Chris and Ciaria - Ain't No Stopping Us Now

We find that one of the best things about small weddings is that they lend themselves to especially tender moments. They also somehow feel a little more at ease, and that’s exactly what the vibe was on this beautiful day in August. This couple let nothing stop them from what they wanted most in this world, each other!

We’ll leave you with a few more of my favorite moments from the day, and with a big congrats to the newlyweds! 

Vendor List

Brides Dress: Studio I Do Bridals

Brides Hair Styles: @only1_allygirl

Brides Make up Artist: Kendrell B

Grooms Attire: Mens Warehouse

Grooms Barber: Stylistic Cutz

Now that you are Engaged: Finding Your Engagement Session Style

How to Find Your Engagement Style

This is one of those things you really don’t need to be stressed about. The key is to look inward and to consider your current life habits, hobbies and interests. From there, you’ll be able to find your engagement session style and incorporate it into your photographs seamlessly.

1. Think about your respective, and shared, hobbies and passions. For example, do you both love music? Or is cooking every night something you always do together? Maybe you love to go swing dancing. 

2. Your respective professions can definitely contribute to your e-session style. Is he a firefighter? A scientist? A farmer? Is she a chef? A kindergarten teacher? A geologist? Whatever the case may be, incorporate your professional lives into your photographs. Maybe it’s as simple as a chalkboard, a hay bale, or a chef’s hat. 

3. Are you into sports? Show some team spirit in your photographs with jerseys, sports equipment or something similar. 

4. What’s your favorite kind of music? Are you both country lovers? Maybe you’re more into the classical music scene. Don’t be afraid to dress the part.

5. Where do you feel like you’re really in your element? Is it outdoors at your favorite park? In the museum perusing the art? Or maybe you love the buzz of a colorful city.

6. What always makes you two laugh or have fun? Maybe it’s a board game, or a visit to the fair or circus.  

Before you Graduate: Let Us Capture Your Graduation!

Graduation Services Available

Did you know that SmartShot Photography offers graduation services? That’s right! We will come to your graduation and photograph the whole event for you! We’ll be there for the speeches, to watch you walk across the stage and capture that moment you reach for your well-deserved diploma. We’ll even stick around after and take photos of you with your friends and family members! We also offer a mini album for you to store all of these cherished memories in. 

You can purchase this service a la carte, or we can add it on to your senior package. For pricing and booking information, please contact us at smartshot757@gmail.com. 

Now that you are Engaged: The Importance of Timing your Engagement Session

Perfect Timing for Your Engagement Session

When planning your engagement session, you want to get the timing just right and there are many factors to consider during this process. We’re here to help! Here’s a list of things you need to take into consideration when picking a session date:

1. If you are going to display your engagement photos at your wedding, and you are doing outside portraits, try to plan your engagement session in the season that you are having your wedding. This way, it matches your wedding décor. 

2. Keep in mind that whenever you are planning your portraits is probably a busy season for photographers. Be sure to book early so you can get a good spot. You also need to remember that if you’re doing outdoor photos, you have to cater to the weather. Sometimes the weather is crazy and we have to reschedule. We’ve had clients have to reschedule four times before due to rain, etc. Be sure to book a backup date in case your first one gets rained out.

3. Remember that you and/or your fiancé may need to take some time off of work for the session. We may not have any availability when you’re available because, even though we try to be accommodating, we don’t shoot every day or may already be booked on your day off. 

4. Book early enough to use your photos for Save the Date cards, etc. Don’t forget about editing, printing, and mailing times. Allow enough time for the whole process and still have them to your guests on time.

5. If you’re doing a slideshow at your wedding and want to use your engagement photos in it, don’t wait until a month before your wedding to take your engagement photos and then stress and worry as you try to hurry to get them back and into the presentation. You have to allow editing time in your schedule.

Before you Graduate: Beauty and Fashion Tips and Tricks for Your Senior Portrait

Fashion, Hair and Makeup Tips and Advice

Obviously, you want to look like the best version of yourself on your session day. After all, all these photos will be seen by your friends, family and peers for many years to come. Here are a few tips and tricks where beauty and fashion are concerned. 

1. Keep crazy accessories to a minimum. For example, if you want to wear those funky cat eye sunglasses, go for it, but plan don’t let them compete with a super splashy print, giant earrings and a headscarf. A wise person once said: always take off the last thing you put on. 

2. Makeup reads differently on camera than it does in real life. If you book with us, you’ll be in the informed hands of a makeup artist who knows just what to do. 

3. Think about all the details: nails, hair, teeth, skin. Use a whitening toothpaste in the weeks leading up to your session, really look after your skin and don’t pick (we do offer free blemish touch up, though), and get a manicure the day before. If you’re wearing open toes, spring for the pedi, too. 

4. Practice your hairstyle in advance and take a few selfies to see how it photographs. Try to keep your true essence and don’t wear a hairstyle that’s “not you.” For example, if you wear bangs on the regular, don’t pin them up on your photo shoot. If you always wear your hair down, keep it down on your session day. 

5. Don’t make any major changes in the weeks leading up to your session. No faux tans that have the potential to convert you to oompa loompa status, don’t go from black to bleach blonde, no major haircuts that could incite tears, etc.