Joe Appel Photography | Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers bio picture
  • Welcome To My Website

    I'm glad you stopped by.  Please look around, read some posts and get to know a little bit about me and my photography.  I've been a full-time professional photographer for 17 years and I'm more excited about taking pictures now than I was as a beginner.  Whether shooting a news event or some of the coolest couples you'll ever meet, I truly enjoy what I do.

    My method of working is unobtrusive and observational.  The results are evocative, elegant photographs that tell the story of your wedding day.

    You'll find my blog postings below on this page.  You can navigate to my gallery website by clicking on the "Gallery and Pricing" button on the menu bar above.

Pittsburgh’s Only Bridal Gown Consignment Shop

A couple of weeks ago I had an assignment to photograph a bride trying on dresses at Angie’s Bridal Consignment Boutique in Bellevue.  As the headline says, Angella Morgan’s shop is the only bridal consignment shop in Pittsburgh.

The majority of the hundreds of dresses at Angie’s are new, having never been worn.  I think it’s a great way to save some money that could be spent on something important – like photography:-)

A special thanks to Keri for allowing me to take photos of her trying on dresses.

bridal gown pittsburgh picture

Pittsburgh wedding dress

You can call Angella at 412-734-0173 for business hours or to schedule an appointment.  She’s on Facebook, too.

Joe

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The Big Storm of 2010

Wow, what a snowstorm last Friday and Saturday!

I was in Aspinwall earlier in the evening when it was lightly snowing, but by the time I went outside to my car it was a full-on blizzard.  I left for home on the other side of town and made it as far as the Fort Pitt Tunnels when traffic really began to slow.  By the time I got through the tunnel traffic was at a standstill.  What a mess.

Pittsburgh Blizard

Pittsburgh Blizzard 2010

Pittsburgh Blizzard 2010

For four hours I sat in my car before the PA State Police came through with a big tow truck to clear some of the stuck tractor-trailers out of the way.  Thankfully, I had the foresight to fill my tank earlier in the day.  So between my heated seats (I’ll never get another car without them), satellite radio, and the internet on my iPhone it wasn’t so bad.

The two guys in the middle image were amazing.  They were helping everybody and I’d probably still be stuck if they and the PA State Police Corporal hadn’t pushed my stuck car.  Thanks guys!

Once they got the trucks unstuck the Troopers had us turn around and drive back inbound on the outbound Parkway West.  It was kind of a freaky feeling.  My plan was to head back into town and try the West End Bridge.  That wasn’t happening – the bridge wasn’t cleared.  So I went to the office and spent the night there.

Saturday morning, after a delicious TV dinner breakfast of Fettucini Alfredo with Broccoli, I headed out to take some photos on the North Side.

Pittsburgh Blizzard 2010

The power was out in the Mexican War Streets and neighbors were out helping each other clear snow and fallen branches.  It was a party on the streets!

Pittsburgh Blizzard 2010

Pittsburgh Blizzard 2010

Pittsburgh Blizzard 2010

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A Photo Without the Mask

Brianne McLaughlin

Here’s a photo of Brianne when she dropped the ceremonial first puck before the Robert Morris University vs. St. Francis University women’s hockey game at RMU’s Island Sports Complex on January 23.

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Foundations Magazine Cover

Robert Morris Foundations Magazine

Robert Morris University Foundations magazine features a photo of former women’s hockey star Brianne McLaughlin – the Colonials‘ all-time leader in shots saved.

In case you haven’t guessed, I took the photo:)

Brianne stopped an NCAA Division I record 3,809 shots over her four year career at Robert Morris.  That earned her a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team!

The photo turned out really well especially considering how quickly the shoot came together.  We met at Bladerunners in Harmarville where Brianne was working out late last year.  Management was kind enough to give us a meeting room to use as a studio.

The lighting setup was pretty simple with a softbox at camera left providing the main light, a reflector to the right, and another flash high and to the right to provide some separation from the background.  I kept the light close to Brianne to soften the shadows from her mask.

She’s a quiet, hard-working, athlete who is also a very gracious young lady.  I’ll be rooting for her and the rest of the U.S. women when they take on China, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 14.

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Caption Contest?

I took this photo this afternoon:
Schenley Park Ice Skating

Lacking context, George Washington ice skating with a giant owl is kind of a strange scene. I took it at the annual Mascot Skate at the Schenley Park Ice Rink.  You’ve got to wonder what they’re talking about!

If you’ve got a clever caption then post it in the comments field:)

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