E-Session

BEFORE THE SESSION:

Every week, we shoot engagement with our GORGEOUS couple. Prior to each session, every couple ask where is the best place to take engagement session and what to wear. So I thought I would share some of my expert suggestion.

What is an engagement session?
Basically, the e-session is a fun chance for you to relax and become comfortable in front of the camera. For me, it’s the perfect opportunity to get to know you as a couple and for y couple to know me as a photographer.  As far as instructing or directing you for posing, I usually just say, “have fun together and show off how madly in love you are”. Of course, there are times when I’ll have you move an arm or leg a certain way, but for the most part I wanted to capture the love that you feel for each other. Having a great laugh, being silly and romantic is what I wanted to capture in my camera. Be cute, silly, jump, kiss, play with the water in a fountain or you just to be being you is up to you.

What time of the day should we plan our session?

The late afternoon through the evening is usually best for ideal natural lighting and for your work schedule. I like to schedule the session sometime between 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM in the summer or about 1.5 hours before sunset.

-First, plan a day when you have plenty of time, and do not have to rush the shoot, it can take long. You would not notice it because we will have some fun but I don’t want you to be late for any commitments or appointment that you schedule for that day.

-Plan a location that will give you diversity in your shots, and also find a place that holds meaning to you.  We can go by the beach, garden, downtown, barnyard, factory, plane hanger, desert or anyplace you wish to go but remember that we cover 30 miles from us. Just think of this if you have a friend with a farm, barn, home at the Beach (PLEASE NOTE travels fee will apply out of 30miles from 34761 ZIP) boat, a small plane, a FERRARI or anything that you like, we can do use it and we are always all for it. Do you have a friend that owns a factory? Dirty floor  with heavy machine? Did you meet your Fiance’ in a library, in a Coin Laundry, or anywhere that means to you, anything different, crazy and weird just let us know. We love different ideas. Do you want us to fly in Italy, France or the far east? we will travel with you. Remember these images are priceless because theses are your happy memories. These images will still exist even if we are no longer here, treasure for the next generations to come.

How to dress up? Dress as if you were going to a special lunch or a sophisticated dinner . This aims for casual chic. However, always bring a second outfit casual! I call it dressy casual.  A nice pair of jeans with dressy tops and nice shoes.  They don’t overly match, yet the compliment each other very nicely.  Avoid wearing busy patterns and NO logos.  And if you are planning to have a shot for a magazine announcement, keep in mind those will be in black and white and you want your clothing to look good in black and white as well as color. Coordinating outfits are great, but avoid getting too “matchy”. You can, instead, choose accessories that compliment each other. Wear neutral colors and any colors that works well on you. Nothing that might wash out your complexion. Clean lines looks really good (i.e, avoid bulky clothes).  STILLETTO shoes are  must but bring shoes that are comfortable and switch between your fancy shoes and your comfortable ones. You don’t want to give out 30 mins into the session because your feet are throbbing.

Things to avoid:

-Cross trainers shoes, we are not going to the gym!!!.

-Busy prints or big logos, you don’t want to look at the shirt, you wanted your guests to see your face

-Shiny fabric or shiny makeup. (Let’s keep the metallic clothing, circa 1984, at home for personal shots.)

-Always get as close to your fiance as you can, without squishing cheek. Squished faces don’t look good on anybody!

-When kissing for a picture, avoid fish kissing…you know the fish kiss…pouted lip against pouted lip—fish kisses do not look as good as relaxed lips in a kiss. It might not be the way you regularly kiss, but for the purposes of a great photo…relax those lips.

-Be aware of the camera, but don’t be afraid of it. If we ask you to walk down the street…walk with some gusto, turn back and smile at us, be cuddly, and don’t be afraid of PDA (public displays of affection).

-Relax and have fun.

-If you are “camera shy” or hate the way your smile looks in pictures, practice laughing. I guarantee that it may start as a “fake” laugh, but quickly turns into a true smile/chuckle and it’s guaranteed to make your partner laugh as well. This method has been tried and proven.

Slimming techniques: (Note: I added this section, because I’m no size 30 but 44, so I’ve had a bit of practice trying to trick the camera!)

-To avoid arm spreadage, make an effort to make angles. Bend your arms, and try not to have your upper arm resting on your body. Imagine a beauty contestant if you will. Notice how they stand, with their elbow bent and hand resting on their hip? That space between her arm and body is the difference between a lean looking arm and having “arm spreadage”.

-That reminds me, if you are planning on submitting a photo to a newspaper for your engagement announcement please let us know.

-Ladies, engagement sessions are a perfect time to try out those makeup artists and hair dressers you plan on using the day of your wedding.  Now don’t go and get the huge up-do with baby’s breath, but you can have them pamper you for the day and see how you relate to them. Bring Hat, Cigars, Sun Glasses, and of course your engagement ring.

Do you still need an excuse to dress up? This may convince you:

-Lastly,  Have fun, be youthful, kissy, and most importantly IN LOVE

AFTER THE SESSION:

FINE ART UNO:

Fine Art UNO Fine Art UNO are perfect for clients that are looking for contemporary ways to display their images. We print your images directly on a ¼” thick UNO substrate, then screen print a layer of white ink on the back. Once screen printed, the acrylic becomes opaque, highlighting the vibrant colors and fine detail within your images. Mount using the stainless standoffs included in your order, which sit 5/8” from the wall. It is recommended that you do not use chemicals, cleaners, or abrasive cloths on this substrate.

GUEST BOOK:

Forget your mother’s guestbook with frou frou pen attached! And why just have them sign a mat board around

ONE image from your engagement shoot? Will you really hang that in your house anyway?

Let them leave you messages and see your whole session in a keepsake book you will keep out at home!

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BOUDOIR SESSION (Always tasteful, never tacky, 100% sexy in every way!) CLICK RIGHT HERE ( COMING SOON)

THE SEXY BOOK (Always tasteful, never tacky, 100% sexy in every way!) CLICK RIGHT HERE ( COMING SOON)