“Professional, hard-working and she made us look like movie stars. An absolute treat all around!”
"Everything about this woman, her team, and their work is nothing short of outstanding! I can't wait for her to photograph future events for my family!"
"OMG they turned out great! They are simply beautiful pictures! Annie I love them, thank you so much!"
"I can’t tell you how happy I am to have found you! Your professionalism, personality, humor, creativity, ability and undaunted willingness to get the perfect shots of the perfect moments undoubtedly could not be matched!"
"I would highly recommend Annie O'Neill Photography!!! I cannot say enough good things about her. In fact, my husband and I plan on doing a portrait session with her on our anniversary every year!"
"Annie is cheerful and upbeat, incredibly talented and professional, and I would highly recommend her!"
Life’s celebrations are the most rewarding to photograph. There’s nothing more gratifying as a photographer than to make pictures that a family will love for generations.
Photographs of your wedding must be more than simple evidence that it existed. Besides, that’s what your marriage license is for!
Your pictures should be an artful interpretation of your relationships, the emotions and the details of your day.
Just like your cake – it’s all about the layers. It’s my job to discover those visual layers within your day. To get to those layers, my work for you is more than merely being present on your wedding day. We meet and talk in advance. I learn as much as possible about how your wedding has come about and what’s important to you. When your day arrives, I bring together the knowledge of your story and more then 20 years as a photojournalist and artist.
My commitment to you is to be engaged, creative, fun and professional from our first meeting until I deliver the photographs into your hands.
Even if you think you don’t want any formals – some family member does – so let’s take 5 minutes to make one for “the mantle.”
Make some aspect of the wedding very personal or let your personality come through in the details. For example: One couple had a match-box car from the movie “Cars” on the top of their cake –their first date was seeing that movie. Another couple that loved golf had their wedding party members tee-off as they were announced into the reception at a country club. Michael Jackson’s PYT played as one recent couple went down the aisle after being married – very memorable.
Find the couple that you know has been married the longest and sit down and have a meaningful chat with them – buy them lunch, have some questions, congratulate them. Probably the funniest response to the question “What is your secret to longevity?” The husband of 49 years answered, “Make love in every room of your house.” Yes Sir!
You’ll find perfection when you are not forcing it. Something will go wrong on your wedding day, it’s almost always small, but it will be the perfect mistake that will make the occasion more memorable. Some examples: A best man become the hero by getting the forgotten marriage license to the church so the wedding could start on time. A country club ran out of gas for cooking the impending dinner– the club extended the cocktail an hour at no extra charge – it made for very happy guests.
And finally: “Don’t go to bed angry – Stay up and fight.”– HaHa that one is from Phyllis Diller.
~ Peace ~
No surprise with a name like O’Neill, I am Irish and the ninth of ten children. I grew up on Long Island in a quaint little town on the water.
Work is important to me. All of my siblings and I worked at the family delicatessen starting at a young age. It was there that I was first exposed to life’s parade of humanity. And I am certain that is where my interest in meeting people and knowing their stories began.
Over the last 20 years, being a photographer has allowed me to witness and document that continuing parade. I’ve photographed my immediate neighborhood and communities on four other continents.
Photojournalism is the specialty of photography I’ve pursued.
There’s nothing quite like the training of a staff photographer at a newspaper. You work with a lot of talented photographers that give daily feedback and inspiration.
And the diversity of assignments helps you grow as a person and a photographer. One day you are co-piloting the Goodyear Blimp, see bottom left, and the next you are at a Presidential Inauguration. Combined, I have 18 years experience at newspapers. My work as a journalist has taken me across the nation and around world.
My work as an event and wedding photographer has also taken me far and wide. I was part of teams to photograph the Crown Prince of Qatar’s royal wedding, Oprah’s week long staff celebration in Hawaii and Jennifer Aniston’s 40th Birthday party. Other weddings have taken me to San Diego, Missouri, Chicago, Long Island, Marble Head, Palm Beach, and The Bahamas.
I continue to do journalism and art photography. I am currently working on several projects: documenting Downtown Pittsburgh for the Heinz Endowments, photographing and interviewing people who’ve worked in the same job for 50 years for my first solo exhibition in March 2011 and covering veterans with post-traumatic stress for a documentary.
I am a photographer because it is great meeting new people and the reward is telling their story by making a meaningful photograph of them.
Yes that is the ultimate goal. Not only do we want to make you both overjoyed with your wedding photographs and albums but we want your children, grandchildren and future generations to cherish them as well. In other words, what we produce will become a family heirloom.
That being said that’s why we have partnered with the following craftspeople.
Pittsburgh printer Tom Underiner is a craftsman in every sense of the word. He is caring, meticulous and demanding. He has multiple decades of experience (a.k.a he started in the film days.) Every couple will receive a gallery quality print made by Tom. I’m not exaggerating when I say many of my clients have cried upon receipt of these treasures.
This is the album for people that didn’t think they wanted an album. It’s a simple and smart book for your memories and is an alternative to getting proofs.
It’s not only because they are from my island – Long Island - that I love working with this company. I’ve taken the tour of their facilities. It’s all about quality: in the materials used and in the time they spend making their products. And they have the best customer service in the industry. Bar none.
Why would I need to work with another album company if Leather Craftsmen is so great? Mainly it is because I love offering my clients some choices. Queensberry is based in New Zealand. Their albums have a different look and feel. They offer different options than other album companies – simply put – they are innovative. Also, their quality is unmatched. That is why they guarantee their albums for life.
This page is my tribute to a group of women who are my bedrock. Each has played a significant roll in my life, and each – in her own distinctive way – has inspired me to create Cameras for a Cure.
I am fortunate that my life has been filled with shining examples of caregivers. My mother was a compassionate nurse for 50 years; my college roommate Dawna coordinates one of the largest Susan B. Komen Races for the Cure in the country; and my longtime friend Cheryl, a physician is chairman of the Bladder Cancer Think Tank Meeting.
I thought of the value of their contributions when, over the past year, some of my dearest friends were diagnosed with cancer. For one, there is mounting bills insurance companies refuse to pay. For another, there is the feeling of gratitude because research has led to a revolutionary drug to combat her aggressive form of breast cancer. For all, there is the dream of a cure.
With Cameras for a Cure, I hope to raise funds for those who need financial assistance and to promote further research. Just as much, I would like Cameras for a Cure to help open the hearts and minds of all.
While Cameras for a Cure is currently a work-in-progress, I couldn’t wait to introduce you to this very personal, vital endeavor. Once Cameras for a Cure is registered as a 501c3 (nonprofit), I will announce the first of many fund-raising events. So, please check back soon. Thank you.
Cameras for a Cure WebsiteTwo-time Pulizter Prize nominee
Two-time Pennsylvania Photographer of the Year
Three-time Pittsburgh Photographer of the Year
Five-time Pictures of the Year International awardee
Two-time Best of Photography International awardee
Five-time Golden Quill awardee
Matrix (Women in Communication) awardee
Three-time Society of Newspaper Design
Ohio University Knight Fellow 2004
Two-time Wedding Photojournalist Association awardee
ShootQ Grant recepient
BOOKS
Unquiet Ruin – A Photographic Excavation – Author
America 24/7 – Contributor
Pennsylvania 24/7 – Contributor
America at Home – Contributor
Nine Alive – Contributor
MAGAZINES
American Photo – Urban Issue - Fall 2010
Bride’s Magazine – 2009 Contest winner
Grace Ormonde Wedding Style – for Robin Layton Photography
American Eagle – Spring 2009
h Magazine – regular contributor
Life Magazine – Starting Off showcase
I have a strong network of friends and colleagues who are highly experienced photographers. My office manager has a list of a dozen photographers to call. Each has at least 10 years of experience as a professional and most have more then 15 years. Thankfully she’s never had to use it!
There are solid reasons – like 20 years of experience and many awards. But the main reason is why I photograph people: I love personal stories and want to document people’s live in a sensitive and creative way. I don't own a TV and find real life so much more compelling and look to it for inspiration.
A second photographer is always a great way to go. Here are the three main reasons to go with two photographers: 1) There is a backup built into the situation. 2) Many times through out the day there are things happening in two different places so each photographer can be there. 3) When all the activity is happening in the same place it’s always great to have two different perspectives
Each second photographer that works with me has at least 10 years experience. It is my personal opinion that you should not pay for someone’s on-the-job training.
The second photographer I work with most often is my partner Nancy Andrews. And, yes, she would be happy to meet you.
Many of the photos on this site are hers. She has an impressive resume that competes with the best photographers in world. She has been honored hundreds of times by professional photography and newspaper organizations. She has been POYi photographer of the Year and White House Photographer of the Year. She’s has had four solo exhibitions: The Corcoran Gallery of Art Washington, D.C.,1994; Palazzo RealePiazzoDuomo, Milano, 2002; The Newseum Arlington, Va., 1998; Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, 2000; The Bayly Art Museum University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., 1996.And, most recently, she has won four national Emmys for her work as an executive producer of multi-media.
All the other photographers I work with are all highly experienced, and a meeting before the wedding can be arranged.
Canon is the gear and I always carry two cameras on my person; another with my assistant and two with the second photographer
Because it is easier to disappear in, I wear all black, all the time. It’s usually something simple from Ann Taylor or Banana Republic.
Yes - of course - we usually suggest a few ourselves but just let me know what you have in mind.
It usually takes 3-4 weeks to get everything just so and ready for viewing.
The largest wedding had 2,000 guests - yes that's three zeros. -It was in Qatar for the Crown' Prince's wedding. I was part of a team of photographers with Robin Layton Photography.
Here in the U.S.,I’ve photographed multiple weddings with over 500 guests.
I had my first internship at a newspaper in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1992 and have worked at four other newspapers since. Most recently I worked at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for 12 years. I have an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and I am currently a graduate degree candidate at Ohio University. I have been freelancing since the fall of 2008.
The copyright will always be retained by me. You will get a set of high-resolution images along with unlimited reprint rights for personal use.
Yes -if we work over four hours. We are pretty low maintenance – you can toss us a sandwich and some water and we’ll be very happy.
Yes – most places require it.
Yes – it’s an alphabet soup but here they all are.
Annie O'Neill Photography
888 406 9994
Detroit | Pittsburgh