Casino at Lakemont Park Wedding in Altoona, PA Highlights

Golden Fall Afternoon Wedding Portraits in Altoona, PA

The winter is my “off-season”, and during this time I love to go back through the images from weddings that I second-shot the previous year. Typically, during regular wedding season, I am so caught up in keeping up with my own brides & grooms, blogging & editing their weddings, that I don’t even look at the images I take at weddings I second-shoot. What’s fun is, I can then highlight these amazing wedding days to fill in some gaps during my slower seasons. The following images were all taken by me as the second-shooter for Lasting Memories Photography by Ellen & have been shared with Ellen’s permission.

Last fall I had the amazing opportunity to assist my sister in photographing Amanda & Brad’s romantic golden Altoona, Pennsylvania wedding. I think most couples envision, cross their fingers, and hope with all of their might for a warm and sunny wedding day and Amanda & Brad hit the jackpot. It was literally the perfect day – especially for a mid-November wedding! Even though I will never shy away from a rainy day wedding (they provide some of the most unique & fun opportunities) sometimes it’s just so wonderful to take photos during golden hour on a warm sunny day.

Amanda kicked off her day by having her hair & makeup done at the Eclips Salon in Altoona, PA. They did an AMAZING job!

Eclips Salon & Spa in Altoona, PA Wedding Hair & Makeup

And then everyone transitioned over to Saint John the Evangelist Church in Altoona, PA. It was a beautiful church! Both the girls & the guys got ready there in separate areas of the church.

As the second-shooter, at the beginning of the day, I am primarily responsible for capturing the groom & his groomsmen. It’s a fun switch since as the primary photographer, I am always with the bride & her bridesmaids! These guys were such a fun bunch – they definitely felt like a group of brothers.

Amanda wanted to do a First Look with her Dad. Right before he walked in, she was talking with her sisters. They offered to get her a box of tissues so she would have them nearby for this special and emotional moment. She turned them down. She told them that her Dad wasn’t going to cry and the tissues would simply not be needed. They all scurried away and then Dad was ushered in. I have never seen such a tender, loving moment and as you can see, they both definitely got a little teary-eyed! I was wiping tears away from behind the camera myself!

And then it was on to the big moment! I think the moment I love the most in playing the role of a second-shooter is being in the back of the church. Capturing those last few moments before a bride walks down the aisle are my absolute favorite moments of the entire wedding day!

Husband & wife!

I absolutely love working with my sister. We have so much fun together, but we also know how to work alongside the other most efficiently. And on a wedding day – efficiency is key! It’s just another wonderful reason to always hire a photographer who brings a second-shooter for your wedding, because while Ellen was behind me shooting the girls, I was shooting the guys.

And then, as Ellen took Amanda & Brad off to get some portraits of just to two of them, I was able to grab this fun shot of the bridal party! How fun is this group?!

One of my favorite images EVER.

The reception was at the Casino at Lakemont Park in Altoona, PA. It was absolutely beautiful and the staff was wonderful to work with!

Their cookie table – a staple in south-western Pennsylvania weddings (and the best part!)

The balcony at the Casino allowed for some really fun & epic shots! I loved being up there!

Amanda’s relationship with her Dad was so sweet. It reminded me of my own special friendship with my Dad & I absolutely loved capturing them together!