What to Wear to an Engagement Session

Fall is here and that usually means engagement sessions!

I say usually because not everyone wants a fall e-session. But lets not nit pick.
When I got my engagement photos done, I had all these grand ideas as to what I was going to wear. Then I put them on and, oh no don't quite like this, or does this make me look fat? You know those problems. So I had one dress that was cute, it has a nice cut and a simple pattern. A little timeless, I didn't want it to look terrible 20 years from now. Then my good old standby: jeans and blouse. Mind you they were mint jeans, but spring time needs mint jeans. Enough about me...more about you!

You don't need to be all matchy-matchy. No need to dress up like twins. Just colours that coordinate and prints that don't clash. Get in touch with your inner artiste and find complementary colours on a colour wheel and go from there.  Like in Jen & Jay's e-session, above, the coral in Jen's cardigan doesn't clash against Jay's blue shirt.

 Why have one outfit when you can have two? Go from casual wear to something a little more dressy. Or vice versa. It gives you more choice in photos, and if you can't settle on just one outfit, you have choice.

Nothing wrong with cold weather. A clean cut jacket and layers go a long way.

The most important thing is:

Be comfy in your clothes: They are a reflection of you...

You need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing to be comfy in front of the camera.

 That and so you can move around too. 

So in closing: 

Wear something that you are comfortable, confident and feel good in. Don't try and be twins, let your personalities shine through. Match without being over the top. Wear some layers, not only does it add visual interest, you can take off a scarf or add a sweater and it changes the look instantly. Bring a change of clothes, it just allows you to have more variety in the photos and if you can't pick just one outfit, you have back ups. Oh also almost forgot: bring your confidence. Confidence is the most beautiful thing a person could have.

xoxo- Melissa

To Have and to Hold

While we all love having our digital disc of our sessions, I'm kind of old school. As in, print and display photographs. I have loose prints, albums and books with lots of photographs! They're not only great conversation pieces, but beautiful art work for your home.

1)A few ways to display your images. Framed and canvases.

A fun frame and  your favourite print. Need I say more?

2) A close up of a canvas so you can see the detail and texture. 

3) The canvases I get you are ready to hang, no need to DIY a hanging wire.

4) They're 1"-2" thick, but most are 1" with beautifully wrapped edges.

5)The photographs are wrapped around the edges for a really polished look.

Canvases start at $75 for an 11"x14" and I can get you up to a 30"x30"!

Wedding-spiration: Makeup

   Lets talk about makeup! I don't know about you, but I love makeup. 

And it's a key ingredient for your wedding day....

    Now you are going to probably get a makeup artist for your wedding. It's not something that you want to pass up on. Now you're thinking "but that's something I can do...for free". Unless you are a makeup artist yourself, I would recommend against it. Makeup artists (MUA for short) have the know how and the product to keep you from :drying out, getting too shinny, overdoing the coon eyes, putting on too light/too dark of product. MUA's save the day basically.

  I can still see those budgeting woes. Don't fret! So here are some tips from both Martha Stewart Weddings & me.

Book a Pro's Assistant

The fee is much less, but "they train with us for years, so they're very skilled," says Nam Vo, a makeup artist in New York City..

Do the Legwork
Instead of having a beauty crew come to you and your bridesmaids (it can up the price by hundreds), travel to a salon for your hair and makeup.

Hire a Recent GradJust because they are fresh out of school doesn't mean they have no skill.
One of my favourite MUA is a "fresh pick" and has worked with me on many shoots. I'm not saying that she's cheap by any means, but most grads won't charge nearly as much as the seasoned pros. 

Always get a Test before the Wedding DayGo to the MUA and book a test session. This way you can go over certain "looks" for the wedding day. Also you can tell the MUA any skin issues and quirks, ie "I react to this brand, but not to this one" "I find my skin is dry on my forehead" etc...

Check out Kory Lynn's site {here}

Wedding-spiration : Coral & Grey

This has to be one of my favourite colour combos.  Coral & grey. Little bit of masculine and lots of feminine.
Can't go wrong with oversized balloons, ribbon iced cakes, dresses that your girls won't regret wearing, fabric bunting & ribbons in lieu of rice throwing.

Perfect for an outdoor wedding or a softly lit indoor venue. 

What are your thoughts?

Wedding-spiration : Pink & Yellow

Yellow & Pink. Bright, bold, fun. it's not the 1990's pink and yellow that you might be thinking of. And if heels aren't your thing why not get a pair of ballet flats or if Chuck's are your thing, do it.

The Power of Colour - Wedding-spiration

What colours will you use in your wedding?
Will it be your favourite colour? 

Red? Yellow? Pink? Blue? Green?

Lets talk about some colours here.

Red: Power. Strength. Sexy. Alert. Bold. Love.

Violet: Passion. Exotic. Depth. Mystery.

Blue: Calm. Serene. Nautical. 

Turquoise: Fun. Retro. Artsy. Cool.

Green: Fresh. Alive. Clean.

Yellow: Bold. Bright. Clean. Funky. Cute.

Orange: Warm. Fresh. Spicy. Fun. Spunky.  

Now when it comes to colours for your wedding, there is nothing wrong with making your man wear a quote feminine  colour. A dash of pink on the tie or even the bow tie is totally okay. The entire suit, pepto much?
Why not have a coloured wedding dress? I personally love this robin's egg blue dress from Sarah Seven.

 Seriously check out her stuff.{Link}