Be sure to browse through the gorgeous new galleries, featuring some of my favorite recent weddings and sessions. Also notice the convenient new ‘Pin it’ badge on all my blog images and many other fun updates throughout the site! I espeically love the new, more welcoming home page! Hello! Hooray!

Lastly, but certainly not least, please stop by and check out my brand new Beauty & Boudoir site. I’ve been shooting boudoir sessions for several years, and it’s truly time to have a website dedicated to this important part of my work. It’s pretty, romantic and feminine- everything I hope beauty & boudoir sessions to be. I hope you love it!! I would also be so overjoyed if you followed me and my new adventure on Facebook too!

Enjoy my friends, and thank you for your continued support, love and encouragement!

If you ever get a chance to go to Death Valley, please take it.  I think you’ll be amazed by the fantastic hiking, gorgeous vistas, perfect temps (in January!), straight-outta-a-video-game roads, and peacefulness.  This entire trip was inspired by a single pic on a friend’s Instagram feed.  The power of social media!  Pretty amazing to think that we never would’ve thought to visit Death Valley if not for that one picture.

Most of these images were captured on film, but I snuck in several iPhone pics (including a selfie)!  This was my first trip with my newly upgraded iPhone 5 and the camera is a HUGE improvement from the last model, so I found myself taking A LOT more phone pics than usual.  I also learned of the panorama feature a few days into the trip.  I’ll spare you a blog post of 2,916 panoramas, but suffice it to say, I almost filled my brand new phone.  Next week I’ll share images from Palm Springs and Joshua Tree.  Enjoy!!

1.  CHOOSE THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER.  Take the time to search for the perfect photographer- one who’s vision you love, and equally importantly, someone who you can have fun with!  Browse through potential photographers portfolios and make sure you love their work and you can picture yourself in their photos.  Can you envision them hanging in your home?  Are your styles a good match?  After you’ve determined a good fit, take the time to connect with your photographer on a personal level.  For my husband and I this was just as important as the photos themselves.  We feel awkward being photographed.  It’s just not natural to have someone capturing your every move!  It was really important to us to have a photographer(s) who could help us relax, make us laugh, and make the process light and fun!!  Kelsy and Butch were the perfect choice for us- because we love their work and trust them 100%, we were able to just focus enjoying the moment, and didn’t have to think about where to put our hands, or if my hair was out of place.

2. SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION. I decided on about November 20th that we needed updated pictures for our annual holiday card. This really isn’t adequate time. {I’m hanging my head in shame.}  Do yourself a favor, lower your stress levels, and plan in advance!  It’s never too early to book your session, and of course, be sure to consider what you’ll be using the photos for.  Maybe you’re engaged and want to use them for save-the-dates, which generally go out about 6 months before your wedding date.  Maybe you want updated images for holiday cards.  Consider the date you want the photos in your hands, and be sure to let your photographer know when scheduling so your session date can planned accordingly.  Build in extra time so there is no rush.  Keep in mind that fickle weather may also call for rescheduling.  If this is the case, rain, snow or otherwise unpleasant weather could mean your session occurs later than originally planned.

3.  HIRE A HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST.  Ladies, trust me, this is a must.  Don’t even think about skimping here!!  I cannot understate the value of hiring a really talented hair and makeup artist to help you look your best.  It’s pretty rare to get your hair and makeup done, but I think a photo session with your significant other is certainly a special occasion.  It’s so fun to be pampered and if you look your best you’ll feel much more confident in front of the camera.  Big, big thanks to my lovely friend Julie of Julie Swenson Beauty for my hair and makeup for my shoot.  Bridal bonus: use this as a time to get to know the artist that will be beautifying you on your big day!!

Also, as a side note, the day of your session is NOT the time for a new haircut or highlights, just in case anything goes awry.  I’d recommend doing these services at least 3-4 days prior to your session unless you really know and trust your hair stylist.

4.  STYLE YOUR SHOOT.  Start planning the overall look and feel of your session.  It’s NOT too early to start a pinboard or begin communicating with your photographer.  Maybe you have a strong vision in your head, or maybe you don’t.  Either way, open up a dialogue with your photographer (and your significant other).  You’ve chosen to hire a professional and they are there to help you!  If you need suggestions, your photographer should have ideas.  Personally, I love when my clients share their pinboards or images they like.  Usually when we brainstorm together, we come up with the best ideas.  It’s always fun to incorporate meaningful locations (if you find them visually beautiful) like your alma mater campus, the park where he proposed, your first date spot, etc.  If your location doesn’t have meaning, that’s ok too.  It’s ok to pick something just because it’s pretty.  After all, the photos are more about the subject, less about the background.

Once you have a general idea for the overall look & location(s) (whether it be urban, farm, grassy fields, lakeside, etc.) start to think how your wardrobe, hair & makeup, (and potential props) will tie in.  For our session, I knew I wanted to do two different looks and I wanted them to be soft and neutral with pops of pattern.

5.  SHOP TIL YOU DROP!  This is the fun part, but it can be stressful if you wait until two days before your shoot.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL LAST MINUTE to start shopping!  {Again, I hang my head in shame.  Totally guilty.  And it caused me so much stress and scrambling.} Even if you have a vision, you may not be able to find exactly what you’re looking for, so you need to be flexible and give yourself time.  I wanted our two separate looks to still be cohesive so the images from the entire session would flow together.  Unfortunately, the weather on the day of our session was chilly to say the least, so we only had a few minutes with our second look (see #7!).  It’s ok if the two looks aren’t cohesive, in fact, some couples want completely different looks, but for me, I wanted consistency.  Regardless of the look you’re going for, shopping in advance and actually trying on the selected outfits with your significant other will save a lot of stress.  I went shopping with my bestie (a far superior option to dragging my husband to the mall) and we had so much fun picking out outfits.  I found that it was easy to shop for my wardrobe (hello Jcrew), but a bit harder to find coordinating clothes for my hubby.  I ended purchasing several options for him and trying them on together when I brought them home.  (We kept the tags on so we could return the items we didn’t want.)  We were so glad we tried on the items the day before the shoot, because when we stood together in the mirror, some options just didn’t work like I thought they would in the store.  It’s much better to see this in person, at home, rather than on location at your session.

6.  DON’T FORGET ACCESSORIES.  The icing on the cake.  I think accessories add so much to a shoot, and life in general!  This doesn’t just apply to the ladies.  Guys, make sure your shoes coordinate with your looks and don’t be shy about adding little touches like your favorite watch or Ray Bans.  Girls; scarves, jewelry, or the perfect shoes can really complete the look, so don’t forget about styling from head to toe.  Another tip, if you’re going to be walking from location to location, save your strength for looking fab in the photos and bring along a comfortable pair of shoes to walk in.

7.  BE FLEXIBLE.  Things may not go according to plan.  Just laugh it off and enjoy your session.  Relax.  For example, the day of our session it was probably about 30 degrees; quite chilly for fall!  Our second look involved me in an adorable Alexa Chung silk polka dot blouse (there is one pic below).  The wind cuts through silk like a knife, so I lasted about 3.5 minutes outside in that outfit.  Rather than torturing ourselves and our lovely photographers, we decided to be flexible and end the session a bit earlier than planned.

I have lots more tips for a successful session, but I hope these little tidbits help.  If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.  I am happy to share my experience in front of, and behind, the lens!!  It’s good for me to be in front of the camera every once in a while so I know how it feels for my clients.

Here are a few favorites from our session!!  Of course, if you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you know that we recently added a new (doggie) member to the family, so I’m sure I’ll have new photos to share when the weather gets a bit warmer.  Another big, huge thank you to our friends Kelsy & Butch for capturing these images we will treasure forever!!