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I'm honored that you enjoy our work and you're interested in working with us

THANKS FOR YOUR INQUIRY!

HOW THIS WORKS

Have you heard the saying Connection is Key before? If not, you've heard it now lol. Building a connection with my clients is an important part of the beginning processes. Connecting and vibing allows my team and I to be uniquely creative to your visual needs. If we don't connect, we may not be on the same page. If we are not on the same page, we cannot effectively execute the vision. Neither of us want that. 
The first step in the booking process is scheduling your zoom call so we can chat, get to know one another and see if we are good fit to move forward.

Let's Connect!

I love sunrise images so most of my engagement sessions are planned at sunrise. You already have your GQ suit on or Next Top Model flowing. Take advantage of the fact you guys are already dressed up. Go out and celebrate! Enjoy the moments leading up to your wedding as you get ready to enjoy the next stages of your life.

make a day out of it!

It may not look dirty to you, but the camera captures everything! Make sure you clean your jewelry, specifically your ring, before your session. I like to do ring shots sometimes during an engagement session and any smudges or dirt will definitely show up when taking up close and personal images.

clean your jewelry

Think about it. You take everyday photos with your significant other all the time. Now you have a professional photographer that you’ve HIRED in front of you capturing fire images (because you know I bring the heat lol). Be your best self that you want to capture. This means:
  • Fresh Hair Cuts
  • Hair and Makeup
  • Your Best Suit
  • “Gala Ready” Dress
  • Fresh Manicure. (I can’t stress this enough)

Come ready! I offer two outfits during my sessions. If you want to wear something more casual, feel free to do so with your second look. If you want to wear two fancy outfits, ball out lol. If you just want one look, that is fine too. As long as one outfit is your “Dress to Impress” look, you’re on the money. I also recommend only having ONE person in pattern otherwise your photos could come off tacky looking (no shade lol).



dress to impress

This is the perfect time to work with the people you are choosing for your special day prior to the event. You don’t want to get out of your hair stylist or makeup artist’s chair the day of your wedding and not like what you see. Test trial your team. This allows them to also know your expectations and confirm they can meet them. I recommend testing out any vendors you can for your engagement session as you prepare for your wedding.

Book Your Wedding Day Hair & Makeup Artist

It can also be your ‘Save the Date’ images that you share with family and friends. Whatever it means to you, we know that it means something special. Here are a few tips on how to Prepare for an Engagement Session:


 Sometimes it’s the first professional set of photos that you take with your soon to be spouse.

An Engagement Session is an exciting time. 

Wedding Planning: Ikiya, Hactac Events
Makeup: Felciai Graham Beauty,  The Real Makeup Junkie
Hair: Hair by Sadiku
Floral Design: Ritz Walton Collection
DJ: IK Sound Entertainment, Take Off Production

All vendors on this list, I have personally worked with before:

Preferred Vendors

  • His shoes
  • Socks (if they're special)
  • Cuff Links
  • Tie or Bow Tie
  • Pocket Square
  • Boutonnière
  • Vows Book
  • Rings
  • Anything else he'll have that is special 

for the groom

  • Dress
  • Dress Hanger (a pretty one!)
  • Rings (both engagement and wedding bands)
  • Shoes
  • Veil
  • Bouquet
  • Ring
  • Hair pieces
  • Jewelry
  • Invitation 
  • Vow Book
  • Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include
  • A few left over flowers from you bouquet

for the bride

Have your maid of honor and best man (or someone in your wedding party) prepare these items for my team and I on wedding day to capture!

wedding day details

I know I made a great defense for the First Look , but if you’re not feeling it, don’t let that deter you. You can still have an amazing wedding without one. If I had to do it over again, even after all that being said, I’m not sure if I would have done it. There is also a special feeling of the aisle being the first place you both lock eyes as well. You honestly can’t lose with either. At the end of the day, this is a special day that you will always remember no matter what you choose.

No First Look?

Now this is opinionated but I think the First Look is special. When I got married, I did a first look with my father and then my husband. We read our vows privately and got to spend time with each other before the ceremony. His reaction was also priceless and he still was emotional at the ceremony, I loved the fact that we got to share that moment together before all the cell phone photographers and dramatics (had to throw that in lol). I feel the First Look allows time to remember what this day is all about, the two of you.

IT’S SPECIAL!

The First Look takes place right before the ceremony which is also right after the couple has finished getting ready. They are at their best so to say. Makeup is fresh, lotion is glistening and breath is minty clean haha. Basically, it’s the perfect opportunity to get amazing photos before the ceremony sweats and guest overload takes place. Once again, you save time because instead of taking up cocktail hour with photos, you can actually enjoy all of cocktail hour if you’d like.

BEAUTIFUL PORTRAITS

The Wedding Day can be a very joyous but also very chaotic day in a couples’ life. There are so many moving pieces that come together in order to make the day special. With that being said, sometimes couples do not get a ton of time to really take in their wedding day and enjoy each other between taking photographs and greeting guests. A First Look allows couples to slow down and take time with one another. It’s a moment where they can admire each other alone and love on each other before the busyness of the day.

"FREEZES TIME"

Pros of Doing a First Look:

A First Look is a moment before the ceremony where the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day. Usually it is specifically the bride and groom with photographers and/or videographers present in the distance allowing the couple to share this moment. It has become a debate on whether a lot of couples decide if this is something they want to implement in their wedding day and I’d like to give you my perspective as a wedding photographer.


What is a First Look?

First Look - Yay or Nahhh, lol? Remember this is your day! This should be a decision you and your spouse-to-be make together. It shouldn’t be persuaded by grandma telling you it's bad luck to do one or by a friend saying you need to so you can get everything over with. Whichever way you and your fiance envision your wedding, I will make it work accordingly. 

first look

no first look

2:00PM - Detail shots ( flat lay, bride’s dress, groom’s tux, etc.)
2:45PM - Getting Ready ( robe shots, bridesmaids helping each other, bride getting into her dress)
3:30PM - Bridal Portraits 
4:00PM - Ceremony
5:00PM - Cocktail Hour/Couple Portraits,Family and Wedding Party Photos
6:00PM - Reception 
7:00PM - Formalities ( first dance, toasts, bouquet toss, garter)
9:30PM - Cake Cutting 
10:00PM - Photography ends/Party Time lol

12:00PM - Detail shots ( flat lay, bride’s dress, groom’s tux, etc.)
12:45PM - Getting Ready ( robe shots, bridesmaids helping each other, bride getting into her dress)
1:30PM - Bridal Portraits 
2:00PM - First Look, Couple Portraits
2:30PM - Family and Wedding Party Photos
3:00PM - Hide Bride, retouch makeup before ceremony
3:30PM - Photographers take details of the finished ceremony space 
4:00PM - Ceremony
5:00PM - Cocktail Hour/Couple Portraits (optional)
6:00PM - Reception
7:00PM - Formalities ( first dance, toasts, bouquet toss, garter)
8:30PM - Cake Cutting 
9:00PM - Photography ends/Party Time lol

first look

Below are example timelines with or without the first look:

Timelines

BRIDE'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY
BRIDE'S SIBLINGS
BRIDE'S PARENTS
GROOM'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY
GROOM'S SIBLINGS
GROOM'S PARENTS
BRIDE + GROOM WITH GRANDPARENTS
WEDDING PARTY WITH BRIDE + GROOM
BRIDE WITH BRIDESMAID
GROOM WITH GROOMSMEN
BRIDE WITH INDIVIDUAL BRiDESMAIDS
GROOM WITH INDIVIDUAL GROOMSMEN

I know, everyone wants to take photos with you on your wedding day and they will, just not during group photos lol. Immediate Family and Wedding Party should be a few groups of people. If you would like photos with everyone, we recommend doing this during reception. There is a fun game that we’ve adapted where the DJ plays one song during reception and the goal is for each table to run and take a photo with you before the song ends. You can aslo grab me at any time to take photos with you and anyone in particular. I am here for YOU so don’t ever hesitate to grab me or someone on my team for a photo.

When it comes to photos after first look or after ceremony, I’ve provided an example of what that list looks like below:

Family Formals

  • MAKE SURE YOU EAT! It’s a long day for you. Have breakfast and healthy snacks on hand
  • STAY HYDRATED - Especially if its hot. A cooler with water would be useful
  • USE THE BATHROOM before getting into your dress. It can be a little annoying trying to pee afterwards lol
  • DECOMPRESS - schedule 15-30 min in the day where you can completely be alone and another 15-30 min where you can be alone with your spouse after the ceremony

take care of yourself

This is a BIG ONE. Make sure your wedding party is filled with people who understand the assignment. It is not only a long day for you and your soon to be spouse, but it’s a long day for them. It can also be a costly day for them. Make sure you have one on one conversations with everyone in your wedding party about what the expectations are beforehand come wedding day. Also, let them feel comfortable opting out if they may not be able to handle the expectations.

choosing your wedding party

a few more things to consider:

Wedding albums are sacred and I recommend all my clients to add one to your collection. If you haven’t already, reconsider.

This is a family heirloom that will exist even after you and I have left this earth. My family has a ton of albums. Sometimes I sit reminiscing about some of the greatest times that have made me who I am in those albums. I get to feel the presence of family that I no longer have in physical form. I cannot wait to share these albums with my children, especially my wedding album. Your wedding is one of the biggest milestones in your life. A camera phone or computer screen isn’t the best way to reminisce about them.

Wedding Albums

Your contract will have your delivery timeframe so you will know when to expect your images by. You should also look out for an email a day or so after your wedding with delivery by date listed.

Once you receive your images, download them right away and save them in at least two locations so you won’t have to worry about losing them. They will be available to view and download as many times as you need up until a year after your wedding date on our side.

Image Delivery

receiving your images

Have More Questions?