Nate & Jaime are an awesome couple and people just loved their engagement sessions.  Jamie loves the vintage look and Nate couldn’t agree more.  I had to begin this post with their portrait session, the light was absolutely magical and a good tip to future brides is to plan your ceremony close to sunset when the light is low and golden.

How beautiful is Jamie and how sincere is Nate?  I love that you see it in all their photos.  Nate was simply enamored with her.

I caught this moment right as Nate and Jamie were exchanging rings; Nate’s mother looking on with such approval and joy, LOVE IT!

I adore the look on Nate’s face, he just loves Jamie being so close and all day, the fella was nothing but smiles.

How cute are these miniature street lamps for placeholders?

Jamie found random, vintage wedding photography online and mades these cool table numbers.

Nate’s brother actually sang the toast and speech to his brother and new wife, it was so emotional and one of the most beautiful moments I ever experienced at a wedding!  I love Nates sister starting to cry as brother would hit beautiful high notes!

Jamies father was so sweet and sincere when they danced.  He was so proud, their wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

Nate has a hugh family and I loved getting to know them and spend time on this magical day!  Its been such a pleasure getting to know Nate and Jamie and I feel so honored to be the one to capture such a special moment in their life.  THANK YOU!

  • Michelle Condne - These images are gorgeous! You captured the classic vintage feel perfectly. Amazing work!

  • Jamie Campayno - I finally got to view all of these! Oh my, they are amazing!!!!! I found myself tearing up re-living all of these moments and laughing seeing how the funny moments really looked from an onlookers perspective. There’s not another photographer that I know that could’ve captured our wedding with this much grace, emotion and beauty. You truly are one-of-a-kind Joey, you have an impressive way of photographing what seemed somewhat normal through my eyes and bringing out true beauty. Thank you SO much for all this joy!

  • Milla - Wow wow wow Joey! Stunning! Awesome work.

Wow!  This is one incredible engagement party!  Kristen has out done herself with the details, and I loved them all.  I had no clue her party would be so grand when she asked me to be her photographer.  I think I am becoming a member of the Katsourakis family as I am at many of their family functions and enjoying every minute of it. I have photographed Billy’s brother,  Nick’s wedding and his sister, “Zoe’s engagement party”.  The parents, Mr and Mrs Katsourakis are amazing people and Kristen’s mother Mrs Valva is sweet person and I am glad to say a big fan of my work!  Please take a look at this sneak peak of their amazing party.

How elegant and grand is the Power’s Auditorium in Youngstown?  I love the warm caramels and golds in Kristen’s color pallet.  Kristen wanted to throw a special party for friends and family as their wedding in 2012 will be on a private beach in the islands.

In the Greek culture, men also wear an engagement band (which is separate from the wedding ring).  There is a brief ceremony where the woman places the ring on the fiancee and the priest prays a blessing on the ring’s and the couple.  Speaking of RINGS!!!!!!!!!!  WOWIE!!!!!  Billy and Kristen’s sister, Maria picked out the ring and had it custom designed by a jeweler in New York City.

Then Billy planned a trip to Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda.  It was actually on the side of a cliff and very private and romantic, says Kristen, when Billy asked her to marry him. When Kristen saw the size of the ring, she was in complete shock!  The entire moment was a total surprise as she just thought it was a vacation.   Billy choose a custom pear cut design that is flanked with two triangular diamonds.  Gorgeous!

Billy got Kristen her Black gown which is by Aidan Mattox for the engagement party.  What a classy guy!

Billy and Kristen are desert fanatics to say the least and Kristen held nothing back when choosing these desserts!  THe candies are both old fashion and ones they loved!  She ordered most of them from NYC.  She had the suckers personalized with their date and even personalized fortune cookies which were so tasty.  I love the window treatments with their initials, the pastries!  I love the vintage pastries and the baby cupcakes are Billy’s favorite when he goes to Manhattan, so Kristen had them shipped in from his favorite bakery, Melissa’s.

On the other side of Power’s Audiotorium is the Deyor Performing Arts Center.  This space is more modern and Kristen chose a color palet of black, pink and white. She wanted one side to be romantic and very old world-style, while the Deyor Performing Arts Center next door would be more of a youthful party spot.

Finally, a party isn’t party without music and dancing.  Kristen had the Greecian Keys perform traditional greek wedding music, and DJ Richie mixed up excellent dance beats for the modern bride.  Congrats to Billy and Kristen, your party was amazing and thank you for having me!

*Special thanks goes out Maria for helping with the photography!
Venue: Powers Auditorium
Deyor Center for Performing Arts
Band: Greecian Keys
DJ: Richie

  • kristin valva - Joey i love everything its looks soo goood pretty you did an amazing job i cant wait to c all the pictures thanks for the sneak peak!!

  • Nicole - WOW ABSOLUTLY AMAZING!!!!!!!!! What a unreal party and UNREAL PHOTOGRAPHER!!!!

  • Evelyn Katsourakis - I don’t even recall how many times I’ve used the adjective “stunning” to describe your work, but I can’t think of a more perfect way to express what a wonderful job you do. Billy and Kristin couldn’t have picked a more perfect venue for their engagement party, and you truly did Power’s Auditorium the justice it rightfully deserves. Your photos are amazing as always and I love that we’ve been able to stay in touch since January! Go Browns!

  • kelly pascarella - Gorgeous, Joey! I love the candy pictures and the ring pictures :)

  • MARIA VALVA - Joey your work it absolutely amazing!!! You did a wonderful job capturing this party the pictures show just how much Kristin and Billy love each other and also how much fun everyone had at this party. These pictures truly do this party justice, and I have to say my sister did a beautiful job decorating this venue. Best of luck with everything.

I love a timeless and elegant look to weddings and that’ s why Beth’s wedding was so perfect for me! Every detail she chose, from the dress, to the shoes and even the diamond necklace her grandmother wore on her wedding day was so vintage. Her mother’s bedroom had wonderful antiques and made the perfect back drop for getting ready.

I love form-fitting gowns and this dress is so stunning on Beth.  Not to mention, how cute and playful are these bride-maid dresses?

Beth’s father had a helping hand in seeing this church built, so needless to say it was so special for her ceremony.  We had perfect weather, and I love that September light!

I love the natural look of these portraits, it really captures how Beth and Ryan are together.  The wedding party was a blast to photograph!

These guys were hysterical!  They were looking for a good time which makes my job a blast!  This shot, so funny!

Beth and Ryan are great people and I truly enjoyed spending the day with their families!  Beth’s mother and father are marrying off their first daughter and wanted  to make it special.  They booked the Pennsylvanian which has to be  one of the most stunning venues in the city of Pittsburgh!

Beth booked Green Eggs Band;  they covered popular wedding songs in a hard, edge punk style.  Needless to say, it made the place go crazy and it quickly turned into a concert!  A lot of people ask me all the time about which I prefer, band or dj?  Both have advantages, but a band can definitely feed off the energy of your crowd.  Beth and Ryan are young and vibrant people, so the music reflected that characteristic.  You know your guests the best so plan accordingly.  Beth was worried people wouldn’t like having the band, but the exact opposite happened and that dance floor was packed all night; good call, Beth!

Thank you so much Beth and Ryan for choosing me to capture an amazing day, in an amazing place!

Venue: The Pennsylvanian
Band: Green Eggs
Flowers: Z Florist
Cater: Rania’s Catering
Lighting: ADS Lighting
Dress: James Clifford
Rentals: All Occasions Party Rental
Linens: Lendable Linens
Hair: Alure Salon: Sarah
Makeup: Agape: Brigette

  • Kristen Pruski - These are the best wedding pictures I’ve ever seen! It perfectly captured Beth and Ryan.

  • Beth Gallaher - Thanks Joey – absolutely fabulous!!

  • PEGGY ELLIS - Joey, What an AMAZING job you did, I can’t believe I even know YOU!! So proud of the terrific captions and expertise in knowing exactly where to be and exactly how to photograph those perfect moments! You’re the BEST!!

  • admin - Awww, Mrs Ellis, thank you so much and so great to hear from you! I truly appreciate you taking the time to write : )

  • Alanna - These are so Beautiful! Almost every single one made my jaw drop… every detail of that wedding looks amazing! Nice work!

Pam and Shawn are a super fun and creative couple.  I have really enjoyed getting to know them and becoming good friends.  We had a thousand laughs making their Engagement Session, they are so entertaining to be around, that I couldn’t wait for the wedding.  Pam’s wore a ball gown and her colors were hot pink and black with lime green.  It was black dresses with pink shoes for the girls and black suits with pink ties for the gents.

A lot of my couples do a “first look;” it’s a cool moment when the bride and groom secretly see each other.  I loved Shawn’s first reaction; it was sooo sweet, he straightened her tiara and looked into her eye’s and sighed.  I love these images because if fits their personalities so well, Shawn is laid back and quiet while Pam is alway happy!  Your photography should reflect your personality, not someone’s style.

Let me tell you, these girls were so much fun to work with!  I love making fun, lively photography and showing my clients the best time while doing it.

Pam and Shawn got married at Jay Verno Studio’s on the southside of Pittsburgh.  Let me tell you, if you are even remotely considering this space for your wedding or reception, do it!  It’s young; it’s hip with a very non-traditional venue which gives it a fun feel and killer place to party!  Jay was a main fashion photographer for Kaufmans for over 30 years, but once Macy’s bought out Kauffmans, he had to convert his fashion studio.  The space is amazing and Jay can set the studio up so many different ways, we just love the space bathed in pink light.  You never wanted to leave.  It’s perfect if you want the entire wedding there or just your reception.  It’s convenient to the southside flats, and with valet, your guests can pull up to the door and forget the outside world for a while.  Inside Jay’s studio is magical and the lighting really sets the tone.  Jay offers many services and packages; his staff is excellent, especially Paul who catered to our needs with kindness and respect.  Jay, too, is one of the friendliest people you can meet in the Pittsburgh wedding scene.  Special thanks to the Jay Verno staff for their exceptional accommodations.

“Yes, We Cater” were the best, the food was fresh, delicious and they never let a tray or platter go half empty!  They constantly had new dishes coming, and it was so good and so plentiful.  I am going to have to recommend these guys as the best caterers of the year so far!  From the sushi boats, to tuna steak with peppercorn coating to the chicken and roast beef, the food was AMAZING, and we got stuffed!

Pam and Shawn made their own fortune cookies which were cute and funny.  Here are the three quotes they used.  ” Rituals are important.  Nowadays, its not hip to be married.  I’m not interested in being hip” – John Lennon.  “No Man was ever shot by his wife while doing the dishes.”  “Let the wife make her husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.”  Martin Luther

Pam and Shawn, thank you so much for trusting me with your day; from the details, to the tears and laughs, it has been so much fun!  Special thanks to my good friend Alanna for hooking it up and bringing Pam and me together : )

Venue: Jay Verno Studio
Carter: “Yes, We Cater”
Cupcakes: Vanilla Bakery
Dj “Flash” : Brad Hlavach
Lighting: Jay Verno
Pam & Shawn’s Engagement Session

  • Pamela - Hey Joey!! They are perfect!! Thank you so much for being such a HUGE part of this entire expierence. You have been fantastic!! i can’t wait to see the rest of these.

  • Alanna - Joey, these are fantastic! You really have captured this day in the most beautiful way! I know Pam and Shawn will love this!! I just love it so so much!!

  • Chuck Schneider - Damn, Joey. I’m always griping about the light I have to deal with at venues, this must have been a dream come true.

    You’re just really nailing these. I need to watch you work sometime. Or maybe we can go out somewhere and shoot. It’s been too long. Take care.

  • admin - Hi PAM!!!! SO GLAD YOU LOVE THEM!!!!!!! LOVE YOU!!!!

    Alanna – your the best!

    Chuck – thanks for writing buddy! That would be fun sometime…I still tell people about your collection of vintage images. Especially the photographers shadow!

  • Shawn - Joey! Thank you for being a part of our wedding! These are really amazing photos. I’m blown away.

  • jan crisostomo - Joey, these pictures are just amazing…and they are only the beginning! Like I shared with you in my email, this day was a dream come true for all of us; and the way you handled everything so professionally and yet also with emotion and true caring for our family blessed me so much. I know you are going to become famous, and I will say one day ‘I knew him when’…
    Everyone who has seen these pics say Pamela looks like a model and the photos belong on a magazine cover, and I have to agree!
    I hope I get to experience your work again in the future, say, maybe baby pictures, lol?!
    xx jan

  • April - What a beautiful event!! Love the colors and the venue was awesome!! As always Joey you caught the mood and have some great shots!! What a beautiful wedding!!!