For this engagement session we started the day off with some drinks from Kaldi’s Coffee. It was one of those perfect summer days where you start off with something refreshing. For Jeff, he started with a Citywide (a St. Louis beer with the best branding) Kayla chose my favorite summer drink- iced tea. We were hanging out on the patio and we’re getting used to each other. Although I had taken their photo before when they were guests at a wedding, there was still a bit of getting comfortable that needed to happen.

What were we laughing about? Everything. First of all, the two of them, with me, we can laugh about anything. We had dinner a couple weeks ago and we just laughed the whole time, I don’t even know how I ate. Most of their photos are them laughing, because that’s their life. Kayla laughs at everything and her laugh is infectious, so then other people want to laugh, too. I never remember what people were laughing about or really what happened, only that we laughed a lot. 

So before anyone is my client, they should: 

1. Read my website. (make sure I’m their cup o’ tea) 

2. Read the guides that I give them.

3. Be ready to get weird and laugh a lot. 

There’s a science to my engagement shoots, we walk around and figure things out and do things that feel real to the couple. They wanted the shoot to reflect the city they live in. The idea behind their engagement session was to simply capture them living life and enjoy the city. 

I always say, if you’re not marrying your weirdo, then you should re-evaluate why you’re engaged. I think the ultimate goal is to be with someone that gives you space to be your truest, weirdest self and that you do the same for.

The engagement session is where we try it out. If I get a handful of photos where you look amazing, that’s a super bonus. But really, we’re just trying to be as weird as we possibly can, get all the awkwardness out. That way, on the wedding day, there’s no reason to even think about the fact that your photos are being taken, because you’re already so used to it. You’re used to the weird stuff I’m going to say, you’re already used to having to be in front of the camera - so you don’t have to think about whether or not you’re posing right, or whatever, and you can just be present to all that is happening around you. 

For them, it was also about exploring and capturing different parts of STL. For you it might be cuddling up at home with your dog, some popcorn and Mario Kart or getting really fancy for a date night.

There are some photos in this session that feel very classic St. Louis and that captured some of the different textures that STL has. But again, like I said in my previous blog, location doesn’t really matter. It’s about having an experience. It’s a bonus when it all comes together to show off who the couple really is and what they love about where they live too. 

The engagement session is something that I consider mandatory. It’s included for free with wedding coverage. Some people like to use them for invitations  signs, cards, etc., but that’s not why I require them. We have to get to know each other before we spend 8+ hours together on your wedding day. The day is about you, and making sure that you actually want to be around me, the way that I work, the way that the photos come out, it’s an entire experience that should be tried out before your big day.