It’s totally normal to have a thousand questions about your engagement session before it happens, you’ve probably never been a part of one before! There’s no need to stress over it—it’s supposed to be a fun and exciting time for you and your fiancé(e). I’ve put together a couple of golden rules to abide by during your shoot. As long as you follow these, your pictures will be stunning, guaranteed.
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The Studio
After all the initial excitement of your engagement starts to die down (or, at least, the initial shock has worn off) it’s time to start thinking about engagement photos. These pictures signify the start of the rest of your lives together, so it’s important to consider a few things when picking a location for the shoot.
One thing’s for sure when it comes to your wedding day—the moment you see your significant other for the first time, all dressed up for the occasion, is bound to be a memorable one. Some couples are choosing this moment to happen before they walk down the aisle, while others are sticking with the more traditional route and waiting until the ceremony to see each other. There’s no right or wrong choice, but if you’re on the fence, here are a few pros and cons to having one.
Behind the Scenes | The Process
What Goes Into Being a Wedding Photographer
Hello!I get asked, "how many hours do you put into a wedding?" or, "what do you do all day?" quite a bit. My impression is that some people thing I come to a wedding, snap pictures, then go home and party! (Side note: I'm not that cool. No parties for me.)
The question I get asked the most by my seniors is, "what should I wear?" Senior portraits are supposed to celebrate your personality, so that is a difficult question to answer. However, there are a few tips & tricks that make it easier to be photo-ready!
Golden Hour | My Favorite Sunset Shots of 2016
As promised, I've put together a few of my favorite golden hour shots of 2016. There may be one or two sunrise photos in the mix too (can you guess which ones?). 2016 was a seriously incredible year, and I can't thank all of you enough for trusting me to capture your memories. I hope you all love your photos as much as I do. I'm excited to go into 2017 and create more magic together!
Hey guys! So if you know me, you know how much I adore stealing my couples away from their reception for a few pictures after dark. They're almost allllways my favorite shots of the day (and hopefully theirs too!). Recently I've been also taking some engagement & senior photos after dark too, so everyone can get in on the fun.
Let's talk frankly - on your wedding day, something is going to go wrong. It always does. There's a lot of moving parts to a wedding, and sometimes things just happen. However, if you're prepared, this doesn't have to be a big deal. Usually the issues that arise are minor, and easily remedied. To help you get ready, here are some tips keeping things running smoothly!
Step ONe: Wedding Timeline
Part of having everything go smoothly is having a well thought out wedding timeline (which is why I meet with my clients two weeks before the big day to finalize the details!). If you have a wedding planner, they'll be with you for this! If you're doing it on your own, make sure you ask your vendors how much time they'll need for their part of your day. For example, talk to your hair & makeup artist. How long will they need for each bridesmaid, the moms, and you? Then build in a buffer (at least 15 min) in case things run over! For photography, I prefer we build in 2 hours for pictures (1/2 hour for family formals, 1/2 hour for wedding party, 1/2 hour for the couple!, 1/2 hour for travel/buffer). For photography, this can be split up throughout the day if you plan on sneaking out of the reception for sunset pictures or if you're doing a first look. Be on the look out for a photographer's ideal timeline - coming soon to the blog!
step two: put someone in charge
When something inevitably goes wrong (again, its usually minor!), having someone in charge (who is NOT you) makes a big difference in how quickly it can be fixed. If you've hired a wedding planner, they'll be the go-to on your big day to handle these issues. If you didn't, put someone in charge! This can be your Mom, your maid of honor, or just a close friend that you feel would be able to handle things. Give that person all your vendors contact information, and make sure your vendors know who your point person is! This keeps you from adding more stress on your wedding day!
Step three: Pack an Emergency kit
The day of your wedding, you're going to need some things. Pack a small bag in advance that has everything you might need. If you don't end up using it - great! If you do, you'll be glad you prepared. Make sure your point person for the day is in charge of it!
Here's some things to consider packing. Depending on your day, you may need more or less!
- Sewing kit - many a button has fallen off during weddings!
- Stain removal pen - if something falls on your dress before the ceremony, you may need this
- Advil (or your preferred pain reliever)
- Hem tape & safety pins
- Tissues
- Deodorant wipes - works better & easier than a traditional deodorant when you have your dress on
- Wisps- remember those mini toothbrushes with breath fresheners on them? Super helpful!
- Blotting paper - especially for a summer wedding
- Nail file
- Makeup - especially your lip color for touch-ups throughout the night
- KrazyGlue - you never know!
- Earring backs
- Antacid
- Hairspray (travel sized)
- Lens wipes - if you have glasses (cake getting on glasses is hard to get out!)
- Tampons or sanitary napkins
- Lint roller
- Hand sanitizer
- Tweezers
If you don't want to purchase all these items and make your own bag, there are many different "Bridal Emergency Kits" you can buy online! This is one of my favorites, but there are plenty of options to choose from!
STEP FOUR: RELAX!
The most important thing you can do for yourself on your wedding day is to relax. Yes, some things may go wrong. However, what's important is you marrying the love of your life! Let go of the little things, and focus on being present with your new spouse! Enjoy your day, and celebrate your relationship!
PS: A massage a few days before your wedding can help too!
Thanks for reading! If you have any other advice, please leave it in the comments!
Katie
Pittsburgh Lifestyle Newborn Session | Jack
This family was a referral from some current clients of mine, and it turns out they live less than a mile from my home! It was so nice to both welcome Jack to the world with some newborn photos, and meet some new neighbors. Their home was perfect for photos, and we popped into almost every room!