Planning Guides

Julie Hamilton – You’ve worked hard to find the right photographer and you’ve booked the date. So what comes next? The engagement session, commonly known as an e-session. Having an engagement session is very important, as it is most likely the first chance that you will have to get to know your photographer…

Jim Rode – When you think of engagement photographer, are you thinking of a sign-in table photographer for your wedding day? If yes, you are letting valuable images slip away! Many couples today are so focused on their wedding day, they ignore the importance of their engagement and the effect their love has had…

Julie Hamilton – Finding a unique location is one of the most important elements in creating engagement portraits that are highly personalized and will stand out from the crowd. But, how does one go about finding a location that will make your portraits dynamic, meaningful and…

Michael Allen – From the hundreds of weddings I’ve been a part of over the past 20 years, I’ve come up with a list of 10 tips that will help you end up with beautiful wedding photographs. This is an important day, and fabulous wedding photos are something you can cherish forever! Tip 1: Be…

Melissa Jill – When I meet with potential clients, I always hand them a packet I’ve put together of tips for getting the best wedding images. While much of this responsibility falls on the photographer you hire, there are a few things you can do that will impact the quality of your photographs…

Melissa Jill – I encourage my clients to communicate their excitement about their choice for photography to their family and friends. I give this tip because I really do believe that it helps everyone to enjoy the day and makes the photos better (because everyone is more at ease and therefore, more natural)…

Melissa Jill – This is generally a non-issue for brides who hire me but for those of you brides-to-be and wedding coordinators out there-let’s all agree to kill the photography shot list once and for all!! Who’s with…

Melissa Jill – I really can’t say enough great things about having a slideshow at your reception of some of the photos from that day. This is something I’ve been doing for years and it’s an amazing experience that has blessed my clients as well as my business. It’s really a win-win situation…

Melissa Jill – I love shooting engagement sessions with my wedding clients. The engagement shoot is so important for developing a level of comfort and trust with your photographer as well as in front of the camera before your wedding day. It makes all the difference for a positive experience on the wedding day…

A wedding may be a grand and formal occasion, but an engagement photo shoot is your chance to shine in a relaxed and fun way. Keep this mission in mind as you consult your wedding photographer about the process…