Why Engagement Photography Should Really be Called “WINgagement” Sessions

No matter how thoroughly you vet your options before choosing -- say, me -- as your wedding photographer, the fact remains we will be strangers. And, maybe because we were taught as children to be wary of strangers, you may continue to have some lingering, unsettled questions about me even after our handshake.

So here’s where an engagement session comes in handy. Within a short hour or two, it can effectively break the ice between us, answer questions, dispel doubts and raise our personal comfort levels with each other considerably. More importantly, we would each walk away from the engagement session with tremendous insight and lessons that will serve you well on your wedding day. Here’s how:

You as the Wedding Couple

• You'd get to test-drive my skills as a photographer, team player and art director. The final proof of the pudding, of course, would be the engagement photographs that I hand over to you within a few days. You’d have tangible proof of my abilities or inabilities. If I am worthy, then you'll also have some amazing images that you can share and use creatively before, during or after your wedding.

• You'd get to know me as person -- charm, quirks and all. When we meet on your wedding day, I’ll seem much more like a (good-looking) brother or cousin than a stranger.

• You'd get to feel much more comfortable in front of the camera. You could practice posing, if you wish, and even role play Angelina and Brad in front of paparazzi so it won’t quite feel that way on your wedding day.

• As a bonus, you could also “rehearse” some wedding day details -- such as your planned color schemes, make-up, hair-do or a choreographed tango -- but all in a relaxed and playful way.

Me as the Wedding Photographer

• I’d get to hear your story, from how you met to what your dreams are for the future. Everything you share will guide what I watch for and shoot on your wedding day so you'd get images that are unique to your love story.

• I’d get to see your personalities at play, and witness how your love for each other expresses itself. Knowing this would help me better anticipate and capture how you’ll react to each other as well as to the events of your big day.

• I’d get to figure out your best angles, most complimentary poses, lighting and so on.

• I’d also discover the best ways to calm your nerves and get you to relax, which will be extremely helpful when the big day comes around.

An engagement session is a wonderful win-win arrangement. It's also a lot of fun. Ultimately, you benefit the most because your chosen wedding photographer -- whoever he or she is -- will be well-primed to capture every moment, tear, smile, kiss and other emotions of one of the most important days of your lives.

Give an engagement session serious thought and go for it if you can.

Until Next Time,

SC

www.scottcraigphotography.com

Engagement session Photography: Rollins College

These are 2 sweet people. Patrick, will laugh at the silliest things which got me laughing pretty hard as well. Christina, understands and loves Patrick for his spontaneous approach to life. We had a great time and I cannot wait for their wedding at the Marriott World Center.

Until Next time,

SC

www.scottcraigphotography.com

Warning: Use These 3 Wedding Photography Shortcuts at Your Own Risk

It’s tough to say this without sounding self-serving, but you really should consider your wedding photography investment “sacred.” After all, it will touch eternity in much the same way that your wedding vows do, so treat it accordingly. If you must reign in your wedding costs, skimp on any other item or service that will only last the day, but keep your wedding photography a sound and non-negotiable budget item, come what may.

To do otherwise would be to invite risk on a day that ironically, you will have spent much time, money and energy to perfect in detail. However, if you like taking risks, then carry on with your eyes wide open, remembering that there are no do-overs once “It’s Showtime!”

Use an amateur wedding photographer. For me as a pro, each wedding is a love story that needs to be told well for everyone and for all time. I shoot photographs not just for you, your wedding party and guests – but also for family members and friends who couldn’t quite make it to your wedding. And I don’t shoot just for them either, but also for loved ones still to come (a.k.a., children).

Everyone who loves you – now or in the future – will enjoy seeing your love story unfold breathtakingly, heartwarmingly and completely – as though they were actually or still there. Only a professional wedding photographer can assure this level of storytelling. An amateur, no matter how gifted or well-meaning, may fall short for lack of training, equipment, help, anticipation or reflexes. The choice is yours.

Hire a wedding photographer without meeting him first. Believe it or not, the famed TV character, House, lurks among wedding photographers also. You know the type: Brilliant professional with lousy people skills and bedside manners. He may have even been the photographer who shot your best friend’s wedding to rave reviews.

Choosing a photographer on the basis of a strong portfolio or word of mouth often leads to a good choice. But I still always recommend a personal meeting to rule out any incompatibility. As you discuss a photographer’s portfolio, approach, packages and so on, assess how well he meshes with you as a couple and imagine him working with your wedding party and immediate families. Will he be a team player or a prima donna? Will he command authority gently or like a tyrant? If he can make you – a relative stranger – laugh, relax and feel comfortable, that’d be a good sign. You’ll need someone who can inspire lightheartedness on a day that could be quite nerve-wracking.

Expect your wedding photographer to wing it. An experienced wedding photographer can run like a dream car on cruise-control throughout your special day. But to really get the best from him, steer him. Collaborate with your photographer before the event. Work with him on a shot list. Fill him in on who’s who in your wedding party and family, sharing personalities and other details you might offer a longtime hairdresser or close friend. Keep him in the loop about venues, events, decor and agendas. A really good photographer lives for these details. Communicate, communicate, communicate with your wedding photographer. That’d be the fuel your dream car runs on.

Until Next Time,

SC

www.scottcraigphotography.com

Rain or Shine it always Picture time

As I mentioned in their original post. Rain smiled on us that day. But, Mother nature was kind enough to stop long enough to step outside after the ceremony for a few. But, with a mixture of indoor and outdoor we were able to get some sweeeet images.

Lashanda and LJ you're awesome inside and out.

Until Next time,

SC

www.scottcraigphotography.com

Rosen Centre Wedding: Lashanda & LJ

Every Saturday we all hope for sunshine, But sometimes mother nature has her way. And this day she smiled on Lashanda & LJ. I say smiled because Lashanda & LJ kept their smiles on even though we had moved to an indoor location. Things went on as if nothing had happened and Yolonda form Yunik Design kept it moving on time and as planned.

Both Lashanda and LJ don't spend a lot of time in front of a camera being Engineers, but I think they did better then awesome job.

The night was fun and filled with some great music that kept the party going.

As a wedding photographer sometimes we do not get what we think we will get. Weather plays a big role in this. And, for me, I cannot let you down. I sometimes wear many hats. One of them being a "problem solver" Where creativity has to be inspired in a moments notice even my original "vision" gets rained on.

I thank you both you both for the memories.

You may remember Lashanda & LJ from their engagement session here

I will share a few more with you soon.

Until Next Time,

SC

www.scottcraigphotography.com