Here are two common questions I get from newly engaged couples... Q: How far before my wedding should I have my engagement session done? A: While I am not sure there is one correct answer, I would say some where between 6 and 12 months prior to your event. In my opinion, I find this amount of time allows you to make "Save the Dates", newspaper announcements and even post your upcoming celebration via social network sites. Q: Do I have to get engagement photos done? A: Again, this is all subjective. There isn't one wedding or couple that I have met that does everything the same. And, there certainly isn't engagement police out there dictating whether or not you are doing the right thing, either way. With that being said, I personally encourage my clients to get them done, which is why most of my packages include or offer a discounted session. I find this is an opportunity for us to meet or reconnect before your event. Editing styles, clients and photographers are all very different so I appreciate getting to know each couple and their style, prior to the BIG DAY. To sum it all up - you are in charge! The images will go out to your friends and family. The images hang on your walls, capture your life, memories and so on. Don't let anyone pressure you into something they think is "right". All my best! Sunday, I spent the day with Michelle and Mark celebrating their engagement. The weather was lovely and just prior to yet another snow storm. Here are a few images from our lovely session!
AND, I am excited about my new emily theisen photography watermark. This is the very first session I am using it on ~ thanks Pea! Whether you like it or not, your mother will probably have one of your senior portraits on the mantle for the next twenty years of your life. Given that you want to be remembered as hot stuff during your high school years, looking good in your senior portraits is a must-do. Follow these tips and you won't be embarrassed when your kids point at your picture and say, "is that you?"
Keep Your Makeup and Hair Simple For the Ladies: Lower eye makeup is highly discouraged in senior portraits. Use very little or you'll risk looking like you just stepped off the Twilight set. Use a matte foundation and avoid anything that is translucent or sparkles. Seal your foundation with loose powder and avoid using any mineral makeup products. As for your hair, stick with simple, loose, flowing styles. Do not get a perm or any other chemical or color treatment within two weeks of your senior portraits. For the Guys: Guyliner is only cool on American Idol so lay off the black when prepping for your senior portraits. Make sure that you get your hair cut a week before the shoot in a style that actually allows the photographer to see your face. Skip the Props Yes, you really like to play tennis and are the most successful singles player in the school's history. Chances are, however, that you will definitely regret that in-studio shot of you swinging your racket in front of a green-screened background. If you want to include a sporting element in your pictures, consider wearing your letter jacket or your uniform in a few of the shots. Avoid Awkward Poses Here's a good rule of thumb: if you wouldn't stand, sit, or lay that way in real life, don't do it in a photo. This means that you should probably skip the shot of you leaning over with both hands supporting your chin. Dress the Part You may like to live in tee shirts and jeans, but your senior portraits aren't the place to display your oh-so-casual take on life. Ladies, avoid trends that will be out of style in six months, opting to wear classic cuts and colors that show off your features but don't detract from the most important part of the picture: you. Guys, dust off your tan slacks and collared shirts- you won't have to wear them again until graduation. Avoid Fake Backgrounds Entirely Unless you actually go to school in Paris, don't request that your potential senior portrait photographers Photo Shop in a background of the Eiffel Tower. Ask for a more natural setup when in the studio, using either black or blue backgrounds. Take Your Lenses Out If you wear glasses, bring an extra pair of frames without lenses to use for your senior portraits. Alternatively, you can ask your optometrist to pop your lenses out before your session. Sunday, it was BEAUTIFUL! The weather couldn't have been more amazing to shoot 2 engagement sessions; Jen and Aaron in the Art District and Michelle and Mark at Stone Arch!
Both couples are LOVELY and I am honored to be working with them. Images will be posted soon! : ) This is why I love to live in MPLS!
Here is to one day a week that I can blog, think, network, brainstorm and connect.
If you are a hobbiest, a client, a friend or someone who accidentally stumbled on this blog - I'll invite you to send a few topics my way or comment on what I post. Each Thursday, there will be a new topic. Readers and followers can comment as they wish. Remember, topics and comments are all subject to personal interpretations. Thinking on Thursdays will be a forum for fun or new ideas, specs, technicals, etc. Here is my first: I was thinking Engagement Sessions What do you like/dislike in professional engagement images? In your opinion, what gives these images the "Ah-ha" ? Is it the location, the attire/colors, the post-editing, the angle of the lens, the position of the subjects? Go ahead - comment! Now until 3.31.11 - Enter to win my "I need a re-do event" click here for details and how to enter!
So, here is my first official post! While blogging will be a new feature on my photography site, I can assure you "this ain't my first rodeo!"
For a long time now, I have been contemplating a photo blog. I have always taken the simplistic approach and thought my photos would tell the story. However, after a recent "Business of Photography" class, I was enlightened with the degree of interest a blog can generate. It acts as a "brag-page" if you will, for both myself and clients. With that being said, follow along and review my small attempt to network, showcase and share my journey. I'll mainly focus on upcoming events, recap recent sessions, personal favorite "thingies" and, occasionally, some technical gobbledygook. I'll encourage you to share the feed with your pals and leave comments where ever you see fit! All my best! |
|
Photo + Video // MinnesotA, Las Vegas + Florida //