How it all goes down…
My engagement sessions are an hour long, plenty of time for an outfit change if you’d like. I usually start the session by walking around with you two and getting candid shots in between. We’ll start with some slightly posed, meaning I’ll give some direction on where I want you standing or looking. Once we’re all comfortable with each other I’ll start to use more verbal prompts.
Arrive early!
Please try and account for any time it may take to find parking, walk to our meet up spot, and overall traffic getting to your engagement session. This is especially true for high traffic areas in Portland - such as the Rose Gardens, Hoyt Arboretum, and Pittock Mansion where parking is limited. Any time lost will not be made up at the end of your session and I am unable to overshoot during your time slot to make up for any lost photo time due to a late arrival. If you know you’re going to be late please send me a text at (310)340-4330 to give me a heads up. Thank you!
Let me see that PDA!
We’ll be wandering around and explore together so let’s make it a fun time! I’ll let you laugh and play around with one another or chase around your dog and we’ll all joke around together. Here and there I’ll stop at certain points that have a great background or will photograph well and I’ll add in suggestive prompts - like having you move in close, hug on one another, talk about a funny story, forehead kisses, etc. Usually we just do a loop around the location we’re at and explore together along the way.
The more comfortable you are with me the better your photos will come out so let’s just start the session off right and become friends at first sight! Really, though, if you all are comfortable hanging out with me and laughing together then it’ll equate to raw candids that are true to you all and an overall super enjoyable time together. FYI - I have seen a million kisses so don’t be afraid to show some PDA in front of me! The most beautiful shots are the ones where the couple wasn’t afraid to get close and be intimate, kiss one another, and truly were just having a fun time and celebrating their relationship and love.
Common prompts you can expect to hear from me during your session: touch forehead to forehead, wrap your arms around her from behind, rest the side of your head on his shoulder, stand next to him and side hug his arm, bring her in close and give her lots of kisses over her cheek nose and forehead, & nowww kissss!
Bringing Props
Don’t be afraid to bring some items that may be important you’re relationship and make your session unique. I’ve had couples bring their dog, books, vintage cars, beer, flowers, etc. If you opt to include a pet in your session I just ask that they either be okay being left alone (ie playing to the side of the shot while we get photos of just you two) or you bring a friend or family member to care for them in between shots.
