How to PREP for you engagement session SERIES - 2 of 2

Last week I shared some very important tips on how to ROCK out your attire for your engagement session to ensure that you are comfortable and CONFIDENT!!! This week I would like to cover some more very helpful tips! These tips are equally as important as choosing your coordinating outfits and are simple ways to get you and your groom prepared!

1. CLEAN YOUR RING! : I will be photographing your gorgeous diamond! This means that this would be a perfect opportunity to have your ring cleaned so that it’s clear of dirt and other build up that may be visible through a macro lens! 

2. HAIR & MAKEUP : Splurge a little! If you were considering getting your hair and makeup done, this is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself! You will cherish these images forever and so investing in professional hair and makeup can be an extra fun way to celebrate the occasion and allow you to be extra confident during your shoot! Tip: If you’re worried about looking tired or just want a little something special for your portraits, getting false lashes will make the most impact in your portraits! There are all types of lashes that range from looking completely natural to looking like Beyonce! I would lean towards the natural end of the spectrum! :) 

3. THE TIMELINE : I am always a few minutes early to engagement sessions so that I can scope out the location and find light that will be flattering on my couples! Because we are racing the sun and cannot shoot after it has set, I recommend leaving 15-30 minutes earlier than you originally planned just to be safe! 

4. HAVE A PREVIEW PARTY : In the past I have found that it is incredibly helpful for my brides to sit down and have a little preview party with their groom before their engagement session. Take ten minutes and sit down together to scroll through 2-3 of your favorite engagement sessions on my blog. This will allow your groom to be prepared for what he is about to experience! 

5. TAKE A DEEP BREATH! : You’re going to be amazing models! I always tell my couples that the BEST models are the ones who have never modeled professionally before! And I mean it! The couples who are usually most nervous are the couples who totally rock their session! So be encouraged! I have worked with EVERY personality type and EVERY body type, and I always create images that my clients love!! Get excited!

I hope you find inspiration AND gain confidence in reading my Engagement Session Prep SERIES!!! If you missed the last one (I covered outfit inspiration!) click here to view it! 

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Talk to you soon friend!!

How to prep for your engagement session series - 1 of 2

Are you READY for this?! I am SO excited to share this SERIES with you! Being prepared for something you've NEVER done before is HUGE! I know when I go into anything NEW and I am armed with knowledge, while I still might be a little nervous, I feel way less anxiety and more excitement!!! My goal is to get you as prepared as possible so that you feel comfortable and CONFIDENT when you walk into your engagement session with your photographer!

E-sessions are SO important!

During this time with your photographer, you will learn how they pose, how they give you directions, how they communicate with you and this will lead you into being the best and most confident couple on your BIG DAY during your wedding photography!

Let’s just dive right in!!! The first thing most couples ask me when we start talking about their e-session. . .WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?!?!?! This is a very big part of your engagement session! If you are comfortable in your outfits and feel confident with what you are wearing, then you are half way there! 

OUTFIT INSPIRATION: 

I recommend a maximum of 2 outfits for your engagement session to ensure that we have plenty of time to capture both looks before sunset! During your one outfit change is when I will photograph your rings while we wait! I recommend the following for your engagement session attire: 

- Neutrals such as blush, tans, light pinks, faint blues and teals, creams, grays and whites will always result in more of a light and airy look to your images. These colors photograph softer and more romantically! 

- If you’re really looking for a soft, feminine look, I recommend a flowing, maxi-length dress or skirt! The movement of this type of fabric photographs beautifully! 

- I recommend a more formal outfit and a more casual one, so that you have plenty of variety to choose from later! 

- The goal is COORDINATING outfits instead of MATCHING! I also recommend avoiding both of you wearing WHITE as a top. White doesn’t allow for any contrast in your images. 

- Guys, I recommend that you avoid patterns that are smaller than a dime! These small patterns can create strange visual effects in a digital camera. Close-toed shoes photograph well, and I recommend avoiding graphic tees and tennis shoes! 

- Gals, I recommend that you wear something that flatters the parts of you that you love the most and also allows you to be extremely confident! If you are uncomfortable when you look in the mirror (having to suck in and only like the way you look from one angle), then that probably isn’t the best outfit choice for you. I want you to be really confident in your outfit, because I know that you will love your portraits so much more if you’re not worrying about how your clothes fit! 

there's more!!!

In the next blog post I will discuss more steps you can take to help you create the best engagement session experience possible!!! I hope you find this little guide helpful!!! Don't forget to subscribe!

Click here to view the next blog post on Engagement Session Prep!

Jade + Jamie's Hard Labor Creek State Park Engagement Session

According to Jade, love comes when you least expect it. Today on the blog she is sharing her love story! Yes, another guest blogger! I am really loving this! This past weekend, I met with Jade + Jamie at Hard Labor Creek State Park and we photographed their love and had the best time! "He said he saw me from across the parking lot and had to get to know me, and that's just what he did. We met in August/September of 2013. We both had rocky times before. You see Jamie had just gotten out of a 9 year long relationship and at that point I was only 18 and had just graduated high school. Jamie intimidated me. He was 23 and lived completely on his own, whereas I was still living with my mom and relying on my mom and dad.

He got my phone number from a mutual friend and it was over from then! He tried hard to get me to give him a chance and I wouldn't. I just wanted to be friends... We had our first kiss on November 28, 2013 and I had never felt that way before. I had butterflies and sparks and couldn't get those feelings out of my head (or my heart). But I still made him chase me for about 3 months...

Finally on January 16, 2014 I asked him to be my boyfriend, yes I asked him! Lol by this time I had moved in with him and I was loving every second of it, and I still do today. We dated and enjoyed each other and finally on September 15, 2015 he asked me to be his wife. Our best friends were there and it was perfect! He said he was going to wait until my birthday in October but he just couldn't wait any longer. Jamie has taught me how to love myself and how to really love someone else. I honestly believe he was my saving grace and I was his. Our timing was perfect for one another."

I am looking forward to your wedding day!!!