Why you absolutely SHOULD do an engagement session

I’ve been at this awhile now….15 years to be exact. When I first started out, every one of my couples did engagement photos. I’m really going to show my age to the young engaged couples now…..but do you know the main reason why they did one? Printed newspapers, yes those old things, published engagement announcements bi-weekly in the paper, and it was kind of a big deal. There was a blurb about who you are, who your parents are, where you work, and a photo of the happy couple….yes, definitely old fashioned compared to a much simpler social media announcement these days, but this is what they use to do to tell everyone about upcoming weddings.

When that became a thing of the past, I found that most couples were passing on engagement sessions. They kept saying they just weren’t sure what they were going to do with the images, so they didn’t think they needed them. So let me tell you guys, there are reasons why you definitely should opt to have an engagement session still. Here they are…..

1) It is the perfect time to get to know your photographer, and vice versa. Not everyone is immediately comfortable in front of the camera and engagement sessions gives you a chance to loosen up. This is kind of like a trial run for the wedding day. Engagement sessions are a great way to ease, especially the groom, into photo time expectations. Not only will he get to see it can actually be fun and nothing that needs to be dreaded, it gives everyone a chance to get to know each other and work together before the big day when it really counts. This is a great time to see how your photographer gives directions, for her/him to see how you take direction, and for the photographer to take notes about what the best way is to illicit natural reactions from the couple and capture them in a way that flatters them most. When you get this out of the way before the wedding day, you’ll be able to capture a lot more on the actual day because communication will come much more easily with all of this already established.

2) It is a major life milestone, and you should always capture those. This is a once in a lifetime chance to capture a time period that will never happen again. Take the time to celebrate the joy you share and capture it forever (your kids will certainly appreciate these images one day). A lot of the time, this is the first chance many couples have to get professional photos taken together. So not only do you get to capture a special moment in time, it is always nice to have professional photos together without wedding attire on, too. Some day when you’re old, I guarantee you’ll be glad you did these (even if it is just to laugh at the outfits you wore, or how skinny you use to be). (See #6 for why it doesn’t have to be boring and traditional, if that just isn’t you)

3) You can use your images for Save the Dates, Invitations, or decor at the wedding. Ok, so besides the sentimental reasons, it also gives you some super flattering images to use to tell people you’re getting married and update them on wedding news and announcements. Use your photos for social media announcements, your wedding website, guestbook, shower, and other personalized wedding decor. While candids are great for certain things, professional images give a polished, cohesive look to formal announcements.

4) Engagement photos are a great creative outlet. Wedding days can be fast paced and lets face it, slightly chaotic. Your engagement photos give you a chance to be more creative. You get to pick your location, clothing, props, etc. and these images can be highly personalized because you have more time to be create them. A lot of my couples pick locations that have a special meaning - like a favorite place to go together, where they met, where they got engaged, their new shared home, or they add props showcasing mutual hobbies/likes to add more significance to the images captured. Many of my couples tell me how glad they are to have done an engagement session because the images displayed around the house are a great reminder of who they are and the special moments that made them into the couple they have become.

5) A great trial run for hair and makeup. A lot of my brides use the engagement session as a trial run for hair and makeup to see what they like and don’t like, as well as how the look they chose will photograph. It is the perfect opportunity to aid you in making decisions about your wedding day styling!

6) Count it as a great “date night” you won’t get to experience very often. Look at it this way… Plan your session to be a special date night excursion, not just a photo session - it will be one unlike any other date night you’ve had for sure. Don’t look at it as just going to take some photos, make it a fun experience and enjoy the moment and stress-free time before you delve deep into wedding planning. Pick a cool new location to explore together, plan a picnic, take a hike, go on a day trip, cuddle up at your favorite coffee shop, or go on a shopping spree….and invite your photographer to be a part of the day and have them capture some really special moments for you that you won’t ever forget. It doesn’t have to be a boring traditional portrait session if you don’t want it to be. Choose to capture a moment you might otherwise plan as a typical date night and make it into something extra special.

PRO TIP: If you don’t have a photographer booked yet because you just can’t quite make the decision on who to book, try out a quick mini engagement session with the candidates and see who you mesh with the best. An actual session will give you great insight into what they will capture of you and how they work.

Tips for Rainy Day Weddings

Wedding season is ready to get into full swing shortly with the arrival of Spring , and on a rainy day even, I thought I would share some tips for how to make the most out of your wedding photography when rain is in the forecast!

Main rule, Don’t stress over the forecast. You’re not going to change it, so don’t spend the week ahead of your big day stressing over the predicted rainfall. If it isn’t something within your control, don’t let it take control. The attitude you have about the weather makes a big difference! There are ways of working around a rainy day, and even a few things that are actually working in your favor if your wedding lands on a rainy day. First of all, remember, a gray overcast day is a photographer’s best friend for lighting (plus colors looks more saturated, too). And whether you believe in superstitions or not, remember that rain is considered good luck on your wedding day! According to old proverbs, rain signifies a cleansing - rain on your wedding day washes away sadness from your past and signifies your marriage will last. Rain is also a symbol of fertility in cultures based in agriculture. They believe rain is a blessing because it signifies fertility and growth. Still yet, Hindu cultures see it as a sign of a lasting marriage to come because a wet knot is harder to untie. I guess there are plenty of reasons to believe rain really is a sign of good luck! So, if it is going to rain, just be prepared with a Plan B. Here are some tips to help you plan for a rainy wedding day….

1) Be flexible with your schedule. Chances are, it isn’t going to rain all day. If you really want outdoor photos, be ready to change up the schedule to make it work. Apps like Dark Skies can provide valuable info as to when to expect rainfall. You can try to plan your schedule around the rain, but don’t rely on it. If you have to take some photos indoors, by all means do that. You don’t want to be left with nothing because you planned on it letting up later in the day, and it just doesn’t happen!

2) Purchase clear bubble umbrellas for the bridal party (and other rain gear). Amazon even offers these in bulk (12 umbrellas for $90). Clear umbrellas will let light through for more flattering overall lighting, but still keep you dry. If you’re game to go out in the rain, these are a must. Just a side note: If it is absolutely downpouring, the rain drops will show up in photos. These are perfect for light to moderate rainfall and working around it. You may also want to consider rainboots to pop on - if the ground is muddy or wet at all, you’ll be thankful to not be sinking into it in your bridal heels (click here for samples). Shower caps and ponchos can also be helpful to get you from Point A to B. And if it is a little chilly because of the rain, consider adding a jean/leather jacket or shawl.

3) Look for alternative outdoor options. Get creative. If you want to go outside, maybe there is an overhang you can use, an open sided tent, or a tree that provides enough coverage to stand under if its just sprinkling. Just because you can’t stand out in the wide open, doesn’t mean there isn’t some other options for outdoor spaces that provide protection from the rain.

4) Scope out indoor spaces. While you may want to be outside, if the forecast doesn’t look like that is going to be an option, look to what your venue has to offer as an indoor space. Things to consider - time. If you are getting married in a church, some have a late afternoon service and you are only allowed to be in the space for a certain amount of time. If you have to be out, you’re going to have to look for another space. Space: does your venue have enough space to do group portraits? You may need to talk to your photographer about the lenses they use and how much space they require for group shots. Guests: If your guests are going to be milling about in the space, will they be in backgrounds or disruptive of photo time? Lighting: if your space is overly dark, does your photographer have the equipment to make it a workable space (and is there enough room to set up the equipment?) If you don’t like what your venue has to offer as an indoor space or think it isn’t viable after considering these questions, check into alternative options. A lot of public spaces, like museums, will let you come use their space for little or no cost. You always want to seek permission ahead of time just in case it comes down to needing an alternate space to go to.

Ultimately it comes down to this - Discuss options with your photographer beforehand and have a plan. I can’t stress this enough! Be sure your photographer knows what they are walking into so they have the proper equipment on that day - whether it be raingear, specialty lighting, etc. Don’t hand them a “make it work” moment on the day of the wedding and just expect them to figure it out. With proper planning and a little bit of extra creativity, you can make a rainy day wedding work for your photography, too!

Top 5 Reasons I love Photographing Weddings

A little backstory first….when I first became a photographer over 15 years ago, I swore I would never shoot weddings. I hated everything about them. Mind you, my only real experience with weddings at this point in my life was attending them as a small child (and being forced out onto the dance floor to try and catch a bouquet surrounded by crazy women). Fast forward to someone I knew begging me to shoot her son’s wedding when I was in college, me saying ‘no’ a million times before finally agreeing to do it. I shot that wedding, loved every minute of it, and I was hooked.

Fifteen years later, I still love shooting weddings every bit as much as the first (probably more so since now I don’t have butterflies in my stomach the whole time). I have literally shot hundreds at this point. I have never counted, but I estimate I’ve photographed at least 350 weddings over the years, and that is probably underestimating it. There are a lot of things about shooting weddings that some photographers hate - it is a high pressure day with emotions running the gamut, quick pace, and a lot is at stake since it is a day without do-overs. I’ll just say it, weddings are stressful, and that isn’t for everyone, but I thrive in that kind of setting.

Here are some of the reasons why I personally love photographing weddings….

1) There is always a technical challenge to solve. I love that every wedding is unique and offers a new set of challenges. Weddings are a lot like novels, especially dramas. Every wedding is always a new cast of characters with new plot twists, locations, and other variables to figure out and make come together. Even with a completely well planned out wedding day, there are always challenges for the photographer to figure out and “make it work moments”….whether it be the lighting, the weather, timing, or simply finding the right backdrops for every shot in a not very picturesque setting. Every wedding presents a new set of challenges, and for someone who hates monotony, it makes for a fun day of work every single weekend. Being able to stay creatively engaged to what I am capturing makes my work so much stronger, and weddings provide just that type of environment for me.

2) Weddings are inspiring. So many moments, wonderful people, details, and places to explore! Not to mention, the fact that a wedding represents so much hope and happiness. Yes, weddings may be stressful, but in the end, every single wedding is a celebration and gathering of people who come together because two people fell in love. If that doesn’t give you inspiration to work from…..

3) The friendships I’ve developed. I have become close friends with several of my brides over the years, a few of the guests I’ve met, and most importantly, many of the other wedding vendors. Weddings have allowed me to meet some truly wonderful people I would not have met otherwise, and for that I will forever be grateful. I get to work with tons of talented individuals who share the same passions as I do, and I always look forward to seeing their faces when I show up to work….photographers have kind of a lonely existence otherwise. Without employees, these wedding vendors becomes a large network of co-workers in a sense, and family in another.

4) The variety. No two weddings are ever the same. One summer I was at the same venue SIX weekends in a row, and I never got bored. Every single wedding is always different, and amazing….new details, new challenges, and a new love story to capture. That never gets old.

5) I get to preserve history. This one is definitely my main ‘why’. How many people can say they get to preserve history? A few, but not a lot. Capturing moments of time for forever, well, that is absolutely priceless and will always make my job worth it. I also get to capture moments that escape the day - since I get to be places with the groom the bride isn’t, and vice versa, I get to provide them with a visual story of their day they were not able to experience otherwise, and that is priceless and very rewarding to me. And let me tell you a quick story…I just had a past bride write me and tell me her daughter came to her asking about the day her and Daddy got married. Being able to sit down with her and show her their wedding album was a priceless moment for her, and one I was able to help facilitate. She said she was so thankful to have someone who truly captured the emotions and every moment of the day for her to share with her daughter….priceless.

Finding the Perfect Location for your Wedding Photos

How do you pick the perfect location for your wedding photos? There is the obvious answer to this question….your venue. It has become pretty standard to have a wedding take place in one or two locations throughout the day (ceremony and reception). It is always nice to shoot in a location that has special meaning, like where you said ‘I do’ or are celebrating for the reception. It is also very convenient since you don’t have to travel off site and “waste” time driving. But as a photographer, I also know that just because a venue is perfect for hosting a celebration, it doesn’t always mean it is the best for formal photos. Perhaps the lighting just isn’t great, or there are a lot of distracting buildings in the backgrounds, or maybe you only have so much time reserved and can’t be there longer. Your venue represents the real, but maybe not the ideal. In those cases, you should consider picking an alternate site for your wedding formals. Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect spot!

1) Pick something close by. You don’t want to risk getting caught in traffic or lost while travelling. I’ve had weddings in the past where a couple was set on a specific location with a 45 minute drive to get to it. Sometimes it works out like planned and everyone arrives when they are suppose to, but I have had times where a bridesmaid got lost and showed up 90 minutes later (we were already suppose to be gone when she got there), or even one time where we got stuck in standstill traffic for nearly an hour on top of the 45 minute drive. The more people you have travelling to the location, the greater chance you have of someone not making it on time, too. Insider tip: Always travel in a caravan or with minimal vehicles together. While you may know where the location is, don’t assume your bridal party does, especially if they are not from the area. Consider doing family (and possibly bridal party as well) at the venue and just the bride and groom going to another location.

2) Look for great light. Lighting is always the most important factor for me when picking a great location. Certain times of day have harsher light (late morning and early afternoon, especially around noon), so having a location that offers larger shaded areas is important if you’ll be out taking photos during this time (especially in the summer to avoid sweating and squinting). Lighting also needs to be even - wooded areas tend to have very spotty light, which is not flattering. In general, open fields, bodies of water, or other large full sun areas are not ideal because of the contrast and bright light. Areas that offer partial shade, perhaps cast from a building or tree line, will make for much more softly lit and flattering portraits (this is called ‘open shade’). Insider tip: I usually encourage my couples to take their photos after the ceremony, as this typically falls a lot closer to sunset time. If you want to do photos prior to the ceremony to save time between the ceremony and reception, set aside a little bit of time around sunset to go back out for just a few portraits if you can, or pick a location for your photos that offers shade, even lighting, and where the sky can be minimalized as part of the background.

3) Look for variety. If you want to get the most diversity in your portrait set as possible in a short amount of time, look for a location that offers a variety of backgrounds in a small area. The more walking around you have to do, the longer photos will take, or less you’ll be able to capture in your time with the photographer. I think many brides also fail to consider how hard it is to walk around in their dress (and shoes) - you may find that out the hard way on your wedding day when you’ve picked a spot that requires a lot of walking, and I guarantee you’ll regret it.

4) Consider your privacy. If you pick a very populated spot, know that you may spend time waiting for people to clear out of your backgrounds, and that it may not even be possible to avoid people in your backgrounds (like in a downtown urban setting or area with a tourist attraction). Some popular parks can be overrun with multiple bridal parties, making it hard to get the “ideal spots” because they are already taken. Parking can also become an issue in heavily visited locations, which takes up more valuable time.

5) Make sure you don’t need a permit. Making sure you have proper permissions to shoot at a location ahead of time is very important - the last thing you need is to be kicked out and have nowhere to go. Many state parks require permits, and some locations do not allow for professional photography at all. Be sure of the rules and seek out permission if you need to ahead of time. If you have a private property you really would like to go to, find out who owns it and just ask for permission - very rarely is someone going to turn down a bride on her wedding day. Most likely it will be up to you to seek out permission, obtain permits, etc. NOT your photographer. so be prepared to get them and pay any fees that may be associated with it.

6) Consider the season. Locations change with the seasons, and so does the light. If you’ve seen a place in the summer, but your wedding is in February, take the time to go check it out and see exactly what it looks like during the season you’ll be taking your photos. There are a lot of parks that also mow down fields late fall, so the tall grasses you fell in love with will be missing when you show up. Insider tip: While location scouting, always go around the time of day you’ll be there for photos so you can check where the light falls at that time. If you’re able to, go back a couple days prior to the wedding to just double check the layout and that nothing has changed that you were counting on.

7) Think in terms of textures, depth, and color. Fields of tall grass, rust, peeling paint, and other natural elements that create texture add interest to a photograph. Selecting areas with depth to them (somewhere with a foreground, middle ground, background) and distance between each, adds contrast and tonal range. You also don’t want to pick a spot that has colors that don’t compliment your bridal party colors (like a red wall when you have pink/purple flowers). The more the space compliments the color scheme and “feel” (i.e. rustic, modern, timeless, classic) of your wedding day, the more cohesive your photographs will be.

8) You don’t always have to look at the big picture. When you’re taking photos, keep in mind that the actual area you need to take a beautiful photo in can really be quite small. Unless you have a large bridal party and need a large space, you can look for little spots of beauty within a larger space. Some of my favorite places to photograph are not great looking at all when you first arrive, but then you look closer, you find all the hidden spots of beauty within.

You can always ask your photographer for suggestions, but if they are unfamiliar with the area your wedding is taking place, do a quick online search for popular locations. Seek out some location options and send your photographer photographs of the locations ahead of time so they can offer you guidance on picking the right spot. As someone who has done this MANY years, there isn’t often a location I show up to that I can’t make work, but it makes my job a lot easier if I have ideal conditions to work with instead of having to figure out how to make them work!