just a little something for those of you who have been loyal to me. Thanks!

If you’re a newly engaged couple and you are beginning your search for a wedding photographer you may notice that most offer packages that include an “Engagement Session”.  Now, while I will be the first to admit that I’ve ran across a phtoographer or two that may offer a bunch of um…….stuff …..in their wedding packages that you might not need, the engagement session is not one of them!

Engagement sessions are a complimentary session that I offer in every package.   The fact that they are “complimentary” is not to decrease the value of the session but rather to encourage couples to take advantage of the session. This session is one of the single most important things that you can do prior to the wedding to help alleviate that natural awkwardness that everyone experiences once a big ‘ol camera is in front of their face. For most of us, myself included, there isn’t anything more uncomfortable than knowing you are expected to look and act a certain way while being photographed. There is typically so much anxiety that comes with knowing these photos are not only deemed some of the most imortant of your life, but that once that shutter clicks you are forever captured…for better or worse.

Given that so many couples today are opting for the more relaxed, candid and photojournalistic approach to their wedding day it’s not always as easy as it seems to capture the essence of that without a little practice before hand.  Most of us are, at the very least, minorly uncomfortable with a huge amout of PDA. That’s not to say that anyone expects you to “make out” in front of their camera (if they do you might want to reconsider who you’ve hired….unless,of course you are an exibitionist and completely into that :) )  For some couples even a little PDA is somewhat uncomfortable.  However, if you are hiring a photographer based on the idea that you want a photojournalistic approach to your wedding day it is beyond important that everyone is comfortable in front of the camera in order for that to truely take place.  

It’s probably safe to say that you  don’t stand 12 feet from each other, staring straight ahead with your heads tilted slightly to the side when no one is looking.  While the obvious purpose of the engagment session is traditionally to get you a few good images to have on hand for personalized invitations, favors at the wedding, signature albums, print display etc. The single most important purpose of an engagment session from a photographer’s standpoint is to give everyone some time to get comfortable and to have some fun.

Your engagement session is your chance to get to know your photographer and for your photographer to get to know you as a couple. It’s a much more fun and relaxed day free from the constraints that come with the wedding day. Your locations are wide open, the lighting can be better controlled (since your photographer can opt for a time of day with optimal light) The dress code is ….whatever the heck you want it to be and if you lay down and roll around in the grass no one is going to care. Time constraints aren’t an issue and the amount of gawking well intentioned onlookers is decreased dramatically.

One of my very favorite engagement sessions was with Alex & Klaus.  When we originally booked their wedding I had not met Klaus.  Initially, Alex’s first inclination was to opt out of the engagement session but on the night that we met to sign the contract we began talking about how important that session was for all of the above reasons I’ve mentioned. I had not had a chance to meet Klaus up to this point and if they did opt out of the engagement session our first meeting could have possibly been on the day of the wedding.  Alex had expressed that Klaus, like so many of us, was a bit reserved until he really got to know you.  After hearing that and talking to Alex more I was more convinced than ever we had to do the engagement session.  We agreed that it was more imporatant than anything to establish a comfort level between us in order to truly be able to relax on the day of the wedding and although Alex & I had established a definate comfort level, poor Klaus had been left out of all the fun.

The day of their session I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew Alex well but after knowing that it might take a bit of coaxing to get Klaus to loosen up in front of the camera had me hoping I was up for the challenge. Um, let’s just say that it took all of maybe two shots before Klaus was totally into it. We all laughed throughout the session about how easily it came for them. I attribute the amazing shots we got to the fact that they are 110% comfortable with each other and obviously in love. That session was so fun for all of us and because of that we got some super shots. Not only that but come wedding time…..we were all jazzed to be there, completely relaxed and totally knew what to expect from each other. There was absolutely no awkwardness, no “what do I do…where do I look…how do I act” mentality. I didn’t have to worry spending time trying to get them to relax for me because they completely knew how to roll when it was time for their portraits.

Alex & Klaus had also decided to have an After Session in their package…..and well, I’ll preach about the benefits of the After Session on another post. For now, I’ll leave you with some of my favorite images from their e-session.

There are certain people in the world that when you meet them you know instantly that they have a good soul. I’m not just talking about the kind of people who are “nice” or that you can have a “nice” conversation with. I’m talking about the kind of people you meet, and not that often, who genuinely have good souls. You know, with out a doubt, they are good to the very core of their being and that all they really want is to live a decent life and to enjoy the beauty that they have been blessed with and surrounded by.  I was so fortunate to meet two such people.

Alex & Klaus.

I will admit very early on, I was pretty excited to shoot this wedding.  It was the chance to work with Stacy at Bleu Print again which meant things were going to run smoothly and on time. Two of the most important things to a wedding photographer. I also knew that Stacy had helped Alex & Klaus line up some amazing vendors so the details were going to be nothing short of fabulous.

As important as all of that is…and let’s face it…it’s important. What I was even more excited about was the fact that Alex was choosing her vendors based on their passion and their vision and very much relying on her gut feelings when choosing these people.  I felt incredibly honored to be a part of it.

However, before we even got to the wedding part we had to shoot an engagement session. I’ve actually been holding off on blogging their e-session purposely because I’m using their photos as part of an entry I’m working on about the importance of the engagement session and how that makes such a huge difference in the comfort levels of everyone come the day of the wedding…..so you’ll actually see those after you see these.

After the engagement session I was completely jazzed about shooting the wedding.  They were amazing at the e-session and I knew we were going to have a great time at the wedding. And of course, I was right.

We had perfect weather, an amazing location at the Southwest School of Arts & Craft, the amazing Bleu Print team of Stacy & Jackie and of course Klaus & Alex had amazing friends & family to celebrate their big day with them.

Ok, so I’ll stop rambling now and just show you the darn pictures already. (no you didn’t say that out loud…i’m capable of reading minds)

Jana came along that day as my second shooter and as always she handed over some amazing shots. The one on the left below is hers and it’s one of my favorites from the day. All of the little flower girls and the jr. bridesmaid hanging out in the court yard before the ceremony. They were adorable.

Two more great shots from Jana of one of the flower girls.

Melissa with Botanika  nailed another knock out with the flowers. They were a-may-zing. 

Alex had her dress custom ordered from Julian Gold and here she is giddy immediately after the ceremony when Klaus commented on how incredible the dress is.  This is one of my favorite shots from the day.

Here are the favors that Stacy & her team helped design which were a hit with the guests and a shot of the beautiful cake by Cakes by Cathy which according to Stacy’s husband, Scott (pictured above kicking up his heels with Alex’s mom) it was the best cake he’s ever had in his life….which explains why he may have had a couple more pieces than the rest of the guests. j/k Scott!

I’m working on a serparate post for Alex & Klaus’ After Session at HemisFair Park. Another amazing session but far too many faves to include here. It definately warrents it’s own blog post.

Thanks again Alex & Klaus for including me in your amazing day. It’s not one I will soon forget!

Vendor List

Planning & Execution: Bleu Print Events by Design
Floral:  Botanika
Catering: Page Barteau
Venue: Southwest School of Arts & Craft
Ceremony & Dinner Music: Allegretto Music
DJ:  Timovation
Brides Dress: Julian Gold
Pastor: Jim Berrier