I try to encourage being prepared for anything on a wedding day! If you ask anyone, wedding days are pron to being a small disaster magnets. I suggest having a small bag full of items you think you should have to have those life savors all in one spot! I was recently browsing my local Sephora at the Mall of America and I found the PERFECT solution for my brides!
It is called the miniergency Kit. It has all the essentials and so compact it can fit right into your maid of honors purse! Small, cute, and stylish, the miniergency kit is a GREAT option to rely on during the wedding day!
The kit has:
- Adhesive bandage
- Safety pin
- Earring backs
- Deodorant towelette
- Nail polish remover pad
- Stain remover pad
- Clear elastics
- Lip balm
- Emery board
- Tampon
- Hair spray
- Clear nail polish
- Dental floss
- Mending kit
- Breath freshener
- Double-sided tape
- Pain reliever
There is even one for your groom! I promise I am not being paid to recommend this to you. I want to make your wedding day easier and this product helps achieve that goal!
And It is so stinking cute, I purchased one for myself!
Scouting Locations for Photography
Just this past weekend I had an engagement session that in all honestly I was super stoked about! The couple was sweeter than the banana cream pie I made the previous week. When it came time to decided where to shoot, they left it up to me. As I have stated in previous blog post, I LOVE downtown St. Paul; it is my go to location.
For those who go to photo sessions with anxiety of the unknown, here are a couple of things that help me scout out for sesssions.
Go head of time: I'm by nature someone who needs a plan. For a lot of my shoots if possible I always walk around at the same time of day that I will be shooting at. It is normally within the same week or a week away from the session but this helps me understand the kind of lighting I will be working with. Where I want my couple and it helps me visualize my shoot even before it takes place. If this is not an option, try getting there before 15 - 30 minutes before the session.
Plan a head of time: going into a session with a plan and taking control of the session with confidence really does help your client trust you. It will reassure them that you have control so all they need to do is relax and enjoy the session together. I try to take advantage by creating a map in my mind of where to go and established how long it takes to get to each spot.
Choose spots for everyone's style: One of favorite wedding photographer's rule I try to follow is 10% for me 90% for my couple. Sounds like something out of the Hitch movie, right? Shooting any session, I want to have photos that will stretch my photography for the better, but I also have to remember I am shooting for my couples and need to represent who they are as a couple. If you try shooting just 100% for your couple you will start to burn out and not love your work. If you don't love your work, who would you expect you couple to? One thing I that really works for me is finding at least one spot in the location that I am really excited about.
Check the Weather: you need to think is it has a chance of rain, do I have my umbrella, do I have a cloth to have them sit on, if the weather is particularly horrible what's plan B.
In case of really hot weather, do I have water so everyone stays hydrated. All that good stuff.
Choose a variety: depending on the location you may be limited where you can shoot, but having a good variety of area backgrounds will give your couples more to choose from. I know this sounds basic , but having a variety will also boost your portfolio.
Leave the floor open to suggestions: remember that 90% thing I was talking about? When I am shooting location with my couples, always I try to let them have the option of giving their ideas. I have heard from a photographer friend of mine that his favorite photo he took in 2015 was one where the groom just asked "can I pick her up and spin her around? " The photo turned out golden , so give the floor to your couples you might love the results!! And it also makes them feel like they are being heard and involved in the session.
Admit when something doesn't work: lastly, it is OK to let your couple know when something is not working. When I try something new (because in my mind it looks amazing) , I communicate that to my couple. I let them know my vision and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't . It helps me grow with my knowledge of what works and what doesn't and i feel it helps my couples know I am willing to try different things to get the photo.
I know this is a little bit of a longer post , so thank you for staying with me! I hope these are some things that you can takeaway for your own sessions!
3 Tips to ROCK Your Engagement Shoot!
I am going to share with you a recipe that if done correctly your engagement session will go off without a hitch for both you and your photographer.
Be Comfortable : When you are uncomfortable in front of the camera, it shows BEHIND the camera. To help your session be pleasant, here are a couple of things that I promise will help. Choose your location of the E-session. If it is someplace that is familiar it will help you feel right at home. In some cases that may be your home, back yard, park nearby. If you both enjoy that location as a couple it will make it that much more special looking back at your photos. Choose clothing you know won’t make you self-conscious. We all have those pair of jeans that are not as forgiving around the midsection or you are constantly pulling up with every new pose. During your session, the last thing you want to be doing is constantly adjusting to feel more comfortable. On the same thought as clothing, let’s also address shoes. If you love your heels (a common love affair I share) make sure to pack a pair of flats to help walk from spot to spot. Know what works in your location! Heels are horrible in grassy fields, but in pictures you will work it! If you come prepared your feet won’t be killing you be the end of your session.
Be Confident: The best way to be confident is to be yourself. An Engagement session is all about you and your fiance, there is no one that has the same love story as you two. Know that when worse comes to worse you will have each other! If all else fails have confidence in your love.
Have Fun: Stepping into a session can be a little awkward at first when you’re letting a stranger take over. Take a deep breath and give the reigns over to the photographer. The moment this is done you will be able to fully enjoy your time with your fiancé. For a lifestyle photographer, it is so important to capture a couple’s natural reactions. Another way to achieve a good time is going into your session with a good attitude and determination of having fun as a couple. Now, I know this sounds really obvious, but when you purpose in your heart to have a fun time, you will! This goes for your fiancé too.
One last tip to help your session run more smoothly, arrive on time. Being respecctful of your photographer's time is important and will help you both to start off on the right foot.
I hope that even in a small way this helps you to get ready for your photos!
