Amy + Kevin = BABY!

Had a wonderful time with Amy and Kevin at their home in Avon Lake, Ohio shooting their maternity session over the weekend. You will surely remember them, they held their fabulous wedding at Nemacolin Woodlands last October.

Amy has the cutest little baby bump.

I recognize that this image doesn't really portray maternity, but these two are sexy and I love taking sexy photographs!

I loved their dogs, I think that they were literally putting their heads together to try to figure out what to do about this baby. Hue was telling Griff... it's ok, buddy, we'll figure this out.

We went out to the lake to take a few shots, it was a beautiful day.

My nickname for Kevin is GQ (for obvious reasons), I love taking his picture.


Amy is so glamorous.


I cannot wait to meet this baby, my prediction is that he will be born June 28th! I posted more images on Facebook, click here to add me as a friend.

Weddings by Heather - Pittsburgh Cleveland maternity photographer

11 Day Old Newborn

This little angel is just as sweet as he can be!

He loved my new bowl (thank you Corrie!), and the sound of the shutter clicking... so cute.

Look at him all curled up, he was so wonderful and so snugly.

Erica was a bridesmaid in Heather and Michael's wedding last June, it was so nice to catch up with her again. She seems to be adjusting to motherhood so easily and gracefully, I was impressed!


Heather Lahtinen - Pittsburgh newborn photographer

March for Babies!

The weather yesterday for the March of Dimes Walk for Babies could not have been more perfect. I had a wonderful time with an amazing group of volunteers. Here is one of several team photos, all of which will be posted on www.lifebyheather.com by the end of the week.

Zeke from Y108 was present, which I thought was pretty cool because I love the country music.

Richard Schiemer from Brighton Music Center volunteered to provide the music for the event.

Just prior to the ribbon cutting, there were a lot of people!


Love these shirts...





I didn't catch the name of the balloon guy, but he made some pretty awesome hats.

All kids love face painting.

And pony rides.

Adults, on the other hand, flocked to the massage tent.


Thank you to all of the wonderful friends that I met yesterday, and especially to Beth Jolliffe for including me, I had an amazing time!

March of Dimes

On Sunday, April 26th the March of Dimes will be having their annual Walk for Babies. I feel privileged to have been invited to document the event. I will be volunteering my services for this wonderful cause in honor of my Mom, who lost a baby to stillbirth before I was born.

From their website: "When you walk, you give hope to the families of babies born too soon or sick. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten our babies. We've been walking since 1970 and have raised an incredible $1.8 billion to benefit all babies."

I am also doing this in honor of Valentia and Elizabeth; two, sweet 5 week old babies that passed away last fall to SIDS.

Valentia is the first born daughter to Lisa and John, I documented their wedding in 2006. She was born healthy and happy and did not have any risk factors.


Elizabeth is the first born to Jessica and John, I graduated high school with Jessica. She was also born healthy and happy, with no risk factors.


To say that their short lives left an imprint on everyone around them would be an understatement. I am certain that unless you have experienced this type of loss, you cannot comprehend the absolute devastation. We pray for peace and healing for these families every day.

My good friend Tammy also lost her daughter Faith to stillbirth in 2001. She has been participating in the walk for the past three years. If you would like to make a donation to the Walk for Babies, please do so through Tammy by clicking here. Thank you for your support.

Tech Update

If you know me at all, even just a little, then you know that I LOVE technology. I pride myself on keeping up to date with the latest toys...errr... I mean, tools of the trade.

I have been a QuiKeys user since the beginning and their recent update has been tremendously helpful. You can read all of the exciting details on the QuiKeys Blog, but my favorite addition has been the Lightroom module. I love Lightroom, and have been a user since the first beta release, but there is one thing that has always bothered me... the folks at Adobe have neglected to incorporate the use of shortcut keys in regards to the develop module. Very frustrating for someone like me who lives by actions, presets, shortcut keys and the ability to use a keyboard for everything (mouse movements waste precious seconds in the workflow process).

In all fairness, there are a few things you can access with shortcut keys, but not the important things... like temperature, tint, exposure, presets, etc.

So when Dave informed QuiKeys users that they had created a way for the keys to access these functions, I was overjoyed. Now, my hands never leave my Quikeys or my tablet, which I believe is a huge advantage.

I own all of the QuiKeys modules that are accessible via the different layers:
Lightroom Library mode
Lightroom Develop mode
Photoshop mode
Photoshop album design mode

Bravo to these guys for another well done release, I can't function without them!

In other exciting tech news, my new Wacom Intuos4 pen tablet arrived yesterday. It felt like Christmas, I couldn't wait to play! Some of the new features include: new pen tip sensor for improved pressure control, touch ring, and express key displays.

The touch ring is awesome, it has a toggle to control up to four different functions, I seem to use mine the most for zooming and controlling brush size in Photoshop.


The illuminated express keys sent me over the top, I think I am in love! I programmed my most used Photoshop actions and now I can actually see what they are, instead of relying on my memory.

But keep in mind, all of these controls are application specific. You can change everything based on the application you are running. VERY cool.


It's a happy day here at Weddings by Heather, I am getting so excited for the wedding season to begin! Which reminds me, I've had quite a few photogs asking about a one day Lightroom class... you know, start the season out on a good note. Anyone interested? Send me an email, I'm thinking it would need to be during the week as Saturdays are busy, and you would need a laptop w/Lightroom installed. heather@weddingsbyheather.com

John Patrick

If you haven't visited our personal blog, then you may not recognize John Patrick. He is my best friends Rachel's little boy, and he is also my Godson. And man, is he ever cute.


He has the most beautiful, big blue eyes.


JP will be turning one year old very soon, and thankfully, his mother is here to enjoy it with him. About a week after he was born, Rachel was life flighted to Magee Woman's hospital where she almost died as a result of complications from giving birth. It was a crazy time.

And look at this sweet little boy! He loves to play with that tongue!


He was playing peek-a-boo.

Funny, he doesn't look anything like his mother, but EXACTLY like his father.

Happy Birthday John Patrick! We are looking forward to your party!

3 Week Old Newborn

Oh. my. gosh. I was actually in tears editing this session. This baby is so sweet, so perfect, and so squishy. Look at those lips!

He was very alert for such a young fella.


I really enjoyed his expressions, they happen so fast in real life that you don't notice them until you see them in photographs. I believe he is thinking, "what's up with the cocoon? I can't even move!"

This photograph reminds of an ultrasound image.


Hello sweet cheeks! You had better eat those hands before I eat you!

I thought their cat was so pretty, reminds of our old girl Pooper.



Can this little munchkin get any cuter?




Rob and Brenda admiring their little miracle. Brenda works with Kristie, I documented her and Mike's wedding last June. Thank you for allowing me to photograph your angel, it's such an honor!


Weddings by Heather, Life by Heather - Pittsburgh newborn photographer