Stories
Oakland Cemetery for engagement photos? I know, right?! Who would suggest that place? …me! I would! Anyone who has lived inside Atlanta for any amount of time has some familiarity with Oakland Cemetery. The grounds are absolutely stunning. Not only is Oakland Cemetery one of the largest green spaces in Atlanta, it also sits on six acres!
When Holly asked me if I travel for weddings, of course, my response was Y E S! Because Holly and Adam’s wedding would be in Charleston we racked our brains to come up with an engagement session location that was travel friendly for me and something a little different for them. After much googling, we found Savannah Rapids Pavilion.
Arabia Mountain is the northern of two peaks in the nature preserve, in DeKalb County, Georgia and literally down the road from my house. I had never been there before this engagement session with Shea and Cody, but had heard of the mountain many many times before. This location is special to Shea and Cody because they, as a couple, spend a lot of time here. When they asked if I would take their engagement photos there I was beyond excited. It’s always fun for me to get to explore a new location with an amazing couple. So, I left it in their hands to show me around the mountain and I was able to capture just how much they love Arabia mountain and each other.
You can consider where you first met, where you got engaged, your hometown, a place you visit often OR you can consider a place you have never been to before for your engagement photos. You can then get amazing outfits to compliment those locations and plan the perfect time of day and day of the week with your Atlanta wedding photographer and make killer engagement images! All it takes is a little planning and your engagement session can be more than just a trial run in front of the camera before your big day.
Being new(ish) to Atlanta Christopher and Colin wanted the beautiful Piedmont Park as the setting for their engagement session. They imagined walking around the park, sun shining, with the trees and flowers in full bloom. O.K! Let’s do that! The first date we had picked out was actually raining, and COLD for Spring. We postponed and it was so worth it! You couldn’t have asked for a better day.
Nick proposed to Alesha, here, in this gazebo, on this lake in Piedmont Park. Obvi we had to photograph their engagement session there and all around the park! It was so stinking special getting to hang out with this newly engaged couple and create some new memories for them leading up to their wedding this June!
Because Nick proposed on the lake I really wanted to explore the lake with them and really make this session special for them. We walked all the way around the lake and if you have ever been to Piedmont Park you know there are so many gorgeous spots along the lake any Atlanta Wedding Photographer would love to photograph at.
But nothing was more gorgeous than this amazing Winter light. Yes! This was photographed in the first week of January! Minus the leaves, it legit looks like Fall. Just stunning. Then you put these two love birds in the light and you have magic.
When I am getting to know a couple and photographing their engagement session, I never want to rush it. I schedule enough time at the end of the day to explore the location they chose and sometimes it takes a minute for them to get comfortable in front of the camera. Lets face it, you allllll say you are awkward in front of the camera. (Y’all are all so silly.)
When they said they only brought the outfit they are wearing and just wanted to explore the city I was probably too stoked. This allowed me to bring out the tools I don’t always get to use because we are on schedule or have an agenda we have to complete.
Cue the pipe ring of fire shot thing. See below.
Playing in traffic! This is something I do on the regular.. I really need to be more careful when I photograph, but I just can’t help when I see a perfect image happening. This really allows for some actual candid images using the city in the best of ways.
And here I go again, not looking where I am going, just running into traffic. But really, I do also rely on the couple I am photographing to give me a heads up if they can if they see I am about to really be in traffic, or if I am going to run into the curb or step in a pothole. If you see an Atlanta Wedding Photographer taking photos of couples in the street, its probably me, so please don’t hit me, haha.
All joking aside… if we don’t have fun your images will show it. If that means I have to act out a bit, I so will. I joke that I play in traffic, but we are always safe. As your Atlanta Wedding Photographer I will always put myself before my couple to make sure the grassy isn’t too muddy, to make sure there aren’t spiders, to make sure you won’t get hit by a car.
Be on the lookout for photos on my Instagram and Facebook from their Atlanta Wedding at the Dekalb Courthouse this June!
With a couple like Ann and Beau you kinda just have to trust that when they say they have Nerf guns for the end of their engagement session that it is going to be FUN. No, at first I was a little confused and not sure what to expect- but man! Did they bring the fun.
I can't wait for their wedding this Summer at Monday Night Brewing! Congratulations on your engagement.
How do you have a successful engagement session?
Location!
Work with your photographer to pick a location that works for your couple style and engagement! If your location has no meaning to you as a couple then your photographs will reflect that. Revisiting a location where you had your first date, or where you said "I love you" for the first time will help enhance the power of the images. Get creative!
Clothing!
Clothing can make or break a session. Color palettes play a huge role especially when looking at your location. As with each other, you want to make sure you are comfortable with what you are wearing. It may be hot, it may be cold, it may rain and you will be cuddling/kissing/running/walking.. dress appropriate! These are your engagement photos and a lot of people will be seeing these images.
Comfort!
But really, if you are not comfortable with your photographer and you are not comfortable with each other.. your engagement photos will show that. Finding a common ground and letting the story of love develop through the photos is the reason for the session. Everyone gets nervous while having their photo taken. Heck! I know I do. So, HAVE FUN!
Time of day!
My favorite time of day to shoot is sunrise and sunset. Yes, I can make beautiful images at high noon.. but the there is nothing that can replicate the golden natural beautiful light of the first break of day and the last rays before the dark. So, what happens when your time of day doesn't go as planned like when it rains? You go with the flow because who cares YOU'RE ENGAGED!
Congratulations on your engagement April and Mike!
SO! YOU'RE ENGAGED! Time to show off that amazing ring. Here are a few tips and tricks to taking an amazing engagement ring selfie. 1.Lighting is EVERYTHING!
Sunlight is key! Go outside, or by an open window even. The natural light will do way more than the overhead yellow light bulb in your house. Trust us! Oh and did I mention the sparkle that comes with natural light. Don't' believe me? Look at how your engagement ring sparkles!
2.Get your nails done!
Seriously gals. You have an amazing ring on and your nails are chipped? Go! Get a manicure! There is nothing worse than seeing an amazing ring, but being distracted by un-amazing nails. But wait, you just can not wait to post a pic before your manicure? Ok, fine. There are many different ways to show off your ring in photos that don't include your unkempt nails.
Like, placing the engagement ring on an object like a flower or your favorite book. Did the engagement ring come with a box? Display it. Have your fiancé hold his hand open and place the engagement ring in his palm (that is if he has lotioned his hands in the last 24 hours).
3.Be aware of the background, PLEASE.
Yes, we get it. You Are Excited and you should be- but we don't want to see the toilet or your dirty socks or sink full of dishes. Take a second and look around at your surroundings. This picture you post of your engagement ring is going to be seen by a lot of people. Take the time to set your background even if you take a t-shirt that is a solid color and lay it on the ground.
4.Take lots of options, but only show ONE.
Don't make us gag by posting tons of photos and collages of your ring. We get it, you're engaged. We are happy for you. Don't give us a reason to block you. You know you want us to see the rest of your wedding planning photos, right? RIGHT!
5.Style is key
Try photographing your engagement ring from different angles. Does your engagement ring have stones around the band? Is your stone on a unique setting? Have you tried photographing from overhead to show the shape of the stone?
6.Filters and frames.
You know you have a ton of apps on your phone- USE THEM! VSCO, Snapseed, and InstaCollage are a couple of my personal favorites. Experiment with the contrast, saturation, and crop. Add a nice filter and finish it with a heart frame. Add a couple of sentimental words and share with the world!
YOU'RE ENGAGED! CONGRATULATIONS!!
All photographs were taken by Krisandra Evans with a iPhone 4 using the apps mentioned above!
