We first met Isabelle and her mom as they begun their search for all things wedding related at our local bridal show. Isabelle knew exactly what she wanted regarding her wedding and engagement photography. After an extensive conversation discussing her vision for the wedding, we agreed to set up a second meeting to include Charlie, her fiancée. Coffee and tea at Café Intermezzo is always a good choice on a cool afternoon. So after getting a cozy table off to the corner we had our first chance to meet Charlie. What a delight it was to spend some time with him; very relaxed and laid back. A perfect compliment to Isabelle’s personality.
Meetings like these are always essential to our storytelling style of photography. Getting to know our couple’s back-story, how they met and what makes their relationship so unique really shapes the types of images we create down the road. So off we go.
Isabelle is originally from Quebec, Canada but moved to the United States with her family at the age of 12. After briefly “visiting” Denver, they settled in Seattle where she later earned her International Studies degree at the University of Washington. Shortly after, she decided to leave the Seattle rain for sunny San Francisco with her furry best friend. Little did she know, this is where her life would really begin when she met Charlie.
Charlie’s story began in China where he is from and where he grew up. His parents decided to sacrifice their careers and everything they had to bring him to the United States. They wanted to give him the chance to fulfill the “American Dream“. At age 11, they first settled in “Hotlanta” where he completed secondary education and received his degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. After graduation, he had a few setbacks. So he decided to move the “Golden City” for a fresh start.
So, how did they actually meet?
Well, it’s interesting to hear each one describe how this all came about.
Isabelle:
I had seen and talked to him before – casually. But I really saw him that day at the Venetian Expo. He looked good in his relaxed boot cut jeans and fitting white t-shirt – a welcome sight to the throng of solution architects, engineers and sales guys swarming the convention center floor. There ensued burgers, shakes, long walk and long talks. For me, it really was a combination of his raw confidence, his honesty, his unwavering loyalty, and the dimples when he smiled.
Charlie:
I had noticed her before. This young, beautiful, exotic and yet unassuming and down to earth woman with big eyes and luscious, thick brown hair. I was drawn to her mannerisms and way of speaking that was not quite American… but not quite European either. After spending some time to get to know her, I was amazed at how much we had in common, from our immigrant experiences growing up, to our sense of humor.
How did their relationship bloom?
Isabelle:
We got to know each other in the Golden City, through hikes on the cliffs by the sea and strolls and picnics in the wine country.
Charlie:
Our relationship blossomed in the city by the bay; our frequent trips hiking across the austere and majestic mountains by the pacific coast, the peaceful and often chilly Muir Woods (then again Izzie is always cold), and our relaxing drives through the wine country affirmed that our bond would be eternal. Through our times together, I also learned about her strong family values. Those same values led us and our little furry pup (not so little at 70lbs) to trek across the country and settle back in the peach state.
And then…?
Charlie:
For a frequent traveler with over three million miles, it seemed only appropriate that I make our engagement official at 39,000 feet.
Isabelle:
Yeah, it was a few months before we moved into our home on our way home from exploring the Christmas markets of Munich, in the middle of the Atlantic on a long flight, he asked me to marry him. It was probably the easiest question I ever had to answer.
The engagement session
They both knew they wanted to do something extra special for their engagement session. So they made arrangements at Lake Lanier to get access to PineIsle Pointe. This is one of the most popular wedding venues on the lake; but we had it all to ourselves! All week long we had torrential rains and the forecast was threatening more rain for the day of the session. However, miraculously the sun broke through and we had one of the most magnificent afternoons of the year.
Having a couple that loves the outdoors just lends to having a great photo shoot. The entire session was simply a delight to shoot. Running through the fields and jumping in the water for the sake of photography? No problem! Hey even their labradoodle Boomer got into the mix. Thanks Charlie and Isabelle for a super esession! We can’t wait to share their wedding next!
Weather in Georgia for an engagement session can be…
By Georgia standards Atlanta had a very strong winter. Temperatures stayed unusually low throughout the spring and rain seemed like a constant fixture almost every other day. Then out of nowhere we get a day in the low 90’s with scorching sun for Michael and Grace’s Ponce City Market and Beltline engagement session. That’s okay since this couple has all the warmth to match the setting.
A chance meeting
Grace and Michael met through their church. She had recently moved to Atlanta and really didn’t know many people. Thankfully her sister-in-law arranged a big lunch with many friends and invited her to come along. That’s where Michael came into the picture. They bonded immediately over the terrible Chinese buffet food they just had and how much they loved talking trash about each other’s favorite NBA teams. The rest is history as they say.
The details on their proposal
So, when the time came, how did he propose?
“He proposed at the Garden Lights, Holiday Lights show at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in front of the lighted trees that changed colors according to the musical arrangement. It was magical and I was shocked (had no idea it was coming)!”
We met inside Ponce City Market which has quickly become a favorite spot for most Atlantans. Located on the Old Fourth Ward, this old Sears, Roebuck & Company building was renovated into a contemporary marketplace with a focus on food that reflects many of the flavors of this great city. The Atlanta Beltline connects right up to the market providing quick access to 45 great neighborhoods such as Virginia-Highland, Midtown and Inman park. The Beltline itself is a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, parks and streetcars – all based on railroad corridors that formerly encircled Atlanta. It runs right through Piedmont Park(Atlanta’s version of Central Park) and it is packed with murals and sculptures from an eclectic mix of artists; becoming the largest temporary outdoor art exhibition in the south. As you can imagine, a location like this feels like a gold mine for both art-loving couples and photographers.
Our session began inside the market so we could take advantage of the backlit colored windows located throughout the Central Food Hall. Not to mention the air conditioning was cranking! A perfect way to kick off an engagement session with a couple so they could ease into the process. This couple truly has a blend of modern style with timeless elegance. Michael was rocking a navy bespoke suit with Allen Edmonds wingtips. His suit was a surprise gift from his future father-in-law during their most recent trip to Taiwan. Grace was glowing in a bohemian hunter green dress with Clarks Spiced Ava sandals. Both providing great contrast against all the backgrounds we used across the afternoon. From there we jumped directly on the Beltline so we could photograph one of their favorite murals at Paris on Ponce. A richly colored flower mural with a mini faux Eiffel Tower sculpture. The heat was starting to kick in a bit so we huddled up in a slightly shady corner of this display to catch a few silly moments with a rusty gorilla. Then we were off again, doubling back to the cartoon mural just over North avenue and a somewhat new favorite; the Tim Frank columns sculpture. Once again we scurried for some shade and managed to find some interesting green benches under an overhang adjacent to the entry back into Ponce. It was cooler there which gave us a chance to grab a few quick shots before we had to move on. Grace and Michael had some other murals they wanted to photograph with so we hopped in the car and drove a bit further down the Beltline so we could keep them nice and cool in their nice outfits. That trip brought us to two very popular pieces of art. First up their personal favorite, the Hense mural by Alex Brewer. Or as they call it, the “bubble” mural. As one can imagine, a beautiful warm day in Atlanta means there was a lot of foot traffic going through this area. So, we decided to incorporate shots of joggers and bikers coming through our shots using a slow shutter drag. Directly on the opposite side is the second point of interest. Brandon Sadler’s / Rising Red Lotus masterpiece. A large mural featuring a circular pond of brightly colored koi.
Before we knew it almost 3 hours had gone by since we first began the shoot. A testament to how much fun we had with this couple and their incredible disposition. They were willing to go along with every crazy request we threw their way to obtain the most artistic imagery we could create on the spot. Battling large crowds, long walking distances and blistering temperatures in a suit and dress, no less. Thanks Michael and Grace for allowing us to share our love of artistic photography with you. We can’t wait to continue our adventure with you this summer at your wedding, where we look to document so many friends and family coming in from various destinations from around the world to share in your special day!
From there we jumped directly on the Beltline so we could photograph one of their favorite murals at Paris on Ponce. A richly colored flower mural with a mini faux Eiffel Tower sculpture.
The heat was starting to kick in a bit so we huddled up in a slightly shady corner of this display to catch a few silly moments with a rusty gorilla.
Then we were off again, doubling back to the cartoon mural just over North avenue and a somewhat new favorite; the Tim Frank columns sculpture.
Once again we scurried for some shade and managed to find some interesting green benches under an overhang adjacent to the entry back into Ponce. It was cooler there which gave us a chance to grab a few quick shots before we had to move on.
Grace and Michael had some other murals they wanted to photograph with so we hopped in the car and drove a bit further down the Beltline so we could keep them nice and cool in their nice outfits. That trip brought us to two very popular pieces of art. First up their personal favorite, the Hense mural by Alex Brewer. Or as they call it, the “bubble” mural. As one can imagine, a beautiful warm day in Atlanta means there was a lot of foot traffic going through this area. So, we decided to incorporate shots of joggers and bikers coming through our shots using a slow shutter drag. Directly on the opposite side is the second point of interest. Brandon Sadler’s / Rising Red Lotus masterpiece. A large mural featuring a circular pond of brightly colored koi.
It was a very muggy summer afternoon after the rain when we met up at Sope Creek Park along the Chattahoochee River in Marietta, GA. But, these two were troopers and never once complained. They were happy to be together, enjoying the afternoon and the beautiful scenery around us. Have I mentioned we’ve got the best couples. Our couples are always ready for adventure and accommodating every odd request we asked of them for the shot.
Jose and Jennifer met a few years back while doing some volunteer work. A year went by until they would see each other again. They briefly talked and once again lost contact. Jennifer was invited to attend a training school to help her better evangelize to those in the community and guess what?, there he was again. This would be the first time they actually had a conversation (Jennifer’s words). At that time, he was on his way to Bolivia for 5 months, but that didn’t stop that initial spark they had for each other from developing. They maintained communication while he was away and with time confessed his interest in Jennifer. They both agreed it was best to keep things open until his return. After his return from Bolivia, it was now her turn to leave the country and so she went to Colombia to volunteer for a few weeks. All this time he never stoped thinking about her and upon her return, they officially began dating. And in her words, the rest, well, is history…
If you know us or anyone who knows us, you’ll find out we love people, we love couples, and we love, love. We don’t get tired of it. It just makes us happy. We get to meet so many people, from our couples to their families and then their closest friends. Well, let me introduce you to Omar and Sam. We’ve known Sam for some time since we’ve hung out with mutual families from time to time. Talking about the small world again. It’s an ongoing theme. In any case, her wedding planner is a personal friend that I met when we first arrived to Atlanta, *ahem…*cough, cough* 20 some odd years ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long. Oh, focus Lissette, focus. Going back to our little story. I get an inquiry from our web site from our friend Samantha (although I know her by Sam so that threw me off). Well it so happens it wasn’t Sam emailing us, it was the planner letting us know our little Samantha is getting married. That caught me off guard again, I didn’t know she was dating anybody.
So, off to meet Omar and Sam for our consult. We had to find a convenient location for us to meet due to schedule conflicts and we end up at Starbucks. So what was my impression of Omar? Answer: a gentleman. While Sam and I were talking at our table, Omar excused himself for a minute and bought us all coffees. What a sweetheart! The planner Jaqueline had Sam so organized with a big binder with everything she needed to do for her wedding. Sam realized she didn’t need all that for us so we just talked and talked about the vision they all came up and all the vendors that were going to see this vision through. It sounded amazing and at a venue I hadn’t had the privilege to photograph. I was definitely looking forward to what Jaqueline and her team were going to create for their amazing wedding at Ambient+Studio.
Back to the engagement session. Omar and Sam wanted something rustic, abandoned, an urban vibe and we had that light bulb moment immediately….The Goat Farm. That’s it. They both LOVED the idea and were excited to work with us there. At first they were a little apprehensive when we started, they’ve never been in front of a professional camera before. But within a few minutes they were well into getting a modeling career going.
Talk about forgetting we were even there.
They are so much fun together. And literally forgot we were there. Just the way I like it.
We were having so much fun, I almost forgot to take a ring shot. I like taking these type of shots with a human element. It brings it to life. What do you think?
Sam’s getting the hang of this. That look, girl!
As the night was winding down, we decided to go by and grab a cup off coffee at the Warhorse Coffee Shop
Here’s a little more from their engagement session at The Goat Farm Atlanta.
It’s a small town or better yet, a small world. I first met Michael through where we usually meet our couples, through our online contact form. It so happens we have a mutual friend in common and I hadn’t seen our friend in a while. It’s so refreshing to have connections between people. There’s not enough of that in the world right now. In any case, we set up a time to invite them over and talk about their upcoming wedding. Elisabeth came first after work that evening and asked how her drive was. I was surprised to hear that it wasn’t so bad. She actually works right outside our community at a local dentist office. Talk about small world. A few minutes later, and Michael arrived. Well let me tell you, she lit up as soon as he entered. It was beautiful to see these two together. They are so kind and genuine. We talked and talked about their plans and the venue and how they envisioned the beginning of their new lives together. So much talk that we lost track of the time. We’re so happy to have been a part of your day!
So Michael and Elisabeth decided they wanted to have their engagement session in downtown Roswell. It fit just right for them since they’re familiar with the area and their wedding was being held at Primrose Cottage.
They just light each other up. Adorable.
We walked around a bit and ended up at Primrose Cottage and decided to take some photos here. Although it was a cold and cloudy day, they seem to bring out the warmth within each other.
Continuing our walk through downtown Roswell, we took a break and stopped by Provisions.
Can’t help but get excited with a solid blank wall. And they were having a ball being goofy with each other.
We’re so happy for you. Your wedding did not disappoint. Want to see their engagement slideshow. Well, wait no more.
From the very start Michael and Tyler always wanted something different for their engagement session. While they appreciate images of couples on a beautiful countryside or next to a glimmering lake, they were looking for something that could offer a unique visual experience. Something with rustic character, able to offer a wide array of scenes with varying textures and uncommon colors. In the past the Goat Farm Arts Center always fit the bill for similar requests with other couples. However this time around that venue was not available and we wanted to try something new all together. So where to go? Thankfully we came across Joe Silva and the Lindale Mill!
Is it a Mill or is it a movie studio?
Dating back to 1896 this structure served as a textile mill providing hundreds of jobs for Floyd County for roughly 105 years until the mill closed in 2001. During the next 9 years these buildings slowly began falling apart until a family from Seattle moved across the country to give this special place a brand new start in 2010. Currently the Lindale Mill is quite relevant again but with a brand new purpose. Providing spacious industrial locations, the mill is now used for wedding celebrations, stylized photography shoots and film projects including music videos and motion pictures. Most recently the Mill was used to film several scenes of the The Divergent Series: Allegiant
In particular the Mill provides cavernous rooms filled with rusted scaffolding and machinery, endless walls of original brick, a creek that can double as a moat and over 100 years of paint textures in vibrant shades yellow and teal.
This was the perfect spot to give Michael and Tyler the look they were envisioning. Talk about searching for that industrial vibe and hitting a home run!
Just as wonderful as the location, this couple was an absolute thrill to work with. Michael is smooth and easy going and Tyler is energetic and adventurous. Together they share a love for volunteer work and good food. They also share a love for cars. How can you not like a couple that love to race drift cars!
In any case our photo session was filled with so many options it almost went beyond 3 hours. Every time we turned a corner at the mill a new spot would appear with at least 5 different shot options. We are so thankful for the opportunity of working with Michael and Tyler on this engagement session. We also look forward to returning to the Lindale Mill with another couple sometime in the near future, as we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible at this fantastic location.
Need to see more? Take a look at their video slideshow.
Engagement sessions aren’t always easy for some couples. Some folks are camera shy or simply don’t enjoy being the center of attention in public. Thankfully just about all those people open up half way through a session when they see how much fun one of those shoots can be. Then you have couples with absolutely no inhibitions about letting loose in front of the lens. They could have a thousand eyes staring at them and they wouldn’t have a care in the world. Such was the case on a March afternoon when we caught up with Jef and Sara Lynn. This lovely pair are professional film, television, stage and voiceover actors. Jef has multiple 2018 TV roles in production and has worked on projects for Lifetime, OWN, Discovery, Audible and others. He is perhaps best known for his voiceover work with Scientific American and the New York Times. Sara also has various TV and film appearances including projects with NBC/Universal, HGTV, Lifetime. She is also a graduate of the distinguished Dell’Arte International. Currently they both run the Springer Film Institute based in Georgia. So, it’s easy to see how a couple of actors could make this shoot so fantastic. From the very start they were relaxed and up for any adventure as we navigated through Piedmont Park. Honestly though, the success of this photo session was truly based on their sincere love for each other. That was the star of the show. Mix in their wit and unique sense of humor and it was all we could do to keep up with them. This could have easily gone on for hours but unfortunately, we ran out of time. Thanks again Jef and Sara on such a wonderful afternoon!
We had so much fun with Jef and Sara Lynn at the park. They forgot we were even there.
THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION IS ONE OF OUR favorite parts of our time together because it gives you both a chance to be in front of our cameras before you get married, which is going to make your wedding day experience feel so smooth, seamless and comfortable. Not only that, but we get to create something so special together. You’re going to be married for over fifty years, but you only get to be engaged for this short period of time. We are so excited to capture the only time in your lives when you get to be each other’s fiancees. So we have created this guide for you, and packed it with all our best secrets for getting the best out of your engagement experience, so let’s dive right in!
Choosing the time and date
FOR THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION WE LIKE TO USE NATURAL LIGHT because we believe that natural light, from the sun and its reflections creates photographs that feel fresh, timeless and true to you as a couple. We begin all engagement sessions two hours before the scheduled sunset during the “golden hour,” when the light is the dreamiest. Use a sunset calculator online to determine the scheduled sunset for the date and location you’d like to do your session. Then, just subtract two hours to figure out your start time. Remember, the sun sets much earlier during the colder months of the year and much later during the warmer months, so make sure to factor that in when choosing your engagement session date, especially if you’re taking time off work or have evening plans afterward.
To get the most out of your session, please plan a buffer when getting ready so you can arrive a few minutes early. We like to shoot when natural light is still in the sky, so we’ll want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down. Although we might have a few tricks up our sleeves during the later part of the day. If you’re wearing two outfits, save your favorite one for the second half, and if you’re wearing only one, arrive in that.
QUICK TIP: Our weekends fill up first and far in advance. You can get a Fast Pass to the front of the line by scheduling mid-week.
SELECTING THE RIGHT LOCATION
THE LOCATION OF YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION IS UP TO YOU! The first thing to decide is whether you would like to feature a natural or more industrial,urban area in your session. Like you can see on our website and blog, most of our couples want to showcase the natural beauty of Georgia or the area they choose to be photographed to give their out-of-town guests a fun preview of what to expect when they travel for their wedding. But we live in an area where there is so much unique history and architecture, and if that speaks to you, that is wonderful. We especially love shooting in the natural areas because they are so unique and the light is divine. There are also other great options around the state, and we’re always up for exploring a new spot together.
think outside the box
THIS IS THE TIME TO THINK outside the box! We encourage you to brainstorm unique locations that you might have special access to that most people don’t. For example, maybe you, or someone in your personal or professional network, can secure permission to a location that would otherwise be off-limits, like a beautiful private estate, country club, or resort. Maybe it’s a family ranch, upscale hotel, or even an airplane hangar. The sky is literally the limit! Spend a few minutes thinking about it and checking around. You will be surprised with what you come up with. Plus, if something seems out of reach, just remember: you never know until you ask! Our couples have secured permission to some pretty amazing places in the past. If you get stuck or need inspiration, check out our blog and keep browsing through. We have some great go-to locations around town that we can always hit, too. Just let us know which session you love, and the overall feel you are going for, and we will go from there! Easy. Peasy.
Destination Engagement
YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION includes travel time anywhere within metro Atlanta. If you’d like to go somewhere outside of these cities, we are up for the adventure! The travel fee for locations outside of these areas are priced depending on the distance.
We love traveling and actually on the road quite a bit. We’ve done engagement sessions from north to south and everywhere in between, so if we’re already going to be in or near an area you’ve always dreamed of doing your photos, and we can coordinate our schedules, let’s set it up. We’d love to make it work!
If you’d like us to meet you in a destination outside of Atlanta for your engagement session where I don’t already have plans to visit, just let me know and we can get you a custom travel quote.
Style Tips For HER…
because you’ve been waiting your whole life for this, why not DRESS IT UP!
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT rocking a sequined gown, tulle skirt or flower crown but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance to do it up! Remember: There’s no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your engagement session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun! If you don’t want to add a new permanent piece to your collection, a lot of our brides love Rent the Runway for their engagement photos because you don’t have to spend a lot to feel like a million bucks. Plus, you can send the outfits back when the session is over. Other brides just love having a great excuse to bring a new permanent piece (or two!) into their closet!
There’s no such thing as too dressed up.
say yes to the DRESS
LONG, FLOWY DRESSES AND SKIRTS LOOK AMAZING ON CAMERA BECAUSE they bring extra movement to the photos. Especially when juxtaposed with nature, like under mossy trees, garden, plantation or beach. Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully as well. Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body—which is probably why the red carpet is always full of so many dresses and not very many pantsuits! We recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress or two!
one or two? it’s up to you!
MOST OF OUR BRIDES WHO CHOOSE TWO outfits will bring one “wow” dress, and then another shorter sun dress or cocktail dress for a more casual “us on a date” feel. But if you want to bring two “wow” dresses and forgo the more casual dress altogether, give yourself permission to do it! The camera loves runway-esque apparel and so do we!
Remember, though, you don’t have to bring two looks if it’s too stressful or you’d rather just stick to one fabulous look. Just one outfit that you love will be so much better than one outfit you love paired with another you’re not very excited about. So, one or two? It’s really up to you!
choosing colors
WHEN CHOOSING COLORS FOR YOUR OUTFITS we recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. That softer color pallet fits beautifully into almost all natural out door environments.
Solid monochromatic colors are easiest to coordinate, but primary or complementary colors also look great and bring energy to the photograph. Darker colors will cause the subject to appear thinner while lighter colors will make the subject appear larger. When choosing color schemes, consider not only what looks best on you, but also what colors will look best as wall portraits and complement your home’s decor.
coordinating THE LOOKS
AS YOU’RE COORDINATING your outfit with your fiancee’s, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palletes coordinate, but don’t necessarily “match”. You should each aim to wear a different dominant color, but stay within a similar color palette family. So if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earnings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. Now he has his own dominant color (navy) while still incorporating a few touches of your color palette. Most of our brides choose their dress first, and then put together their fiancee’s outfit based on that. That’s why we have a section for each of you.
flattering your features
IN OUR EXPERIENCE, EVERY WOMAN, REGARDLESS OF HER shape has an area of her body that she’s self-conscious about, so recognizing what area that is in advance is key. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos.
THREE-QUARTER LENGTH SLEEVES creates an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. You could also bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along, too. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so we recommend avoiding those whenever possible if your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms.
HEELS ELONGATE WOMEN’S LEGS making them look fabulous. Closed-toes heels in particular look great on camera because they carry out the line of your leg all the way down to your toe. If your toes are showing in a peep-toe heel, you might want to schedule a pedicure before your session so you don’t regret letting your feet show. These little tricks make all the difference!
QUICK TIP: Bring a pair of flats to wear when moving from place to place. Your feet will than you later!
make a STATEMENT
PAIRING AN ACCESSORY OR TWO WITH YOUR OUTFIT CAN REALLY help bring some extra dimension to your images. Big statement necklaces bring a lot of pop to the photos, while the smaller, delicate ones are not as noticeable on camera. Belts, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention. Fresh florals in a crown or bouquet can be a really romantic touch as well.
GO PRO with Hair & Makeup
PROFESSIONAL HAIR & MAKEUP IS ON TOP OF MOST OF our brides’ checklists because it looks amazing and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. From lash extensions to blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in font of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. If you’re working with a makeup artists, have her apply your makeup in natural light, if possible, so that it looks fresh and not too heavy. Plus, that’s the type of light we’ll be shooting in, so it’ll give you the best expectation of how it will translate on camera. Most of our brides feel like their makeup is “too much” at first, since it’s more than you would wear on a normal day, especially when it comes to false lashes, so if you feel that way at the beginning, don’t worry! Good makeup artists know how to get it just right for the camera— and our brides always love the final result.
If you need recommendation for hair and makeup, we work with the best in the business and have a great go-to team! they’re sweet as pie, talented as heck, unbelievable professionals and wonderful people, You’ll LOVE them! Just let us know and we’ll send you their information. We know they’ll take good care of you!
CONFIDENCE. It’s always the best accessory.
A LITTLE EXTRA POLISH
Don’t forget, your ring will be center stage, so give yourself permission to get it cleaned and your nails done, too!
skip the spray tan
ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT SEEM counter-intuitive, we recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session, even a few days prior, because it tends to photograph orange even when it’s applied subtly and by a professional. Your actual skin tone will photograph most beautifully and naturally.
fashion tips FOR HIM…
because dapper and debonair never go out of style
FROM JAMES BOND TO DON DRAPER, MEN look most striking in a well-tailored suit. If he doesn’t have one, now’s the perfect time to invest in something he’ll wear for the rest of his life! The best part? It’s a lot less expensive than you might think! While custom suits can cost thousands of dollars, some of the most well-known brands have off-the-rack suits in their stores for a fraction of the prices. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong compliment to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye.
THERE’S NO SUBSTITUTE for a WELL-TAILORED SUIT
MIX IT UP
MANY OF OUR GROOMS LOVE TO MIX A SUIT COAT, BLAZER or sport coat with a different pant color. It adds some extra visual interest, and can be more fun than wearing two full suits in a row. I am a big fan of this fresh take on a timeless classic.
layered looks
NEXT TIME YOU WALK BY a store like J. Crew, you’ll notice the male mannequins and models are always wearing several layers at once. Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, trust me when we say that it’s worth an hour or two of discomfort for photos that will last you both a lifetime. Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos. Blazers, vests and coats up the level of any look. If the temperature permits, he could even consider adding a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers!
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
LONG PANTS AND CLOSED-TOED SHOES ARE THE MOST SOPHISTICATED and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on the face you fell in love with. So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts, sandals and jeans at home, too. Suit pants, dress pants or colored pants work best, especially when paired with closed-toe shoes. Brown leather dress shoes compliment almost every look, whether he’s wearing a full suit or a blazer and colored pants.
TIES, BOWTIES, POCKET SQUARES, COLORED SOCKS, BELTS, TIE CLIPS, suspenders, vests and watches are sharp compliments to any suit. If you bring two suits to the session, you can start with a traditional necktie and belt, then switch to suspenders and a bow tie for your second look. If two suits are too stressful, no problem. One look will do the trick! You can still mix and match accessories to compliment both of her dresses without doing a full change during the session. So, either way, you win.
HOW TO PREP YOUR MAN
MOST MEN AREN’T OVERLY EXCITED TO TAKE PHOTOS FOR TWO hours, because they don’t have an expectation of what’s to come and why it’s so important to you. Take fifteen minutes to educate and empower your guy. Tell him why you chose us and our style of photography. Show him your three favorite sessions that we’ve done, explain why you love them and express to him how much it means to you. Trust me, once he knows it’s important, he’ll light up the camera for you! The most common thing we hear from guys before engagement sessions is this: because of a bad experience in the past, they don’t like taking photos or don’t think they’ll be good at it. By the time we’re done though, they can’t believe how fast it went and just how much fun they had!
after the session
DON’T FORGET TO PLAN a dinner date! You’re already going to ball dressed up! Why not take advantage of it? We know the wedding planning process can feel all-consuming, so take some time after the session just for the two of you to relax and have some fun together. You deserve it!
one final note
WE KNOW WE JUST GAVE YOU A LOT TO THINK ABOUT, we created this guide to help make your engagement session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for years to come. At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together. Your future marriage is the most important thing to us, and we want your engagement session to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy it. Have fun together. Laugh a lot. And we’ll take care of the rest!
In the Fall of 2007 Kyrone and Chinyere met through a mutual friend. Chinyere was not impressed after their introduction since their first conversation involved one of sarcasm and attitude. So with a shaky start, the two eventually started a friendship with their mutual involvement in African Student Union and seeing each other around campus. Two years would pass before they began dating and really know each other. The two became inseparable from that point on. They were engaged in 2015 at the Georgia Aquarium Since they both love the outdoors, Piedmont Park felt like the best place to showcase their engagement session and we couldn’t agree more.
Kyrone and Chinyere share both Nigerian and American heritage and chose to celebrate their marriage honoring both cultures. Their traditional Nigerian wedding was held on July 2, 2016 and in 2017 they will celebrate their US nuptials with a wedding at Twelve Atlantic Station. Congratulations! We can’t wait to document your US wedding.
Andrew and Danielle first met their junior year of college. A few of their common interests include raising puppies for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, marching in the University of Georgia‘s Redcoat Marching Band, and were both science majors.
They started attending monthly puppy training classes together and arranged play dates for their dogs before classes. Once the new semester began, they started spending more and more time together. They arranged to take the same classes and attend the same social events. They continued together after graduation. In 2015, Danielle and Andrew moved to Florida where Andrew began training service dogs for veterans and Danielle entered her Master’s program at Jacksonville University.
While deciding on where they wanted to have their engagement photos taken, they realized there really wasn’t any better place than where it all began. We visited the Georgia Botanical Garden in Athens, passed by a very special park by the lake where they spent most of their free time, then traveled back to their beloved UGA to bring it all back. Congratulations Andrew and Danielle. We can’t wait to photograph your wedding in the North Georgia mountains in the fall.
They are just so cute together.
They had so much fun going back to campus and visiting a few of their special spots.
Even after so many years, they were still nervous crossing the arch.
