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!

Jessica + Chris | Georgia International Horse Park Anniversary Session

Oh, you guys!! Do y'all remember Jessica + Chris?! I photographed their beautiful wedding last April at Starrsville Plantation. They are about to celebrate their ONE year wedding anniversary! It's so hard to believe it's been that long! Last week we celebrated EARLY with a photo shoot at the location they met at for the very first time over six years ago!!! How sweet is that?! Jessica has been going to the Georgia International Horse Park for many years competing in horse shows. So, as you can imagine The Horse Park definitely holds a special place in their hearts and it was so wonderful to get to take them back there for their session!

The very famous cherry blossom trees had just started blooming which added a gorgeous back drop! These trees are located right down the center of the road in the median. . .And that's where I asked them to meet me! Eek! I'm so thankful they trusted me on that location! We then headed over to the Nature Preserve located in the park where Chris was right at home! He is an avid duck hunter!

I know it's early, but Jessica + Chris I hope you two have a very Happy One Year Anniversary!!! With MANY MANY more to come!!!

Social Circle, Ga Engagement Session | Tara & Tommy

Look how amazing these two are together! Tara and Tommy met me at my little farm, Creekview Farm, for their engagement session! We had such a fabulous time in the unreal warmth we were blessed with! I met Tara through her mother, Kathy. Kathy is an exceptional painter and wall paper hanger! We hired Kathy to paint the interior of our home when I was pregnant with Olivia, over four years ago! When Kathy found out I was a photographer she brought her granddaughter, Bella, to my annual Santa mini sessions. Her session was ADORABLE! I remember during her session she had on the cutest little pj’s and she was so excited to meet Santa! The very next year, Kathy brought along her entire crew for Santa sessions and I got to meet Tommy, Tara, their daughter Remi, Bella, Amelia, Amelia’s momma, Vaneta and Bella’s daddy, David. They are the most fabulous blended family and I loved photographing them ALL! 

So, now that you know how I got to meet Tara and Tommy, let me tell you about how they met each other! Waaaaay back in eighth grade, Tara was the “new girl” at her elementary school. Tommy was the “cool guy” that hung out with a crew that he had known most all his life. While they both attended the same school, they didn’t really get to know each other until their Junior year of high school! Tommy would walk Tara to her 6th period class every day. They never dated but remained friends.

Tara ended up moving to a different high school for her senior year and once Tommy graduated he became a soldier in the U.S. Army. After two tours, Afghanistan and Iraq, a big move to New York and several huge life changing events, Tommy found himself on this new site called Facebook! As he was navigating through, finding old friends, he sent Tara a message, “Hey, we went to school together, right?”

Back in Georgia, Tara had just put her sweet daughter, Bella, to bed and was looking forward to some quiet time. As she pulled up her Facebook page, there it was! Tara was one click away from falling in love with her future husband! They chatted through messages for months and got to know each other all over again!

One day Tommy sent Tara a message letting her know he was moving back home to Georgia! Tara felt a rush of excitement and butterflies! It had been years since they had seen each other in person! After Tommy moved back it didn’t take long before they were dating and falling in love! Tommy accepted Bella, Tara’s daughter, and loved her like she was his own. The two moved in together and got the surprise of a lifetime - they were pregnant! Although they were scared, they were also very excited!

Just last year, on Super Bowl Sunday, while our Atlanta Falcons were doing their best to beat the Patriots, the halftime show was on and Lady Gaga was doing her thing! Tara was totally stoked and glued to the TV watching her performance when all of the sudden the TV gets muted and a different song replaces Lady Gaga! Jason Derulo, Marry Me starts playing and Tommy walks into the room. Shaking, he kneels in front of Tara and he asks her to marry him!!! Her response, “YES, YES, YES!!!” 

As Tara put it, “We go together like peas and carrots. Okay, I wasn’t a fan of that combo growing up - let me try this one more time, we go together like sweet peas and mashed potatoes!”

Elizabeth + Dalton | Porterdale, Ga Engagement Session

Oh Social Media! Isn't it incredible how it brings so many lovely people together!? One night, Dalton came across this beautiful lady, Elizabeth. They were "friends" on Facebook due to going to the same high school together. However, Elizabeth never knew Dalton. He sent her a simple little message that opened up a month long of conversations online. They finally set up a date that lasted beyond the hours of the Mexican restaurant! They couldn't stop talking and laughing! They knew they had something special! About three years later, at an over the top birthday party for Dalton's dad, Dalton grabs the mic to give a speech to his father. At the end of his speech, in front of about 50 of their closest friends and family, he walks over to his love, drops to one knee and asks her to marry him! Elizabeth couldn't say YES fast enough!!!

Photographing these two was such a pleasure! Their giggles and love were just so natural and beautiful! I can't wait to photograph their Indian Springs wedding in November 2018!

Surprise Engagement!!! | Social Circle, Ga

Sunday evening we were all invited to celebrate my niece, Haley and her boyfriend, Brendan, birthdays. They share the same birthday month. Well, thankfully, Brendan decided to make us all a part of their special moment and chose to propose to my sweet niece in front of us all!!! The tears started pouring when he dropped to one knee after she opened his gift to her. . .Haley's AND MINE! lol Oh, and her daddy's too! We were all a teary eyed mess! I am so, so very excited for these two!

Congratulations Haley + Brendan!!!