There’s a certain electricity that fills the air when you meet a couple who’s not afraid to do things their way. Bella and Jesse are that kind of duo—bold, open-hearted, and spilling over with their own brand of cool. When they reached out wanting something “edgy, editorial, and a little rebellious,” my heart did a happy dance. This is the stuff I live for as a photographer—helping people see themselves, and each other, in a new light—sometimes literally. This editorial engagement session at the Allegheny County Courthouse and Con Alma Jazz Bar is the perfect dose of inspo for those considering coloring outside the lines.

If you’re someone who’s already dipped a toe into the world of editorial couples’ photography, you know it’s so much more than just fancy outfits and moody lighting. It’s fashion and art with a heartbeat. It’s visual storytelling that feels alive. And for Bella and Jesse’s engagement session, we pulled out all the stops.

Let’s get right into it.

The Heart of Edgy Editorial Photography

This style is about breaking artistic rules, but never at the cost of authenticity. It’s for the couples who walk hand-in-hand down the street and don’t care who’s looking. The ones who wear what they want (even if it’s a silk dress and sling-back heels on a Tuesday afternoon in Pittsburgh). The ones who laugh loud and love even louder.

Edgy editorial photography leans into:

• Bold styling: Outfits that tell a story, props that spark a memory, colors that refuse to fade quietly.
  
• Dramatic lighting: Shadows that make you pause. Light that runs across your skin like a secret.
  
• Unconventional angles: Finding beauty in the unexpected. Legs draped over a piano bench, laughter echoing off courthouse marble, a kiss stolen in the elevator.
  
• Strong narrative: Every photo holds a piece of the story—a wink, a shared inside joke, the comfort of someone’s hand.
  
• Emotional expression: I will guide you through poses and concepts, but we will still keep it natural. Getting to know you and your story before and during our session together will help me walk you through ideas and positioning that resonate with your personality. 

Making Pittsburgh Part of Their Story

For part one, we wandered the echoing halls of the Allegheny County Courthouse—all light stone, high arches, and a rich history that runs deep and makes you reflect. That sentiment set the tone for the first portion of our session. We found a piano tucked in a quiet corner (because why not?), and Bella ran her fingers across the keys, her gorgeous ring casting sparkles in all directions. Jesse grinned, watching her, and for a moment it felt like time folded in on itself.

There was an elevator that seemed made for black-and-white film. An oddly charming vintage brass lamp. Grand, hand-painted murals of Pittsburgh brought a sense of place and history to our visual narrative. They leaned into it all with open minds—no nerves, just that delicious mix of anticipation and trust. You could see it in the way Jesse’s hand found the small of Bella’s back. In the way she looked up at him, eyes soft, holding so much unsaid.

A Quick Change and a Jazz Club Dream

After a quick outfit change—Bella slipped into a full-length sash-neck silk dress and Jesse in a sharp jacket sans tie—we strolled over to Con Alma, the trendy jazz bar on Ellsworth. If you know, you know: the neon sign humming above old records, the smell of espresso and whiskey swirling through the air, the gentle thrum of jazz in the background.

Bella’s red lip was just the right kind of daring. She sipped a dirty martini, and he ordered a classic old-fashioned. And when she kicked her feet up on the black leather couch, heels and all, Jesse leaned in to plant a kiss on her forehead. I nearly put my camera down and cheered.

They’d brought a tiny heart-shaped cake, the date of their wedding written in icing. A single tea light flickered between them—a tiny celebration in the middle of a weekday afternoon. It was simple, perfect, and unapologetically them.

The Beauty in the In-Between

What I love most about these sessions isn’t always the big moments. It’s what sneaks in around the edges. The way Bella tucked her hair behind her ear or pulled her heel strap back up, a little nervous, before Jesse clasped her hand and made her laugh.

It’s the quiet, steady heartbeat of their love. The kind that holds you close, even when the noise of the city surrounds you. The way their hands found each other, again and again, without even thinking about it.

An Editorial Engagement Session Made for You

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s not us—we’re not models,” let me just say this: You don’t have to be. You just have to show up. An editorial engagement session will focus on connection, not perfection. I’ll help with the rest!

So let’s capture the spark that shines when you let go and simply be yourself.

Whether that’s in a courthouse echoing with history or under the neon buzz of a jazz club, your story deserves to be told in a way that’s honest, beautiful, and wholly yours. So come as you are—wild, quiet, quirky, or classic—and let’s make something unforgettable together.