Baseball Engagement Session | Atlanta Wedding Photographer

Alright, so real talk - I am the worst for showing the sessions I photograph. Its not because they aren't awesome, because they are really. Its because, well, I'm busy shooting all these amazing sessions and talking with you! But, with baseball opening weekend just passing I had to come back to this baseball engagement session because it's that good.

So, let's go back to early 2016. March to be exact. This is Pam and Thomas. They needed some engagement photos since they were having a destination wedding (no, I was not the wedding photographer, sadly). Sometimes this happens! Sometimes couple will hire a local photographer to do their engagement session and hire a local (their destination) photographer to photograph their wedding like me who is an Atlanta wedding photographer.

But yes, they wanted some engagement photographs and came to me with the best ideas. First they wanted to start on a baseball field and ending at a private lake just on the other side and a small climb behind the field. Me to them, "OMG, yes!! Let's do all of that". I had been dying to photograph a baseball engagement session being a huge Atlanta Braves fans and living no further than 6 miles from former Turner Field at any given time over the last 7 years.

Now of course this amazing location isn't located inside Atlanta and I do no mind driving for these amazing locations. I really like to create images for my couples that are special and important to them otherwise you might as well go to JC Penny or Picture People and have standard portraits done. Right? RIGHT!

Atlanta Wedding Photographer

Just before sunset we had climbed down this little hill and then down a small trail to where they like to bring their dogs. Now when they described this lake to me, I imagined this magical place, but you really never know what you are going to get on any given day. Overcast, dry spell that has the lake level low, someone could have mowed the grass... but this area - holy moly! OH and there was champagne which makes everything better.

Lake Engagement Session

Being a wedding photographer in Atlanta allows me to get to visit all these great places. There are SO many place I have yet to photograph in and yet SO many places I have photographed in.  Every couple has their own idea of what they want from their engagement session and even if its the same location that has been used before, it hasn't been used before with that particular couple. So, when you book your engagement session with me I will ask you your ideas on location and we will come up with something unique that you are excited about! Good chances are that if you are not excited, I won't be excited either. Then it really just becomes a formality at that point and if that is the case... I am not the photographer for you. Because let's be honest, you will get better results at Walmart.

Baseball Engagement Session

Ann + Beau | Goat Farm Engagement

With a couple like Ann and Beau you kinda just have to trust that when they say they have Nerf guns for the end of their engagement session that it is going to be FUN. No, at first I was a little confused and not sure what to expect- but man! Did they bring the fun.

I can't wait for their wedding this Summer at Monday Night Brewing! Congratulations on your engagement.

April + Mike | Downtown Ocala Engagement

How do you have a successful engagement session? Location! 

Work with your photographer to pick a location that works for your couple style and engagement! If your location has no meaning to you as a couple then your photographs will reflect that. Revisiting a location where you had your first date, or where you said "I love you" for the first time will help enhance the power of the images. Get creative!

Clothing!

Clothing can make or break a session. Color palettes play a huge role especially when looking at your location. As with each other, you want to make sure you are comfortable with what you are wearing. It may be hot, it may be cold, it may rain and you will be cuddling/kissing/running/walking.. dress appropriate! These are your engagement photos and a lot of people will be seeing these images.

Comfort!

But really, if you are not comfortable with your photographer and you are not comfortable with each other.. your engagement photos will show that. Finding a common ground and letting the story of love develop through the photos is the reason for the session. Everyone gets nervous while having their photo taken. Heck! I know I do. So, HAVE FUN!

Time of day!

My favorite time of day to shoot is sunrise and sunset. Yes, I can make beautiful images at high noon.. but the there is nothing that can replicate the golden natural beautiful light of the first break of day and the last rays before the dark. So, what happens when your time of day doesn't go as planned like when it rains? You go with the flow because who cares YOU'RE ENGAGED!

Congratulations on your engagement April and Mike!

6 steps to taking a better engagement ring selfie | Krisandra Evans

SO! YOU'RE ENGAGED! Time to show off that amazing ring. Here are a few tips and tricks to taking an amazing engagement ring selfie. 1.Lighting is EVERYTHING!

Sunlight is key! Go outside, or by an open window even. The natural light will do way more than the overhead yellow light bulb in your house. Trust us! Oh and did I mention the sparkle that comes with natural light. Don't' believe me? Look at how your engagement ring sparkles!

2.Get your nails done!

Seriously gals. You have an amazing ring on and your nails are chipped? Go! Get a manicure! There is nothing worse than seeing an amazing ring, but being distracted by un-amazing nails. But wait, you just can not wait to post a pic before your manicure? Ok, fine. There are many different ways to show off your ring in photos that don't include your unkempt nails.

Like, placing the engagement ring on an object like a flower or your favorite book. Did the engagement ring come with a box? Display it. Have your fiancé hold his hand open and place the engagement ring in his palm (that is if he has lotioned his hands in the last 24 hours).

3.Be aware of the background, PLEASE.

Yes, we get it. You Are Excited and you should be- but we don't want to see the toilet or your dirty socks or sink full of dishes. Take a second and look around at your surroundings. This picture you post of your engagement ring is going to be seen by a lot of people. Take the time to set your background even if you take a t-shirt that is a solid color and lay it on the ground.

4.Take lots of options, but only show ONE.

Don't make us gag by posting tons of photos and collages of your ring. We get it, you're engaged. We are happy for you. Don't give us a reason to block you. You know you want us to see the rest of your wedding planning photos, right? RIGHT!

5.Style is key

Try photographing your engagement ring from different angles. Does your engagement ring have stones around the band? Is your stone on a unique setting? Have you tried photographing from overhead to show the shape of the stone?

6.Filters and frames.

You know you have a ton of apps on your phone- USE THEM! VSCO, Snapseed, and InstaCollage are a couple of my personal favorites. Experiment with the contrast, saturation, and crop. Add a nice filter and finish it with a heart frame. Add a couple of sentimental words and share with the world!

YOU'RE ENGAGED! CONGRATULATIONS!! 

All photographs were taken by Krisandra Evans with a iPhone 4 using the apps mentioned above!