Joe Appel Photography - Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Heinz Chapel

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Heinz Chapel

I have an affinity for Heinz Memorial Chapel. My wife (she's the Pitt grad) and I were married there. Our wedding was on a Friday evening in October - the same weekend as the University of Pittsburgh's homecoming.

The timing couldn't have been better. Just as we were walking down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, a massive fireworks display for homecoming was set off. We all stood on the stairs of the chapel and took in the light show. Of course, I didn't deny it when asked if we planned the fireworks.

Here are a few photos from Nicole and Ryan's wedding at Heinz on Saturday evening:

Nicole in the dressing room downstairs before the ceremony:

Gothic grandeur in the nave of the chapel:

A photo in the archway on the stairs leading up to the choir loft is a Heinz Chapel classic:

The architecture of the place lends itself to black and white photography:

We had a lot of fun with separate photo sessions for the boys and girls before the ceremony. I'll post some photos from those in the coming days, so check back.

Joe

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I find it a privilege to be able to document in pictures the day when a couple enters into marriage. Family is the most important thing we've got and a wedding strengthens and enlarges those ties. It's a day filled with emotions and beauty and I approach it with reverence as well as a sense of humor.

My way of working is unobtrusive. After all, it’s your day and you are the center of attention. Couples are often surprised by the many candid moments in their photos given the fact that they really didn’t notice that I was taking their picture.

That's the essence of photojournalism. It's a philosophy and a way of working, not just a style of shooting pictures. I tell clients that once they become used to my presence they'll find that they and their guests will go about their day without being concerned that their photo is being taken. That's when the best "moments" reveal themselves.

As a photojournalist it’s my job to tell the story of your day. From the time you prepare, to the ceremony, and through the reception I’ll be there to capture the memories you will treasure forever. In addition, I’ll work with you to get those important portraits, and photos of the wedding party and your family.

Unlike many photographers who claim to be wedding photojournalists, I am a working photojournalist. I do it every day and have been since 1992. My work appears daily in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and has appeared in many magazines and newspapers including: Rolling Stone, USA Today, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Palm Beach Post, the New York Daily News, the ABA Journal, Highlights, Motorcyclist, Road Racer X, Sport Rider, Super Street Bike, and many others. My photographs have received recognition and awards on the state, local, and national levels.