What should we wear for an engagement session?

As photographers, we always want our couples to look their best. However we also want you to feel comfortable, and like ‘yourselves’.

Coordinate

This doesn’t mean you should get “matching” outfits (please don’t!), it just means you should wear colors that look nice together – or consider different shades of the same color – baby blue and navy blue. Also important, coordinate your styles. Guys, try to match the overall feel of your lady’s outfit – if she’s wearing a dress and hot heels, you need to look nice too, if she’s going with jeans and funky boots, follow her lead and be casual but stylish.

Solids or Simple patterns

work best. If you go with a pattern, probably only one of you should have a pattern, unless you are a style genius (which I am not).

The camera loves accessories. Pick one or two… a hat, a headband, a chunky necklace, shoes in a different color from the rest of your outfit, scarves, belts, a cute handbag, cool stockings, etc. For guys, a hat, a loose tie, a bow tie, stylish shoes, an interesting watch, etc.

Layers…

shirt, sweater, jacket for the guy, with some jeans and a stylish pair of sneaks (please, for the love of God, NO white tennis shoes, unless it is a sports themed shoot).

If you are up for it, bring a fun prop. A balloon, a kite, a picnic basket, puppets, a ‘thank you’ sign, a guitar, a skateboard, your dog, your favorite cool chair or sofa, or something meaningful to you as a couple.

Important!: If you go with heels, bring a pair of flats you can throw on between shots.

If you are unsure, bring a couple of different outfits and we can help you sort it out. Call us up and ask. We want to help! Ask a sales girl to help you put something together, or with the accessories if you are unsure. Look at how the mannequins are dressed and buy the exact outfit with all the accessories!

If you want to do a wardrobe change, that’s great – add some variety to your shoot!

Remember though, be yourself, be comfortable – so you can have fun because that will show.

If you are getting your makeup done for the wedding, why not get the makeup trial on the same day as your engagement session? That way, you can see how it looks in photographs and make sure your groom still recognizes you. Getting your hair and makeup done is also just a way of looking your best and feeling great for your photos.

What should we wear for a family session?

The same basic rules apply for a family session, BUT there are more people so we want you to coordinate with more than one color – or you’ll look too matchy (which is just not in style anymore). Please try coordinating at least 3 colors – 4 is better. (I stole this idea from amazing photographers we know in North Carolina, Melanie and Jeff Mansfield – This is Fresh)

What is a First Look?

A first look is when the bride and groom have chosen to see each other before the ceremony. They usually do this so they can spend more time enjoying their guests after the ceremony, attend the cocktail hour, or simply have more time to dance. We find a nice location for the bride and groom to see each other for the first time and let them have that special moment. We are still able to capture that first moment when the groom sees his bride. It’s really very lovely.

What is a Mr & Mrs Session?

A Mr & Mrs session is for a married couple that says “I wish we could get married again so we can have you as our photographer!” Or sadly, for the couple that had a terrible photographer, or somehow didn’t end up with any photos. Or, simply for the girl who wants to wear her dress again (i.e. ME!!!). The couple usually puts on their wedding attire (though not always), we pick a location, and we have a really good, relaxed time taking photos. Check out Vicky and Anthony’s Mr & Mrs session here.

What is a Trash the Dress (TTD) Session?

A TTD happens after the wedding when the bride is willing to do anything to get artistic shots – up to and including, ruining her dress. She may get in the water, lay on moss in the forest, sit on farm equipment, the sky is the limit! These usually focus on the bride but we like to include the groom too. It’s a lot of fun and the images are really unique and creative. No one has given us the chance to do this yet. Anyone? Please?!

What is a Bridal Session?

Bridal sessions are a southern tradition and I think we need to see more of them around the country. Ladies, can you wear your dress too many times? No, I don’t think so. This shoot typically happens before the wedding – all Top Secret of course. It’s really nice because on the wedding day, everything is SO rushed that we may only have 10 minutes to photograph the bride by herself – looking devastatingly beautiful in her gown. That’s just not right. This way, we have plenty of time to be creative and thoughtful – it’s SO worth it! Check out Anne’s bridal session here.

What is a Day After Session

A Day After Session is a good alternative to the “First Look” for couples that don’t want to see each other before the ceremony, and absolutely mandatory for destination weddings. In fact, we throw them in for FREE for all our out-of-town weddings. You may feel a little tired the day after the wedding, but trust me, it’s worth it! Having unlimited time in some amazing location is like photographic gold. We usually opt for a pre-sunset shoot so you can sleep it off a bit – you put your attire back on (but maybe more casually now, a loose tie, your hair down this time, lighter makeup, flip flops, etc) – and we’re off to make gorgeous photos together – no stress, no timeline, just a relaxed hour or two or unbridled creativity. Check out Brooke and Tom’s Vermont Day After Session here. Or Robert and Nicole’s Vegas Day After Session here.

Do you do weddings outside of your area?


We LOVE the opportunity to shoot in new places and we’re up for anything – Thailand? Kenya? We are SO there.

How much time is needed for portraits?

We typically require at least 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on the size of your portrait list and any logistics involved. HOWEVER, there are other options that may help your day become more relaxed. A lot of time and money goes into planning a wedding and it’s over before you know it! If you are open to other ideas, it is possible to ENJOY your day and your guests more than you might otherwise…
For more information, please ask us: info@eyewonderphotography.com | 301.560.0443

When and where is your wedding, and how did you chose a photographer?!

We are getting married February 19th, 2012 in Antigua, Guatemala. We are very excited. We both love weddings (obviously), so finally having OUR wedding just seems… brilliant!

Our photographers are Davina and Daniel from Montreal. We started with a list of photographers we liked and began narrowing them down by talking to them and getting a feel for the “right” people. We wanted TWO photographers for sure, and the fact that D+D are a couple is a plus in our book. Some photographers were stingy with information, others were overbearing, some were WAY out of our budget. Daniel and Davina are warm, open, adventurous, and talented – the perfect fit for US.

How long does it take to get our images?

You can’t rush perfection, and unlike some photographers, we do edit every. single. image. (sometimes up to 1600!). We always work as fast as we can, without sacrificing quality, to get your images back to you. Weddings generally take 4-8 weeks, depending on whether or not it’s peak season; E-sessions generally take 2-4 weeks, again, depending upon our work load.

How long have you been in business?

We began in 2007 with a wedding posted on the board at my photography school. We went into it thinking that we probably couldn't mess it up too badly since there were two of us. We really didn't know what to expect but we absolutely loved it! Thank you, Jonathan and Ellen for helping us find our calling! We really enjoyed being a part of the energy, the family, the friends – it's really a high. Ellen kept asking if she could help me carry anything (as if!!) and the family kept asking if they could bring us anything to eat or drink. It was so warm and full of excitement – we knew we wanted to do more very soon. Totally addicted!

How did you learn your craft?

Kristiaan completed the Professional Program at the Washington School of Photography in 2007. She wasn't really planning to make it a career; she was just in love with photography and wanted to be better.

Lionel is a book reader, a techie, a geek. He is very methodical in learning and practicing on his own. Even though Kristiaan was the one with formal training, in no time he was teaching her things.

What equipment do you use?

We use professional Canon cameras and lenses that are designed for working in low-light. We prefer to shoot with natural light but also have an impressive collection of lighting equipment.

What happens if one or both of you are sick?

We would have to be dying (or dead) to miss a wedding. It's never happened, but in the event that one or both of us could not be there for some terrible reason, we have built relationships with many many photographers both locally, and all over the country. It is highly likely we would be able to get someone talented there to take care of you.

If you have any additional questions, please email us! info@eyewonderphotography.com