A Softer Image

As a client or prospective client, you may be wondering how the engagement portrait sessions work. Here’s some insight into what we do, what you can do, and what you get. As always, if you have any questions, email us!

How it works

We meet at a specified location (and I’ll even send you a map of where to park and where we’ll meet if I often use that location). I’ll do some practice shots to get the lighting right. I’ll do a lot of directing – tilt your chin down a little, that sort of thing. I know how to make both of you look incredible in your photos; even the most stubborn of grooms has admitted he typically hates pictures of himself but loves the ones we took.

Do I need to be “fierce”?

You can channel your inner Tyra Banks, or you could just be the loveable person your partner wants to marry. I’ll give you lots of tips on how to stand or how to carry yourself, but there’s lots of room for you to improvise and do what feels natural. Here are some tips:

• Wear clothing that compliments what your partner is wearing.
• Wear solid colors (they’re much easier to retouch later than patterns).
• Check out your smile in the mirror. Are you more comfortable showing teeth or not? I’ll make sure you’re looking great in the photos, but you’ll feel even more comfortable if you practice that grin beforehand.
• Think about the purpose of the portraits - are you using them in a newspaper? Or for your website? Do you want lots of candids or lots where you’re looking at the camera? Talk it through so you know what you’re looking for ahead of time. Also check out our blog post with examples of different styles and poses.
• Check out our tips for self-posing and getting comfortable in front of the camera.

What do we get?

You’ll get a proofs site so you can check out the images and choose which you’d like retouched (and how). After we do the retouching (here are some samples), I’ll send you a disk with all the images (both retouched and not) so you can print them, etc. You can also order an album or prints of your images - let me know in advance if this is the case so we can work out pricing details.