APRIL 2023 NEWSLETTER
Picture Perfect
How to experience the best engagement session
Spring is officially here. The days are getting longer, the air is feeling warmer, and the wedding season for hundreds of couples and wedding professionals is off to a beautiful start. As the world welcomes a new spring filled with blossoming flowers and lush, green blooming trees it can feel like the perfect time for engagement pictures. Many photographers will offer engagement sessions in their packages and they can be taken well in advance of the wedding so you can show them off and get your friends and family as excited about your big day as you are.    

So, where do you begin and how can you plan for a picture-perfect engagement session photo shoot? When you’re working with a professional wedding photographer they’ll more than likely advise you on taking amazing photos. Here are some of the secret tips, tricks, and insights they may guide you through as you get ready for the best engagement photos:
Scout seasonal or sentimental scenes:
You may start by considering the location of your photos. Depending on your photographer, their time, and their package, you may take shots in more than one location. Spring can offer a wonderful opportunity to explore both indoor and outdoor scenes as backdrops for your engagement photos. Also, consider places that hold a "special meaning" for you such as somewhere you enjoy outdoor hobbies, fan interests, sports, your favorite hang-out, local attractions, somewhere that reflects the theme of your wedding, or simply the first place you met for coffee. 
Make it a “Date-day”:

Let’s face it, wedding planning can take up a lot of your time. And between that and your busy day-to-day lives, it’s nice to have an afternoon just for you two. Your engagement session can take an hour or more but why not take the time to plan a day around it? Some couples will plan a morning together before the session. Others use it as an opportunity to go out for a date night or day. And depending on where you decide to have your pictures taken you could make it a weekend getaway complete with an overnight stay at a hotel.
What to wear? 
Engagement sessions are usually a time when couples can be authentically them. They tend to be more casual than any other photos around your wedding and are laid back, fun, and show off the personality and style of the couple. That being said, wear something comfortable and that matches the environment you’ll be in. Speaking of “matching”, don’t feel like you have to perfectly match each other. Certainly compliment each other’s style or mood. Try to coordinate so it feels like you didn’t just bump into each other while going to completely different places. It’s always a safe bet to go with light neutrals colors like grey, blush, and taupe. For dark colors blues and other neurtals like black and browns are great. Be intentional about patterns and textures but consider bringing layers of clothes so you can quickly add or remove to change the look or add a pop of color.
Perhaps you can pamper yourself 
I’m not sure about you but it’s always nice to have a reason to treat yourself by booking a hair appointment before your shoot. Also, consider a stop at the nail salon the day before so your hands are primed and ready for those close-ups of your engagement ring. Not sure about who will do your make-up on your big day? Perhaps you can book a make-up session with a professional make-up artist as a way to experience their service with an everyday-natural make-up look for your engagement photos.  

What should you bring?  
You shouldn’t feel like you “need” to bring anything for your session, after all, the only subject in your photos (besides you two) may be an engagement ring. However, you can always ask your photographer for ideas. That being said, it’s always nice to have a few things to help you enjoy your day. Here are a few suggestions: 
  • Bottles of water
  • Snacks & breath mints
  • Umbrella (just in case)
  • Makeup & hair care products for touch-ups (Ex: lip gloss, brush, hair ties, etc.)
  • A change of shoes
  • Sunscreen or bug spray (if you’re doing some really outdoorsy shots)
  • Any meds 
 
The glow of love
Ask most photographers and they’ll say that natural lighting can create undeniable warm and magical images. And there’s nothing like the radiant glow of sunlight during the “golden hour” which happens before sunset. So when is the best time to have your engagement session for your location? This is where your photographer can really shine as an expert. They will be aware of not only the best compositions at your location to shoot but also the perfect light, shade, shadows, and more so consult with them about the best times for your location.

Focus on each other.
Yikes, are you afraid of feeling awkward in front of the camera? Where should you stand? What do you do with your hands? Should you smile and if so, when? Don’t overthink it. Sometimes couples worry about being “camera ready” for their session but the truth is there’s nothing to worry about. 
Yes, professional wedding photographers understand all the technical aspects of taking photos but they also understand how you might be feeling. And you wouldn’t be the first one to feel that way either so they definitely take the time to put you at ease and make it fun. And, when in doubt, just focus on each other. You can relax knowing that your photographer will always look for the best images for you so just enjoy being with each other. Feel free to hold hands, hug, look into each other’s eyes, smile, and (if the mood strikes) even seal it with a kiss.
Hampton Roads wedding & engagement photographers are among the best in Virginia. 

Show your love
How to use your engagement photos
The photos are in and they look fantastic! You and your beloved look great and your photographer has given you an abundance of awesome images that capture you, your style(s), your personalities, and the essence of who you are. So, now what? What do you do with our engagement photos?

Years ago, there was a time when you would simply submit an engagement photo to your local newspaper and run a formal “announce” of your engagement in your hometown. But today things are a little different. There are so many ways and options for you to share the start of this incredible time of celebration. 
Here are a few ways to get the most out of your engagement pictures after you get them from your photographer:

  • Save-the-date
Are you sending out “Save-the-date” cards? In a world where we are always on the go and our calendars can fill up pretty quickly it’s nice to give the people you'll be inviting to your wedding a heads-up and ask them to hold your wedding day for you. Some of the most popular design styles for a “Save-the-date” card are the ones that incorporate your engagement photo into the look.
  • Wedding websites and announcements
How are you planning on keeping your guests updated on your wedding details, accommodations, and activities? For years many couples have used a “Wedding website” to do just that. But let’s face it, you can also update your social media profiles and any other wedding related online accounts with your engagement photos.

  • Pre & post-party
The wedding ceremony and reception aren’t the only celebrations. There are often many other parties associated with the big day. You can use your engagement photos the design of your invitations, decorations, or display them in upcoming events like your engagement party, wedding shower, brunch, cocktail hour, or even farewell breakfast the day after your wedding.

  • Signs of love
Most couples want an alternative to the traditional wedding guest books. If you’re not sure who to capture signatures of your wedding attendees then consider using one of your engagement photo in a statement display. Ask your photographer about creating a large black & white print of your favorite engagement photo. Select an image that has enough room around you to add well wishes. Then display it along with metallic colored sharpies for guests to sign. You could also place the large photo in a large white or even black photo matting for guests to sign. Unlike many guest books that fine themselves hidden away in a closet, this photo can be beautifully displayed and treasured in your new home after your wedding day.
Want to find more inspiration and tips for planning your wedding?

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  • Create your own "Design Guide"
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Sunday, April 16, 2023
1 pm - 5 pm

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~"A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you."~
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