Grab your tissues, friends. This one might have you feeling all the feels. Mid-September along the west coast, just south of Bodega Bay, Caitlin and Casey made it all official in some serious style. With rolling hills, scenic views of Tomales Bay, and a restored farmhouse, the Straus Home Ranch was truly the perfect backdrop for their perfect day.

Every single detail of the day was well thought out and perfectly executed. It’s not often wedding days go off without a hitch, but I can sincerely tell you that this was one of them. It was a non-stop party with all of their favorite people flying in from all over to celebrate with them and I was overjoyed to be a part of their day.

These two (along with their amazing planner, Jessica, with Joyeux Events) sure know how to throw an unforgettable party. I can promise you, I’ll never forget this unbelievably perfect day.

Wedding Photography: Vanessa Lynne Photography

Fully Planning and Design: Joyeux Events

Venue: Straus Home Ranch

Florist: Venn Floral

Hair: Stella Stevens Hair Design

Makeup: Stefanie Fritz Makeup Artistry

Caterer: Potliqour

Videographer: Shutter and Sound

DJ: DJ Funklor

It’s no secret how much I love engagement sessions.. A well-planned engagement session can be the difference between nice images and magical keepsakes. If you’re planning your engagement session, (or know someone who is) here are a few tips to guide you in the right direction.. But first,  let’s talk about why an engagement session is important to begin with.

If haven’t yet read my last blog post, (see “It’s all about the chemistry”) I talk about the importance of choosing the right photographer for you and your fiance. Once you’ve found him or her, booking your engagement session is a great way to see how your photographer interacts with and directs you doing your shoot. By the time your day comes, you’ll be super comfortable in front of the camera.

Another reason I encourage couples to book an engagement session is so that you and your fiance can have professional photos that aren’t just in your super formal wedding attire. Take the opportunity to document your love outside of your wedding day. You won’t regret it. 

1. Attire

Outfits play a super important role in your engagement session. Most photographers allow a few outfit changes and typically 2-3 is sufficient. 

Choose a few complementary colors so that outfits coordinate, but not match. Most importantly, choose colors that work well in nature. Avoid black and fluorescent/neon colors which are harsh and clash with colors found in nature. 

DITCH THE JEANS. These are your engagement pictures; dream a little! Dress up. Have fun. Don’t wear what you wear every dang day.

This one might seem obvious, but I’m going to say it anyway: Make sure you feel confident and comfortable in the outfits you choose. If you feel uncomfortable, you will look uncomfortable. It’s as simple as that.

2. Hair and Makeup

As a general tip, women’s hair typically photographs better when curled. It allows for more natural movement and doesn’t have to be perfect. Additionally, I recommend going a *little* heavier on the makeup than what you might normally wear. Many bride-to-be’s opt to hire a makeup artist so that it’s extra special. Whether you choose to hire someone or apply it yourself, be sure to pack your makeup bag for the shoot in case you need to touch up during the session.

3. Adventure, Please

Now, I can’t speak for all photographers, but in my opinion, engagement sessions are THE best when an adventure is thrown in there. Take a day off and let’s head to Yosemite, Bodega Bay, Death Valley, or the Sequoias. California is so freakin’ beautiful and diverse that if you can dream it, it’s a car ride away. I’m more than willing to go to wherever your heart’s desire is for your one-of-a-kind engagement session. So, dream big and we will absolutely make it happen.

4. Trust me

If I had a nickel for every time someone told me they’re not photogenic, well, I’d probably be rich. You might start out your shoot feeling a little awkward and that’s normal. But! If you have the right photographer, you’ll be a natural in no time. I love watching couples gain confidence as the shoot progresses with just a little direction from me and a lot of laughs. We all look like supermodels when we are with the one we love. Trust me. It’s a fact.

5. Just be You

At the end of the day, you want your photos to be the perfect representation of you! It’s okay to go the extra mile since it’s a special occasion, just remember to let your unique and beautiful light shine.

So, grab your lover and get your adventure on. I’ll meet you there.

 

When we were trying to choose which location to choose Amber and Camden’s engagement session, I gave them probablyyyy a few too many options. I have lots of places on my “dream shoot” list (ahem, death valley) and so I had given them several choices to see which fit them best. They landed on the mountains; a couple after my own heart. Don’t get me wrong, I love the ocean, but the mountains are my *jam.*

We started the session with a beer and ended it with one of the best sunsets I’ve seen this year. The Eastern Sierras have a certain magic that is beautiful all year round, and I was so glad that Amber and Camden trusted my vision for their adventurous mountain-y engagement sesh. <3 

Kate and I worked at Starbucks several years back and were instant friends. She was my hiking buddy, my on-call model, and my sanity from the barista madness. She now lives in Germany with her hubs, so we took advantage of her short time visiting in California, chatting over iced teas before the shoot and catching one another up on the newest details of in our lives. Kate told me about life in Germany and I told her about my latest travels and summer plans.

When it came time for the shoot, Kyle met up with us as we packed up and headed for Pena Adobe Regional Park. We explored, climbed a few hills, chased the sunlight and documented this special time in their life. Happy one year anniversary, you two.

It’s more than just a new profile picture…..and if it’s not, then we *might* just have our priorities waaaay off. 

There are a lot of reasons people have photos taken. Let’s talk about some that maybe you haven’t thought of. Or maybe our reasons “why” have shifted over the years thanks to social media. Whatever the reason, here are a few reasons capturing this (exciting, beautiful, one-of a kind) time in your life is so important.

I think we all can agree on just how fleeting time can be. Now, I’m not a mom, but even for me it seems like time flies by faster than I can say, “Ugh, how old am I again??”

But for those mommas and daddies (and grandmas and grandpas) out there, I know you feel just like me when you can literally see your babies growing up right before your eyes. 

Your child will never say the same cute things, or look at you the same way as they do in this moment. Right now.

Capturing the things that make your child (and family!) so unique and special is one of the best (and simplest!) things you can do to help you remember them 20 years from now. Days, moments, and large chunks of time can be easily forgotton. BUT! Seeing an old photo can take you back in time to that very moment. And that, my friends, is pretty darn special.

Now, let’s get real for a moment.

We all know how awesome it feels when we get a lot of likes, loves, and all that jazz when we upload a new photo to social media. I don’t believe there is anything inherently wrong with posting well-received selfies or iPhone shots of you precious kiddos.

The problem I do see, however, is when that new photo from your latest family portrait session ONLY makes it to Facebook! 

What do I even mean by that, you ask? Just because something is online or on your computer isn’t enough. Once you upload another new profile pic, it’s out of sight and out of mind. Make the time. Spend the money to print out those photos. Stick them up on your walls! On your office desk. Put an album on your coffee table. They are what makes a house a home.

And even more importantly, did you know that there is scientific evidence that displaying portraits of your children and your family in your home actually boosts your child’s self esteem? Now, THAT, is something to think about.

I’m even going to take this one step further and say that where you print your photos matters just as much. Just like any product, you get what you pay for. Your photographer spends more time than you realize making sure your photos are *perfect*. To then go and print them at your local drug store or supermarket will never do your photos justice. 

Imagine investing in a beautiful, high-end cocktail dress.  You take the extra time to make your hair and makeup just right. You look fabulous! …. only to be taken out on a date to McDonald’s. You then proceed to spill your chocolate milkshake all down your front. It’s a tragedy. If you’re going to buy the dress, do it justice.

And last, but certainly not least, think about the future generations to come.

Don’t let your legacy end with you.

When you’re gone, your children and grandchildren will want something to remember you by. My grandmother, who I was very close to, passed away 7 years ago. Even though she will always live in my heart and my memories, the photos I have of her help remember me even more. What’s most special to me are the photos I have of us together. I cherish them more than almost all other “objects” or “things” that only serve to clutter my life. Printing through the right company, which can only be done through your photographer, will ensure your prints will be the very best quality and last for generations.

So, take action.

Book that shoot. Print those photos. Stick them up on your walls.

Don’t just let photos of your beautiful life exist only in cyber land. Bring them into real life and remember just how precious our short time here on the earth can be.

In the words of Drake: YOLO.