Top 5 Reasons Why to Have an Engagement Session

Thursday, June 14, 2012

We absolutely love engagement sessions. But I did not always feel that way. When we were first engaged – before we started wedding photography – I heard of this engagement session thing, and was so confused about it. I remember literally saying out loud “I don’t get it”. After experiencing numerous engagement sessions first hand I have completely changed my mind.

And since Paul and I never had an engagement session, we actually took some photos of ourselves (using a tripod) and have a session planned with our good friend Dan at Daniel J Photography. So now I would like to share with you why I have changed my mind so drastically and all the benefits of having an engagement photography session.

5. Save-the-Dates, Shower Thank You, etc. – All great opportunities to personalize these items with engagement photography.

4. Comfort – Most people are not used to being in front of a camera, and doing an engagement session is a great opportunity to see what it is like (and realize that it is not as awkward as you may think!) This really helps to become more comfortable in front of the camera, so that on your wedding day there is complete peace in regard to photography

3. Getting to Know Each Other – We love getting to know our couples, and during our engagement sessions we all get to know each other better. We love this because when we know you, we can better capture your personalities and your love on camera. This also allows you to be totally relaxed with us on your wedding day, like we are just old friends coming to hang out and photograph your day.

2. Guestbook – I thought having a guestbook for our guests to sign at our wedding was very traditional. But to have a guestbook with your engagement photos? What a fun, creative, and beautiful way to use your photos. It also connects the love and emotion of your marriage to the love in your relationships with your family and friends who support your union. Wish I knew about that, back then!

1. Bringing you Back– We have photos displayed in our home, ones that make me recall memories, and evoke emotion. I love looking at a photo that brings me back to the way I was feeling in that moment. It renews my love and commitment. This is what makes photography priceless to me.

Having engagement photos to post in your home is a way to do the same. We love canvas wraps (shown below) not only because they are gorgeous, but because they can be used to display your photos in your new home, or at your wedding, or bridal shower to bring you back to those moments again and again.

Your time of engagement is an incredibly special time in your life. Engagement photography is one way to honor that in a incredibly special and beautiful way.

*Carolyn

p.s. We have had plenty of couples that did not have an engagement session for various reasons, and they still had amazing wedding photos and an awesome wedding day. So if you are unable to fit one into your busy schedule your experienced and trustworthy photographers will know just how to photograph you naturally and at your best.

p.p.s. Below is a photo of us shortly after our engagement..

Posted in: Wedding Tips
|FOLLOW US ON TWITTER|VISIT US ON FACEBOOK|CONTACT US|TWEET THIS
comment
July 23, 2012 - 2:25 pm

Our Own Photo Session Preview {#1 Reason to have an Engagement Session} | Paul Francis Photography - […] photographs to use on our website, but I was really really excited for the other reasons because we never did an engagement session when we got married. And if we could go back we definitely would have changed that!I cannot wait to have a beautiful […]

Monday Marriage Moments {The Element of Surprise}

Monday, June 11, 2012

Everything is better with a surprise. It is SO hard for me to keep something a secret from Paul in order to surprise him. But really, it is completely worth it when I muster up the self-control because the element of surprise makes all the difference. Being surprised means that someone took time on their own to plan something for you. It means they thought of you, did something for you, and made time for you completely on their own. Surprises make us feel special and loved.

After Jessica & Sergio’s Liberty State Park engagement session a couple of months ago Paul and I planned to go out for a little date. We already had the babysitter set so we decided to take advantage of that time, but did not actually get a chance to plan the date. On our way to Jersey City I tried to start the conversation of what we should do, but Paul said he already had it planned. This was already a pleasant surprise, but he made it even better by making me wait until we arrived at our destination to find out what it was. When Jessica & Sergio’s engagement session came to an end, we said our goodbyes, packed up our gear, and got in the car. But I still had to wait. As we’re driving I see a sign for the Lincoln Tunnel, and this is what followed:

Me: The Lincoln Tunnel? Are we going into New York?

Paul: What? We’re going into the Lincoln Tunnel?

Me: Shut up, you know exactly what you’re doing! (*beaming with joy*)

The only times we go into the city are (1) at Christmas time and (2) for photography related events. So this was totally unexpected and felt particularly special. Paul took me to a cozy little Mom n’ Pop Italian restaurant in NYC. It was not especially fancy or upscale, just ridiculously delicious eggplant parm and Chianti. MMMmmm. I felt so loved. Through something so simple. If Paul had told me what he was planning I probably would have analyzed all the possible options, going through all the pros and cons before settling on one place, still being aware of what I might have missed out on. I’m a bit decision-impaired. So not only did I feel super special for Paul taking the time on his own to surprise me with something different, but in doing so he also freed me from my own craziness and allowed me to be fully present and completely enjoy our date. It was lovely. Thank you, Paul for loving me and for using the element of surprise.

*Carolyn

ps. They had posted funny pictures and signs all over the walls. We got a kick out of it. (photo taken on Paul’s cell phone!)

Posted in: Monday Marriage Moments
|FOLLOW US ON TWITTER|VISIT US ON FACEBOOK|CONTACT US|TWEET THIS
comment

3 Steps to having an Amazing Wedding Day

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

One of the greatest gifts to receive on your wedding day is be able to be fully present, to live in each moment and soak in all the joy and excitement of the day.  I feel so blessed to have been able to live that day to the fullest, and when I look back I still feel that peace in the freedom to feel all the emotions of the day. Sound like something you want? Here are a few things I did to help me get there:

1. Trust – your vendors, your planner, your family. These are the people in your life who care about you and are there to help. Trust them to give you recommendations, to delegate tasks to, to be your support. Of course you are free to make your own decisions, but there are lots of people around you who are willing and able to help when you need it.

2. Planning your Timeline–  Blah! Planning is so stressful, you may say. It can be, but it does not have to be. And, doing the planning ahead of time will pay off in the end when everything is in place on the big day.

It can help tremendously to talk to professionals who have done this before. We always give our clients a couple of sample schedules and then work together with them on the details of their timeline. The sample schedule shows them exactly how much time most wedding day activities take. For example, having a receiving line? Please plan for at least 30 minutes. Is it important to you to have a lot of different family portraits? Please allow 3 minutes per photo. Whatever is important for you to have on your wedding day, you should have it. And proper planning will allow you to have everything you dreamed without adding unnecessary stress on you to squeeze it all in or cut things out.

By the way – at our wedding we had a receiving line, we had lots of family photos,  we did not see each other before the ceremony, and I really wanted to attend the cocktail hour. Not something every couple can do. But we did it. We also had a very large chunk of time between the ceremony and reception which allowed us to have absolutely no problem fulfilling every one of those desires.

3. Letting Go– I am so thankful that on our wedding day I was given the advice to let everything go once I left for the ceremony. Because at that point I would enjoy myself more if I just went with the flow instead of fixing details. And just being aware that I wanted to do that in order to keep my peace went a long way.

*Carolyn

Posted in: Wedding Tips
|FOLLOW US ON TWITTER|VISIT US ON FACEBOOK|CONTACT US|TWEET THIS
comment

Never Stop Dating {At the Zoo}

Thursday, May 24, 2012

It’s no secret making time for each other is important and good for your marriage. “Never stop dating” is still one of the best pieces of advice we were given during our engagement. Now that we’ve got a little one, we sometimes have a “family date” and include him at times too. A couple weeks ago we spent our day off at the zoo and we had a great time just enjoying each other’s company. We got to listen to Paul talk to the monkeys (he does a great impression), and watch our son explore as I incessantly sang “We’re going to the Zoo”.

I thought about recording myself singing the song, but decided to spare you my tone-deaf version for a much more pleasant & nostalgic version

The zoo may be thought of as a kid’s activity, but we would have enjoyed it just as much going child-free. Anytime we can do something fun or silly together, I’m all over it. Especially when it includes Paul doing his monkey impression – it’s part of how he wooed me. Really, it does not matter so much what we’re doing, just as long as we are having having fun together. I love my wonderful husband and our son, and I love soaking up as many good times with them as possible. As you may have guessed my love language is quality time. Which means I would love to hear about your date ideas. What do you and your fiance(e) enjoy doing together? If you want to share, tell us in the comment box below.

*Carolyn

ps. Thank you to the kind family in front of who snapped the above photo of us on the train.


Posted in: Personal
|FOLLOW US ON TWITTER|VISIT US ON FACEBOOK|CONTACT US|TWEET THIS
comment
May 25, 2012 - 12:50 am

Laura DePasquale - Too Cute! I’m singing “going to the zoo” in my head 🙂

T w i t t e r
F a c e b o o k
I n s t a g r a m