Nature | Shell Bailey Photography

Feb

Winter Engagement | Atalie & Matt

engagement / lifestyle portraits / Nature / 0 Comments / February 21, 2015

This was a snowy engagement session that just be any better. From the perfect weather- 40 degrees, balmy enough to allow for outfit changes, rare in February- snow on the ground, amazing light, an empty park, and an adorable couple. Seriously, Atalie & Matt are the best. They’re so invested in the look of the shots and carefully deliberated over outfit options, and more than anything, their smiles when they look at each other just can’t be beat. This was definitely a bright spot amidst all of these snowbound days.

They’re getting married this year at the Duquesne Power Center and it’s going to be fantastic.

Feb

Phipps Conservatory | Personal

Nature / Personal / 1 Comment / February 27, 2012

It always makes me smile to see so many cameras at Phipps. Each room is full of DSLRs- usually professionals and amateurs alike- and those that don’t have them still squeeze in iPhone shots. I love to see so many people practicing photography. Whenever I go somewhere like that- where I have shot before, and where the subjects have been photographed hundreds of times before- I always make it a bit of a personal challenge. Getting the standard shots is nice, but I like to push myself to photograph it in a new way, to come home with shots that I haven’t seen before.

That seems to be my philosophy to photography, especially with weddings. Weddings can seem very predictable. The white dress, the rings, the kiss- even nontraditional ceremonies have similar elements. It would be easy to shoot weddings the same way every week and come back with the same list of images, over and over again. Easy, but boring. I love challenging myself every day, to find a different way to look at the ceremony, to find a creative way to capture events. To deliver artistic photos filled with the couple’s personality, unique each time.

It’s one of the reasons I love weddings so much: there’s always the white dress and the rings and the kiss, but each one is a new challenge, and you never know quite what to expect.

I actually haven’t photographed a wedding at Phipps yet, but I would love to. There beautiful nooks and paths abound, and the ceremony gardens are just gorgeous.

May

Eyecandy | Spring Flowers

Nature / 0 Comments / May 4, 2011

Mar

Kitty Hawk, NC: Running Away

Nature / Personal / 15 Comments / March 24, 2011

A few weeks ago, a couple of my friends and I decided to run away… we had a few days off and nothing planned, so we packed our things and ran to the beach. Very nice to get a break in before wedding season begins, even if we came back too soon!

Pittsburgh had snow the day we left on the nine hour drive- and it was seventy degrees in Kitty Hawk. The ocean was a little too cold for swimming, but that didn’t stop us from cramming in idle hours sitting on the beach, burying our feet in sand… The rest of the time was yoga & rolling down the immense dunes, lots of good food, giggling like teenagers, and jumping on the hotel beds. Yeah… sometimes I’m surprised we’re allowed in hotel rooms, too.

To be honest, I’ve always been one of those embittered northerners who wouldn’t dream of turning snowbird. But now, I’m starting to see the appeal in beach houses… I can dream, right? Because somewhere, it still looks like this:

Feb

Eyecandy: Phipps Conservatory

Nature / Personal / 1 Comment / February 21, 2011

A few weeks back, a friend and I went to Phipps Conservatory to escape the winter blues… I absolutely love that place, I could spend hours sitting in the Tropical Forest or living in the Orchid Room. I had actually never particularly cared about Orchids one way or the other, but Phipps is currently running an Orchid and Bonsai show, and I’m a convert. Two weeks later, and I have my own mini potted orchids, I’m researching the different varieties online, and I want to put large canvases of them up on my walls…

Still waiting for spring, but here are a few lovely buds to hold us over…

May

Eyecandy

Nature / 3 Comments / May 10, 2010

Mar

Sunset Glimpse

Nature / 3 Comments / March 16, 2010

The days are getting longer and I am appreciating every little bit of sun that I can get. I’m looking foward to having the blue skies last a little longer after I get home from work– but I also can’t complain about getting home in time to walk around in the golden hour. I love how even the most mundane of things- even dried seed pods on faded stalks that barely held on through the winter- become enchanting during those last few moments of sunset.

Feb

Pittsburgh Lifestyle Photography | A Small Confession…

Nature / 3 Comments / February 19, 2010

I have a small confession to make…

I am ready for spring, so ready for spring, I can’t even tell you. I am ready to take my shoes off in the grass and mud, I am ready for the birds to come back, and for the dandelions to terrorize all of the nice staid landscapers, and being able to roll down the car windows.

But! We are supposed to have sunlight this weekend! And in celebration of that, I am sharing some things that make me happy. May we have more of them soon.

Happy weekend, ducks!

Feb

it only gets better as it goes on

Nature / 0 Comments / February 15, 2010

A few days late? Maybe. I’ve never been very good at celebrating holidays when you’re actually supposed to. And besides, who says Valentine’s Day has to only be one day a year?

Feb

What better way to spend an evening

Nature / 0 Comments / February 6, 2010

Kitty has been watching out the window, watching the snow fall and collect heavy in the trees. It’s a lovely cozy evening, perfect for snuggling indoors, staying up late with good books, and not getting up any earlier the next morning than you absolutely have to. As long as you’re not in any hurry to get anywhere, it is absolutely beautiful outside, nearly as bright as day as the light reflects off of the snow, and so soft and quiet. It seems like ages since we’ve had a snowfall like this.

I tried to stay indoors, warm and dry with the kitty, but the lovely night was calling and I had to take at least a short walk. For all of the times where it’s easiest just to sit and wait for something to happen, and be bored by what never changes, it can be the most refreshing thing to just go out and look for yourself- you never know what you’ll find. Tonight is beautiful.

Be safe and warm this weekend, and enjoy the beauty around you. :)

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