five tips for making the most out of your next couples session

Around here we like to celebrate the little things.

Yes, of course we love celebrating pregnancies, new homes, and engagements, but... dates? promotions? vacations? birthdays? anniversaries?

Let me photograph and celebrate them all!

I truly believe the small in-between moments are the ones that make life as beautiful as it is. At the time, it may not be something you think much about, but every single moment in a relationship works to create a strong foundation and life together. These often forgot about times deserve to be photographed and cherished just as much as life's big milestones.

Photo sessions are a luxury though. I understand that. They are expensive, and they can be time-consuming. If you have a portrait session coming up ahead - whether it's to honor a lifechanging event or just because - you want to make sure it is worth every minute and dime! With this in mind, I have put together five easy ways to make the most out of your next couples session.

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FIRST

Follow your photographer's styling advice! While I fully believe you should dress in a way that feels most comfortable and authentic to yourself, when it comes down to it: outfits make a huge impact on a photo session's outcome. If you are unsure of what to wear for your couples session, ask your photographer! Most photographers have a specific style of dress that goes well with their approach to photography and editing. Your photographer should be able to direct you in how to choose outfits. Many photographers - myself included - provide a Styling Guide to reference as you shop and select clothing for your session.

Some tips I share with my couples:

• Choose a color palette, and stick to it! Avoid being matchy-matchy with your partner by choosing about four colors that coordinate well with each other.

• Stay away from shiny or reflective materials. I also advise avoiding heavily patterned articles of clothing. Solid colors with subtle details work best. Flannels can work great too but only if coordinated correctly!

• Stick to delicate accessories versus statement pieces for couples or group photos (unless you are going for a very specific look).

SECOND

Be mindful to actually prepare for your session. Besides picking out your outfits, it is important to spend a few minutes throughout the week leading to your session, as well as the day of, focusing on what the session requires of you for best results.

What do I mean by this?

Well, let's take an in-home session for example. If you're planning to have lifestyle photos taken in your home, there are a couple of things you will want to do to prep. First, you'll want to clear rooms of clutter. This means your floors, counters, and nightstands. Less clutter equals cleaner photos. A second thing you'll want to do is make sure your bed is made up neatly with solid colored sheets (or other sheets that you might want to have in a photo) if your bed is expected to be used as a prop during the session.

If you're traveling to your session, it can also be good to have a bag ready to take with you. Things that could go in this bag may include the remainder of your session's balance (don't forget that one!), a hairbrush, ChapStick, tissues, or any outfit changes your session may include.

Some other items to consider when prepping for your photo session are:

• Ironing your clothes (wrinkles can be difficult to remove from a photo)

• Making sure your hair is brushed and neatly parted if leaving it down

• Taking any hair ties or Fitbits off of your wrists

• Emptying pockets of phones and wallets

I always provide my clients with a checklist the week before their session to try and catch anything that they may forget. Photo sessions can be stressful for some people, and it's easy to miss a small detail that can impact a photo's outcome.

THIRD

Consider turning the day of your session into a fun date day! Now, don't go and do anything too intense or exhausting prior to your session, because you will want to save your energy for laughing with your photographer, significant other, and the camera. However, if you plan something small to do together prior to your session, you're more likely to arrive at your session in good spirits. Couples that arrive to their sessions with smiles on their faces tend to find their experiences most valuable!

Here's a list of low-energy dates to get that love flowing before your session:

• Picnic at your favorite park

• Mini golf and ice cream (Be careful not to spill and definitely avoid Superman and Blue Moon ice cream!)

• Blanket fort and a movie

(P.S. Did I mention we love celebrating the small things around here?! Consider turning a date into a photo session! All of these dates and so many more make for perfect photo-ops.)

FOURTH

When talking photos, the journey is just as important as the destination.

Too many times, I see people fretting over how their photos will turn out while at their photo session. Please, try your best not to do this! High stress equals stiff movement and posing, fake smiles, and less connection with your partner. All things you don't want to see in your finished gallery. Trust your photographer, trust the process, and remember: your photo session is supposed to be enjoyable.

Take a moment to think of a candid photo that you love. What was the person in the photo doing when it was taken? What was happening at the time? I'm betting that when you see this photo, you remember the details surrounding it. You are brought back to a birthday party or a joke that was being told. You are reminded of the journey that helped to create the final image (aka destination). This is exactly what your photo session should be like. Be in the moment. Let yourself laugh and have fun with your partner without worrying too much about what the final product will look like. Allow yourself to create a new, happy memory that your final gallery will take you back to years later.

When I look at my own engagement photos, I am filled with love and gratitude. I feel so blessed that I have these photos to hold onto and this person to share my life with. I am also brought back to the night of my session though. I remember how cold it was; we were literally shaking with red hands as we walked without coats through the falling snow! I remember just how much Estevan made me laugh as we acted out the prompts our photographer directed us with. Because we had such a great time that night, the memory of the hour-long session almost outweighs the beautiful photos themselves! Your photo session should create memories like this for you and yours too.

One piece of advice that I give my mothers in relation to this is to let their child be who they are. Don't expect them to stand still and pose for a photo. Instead, let them wander around, play, and be the chatterbox (or quiet one) that they are. Long after the photo session, you'll be happy to have photos that truly represent who your child was at that specific age.

The same goes for your couples sessions. Be yourselves. Be relaxed. Don't worry about that camera in front of you! When all is said and done, you will be so grateful for photos that truly reflect who you were at that time in your life.

FIFTH

As a couples photographer myself, I am always after real emotion. I'm after big belly laughs, intimate moments, soft touches, and love-filled expressions. To capture this, I often prompt my couples to remember certain memories or to think of things they look forward to experiencing together in the future. I encourage them to whisper to each other while they pose for a photo in order to capture the natural connection between them.

A lot of other photographers also use prompts to create both motion and emotion in their photos, but here is my advice to you:

Whether your photographer uses prompts or not during your session, make sure to focus on how you feel about the person you're being photographed with! Let yourself absorb all of the chemistry and feelings flowing between the two of you.

Trust me when I say that allowing yourself to feel and be in the moment with your partner will reflect in both your body language and facial expressions.

Here are some things you might think about or discuss with your partner during your photo session:

• How you met

• Your first date

• Your first kiss

• How you were proposed to

• One of your sweetest memories together

• Why you love the person you're with

• What you're most excited about when it comes to marriage, parenthood, etc.

• How you feel when they hold you

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For more ways to make the most out of your couples session, make sure to consult your photographer! They should be able to provide you with resources and additional tips to create a smooth and enjoyable experience that you'll cherish forever.

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