Would I be doing this many bridal sessions if we weren’t living in the South? I have no idea, but it’s one reason to be grateful that I live here because I love spending time with ladies who are all gussied up in anticipation of the day they’ve been looking forward to for so long. I hope I can take the trend with me when we move, wherever that may be!
I use the term “playdate” to describe the shoots that don’t fit neatly into any other category. So far they’ve had a few things in common: they involve exclusively women and they’re ridiculously fun. I’d be very than happy to have more sessions of this type in the future!
This month marks the one year anniversary of Jenna Cole. It was back in late February of 2009 that I attended WPPI and called my husband each night wanting to talk for hours about everything I was experiencing. I was in love, but the previous plan had been for me to wait until I had saved up enough spending money to invest in one on my own. After hearing the excitement and passion in my voice my husband told me it was time to sit down and find a way to find a way to fit a photography business into our family budget. I started buying up equipment, did lots of googling to figure out how to set up a business, and started taking free sessions to build a portfolio. One year later I’m thrilled to be where I am now and I count myself blessed to have worked with so many fabulous people (in so many different places!).
Each weekday through the rest of March I’ll be posting retrospective posts showcasing some of my favorite photos from my Duet, Engagement, Playdate, Bridal, and Wedding sessions. I’m guessing you will find it as enjoyable as I do to look back on my favorite photos and watch my talent grow. Just think where I’ll be next year!
The first set of images come from the sessions I’ve designated as “Duet” sessions. This is an area of my business that I would really love to see grow in the future, as I can never seem to get enough time with couples of all ages. These couples, either married or dating, but none of them engaged, prove you don’t have to be getting married to book a professional photography session with someone you love spending time with. Couples, siblings, friends… I love Duet sessions!
Groom Sold Separately is a brand new resource for those planning a wedding where brides can post their needs and vendors can connect with offers to fill those requests. GSS contacted me and is providing two tickets to their upcoming event, Alice in Weddingland, to one lucky reader!
Have you somehow missed all of the Dallas blogs and tweets about this awesome event? Read below to learn more:
About the event ::
Our event is benefiting Brides Against Breast Cancer and 100% of the proceeds are going to them. This is a wonderful charity and their mission is to advance the awareness of breast cancer and to educate the public about the vast resources and support available to breast cancer patients and their families.
Some activities planned for the event are:
At the event we will be raffling:
Tickets can be purchased here, but as I said, I have two free ones to give away! To enter, comment below and tell me what you are most looking forward to about this event. The cake? The croquet match? The wedding gown fashion show? Winner will be announced on March 26th so don’t wait too long!
Natalie and Jeramy were the first engagement session I’ve photographed in months, and the last I’ll do before baby comes. I have this couple to thank for sending me into my maternity leave with a bang, I loved working with them! I’ll see Natalie again in May for her bridal session, and I’ll spend June 11th of this year with both of them as it’s the day they are set to get married!
We did this session at one of my favorite locations, Deep Ellum. I’ve been there several times over the course of my one year career (it’s Jenna Cole’s one year anniversary this month!) and I always find new spots to explore and use when I visit.
They brought their dog Luke along for the photos. I really enjoyed all of the funny faces he made.
Jeramy has a really terrific smile, and he displays it readily.
Love that tongue!
THAT SHOT!
How did I get Natalie to smile like this? At first I asked her to think about her wedding day, which got me a bit more of a nervous smile (I think she still has a lot of planning to do!) The secret? I told her to think about how she’ll feel when the wedding is over and they are getting on the plane for their tropical honeymoon. I think she’s excited about it!
I have a feeling that this is going to become a new favorite engagement photo pose of mine.
SOOC:
Fine Art Edit:
I asked the couple if they wanted to do a “street shot”, dashing out into traffic and grabbing something with a bit of the skyline in the background. We were almost hit by a bus to get this one but we laughed so hard while doing it that I think it was worth it.
I like to try to get at least one headshot of each person at each session. Who doesn’t want a good headshot of themselves to use?
These two got a little bit lovey-dovey as the light faded. This wall used to be electric yellow but I like this green color a lot better. That’s another reason why I love Deep Ellum, the walls are constantly changing and I never know what to expect when I show up with my clients.
Natalie has a beautiful, simple solitare.
As we walked back to the car I decided to have a little fun with the flash I had packed along. For the photogs reading this, these were done with my flash on camera, with a diffuser, and the flash head pointed at about my 2 o’clock, over Natalie’s right shoulder. Thanks to the couple for letting me play a little bit!
Natalie and Jeramy,
I had such a wonderful time with you. Thanks for being patient during my bathroom breaks and all of my moaning and grunting as I hauled my 8.5 month pregnant self up off the ground.
It’s going to be a fabulous wedding, I can tell.
Best,
Jenna
