Bridal-styled shoot brings Pittsburgh women together
Leeann Marie Photography
As a salon owner who makes it a point to keeps up with trends, Upper St. Clair resident Tamara Artnak has taken part in a concept that’s catching on: bridal-styled shoots.
The idea is to take photographs and video of a bride-to-be sampling varieties of the various products and services that go into planning a wedding, with the resulting images helping to promote the vendors involved.
Artnak, who owns Luxe Hair Salon in Collier Township, decided to take the initiative to organize such an event.
“This particular one, I really wanted to focus on women,” she says. “There are a lot of women in business who are popping up, and we all help each other.”
She travels often to New York multiple times a year for training and inspiration from all the latest in the bridal industry, and she shared her thoughts about the shoot with Carolyn Klasnick-Brooks, co-owner of Post Script Films in the South Side.
“She and I put our heads together, and we just started thinking, we really need to bring these women of Pittsburgh together,” Artnak says. “It would be really nice to have our own work that we can show our clients.”
Meanwhile, she recruited future bride Paula Simmons, South Fayette Township’s recreation director, to serve as the model for the shoot, which took place in September at Bar Marco in the Strip District.
“We really prepared well beforehand, and I think that was the key to making it a good shoot,” Artnak says.
Donating the props was Tricia Derry, owner of Vintage Alley Rentals in Crafton Heights, which supplies period pieces for film sets, weddings and other special events.
Photography was by Leeann Marie of Cecil Township, who strives for “images that truly tell the story of your wedding day,” she says on her website. “Coming from an engineering background, I also have a strong focus on organization and professionalism.”
Along with Luxe taking care of hair styling, lash extensions and makeup, other participants in the shoot were:
- Wanderlust Weddings and Events, Bethel Park. Co-founder and event producer Samantha Loshelder worked on designing the sets reflecting various bohemian, romantic and classic styles.
- Bridal Beginning, Mt. Lebanon. Owner Pam Olivia donated the dresses, working with Artnak and Simmons to come up with four exclusive looks to fit current trends.
- The Blooming Dahlia, Mt. Lebanon. Owner Melissa Sacco provided the wedding flowers and headpiece.
“I’m sure we’ll be doing it again,” Artnak says.