So this session was a little ……wet.   As soon as I stepped out of the car in Charleston last Friday, I was greeted by the ominous sound of rolling thunder…   Of course, being the eternal optimist, I told Amanda (Mandi) and Patrick that I was sure that is was not going to rain- it was going to go right around us….of course I was totally wrong!  I think we shot for about 20 minutes before the rain started…and it never let up after that.   But hey that’s ok….we did manage to make it to a shelter before the rain started so we just hung out and shot in there.  Actually, looking back on it, it was good because not only does a stormy sky make for super-dramatic images,  it also  forced me out of my normal comfort zone and made me think more creatively…because I pretty much had to shoot the entire session in the same place….that’s a lot of different “shots” to come up with - haha!!

After we had shot all that we knew we could…while still staying DRY…Mandi and Patrick decided to have some fun for the last few shots and ran out and played in the rain! I absolutely loved that! They were so cute out there running and jumping around, laughing, kissing, and just having the best time together.   I love it when you can just see “good chemistry” between a couple….and these two definitely have that.   Mandi and Patrick- thanks for being so much fun to work with and for taking the rainy day right in stride!  You two were awesome!!

Whoa Mandi!!! haha!!

I met Jamie and Brandon Thursday for their engagement session.  I graduated from high school with Brandon so it is kinda cool to get to work with him and Jamie and catch up on things after…..well after a FEWyears- haha!!  Gosh-  I just counted how many years we have been out of high school and that is very depressing!! yikes!   So anyway- we started shooting downtown and then drove out to the country and shot some around their home.  Their daughter, Lillie, go to join in some pictures with mom and dad too- what a sweetie!!  Oh- and Jamie- let me tell you again how much I am loving that yellow shirt!  You should wear it more often…since it is Brandon’s favorite- haha!! (little joke….)

Abby told me that I was going to think she was crazy when she told me where she wanted to shoot her engagement session - at Covenant Place.   Yes, it was a different request, but  a good one!!  We had so much fun wandering around the little courtyards- and they really are very pretty! 

 I  met Abby and Jason Tuesday morning at 7:30 for this shoot…yes you read that right- 7:30AM- But I am a morning person, so it was good.   And I have to say- it was worth it- the early morning light was absolutely gorgeous.  It’s just a totally different look and feel from the evening sun.  I loved how “misty” the sun looked filtering through the trees in the field.  

While editing these images, I kinda thought several times that Abby reminded me of a certain celebrity.  Now I am NOT one to watch all these stupid reality shows, in fact I hate them….but  I do  have to admit that I find myself watching the Kardashian’s quite frequently -yes I admit it!   Well, there were several images that Abby reminded me of Kourtney…..and Abby I hope you don’t hate the Kardashian’s…cause I totally meant that as a compliment!!

I really loved the images from this session- so of course I had a lot of favs. 

Amanda and Seth told me that they met at the bowling alley…..in 5th grade!!! Awww…..childhood sweethearts- How sweet is that?  Now all these years later, these two are engaged!  Sigh….I love, love… 

When Amanda described to me how she wanted her engagement images to look, I immediately thought of this old barn…in the middle of nowhere…I pass by it every now and then, and always think how I’d love to shoot there. So, I finally did….and oh wow! It photographed just as good as I’d hoped it would! Of course my two models are what “made” the shots!  Check these two out- they have great chemistry together….and Amanda can give some killer  poses!   Oh, and only one person came up and asked if we had permission to be there….which we did NOT, but hey, it was ok, they let us stay anyway- haha!!  My motto is “all they can do is tell you to LEAVE”….

Thanks guys for agreeing to ride to the middle of nowhere to shoot, and for the many stops by the side of the road  for fields and barns, etc….you were great! And congratulations on your engagement!

“Where should we have our engagement pictures taken”?

I get this question a lot, so I decided to offer a few suggestions that may help you out on this topic…..

For engagement session locations, maybe choose a place that means something to the two of you….Where you first met, where you had your first date, or where he proposed!!  When couples choose meaningful locations, they tend to be more genuine and real in front of my camera.  You want to be yourselves……laughing, cuddling, playing, kissing.  So choose a place that lets you be natural with each other and have FUN!

If you don’t have any special locations in mind, you can always go with a really cool looking spot instead!  Every time I drive, I am constantly looking for places that catch my eye.  For example, for Becky and Jordan’s session, I suggested a location that I stumbled across a month earlier, and thought “now this would make awesome images”, and Becky agreed. 

My favorite thing is to place my subjects out of place……meaning, I love something really fancy, like a bride,  in a not-so -fancy place….it’s unexpected and not the “norm”…..if you get what I mean?   I am a big fan of grungy, old buildings and alleys, country fields and abandoned buildings.

….and for my clients…if you need suggestions about locations for your engagement session, just ask me! I love to come up with great locations to get you the look you are after!

L-O-V-E-D this session.  Becky and Jordan were so great to work with and we had so much fun exploring the location where we shot. There was an old bank that still had vaults and stuff in it- we were plundering all around- haha!!  I also loved the field we found, nothing but weeds, but they were such a warm, buttery color and it showed up really nice!  Thanks you two for such a great shoot!

Heather and Erik are getting married next May, but they are getting a jump start on their engagement session now.  These two found the perfect place for their shoot- out in the country, lots of wheat fields and woods- it was prefect……unless of course you have ALLERGIES like these two did!  Erik was ok, but poor Heather- they really got her good! She was a trooper though- and we had a great session anyway- to spite the red eyes and sneezing.  At least I know where we will NOT be going for Heather’s bridal session! haha!  Thanks you two- you were awsome to work with!

For Sarah and Drew’s E-sesh, we started at Sans Souci Farms and then headed out to the country with their two dogs for some green wheat fields, old houses and mosquitoes!   I had no idea those little biting things were out already, but they sure are!! They almost carried us out of the field- haha!!  I think my favorites place of the day was the old red house that Sarah took us to. She said she always drove by it and thought it would make a great setting for pictures- and she was right!! Great eye Sarah!

I met Lauren and Chris Friday in Charleston for their engagement session.  It was a beautiful, sunny day…..and even though these two look nice and “summer-y”- it was pretty chilly!   But still, they toughed it out in the cold!  I love Lauren’s eyes- this girl has got some blue ones!! They just “pop” in every picture- love them!   So we walked around downtown Charleston, then headed over to the Waterfront Park. I tried to talk them into wading in the fountain- but they just weren’t going for it- haha!!! Maybe when it’s warmer!!!

I’ve got one word for this session…..COLD…and WINDY - ok two words!!  I met Anna and Jarrett in Columbia on Thursday for their engagement session and boy was it cold!  The gusts of wind were crazy, but they toughed it out for about an hour outside, then we finished the session up at Starbucks- so we could re-gain the feeling in our fingers- haha!!   Think I’ll have to start suggesting Starbucks for more shoots- relaxed, warm and I get to drink my fav drink while I’m shooting- what could be better?? : )

Anna and Jarrett are great together- always laughing and smiling and lots of fun to be around! Thanks you two for a great shoot- even those it was freeeeeezing! I am ready for Spring!!