Everything You Need to Know About Engagement Sessions!

Our mini series this week on Instagram was all about tips, tricks, & fun facts about engagement sessions! Our biggest goal is having our couples feel 100% confident in front of the camera, so hopefully these tips make you feel prepared and excited for your session!

1. Choose a location that's meaningful to you as a couple-it's a great way to tell
   your story!

2. The golden hour (just before sunset) provides the best natural light for dreamy engagement photos

3.  Incorporating personal items, like a favorite book or picnic blanket, adds a unique touch to your session!

4.  Bring along a change of outfits to add variety to your photos and keep things fresh!

5. Engaging in activities you love can make your session more authentic and fun!

6. Communication is key! Discuss poses and styles you like with your photographer to capture your vision.

7. Laughter is contagious! Don't be afraid to be playful-those candid moments often become the favorites!

8.  Don't stress about being perfect-just relax and enjoy each other's company!

9.  Morning sessions can be just as magical as golden hour, especially for capturing soft light!

10. Wear comfortable shoes! You'll be moving around, and comfort helps you enjoy your session even more.

An engagement session can also be looked at as a trial run for your wedding day! See what poses you like or dislike, and take this time to get comfortable in front of the camera! At the end of the day, it’s all about you and your partner, so just forget about everything else and be in that moment!

Fun Facts About Newborn Sessions

This week on our Instagram we started a new series all about newborn photo sessions and fun facts about them! We hope you all enjoyed reading the posts as much as we did posting them, they’re just too cute!

Below is a more in depth list of facts about newborn sessions to better prepare you if you’re thinking about having a session or currently have one booked!

1. Did you know the best time for newborn photos is within the first two weeks? Their sleepy poses are ultimate perfection!

2. Natural light enhances the softness of newborn portraits, creating that dreamy, ethereal look.

3. Newborns often prefer being swaddled during sessions-it helps them feel secure and calm.

4. A well-timed session can capture those tiny details that change so quickly-like those adorable little toes!

5. Did you know that patience is key? Newborn sessions can take time, as we let the baby dictate the pace.

6. Capturing a newborn's expressions is an art-those fleeting smiles are worth the wait!

7. Props and backdrops can add a unique touch, but the focus should always be on the baby

8. Newborn sessions often include family shots, ensuring everyone is part of this ultimate experience.

9. Temperature matters! Keeping the room warm helps keep the baby cozy and relaxed during the shoot.

10. Each session is unique-no two babies pose the same, making every photo a special keepsake."

We hope you enjoyed this mini series on newborn photos! Stay tuned for next week where we will be talking about engagement sessions!

Dance Floor Props: Elevate Your Wedding Celebration with Fun and Flair!

The Andrews Farm, Mint to Be Weddings, Florabella, Cease Fire Productions

Your wedding day is a celebration of love, joy, and unforgettable moments, and one of the best ways to enhance that celebration is by adding some playful and creative dance floor props. Not only do they bring an extra dose of fun to the party, but they also make for some fantastic photo opportunities! Here’s why you should consider incorporating dance floor props into your wedding, and some ideas to get you started.

Why Dance Floor Props?

1. Unleash Creativity: Props add a layer of creativity and whimsy to your dance floor, giving your guests a chance to express themselves and let loose.

2. Boost the Energy: Props can elevate the energy of your party, encouraging everyone to hit the dance floor and engage with the celebration.

3. Capture Memorable Moments: From silly selfies to group shots, props create dynamic photo opportunities that will add a playful touch to your wedding album.

4. Break the Ice: If your guests come from different circles and may not know each other well, props can serve as a fun icebreaker and get everyone mingling.

Creative Dance Floor Prop Ideas

1. Personalized Signs: Custom signs with fun sayings, hashtags, or your wedding date can add a personal touch. They’re perfect for photo ops and can double as keepsakes.

2. Fun Hats and Glasses: Think oversized sunglasses, funky hats, or even feather boas. These items are perfect for lightening the mood and making for some hilarious dance floor photos.

3. Glow Sticks and LED Accessories: Light up the night with glow sticks, light up glasses, or even glow wands. These props can create a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere, especially in dimly lit venues. The options on Amazon are limitless!

4. Inflatable Instruments: Guitar and microphone inflatables are a hit for guests who want to rock out on the dance floor. They’re also great for those spontaneous air-guitar performances!

5. Photo Booth Props: Classic photo booth props like speech bubbles, mustaches, and lips can be a fun addition to your dance floor. Guests can use them to create silly and memorable pictures.

6. Personal Props: Think about things that you like or have meaning to you. For example, Son and Stanna (pictured here) used fat heads of their cats to incorrectly their fur babies and get the party going!

Tips for Using Dance Floor Props

1. Keep It Simple: Too many props can overwhelm guests. Choose a few standout items that will make a big impact.

2. Place Them Strategically: Set up a prop station near the dance floor where guests can easily grab and use them. Or, have your wedding planner assist on handing them out.

3. Encourage Use: Have your DJ or wedding planner announce the prop station and encourage guests to get involved.

4. Capture the Fun: Make sure your photographer is aware of the props and keeps an eye out for the fun moments they create.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating dance floor props into your wedding is a fantastic way to add personality, fun, and unforgettable memories to your celebration. With the right props, your dance floor will become the highlight of the night, filled with laughter, joy, and incredible photo opportunities. So, let your creativity shine, and watch as your wedding transforms into an unforgettable party experience!

Embracing the Rain on Your Wedding Day

Hey there, lovely couples!

We know that when you’re planning your wedding, you dream of sunny skies and perfect weather. But what happens when the forecast predicts rain? Fear not! Rain on your wedding day can actually be a blessing in disguise, bringing with it a unique charm and a touch of magic. As wedding photographers, we’ve seen firsthand how rain can transform a wedding into something truly unforgettable. Here’s why you should embrace the possibility of a little rain and how to make the most of it.

1. Rain Adds a Romantic Atmosphere

There’s something incredibly romantic about a rainy wedding day. Imagine the soft patter of raindrops creating a soothing soundtrack while you exchange vows. Rain can make your ceremony feel intimate and cozy, wrapping you and your guests in a warm, romantic embrace. It’s like nature’s own special effects, adding a dreamy touch to your wedding.

2. Stunning Photos with a Different Twist

Rainy weather can offer a unique and beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos. Those grey clouds can create a dramatic, soft light that makes colors pop and creates stunning contrasts. Plus, reflections in puddles and raindrops can add a magical sparkle to your pictures. With the right attitude, you’ll end up with a set of photos that are as unique as your love story.

3. Keep Cool and Stay Calm

While rain might seem like a hiccup in your plans, it’s essential to stay calm and flexible. Have a backup plan in place, whether it's moving the ceremony indoors or providing stylish umbrellas for your guests. Remember, your wedding day is about celebrating your love, and a little rain won’t change that. In fact, it might make for a memorable story and some amazing photo opportunities!

4. Some Practical Tips for Rainy Day Weddings

• Prepare for the Weather: If rain is in the forecast, make sure you have a plan for it. Consider renting a tent or choosing a venue that offers indoor options. Have a stash of umbrellas and rain boots on hand, and make sure your venue has adequate coverage for guests.

• Embrace the Rain in Your Photos: Don’t shy away from the rain in your photos. Some of the most memorable wedding shots are taken in the midst of a downpour, with couples dancing in the rain or sharing a kiss under an umbrella.

• Be Prepared for the Unexpected: Rain can sometimes cause logistical issues, so having a flexible attitude and a good support team will make things run more smoothly. Communicate with your photographer and planner to ensure everyone is on the same page.

5. A Rainy Day Story to Remember

Every wedding day is unique, and the weather is just one of the many elements that make your day special. A rainy wedding day can become a cherished story that you’ll look back on with fondness. It’s a chance to show your guests and yourself that love can weather any storm—literally!

So, if the skies do decide to shower you with rain on your big day, embrace it with open arms. You’ll find that the magic of your wedding day is not just in the weather but in the love, joy, and commitment you share. And as your photographers, we’ll be right there to capture every beautiful moment, rain or shine.

Here’s to a day filled with love, laughter, and maybe a little splash or two!

Bridal Party Pose Ideas

There are soooo many poses that your photographer is going to put you in on your wedding day to get those Pinterest worthy photos. As a wedding photographer, I love when my clients come with specific photo/pose ideas, but also leave room for some creative freedom as well!

Today I wanted to talk about some bridal party pose ideas, especially for those with large parties! You don’t want anyone feeling left out, but you also don’t want the photos to feel too disengaged with a larger group!

Let’s start with the girls! To get started, I always love having the girls in a line with the bride in the middle. I’ll ask them to stand straight and look at the camera and then look at each other and laugh. This creates some giggles and laughter and makes the photos look more raw and unposed! After that, to get some movement going, I will have the girls walk toward the camera and talk to each other! Of course I always leave room for any ideas that the bride wants with all her girls!

Next up- the boys! The boys are usually a little bit easier because they don’t need/ want to do all the different poses like the girls do! I usually start with them in a line as well, and do a more formal photo with their hands in front and then a more relaxed photo with hands in their pockets. For this wedding, since the bridal party was larger and we had access to these cute stairs, I took advantage of being able to stagger them as well for a bit of a different photo! Add in a couple of fun personality shots and there you have it!

And finally- we have the two groups together. With larger groups like this it’s crucial to not make anyone feel left out, but also to still focus on the bride & groom. I like to do a mixture of far-away photos to get the while group together but then go also move in close and get the bride and groom surrounded by their people!

I also like to suggest a couple looking at the camera and smiling photos, and then lots of cheering photos while the bride and groom kiss! These photos just have a lot of emotion and excitement and I love them.

At the end of the day it’s all about curating photos that the bride and groom will cherish and love forever. If they come with specific ideas, then you best believe we’re doing them! It’s always nice to also give your photographer creative freedom as well because we do have the experience and knowledge of what looks good and what doesn’t. Trust in your photographer! They’re there for you two only you two!