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I won’t lie… this whole blog thing has never been my favorite. I know I am not the worlds best writer, and I sure as shit don’t have the best grammar…but here we are, writing blogs because the truth is that despite all of that, I have important things to share and say! Practice makes perfect right?
Let’s use engagement sessions as an example.
Don’t come at me for what I’m about to say. I used to HATE engagement sessions. I *used* to. But with Houston engagement season officially here, I figured I’d let you in on that little secret…I have grown to love them for a multitude of reasons.
(Let me preface this by saying Florida is a great place for the people who love it). But I am a Texas gal now, and I’m falling more in love with engagements the longer I live here!
Now that my dirty little secret is out, and engagements are in, I figured today was a good day to share my top tips for getting engagement-photo-ready!
Five Tips For Engagement Sessions
Where should we have our engagement session? What is the best time of day? Will it cost money? All are questions that go hand in hand. Houston is full of awesome engagement session locations.
To narrow it down, some questions I ask my clients are:
-Is there a space that is special to you as a couple?
-Where did you get engaged?
-Are you willing to pay a permit fee for the perfect location?
Locking down these important details can help us pick the best location for your session. If you don’t have a spot in mind, I am literally bursting at the seams with fun ideas and locations that I fucking love! If you want something outdoors, consider the Houston Arboretum, or the skyline at Buffalo Bayou Park.
If you prefer something indoors, or a studio feel, check out The Oak Atelier (Shown here).
No matter what you decide, let those questions guide you, or give your photographer full control so you can find the vibe and location that works best for you.
All RKM clients get a pre session email that shares tips and tricks on how to make your session flow and feel easy. Since you’re here and I am feeling the love, I can give you a sneak peek at some of those tips here.
For starters, I always recommend getting a full 8 hrs of sleep the nights leading up to our session together. We always tend to feel better, are less stressed, and just all around happier. Here is a small article explaining the benefits of sleep to our moods. My second tip is BRING BUG SPRAY! we all know the texas bugs are wild and relentlesssssssssssss.
I always recommend my clients bring two outfit choices.
-One more casual more “you” outfit. Something that screams your individual personalities. Be it cowboy hats and boots, with jeans and a plaid shirt. Or just a casual hang out outfit. Think comfortable and casual.
-One more “formal” outfit. One that you would probably lean towards for your save the dates etc. Or if you are just fancy pants people and love to get dressed up do one/two epic outfits!
Some dress companies I love to recommend to my clients are Balticborn, Joyfolie, or Mod boutique. When styling, I always tell couples to pick a color “scheme” or pallet and go from there. Think light neutrals with a small amount of blush pinks. Or more fall “tones” like greens, with a pop of mustard. Picking a “theme” is always the way to go over matching head to toe in the same colors.
BUT rules are meant to be broken- this couple rocked it with black on black formal attire, so if you are struggling to make something work, don’t worry, I am here to bounce ideas off of and help make sure you look incredible at your session.
This post is all about being honest, so I’m gonna be honest with you about something…. WE’RE ALL AWKWARD IN OUR OWN WAYS! That’s what makes you *you* and your relationship *yours*. As your photographer, I’m here to capture your relationship as it is. It is your photographers job to make it fun, easy, and tell your story- no matter how “awkward” you may feel. You’re fucking awesome and I got your back!
One of my favorite hacks as a Houston wedding and engagement photographer is to tell clients to book their trial session for their hair and makeup on the day of your engagement session. This allows you to visually see what you like or don’t like about your wedding day makeup and hair.
Afterwards, you bring tips and concerns back to your HMUA (don’t worry they love this and want you to be happy).
Some of my favorite houston Hair and makeup artists are Brittany Blanchard Beauty, Blooming Beauty, Bespoken-Beauty. You can’t go wrong with any of these amazing ladies!
LOOKING TO BOOK YOUR 5 STAR PHOTOGRAPHER: CONTACT ME HERE!
Every year I try to create a new Houston engagement photo session tip blog. Alas here we are. A new year and a new engagement season. Houston Texas seriously has some of the BEST engagement session locations. From Downtown Houston, to open fields, Galveston beach, LOTS of public park filled with greenery. So honestly the skies the limit. Enjoy some of my favorite tips for planning and having the most successful engagement session in Houston.
Pick a location that has a lot of coverage options! The more scenery the location has the more places we have to play around with shots. I also would encourage verifying if the location requires a permit fee. We love a good park but downtown comes at a price. Not open to paying a permit fee? Thats totally fine I have lots of options out of the city with the same feel without a permit fee.
Choose a day that will be less busy! Houston Texas engagement season will be in full effect! So the less people there are out and about. The less likely they’ll be in the back of your photos & you can be more comfortable without worrying about people during your session.
Make sure the location you chose is the best that suites your personalities! If you love trees, let’s explore those woodsy areas!!! Or if you love downtown, let’s hit the streets!! Met at your favorite restaurant (i love food and trying new things) let’s do it! Honestly the skies the limit when it comes to location.
Bring a “prop” of some-sort. When I say “prop” i mean like a blanket, your favorite drink, a mini picnic, something to utilize at your session’s location. Things that you enjoy doing together or to enhance your outfits are always a plus! They also can add a pop of color to your session while showcasing your personality. (PS cowboy boots and hats count) we love a good Houston engagement session with cowboy boots.
I am always here to help you plan your Houston engagement session outfit ideas. I love using Style & Select to help show you what your complete outfit would visually look like. As well a help come up with a cohesive color scheme. I always! recommend staying away from patterns or logos. Neutral is always better. Beige, grey’s, ceam, natural tones always work best together. With that I always advise you bring one more “Casual” outfit, and one more “fancy” “done up” outfit.
When you book hair and makeup for your wedding often times it comes with or has the option to add on a trial run. I always like to recommend using this trial run for the day of your Houston engagement photo session. You can see how the makeup will last, do you like it, do you love the makeup artist etc!
Let’s talk pets, If you’re bringing your adorably lovable furry friend, bring a (human) buddy too! This way your human friend can take care of your pet while we capture other shots. Often times we think our pets are the best behaved animals ever. Well Ish happens and instead of you getting frustrated or feeling overwhelmed you have someone who can help out. And we get to take advantage of all that extra time and yummy light without getting flustered, or worried.
Drop in the comments the prop you would bring to you engagement session! I’d bring a quilt or blanket.
Want to chat about the possibility of me photographing your Downtown Houston, Engagement session? Contact me to learn more!
Let’s talk moving your business…. Bleghhhhh this is not a fun topic I know. Trying to navigate moving my business has been Hard! to say the least but im here to stay and I cannot wait to get going once everything calms down a little. One of the things I have always been a proponent for is giveaways. I know some people are like no! Dont do it! but honestly with the times the way they are and not being able to meet the new amazing clients out and about I have to bring them to me! So Meet Marcella and Her beautiful family. She is one of my engagement session giveaway winners!
If we do an engagement session and you bring your little one’s be warned they will be added! I love! children and will add them in on your engagement session as much as I can and this handsome boy is no exception!
Lastly, trust your photographer, for me I always help you pick out your outfits, locations, posing (or lack thereof) and all the things you need! Never hesitate to ask or message your photographer with any questions we are here to help!
But enough about that… I have never made a formal THIS IS ME post. So here goes nothing…
Some of my favorite things are in no particular order (my dog being first though).
My dog (Mufasa) Beer (Crawford Bock is definitely my new fav Coffee Video Games Trees (really anything outdoors) and sadly.. I love reality tv!
If any of these things we have in common you should definitely message me!! I am so excited to share a little about myself, and learn more about you in the process!
let's make magic together!
