Carlee and Maggie made an entire day of their engagement photoshoot, starting at The Industrialist Hotel for a vintage 1920s feel and ending their evening with drinks at the location of their original first date. Led by Becca Grimm Photography, the group wandered through the building’s stunning, detailed spaces, stopping along marble stairways and at the chic hotel bar to pose with their favorite cocktails. The photographer’s favorite moment (and we’d agree) was their makeup touch-up moment shared in the hotel restroom. The brides-to-be posed in white lace wedding gowns before switching to all-black outfits for a high-contrast shoot at Point State Park. Becca used a mix of photography styles, including 35mm film shots, perfectly capturing the couple’s desired old-school vibe. Carlee and Maggie ended the shoot reminiscing at The Melting Pot, where their love story began.
About the Couple
Carlee and Maggie’s first date was a dinner at The Melting Pot, after matching on Bumble in 2019. It didn’t take long for Carlee to ask Maggie to be her girlfriend, using a creative Easter egg hunt she set up around Maggie’s apartment. In April 2022, Maggie proposed to Carlee at a tiny house in Hocking Hills, Ohio, and surprised her with both of their families staying at cabins on the same property. Since they had both discussed wanting a proposal, Carlee also later proposed to Maggie at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.
About the Shoot
From the photographer…
Maggie and Carlee wanted to recreate the old-school 1920s style for their engagement session, and that became our goal at The Industrialist Hotel Pittsburgh. The hotel boasts marble grand staircases, gold fixtures, and stunning checkered tile. Beyond that, the upper room features classic leather couches and large windows framed by bold drapery. We moved from the lobby staircase to the upper room and finished this portion of the shoot in their chic bar, where Maggie and Carlee enjoyed their favorite cocktails. The pair wore white gowns adorned with lace and white bridal heels. My favorite shots from there have to be their iconic touch-up photos in the bathroom mirror.
Changing gears, we left the hotel and headed to Point State Park for some sharply contrasted after-dark photos with flash. The two changed into black silhouetted outfits made of different textures of denim and leather, with Carlee’s bright red heels adding a pop of color. The city showed off with distant lights reflecting on the river and illuminating the beloved yellow bridges.
Since the two first met on a date at The Melting Pot, we ended the shoot with one more round at the bar, reminiscing about all their memories together. Unique to most engagement sessions but commonplace for Becca Grimm Photography, some 35mm film shots were captured throughout, adding the perfect touch to their old-school theme.
