo session is the way to go. You still get your front porch picture, along with a variety of portraits in your yard or neighboring park. Plus you get lots and lots of candids of you playing with your kids! I know how seldom it happens that parents end up in these types of candid pictures, so it’s really nice to have those memories captured professionally, too. You can learn more about the precautions that I am taking to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 here. 

Front porch sessions were a special part of our history. I truly love the way that our community came together in lockdown, and how photographers used their craft to help the community while documenting such a unique time. These are the times that our grandkids will be interviewing us about for school papers! Documenting it is important. I think it’s also important that we support the skilled artists who provide these services for a living, and help get our economy back on its feet. I am so incredibly excited to get back to working with families again this summer!

Let’s chat about which type of session works best for you.