beautiful natural girls

I have recently been styling a number of engagement shoots and thought it would be really helpful to give you some pointers on how to make your shoot unique to you and just as fabulous and wall-worthy as your wedding photographs.

Last Friday, Jen Huang of Jen Huang Photography posted the following question from another photographer on her Facebook page and I believe that it is really helpful for all of you brides and grooms who will be taking engagement shoots...

Q: How do you avoid shooting engagement sessions that look like every other engagement shoot you've done?

A: Figure out what's special to your bride and groom and style it in a way that brings out what is special about them. Photographers who are successful are usually expert stylists and directors as well. For example,... I just shot an engagement for a bride and groom who loved travel. Instead of just telling them to do "whatever" I showed them the recent Anthropologie catalogue which was shot in India, and pretty much dressed them and styled them to get that look. You have to find the balance between dictating the style and being too casual. Many of my brides and grooms look to me for guidance, and we talk extensively about their engagement before hand.


Now, this being said, do keep in mind that typically you will just set a date with your photographer for the shoot and decide on a location, whether it be your apartment or house, a park or somewhere else. It is really up to you to make the shoot amazing and original.

Here are some tips on how to style your shoot if you aren't already working with a professional wedding stylist:


1. Find your style.

Think about what story you want to tell. For example:

How did the two of you meet? What are your favorite pastimes?

Do you love to travel to Europe and love art? Maybe your shoot should be inspired by your favorite paintings.

Are you a food and wine lover? Maybe your story should be told through visiting vineyards or going to your local green market (preferable when it isn't so busy) and then cooking together.

Do you love to read and both love vintage everything? Then the library or second hand book shop combined with an antique look and feel would be perfect.


2. Pick a location.

What is your favorite spot in your city and town? Outdoor photos tend to look more amazing than indoors as the natural light looks gorgeous...so think about what buildings, homes, parks, streets you love and tell your story with photographs from the outside.

Do you want photos on cobblestone streets or in front of brownstones? What about an old plantation home or a farm? A big lake in a park? The steps of your local museum? Select a location that fits with the look and feel you are going for.


3. What to wear?

What type of outfits work best with your overall style and theme? If you are going vintage like Mad Men, maybe a bigger skirt would do or a fitted dress. You could bring your fiance to Brooks Brothers for Mad Men inspired suits.

Or if you are looking for casual elegance and are shooting on a boat, think polo shirts for your man with linen trouser and a cute summer dress with a sweater for you.


4. It's all about the props...

Just like in the theater, props always help to tell the story. Having a cappucino in a cafe, riding bikes through the park, riding horses, reading a book, smelling a bouquet of flowers - these are just some of the many ideas that you could think of. Just make sure that it helps you to tell your own personal story...


5. Be colorful.

While the LBD (little black dress) is a staple part of every girl's wardrobe, I don't believe that it is the best choice for photographs since it keeps them dark and doesn't add much to the story.

Try to choose a color so that the photos have flavor. For example, if you and your fiance wear all light colors and are against a lighter backdrop with pastel colored props, then your photos will have a softer, more romantic, spring/summer feel whilst if you are both in deeper, jewel tones, your photographs will seem more dramatic fall/winter feel.

Photo above is by Jen Huang Photography.

Allow me to begin with this: I love Jen Huang Photography.

Gorgeous, fine art photos that capture every detail and expression are Jen's specialty. Jen is one of the loveliest people that I have had the pleasure to work with and her talent it extraordinary.




Jen's photos are for the romantic - they tell the stories of each unique couple beautifully with a soft, artistic sensibility.



Jen works in New York, California and does Destination Weddings wherever you like!

Her portfolio includes both digital and film work and she is known for her fresh, clean and light filled images. Jen's brides and grooms love her unobtrusive style and attention to composition and detail in every photograph.

Recently Jen's work has been featured in BRIDES New York Magazine, Get Married Magazine, The Knot Magazine, Style Me Pretty, Brooklyn Bride, Wedding Chicks and Style Unveiled.

Lifestyle Choices

Stress kills. Job pressure, financial obligations, family drama and a Blackberry that won’t quit all add up to a negative impact on your life - not to mention looking good in front of everyone you know!

In your preparations, begin to set personal parameters and give yourself time to just breath.

Here are four steps to help prepare you for the big day and make sure that you can enjoy it since this is a wonderful time in your life!!!

1. Sleep is paramount in staying healthy and we don’t get enough of it.

Shut down the electronics a couple hours before bed, read a book or enjoy a hot bath. Quality sleep cannot be swallowed or purchased. Build your own sleep cave – a dark, cool room, no TV and all the eye masks and ear plugs it takes to get you at least 7 hours of shut-eye.

2. Breathe. Meditate. Do yoga.

Stress manifests itself in our physical body and doing Yoga or learning how to breathe properly will help you manage your load.

3. Learn to say, “no.”

Date night with your fiancée should have rules…no Blackberries and no cell phones. Protect your personal time.

4. Lean on your friends and family.

Weddings are stressful and it is nice to know that so many people care about you. People will offer to help. Take them up on it, even if it is just for coffee.

Til next time - stay happy and healthy...
Kevin

Exercise is The Catalyst of Change

The human body was meant to move and yours will reward you when you take care of it. You do not need to join a gym or hire a trainer, but you will need to put more physical stress on your body than your current daily grind, if you want to see aesthetic changes.

Here are my top 5 tips to get you started:


1. Calendar your workouts.

Whether it is walking three times per week or meeting with your trainer, treat your exercise as an appointment you cannot reschedule. This will help keep you accountable and consistent.

2. Too social to exercise? Get a physical hobby – dance, ski, or join a kickball team...

Make your fitness social. The bottom line is that your body can’t tell the difference between doubles tennis or tackle football as long as you are working hard. The important thing is that you are being active.

3. Lift weights.

Load bearing exercise causes stress to the body, builds bone density and muscle as well as burns body fat. Start slowly and gradually increase the intensity. Once again, think long-term. You won't be wedding ready after just one workout.

4. Intervals are key and intensity is your friend.

Do not get sucked into the ‘cardio is king’ theory of fitness. It is not your goal to break the treadmill from overuse. Work harder for shorter periods of time, be sure to include full-body exercises.

5. You cannot spot reduce, so stop trying.


People hold fat where they were genetically programmed too. The common denominator in getting rid of it and making physical changes, is to work the big muscles first…squats, dead lifts, lunges, presses. Regardless of where your fat is, it cannot hide from these metabolic boosters.

Next up: Lifestyle choices...

Nutrition is the Foundation
It is no secret that if you want a more toned wedding dress figure, you MUST pay attention to what you are eating and drinking.

Food should be thought of as fuel to build muscle, help burn bodyfat and energize you for the task at hand.

Whether your current consumption has you eating organically or living on fast food, here are some things to consider in trying to eat better to look better:

1. Do not drink your calories.

Water is the base of a healthy body, drink lots of it – it will flush your system and keep you hydrated. A good rule of thumb is to consume half of your bodyweight in ounces of water per day. Try to avoid diet sodas, fruit juices, sports drinks or anything else that is not a “clear” beverage.

2. Eat ‘whole’ foods, meaning unprocessed and minimally handled.

When making your dining decisions, choose the option that looks like it could be found in nature. Frozen dinners and canned chili are not on the list.

3. Avoid the ‘white death,’ especially sugar.

Processed foods, sodas, pasta, white breads and alcohol. They all have sugar and they will make you fat.

4. Graze all day.

Lots of small meals comprised of lean proteins, fresh fruit and vegetables and some nuts and seeds.

5. Eat good fats – olive oils, avocados, nuts and seeds.

It satiates you and adds flavor to your diet.

Next up: Exercise...

Til next time,

Kevin

T-Minus Wedding Day

Preparing to look your best for your wedding day is more involved than just counting calories and doing sit-ups.

Unfortunately, we don’t always have the time or resources to do everything we want to prepare. But, if you address the major areas of nutrition, exercise and lifestyle, you can do very well even in a very short time.

In this series of articles, I will focus on introducing you to the three key elements for your prepping to look amazing in your wedding gown:

1. Nutrition

2. Exercise