I found myself in the paper today!

The Arizona Republic was kind enough to follow me on an engagement shoot and catch me in action during Stephanie and Brent’s engagement session (see girl lying on back in grass).  Michael McNamara (awesome photog…who also does kick ass photo booths for weddings) had the fun task of shooting me while I photographed the couple.  I’ve never been photographed while photographing but it was a unique experience that made me slightly self conscious for the first 5 minutes…enough time to forget he was there.

The article was essentially about the new trend of couples  who are asking for magazine-style photos.  I think the idea of candid and non-traditional engagement sessions has been around for a while but it’s just now catching the eye of major media outlets.  The attention is great for the photography industry at large.  It’s nice to finally be noticed for the hard work and creative touches we put into our sessions and I was grateful that the newspaper took a respectful spin on the idea.

Other than highlighting the trend, it offered some great “dos and don’ts”, such as do: reflect your style.  Do: an activity you normally do together.

Inspired by their to do list, I came up with a few of my own…

Don’t: wear clashing colors or patterns that will distract the eye in the final image.  Solid colors are best but be sure you’re not too matchy-matchy.  Similar color tones and dressing up is always encouraged.

Don’t: expect to know how to “pose” for the camera.  I’m there to photograph the essence of you as a couple not a catalogue. :)  I’ll help prompt you through the shoot so you’re in good hands.

Don’t: (for guys only) get a haircut the day before your session.  Men’s hair usually looks best about a week after their cuts.

Don’t: Stress out.  For whatever reason, people get stressed when it comes to being in front of the lens.  Be aware that you might get a little ancy before the session.  It’s totally natural.  Share a glass of wine before the session if you need a little relaxer.

Do: consider getting your make up and/or hair professionally done.  Many of my couples use their engagement photos for save the date cards, engagement guest sign in books, for websites or frame them for office desks and as gifts.  You want to be sure you look your best the day of and don’t let a thing like a bad hair day, ruin your photos.

Do: Try to come on-time.  If you’re not…see advice above.  Your photographer is arranging the session to maximize the amount of “good” light during the day.  Good light is limited to just a couple hours and you don’t want your money or time to go to waste.

Do: Remember to tell your photographer anything about yourself that is significant to personalizing your images.  Ie. where did you meet?  Stephanie and Bret (featured in the article) met in an elevator so I did a collage series on canvas of a closing elevator door with them in it.  I love the idea of creating images that tell stories about who you are, how you met, or how you got engaged.

Do: Bring your pet if they are fairly well behaved…and be sure you are going someplace to photograph that will allow pets.  Definitely let your photographer know in advance!!

Do: Plan on having fun!!  A lot of my couples tell me this is one of the best days of their engagement.  You’ll see for yourself!

If you are a bride interested in learning more about engagement sessions, definitely check it out…

Click Here

“Merrill and I met at a 3 day Phish festival up in Maine called “IT”, there were over 80,000 people there! I was living in AZ at the time and Merrill lived in Dana Point California. On the 3rd day of the festival (I had lost all my friends that I came with at this point) I was walking around by myself. Merrill had a water bottle that had lemons wedges stuck in it, so he randomly came up to me and asked me if i could get them out for him, and I did. So we started to talk for a while and we discovered that he lived a couple blocks from my mom’s summer house in Dana Point. I spent all my summers at this house since I was in High School so we thought “what a small world!”. We ended up keeping in touch over the phone when we got back home. Then we visited each other a couple times and started realizing that this could be more than a fling, so he decided to move out to Arizona so we could give it a try and see what happens. Five years later here we are!!! I always said I needed to marry a guy who loved music just as much as I do, so it couldn’t have worked out better to meet him at a Phish concert!! We have had so many great adventures together, we really are best friends!!!”

Lauren and Merrill are a super-vibrant, fun-loving couple. So for this session, I scouted out some cool colorful urbanscapes. L&M also have an intense love and respect for nature so we wrapped the session up near Papago Park at sunset. They spent a Summer traveling in the van featured in a few of the images, so you can imagine there’s a lot of love for that car.

Thanks for your great energy and fun-loving spirit!! (oh, and for that Tequila shot at Coach House ;-)

And what engagement session wouldn’t be complete without a tequila shot at the Coach House?!