This image was saved in the wrong folder and didn’t make its way into Monday’s post.
Just too beautiful to leave out.
Category Archives: couples
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Here’s are some adorable lovebirds to get you in the lovey-dovey mood.
This past week I met up with some of my amazing photography friends to learn the tricks of the trade for engagement sessions. I am typically a newborn, child, and high school senior photographer, but lately I have really been wanting to branch out and photograph people in love. So when Jessica, Keri, and Katie suggested that we meet up for a session, I jumped at the chance. My goal was to learn a few “go-to” poses that I could easily recall for upcoming engagement sessions and I knew that these gals could show me the ropes.
It was so foggy and cold out, but you would never guess by looking at these two. Steve and Marissa are so in love and it just radiates from them. I only had a few minutes to photograph them since we were quickly losing daylight, but as soon as I got home and uploaded their images I noticed something interesting. Instead of the perfectly posed images, the ones that really stood out to me were the moments right before the pose. That instant right before the kiss. That connection their eyes made as they cuddled closer together. Those moments caught that really make you feel something–those images that remind you of being madly in love. And what a great feeling to experience just by looking at a picture.
Creativity. I’ll admit, sometimes it can be hard to come by. It’s easy to just get in the routine of taking pictures instead of creating artwork. Like writer’s block, photographers often experience the same thing–that lack of creative juices. Sometimes, they’re just not flowing.
So what’s the cure? Get a super cute couple, three other amazing photographer friends, and a camera. I promise you–you’ll feel creative. And if not creative, definitely inspired, energized, and maybe a little giddy (okay–client’s of mine know this is a definite for me. The only way I can explain my squealing, “Eeeeekkk!” when looking at an amazing image I just took is sheer giddiness).
So here’s the backstory. A few months ago I fell in love. It was pink. It was ruffly. It was layers and layers of 1950’s tulle goodness. And it had to be mine. So I clicked the little “buy” button on etsy and within just a few days it was. But one thing was oh so wrong about this gorgeous vintage dress. Everything was a perfect fit but the rib cage. After realizing that it probably wasn’t the best idea to wear a corset for the next few years just to get into it, I put out a call for all narrow ribbed gals.
And lo and behold, Vanessa answered. Well, actually her sister, Rebekah, one of my best friends, answered for her. I knew that Vanessa would be great for this dress and when she picked it up, I reassured her (and maybe myself a little) not to feel bad if it didn’t fit–it was a very tiny dress. So when she texted saying that it fit perfectly I was thrilled (and a tad bit jealous).
And when Jessica Feely, Katie Elmer and Keri Dalebout, decided to plan a shoot just for fun, I knew that Vanessa and her hubby Jonmichael would be great models for us. We split up in pairs to photograph Vanessa and Jonmichael and Courtney, our other model (her pictures to appear on the blog soon!). I don’t have tons of practice photographing couples so it was fun to have Keri take the lead and learn from her experience in photographing people in love. I couldn’t be happier with these images–taken with my brand spankin’ new 70-200mm. Love that lens / new workout equipment. That beast is heavy but oh so worth it.
I vividly remember the voicemail I got a little over a month ago asking if I did wedding portrait sessions. He said that they had gone to my website and loved my images, and would I be open to doing a bridal session? Over the past couple of years I have turned away many wedding requests, mostly because I think that I’ve found my sweet spot with newborn and children’s photography, and also because shooting a wedding scares me to death! There are so many factors that come into play and I’m not at a time in my life or business that is conducive to being a wedding photographer. I really enjoy having most of my weekends available to spend with my family and portrait sessions really go well with that. I’m rarely gone for more than a few hours at a time and it’s the perfect balance for me between work and family.
But it had never occurred to me to do a bridal session. So when Will asked, I knew it was something I would want to try. The fact that they were also driving up from the bay area to have little ol’ me photograph them was also hugely flattering. And when I saw Will and Orawin walk up as I was waiting at the Capitol steps I actually let out a little squeal! How beautiful are they? I love that although I had told them I don’t have a lot of experience photographing couples, they put their full trust in me and let me try out different settings and poses.
I think the end result speaks for itself. What a gorgeous couple, beautiful architecture, breathtaking scenery, and amazing light. I just couldn’t narrow down, so this is one huge sneak peek!
Orawin and Will–thank you both so much for having the confidence in me to push me to try something new. I hope that you two are the first of many bridal sessions to come. I truly loved photographing the love you have for one another and I hope you cherish these images for many years to come.