More like a date than a photoshoot


Noah and I try our best to prep a couple for their engagement sessions, offering up ideas of location, things to do, props, outfits to wear, and time of day to do the session, so that way they feel less like a photoshoot and more like a date. This particular session felt like a true reflection of Mak & Key, unhurried, intentional, and rooted in connection.

Elegant interior architecture featuring classical columns, ornate staircase, and coffered ceiling in a grand historic building.
A couple shares an intimate moment on the streets of Florence with historic architecture in the background.

The first stop - the Carnegie Museum of Art


Our first stop for Key & Mak's engagement session was the iconic Carnegie Museum of Art. It's a space that never fails to inspire us, given that architecture is a huge source of creativity for our work. The museum offers the perfect atmosphere for these love stories to unfold naturally. When we first chatted about their engagement sesh, Key & Mak shared that they'd need direction and weren't totally comfortable in front of the camera. We hear this more often than not, yet time and time again, the images we captured would say otherwise.

From the moment we started walking through the museum, you could tell their nerves began to calm. They wandered slowly through the museum, admiring the vast architecture, the history, and the art galleries. With each space they took in slowly, pausing to admire the different works of art. Their connection truly shone living in the in-between moments, a hand reaching for the other, a shared smile, and before they knew it, they had forgotten that they were even being photographed.  This is why spaces like this are our favorite to suggest to couples. These moments and places allow them to focus solely on each other and the experience they're having rather than performance.


What made this session especially meaningful is that neither of them had been to The Carnegie Museum of Art before. They shared with us before their session that when they would travel for work, one of their favorite things to do was visit new museums in the cities they stayed in, so this just felt like a no-brainer to suggest as a location! This became more than a pretty backdrop for their photos, it became a shared experience of a new memory being created together. And that's always our goal: to give you more than just photos but an experience that feels honest and lived-in so your pictures feel that way too.

A couple stands in an elegant marble hall with ornate white columns and a glass ceiling in a museum or historic building.
A photographer bends down to capture a close-up shot of water lilies in front of a large Monet painting at a museum.
A romantic couple sharing a tender kiss on a balcony in warm sunlight with window reflections visible.

the second location - herrs island


After the museum, we headed to the second location - Herrs Island, one of Pittsburgh's most underrated gems. It's an island nestled along the Allegheny River, offering a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle while still allowing you to enjoy the city's beauty from afar. Key & Mak effortlessly dipped into the outdoor scenery, walking the paths, chasing each other in the sunset, and enjoying Pittsburgh's skyline.

A panoramic black and white shot of a steel bridge walkway with pedestrians walking in the sunlight.
A couple shares a tender moment outdoors, with the woman wearing green and the man in light blue clothing.

At this point, any lingering nerves that they had at the very start of their session had completely faded away. What remained was authentic love and joy, the kind that can't be forced or staged. It's the kind that shows up when a session feels more like a date than a photoshoot.


This is why we love pairing iconic architecture with the outdoor city spaces. Pittsburgh blends the two so well, so when our couples trust us to blend those environments into their story, the result is always something better than expected.


Key & Mak, it was such a joy to photograph you, to watch you explore new places hand in hand, and to allow us to create something that felt authentically you. If this session was any indication of what's ahead for you both, your story is going to be one for the books!


-The Mallets

Ready to plan a session that feels like you?


If reading about Key & Mak's session made you smile, we hope it reminded you that your engagement session should feel just as meaningful, joyful, and totally you. You shouldn't have to worry about a session full of stiff posing or rushed photos, but full of experience that feels like a true date and that's what we aim to do.


Whether you're imagining your photos wandering through museum halls, walking the streets of downtown Pittsburgh, or enjoying a quiet night in, in your home together, we'd love to help capture those moments.


Let's capture your love story

 

a glimpse into their gallery

 

A couple explores the ornate stone architecture and carvings of a historic European building facade.
A couple stands before an ornate stone building facade with three arched entrances and classical architectural details.
A couple sharing a romantic moment together against a historic stone building backdrop.
A series of intimate black and white romantic photographs showing tender moments between a couple.
A couple shares a romantic kiss while standing in front of ancient stone ruins and architecture.
A romantic moment captured in front of an ornate medieval church doorway with detailed stone carvings and arches.
A couple sitting on the floor in front of an ornate altar or decorative wall panel.
Grand interior hall of a historic building with ornate white columns and a glass ceiling letting in natural light.
A modern art gallery interior with white columns and walls displays a series of large framed photographs.
Interior shots of a grand hall with classical columns and skylight showing movement and dance.
Interior architectural details of an ornate classical building with decorative ceiling moldings.
A grand interior staircase with classical columns and decorative murals in a historic museum or institution.
Sequence of photos showing marble steps and columns in an elegant classical building interior.
Elegant interior architecture featuring white columns and a glass ceiling in a historic building.
Sunlit marble staircase with ornate black railing and tall windows casting dramatic shadows in a historic building.
A couple walks down an elegant staircase with ornate railings in vintage-inspired clothing.
Two people hold hands in a grand white hallway with classical columns and circular floor patterns.
Museum interior with white marble columns and natural lighting from above.
Couple walking through a minimalist art gallery with white walls and skylights.
A couple shares a tender moment in an elegant white interior hallway with ornate architectural details and skylights.
A couple walking through a bright white gallery space with tall columns and natural lighting.
A romantic dance pose captured in black and white in an elegant hallway with classical columns and marble statues.
Two people sit back-to-back on a wooden bench in an art gallery with framed pieces on white walls.
Two people posing playfully in front of a large impressionist water lily painting in a museum.
Close-up shot of hands reaching toward each other against a blurred natural background.
Art gallery interior with white walls displaying framed paintings.
A couple embraces in front of a large Monet water lilies painting display.
Minimalist gallery space with white walls and artwork displayed in sequence.
Two people view white marble sculptures in a modern museum gallery with skylights.
Series of romantic black and white photos showing an intimate moment between two people.
Sequence of black and white photos capturing tender romantic moments.
A couple sits together on stone steps overlooking a serene lake surrounded by trees.
A couple sharing an intimate moment in front of a storefront window.
Close-up view of hands wearing a watch resting on beige pants with a green shirt visible in natural lighting.
A couple in sunglasses poses playfully on a garden path lined with ornamental grasses and blooming flowers.
A tender romantic moment captured outdoors as a couple shares a sweet gesture with a yellow flower in nature.
Tree-lined gravel path winding through a lush green forest on a sunny afternoon.
Scenic waterfront overlook with stone railing against a cityscape backdrop during golden hour.
Panoramic cityscape view with waterfront and buildings in the distance.
People playfully pose along a riverside railing with a city skyline in the background.
A couple sharing a tender moment against a cityscape background at sunset.
Romantic couple embracing on a rooftop terrace with city skyline in background.
Panoramic cityscape view across a waterfront with modern buildings and towers in the distance.
Couple holding hands while walking across a steel bridge at sunset.
A couple dancing on a bridge at sunset with metal trusses creating dramatic silhouettes.
Two people playfully pose back-to-back on a metal bridge structure surrounded by greenery.
Two people dancing playfully on an old steel bridge during golden hour.
Black and white panoramic view of people walking across a steel bridge structure.
Two hands reach out across a stone wall with a cityscape and river view in the background.
A tender romantic moment shared between two people on a bridge at sunset.
A couple in casual attire walks and poses together on a rustic metal bridge structure in a natural setting.

Photographer: Mallet Photography