Welcome Lovebirds!

Hey there! I am SO excited to spend time with you both at your upcoming shoot! Read on for tips and tricks to make sure that your shoot is stress-free (even FUN! What?!) and that your shots turn out awesome. The most important thing to know from me ahead of time: I am excited to take YOUR pictures and capture YOUR love, however that looks for you. I want to celebrate your partnership, and give you photos that you can keep and share for a lifetime. Thank you so much for choosing me to spend time with you, I can't wait!

Have questions in the meantime? Don't hesitate to contact me & I'll do my best to answer them.

It's all in the timing (seriously!)

Scheduling Your Shoot Time

As a natural light photographer, I love to shoot outdoors (when available) and use the available light to get great shots. The best times for this are typically early morning or the two hours before sunset (we call those the "golden" hours).

I will most often suggest one of these times, but if that doesn't work for your schedule, we will work out another time for your shoot (and depending on the time of day, maybe a different location with some shade!). The shoot above was taken indoors on a rainy day-as long as we have a lot of natural light, we can make most locations work well.

Leave Enough Time to Get Ready

When you are rushed getting ready, or feel rushed getting to your shoot location, it shows in your photos (and who wants that?). I recommend planning a little extra time to get ready than what you would think your typical getting ready time takes (for example: If it usually takes you 30 minutes, plan 45+).

Hair & Makeup Scheduling

If it works for you and your budget, I recommend getting hair/makeup professionally done (you'll look killer, be more relaxed and that confidence radiates during your shoot). If you need a stylist referral, let me know during our chat. I recommend scheduling these appointments (as well as any other hair or beauty appointments needed before your shoot) at the time you schedule your shoot, to avoid scrambling last minute. Try to avoid scheduling haircuts for the same day, in case you run out of time or need additional touch-ups to make it perfect before your shoot!

Not in the budget to get hair/makeup done? No worries! Many clients do their own makeup/hair (or have a talented friend lend a hand!), and look awesome at their shoots. Do what makes you most comfortable, and what works best for your budget.

Make sure that everyone arrives fed and ready to go!

I meet a lot of couples who make a fun evening out of their shoot: pictures, then hang-out time or dinner at a local restaurant (fun!). If this is your plan, make sure to arrive having eaten at least a snack: hanger (hunger+anger about being hungry) is a real thing people, and no one looks good in the throes of hunger/anger/hanger during their photos!

GETTING READY: the outfits

Investing some pre-planning in your outfits can make a HUGE difference in your shoot! Have your clothing chosen way in advance, and make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive.  What do your dream photos look like?  Are they are soft and elegant?  Chose neutral colors with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, and slate blues.  Want some pops of color?  Pair those neutral colors mentioned above with a couple of fun accent colors (yellow, coral, green...the possibilities are endless!).  Most importantly: your clothes should reflect YOU. Be comfortable in your outfit (and your own skin) and your photos will reflect it.

To help you out, I've put together a few inspiration pieces on our Couples Photo Session Pinterest Inspiration Board! I'll also follow up with you during our phone call to answer any styling questions you may have.

Still have questions? Drop me a note!

What to expect

Most importantly: Get ready to have some fun!

This is the time where you get to be unapologetically lovey dovey: Give your significant other a sweet kiss on the check, or tell them how much you love them and appreciate them for being there for you.  Have fun.  Laugh. Giggle. Joke. Embrace.  Kiss.  Snuggle.  Play.  Doing these things will allow me to capture the emotion and true beauty of your love.  Leave the stiff “cheese” faces for another time (or awkward selfie).  Show me who you really are, so that I have the opportunity to capture your love through my lens.

This won't be your typical studio experience of posing and everyone looking at the camera at the same time.

We will do some shots that feature you looking at me, but there will also be plenty of candid shots where you are playing and interacting with each other. Come ready to twirl, snuggle...and do a little kissing!

Pro tip: turn the shoot into a date!  One of my favorite things that couples do is turn their photo shoot day into a date day. Think about it: you're already in a lovey-dovey mood, and then you can carry that right into your shoot! Lots of couples that I work with get dressed up, grab a drink or go on a casual date, do their photo shoot and then head to dinner or something after...the shoot just becomes one stop during your date!