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!

23 reasons to elope!

     By definitionelope (e·lope, iˈlōp) means? verb "Run away secretly in order to get married, especially without parental consent. More specifically, elopement is often used to refer to a marriage conducted in sudden and secretive fashion, usually involving hurried flight away from one's place of residence together with one's beloved with the intention of getting married." Here are 23 reasons TO elope!

1. You can be less formal. 

Don't want to wear a ball gown like your mom thinks you should? Not comfortable in a suit and tie? Scratch all that and wear what YOU want. After all this is your day!

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2. It's truly romantic. 

No, really.

3. You have better things to spend your money on. 

Like a house, or a honeymoon, or a family vehicle, or rent, or anything else that is NOT a wedding.

4. You can choose your location!

You don't have to find  venue that will hold 150 guests in your budget or worry about hotel accommodations either! Who is to say you can't get married in that quaint little spot in the woods you and your fiancé love so much? Or how about on a remote beach? Or over seas! The possibilities are endless!

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5. You can't please everyone.

In the end someone will not be happy about something like the music or the food or whatever. Seriously, with so many people giving opinions on what they think is best you can loose focus of what YOU really want for YOUR day!

6. You save time.

Planning a major event takes time. And a lot of it! You're busy, we know.

7. Privacy.

Maybe you don't need everyone in your business. Not into having everything posted on Facebook and Instagram? Well, if you elope you won't have to worry about being tagged in photos! Not everyone needs a gift registry. Who wants to write all those thank you notes anyway?

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8. You have been married before.

Yep, been there and done that. Maybe you don't feel the need for the traditional ceremony. You already did the big wedding thing and know the reasons to elope, so you can stop reading now :-)

9. Religion/Culture.

Blending various religious and cultural backgrounds may not sound as easy as you think. Eloping is a way to avoid the cultural and religious clashes.

10. THE HONEYMOON!

Who says your elopement location couldn't double as your honeymoon location? Go somewhere exotic! Remember you didn't have a wedding, so you can afford it ;-)

11. No invitations!

This person forgot to RSVP. Should we invite so and so? Wait, didn't they get divorced. What is their address? Did you invite so and so? Forget these questions because your eloping!

12. You don't want to wait.

And why should you? GET MARRIED NOW!

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13. Complex family tree.

The idea of all families getting along is awesome, but the reality is not all families get along. Avoid the arguments and fuss of family drama and ELOPE!

14. You. Are. Pregnant!

CONGRATULATIONS! Eloping is less stress on your body. Point blank period.

15. To be unique.

Do you know any couples that eloped?

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16. Avoid being a BRIDEZILLA!

It's inevitable. At some point someone will call you a bridezilla to your face or behind your back. Avoid this stereotype and elope!

17. NO REHEARSAL DINNER!

That is all.

18. The food.

No guest allergies to worry about. No per plate costs to consider. Eat whatever you want and a lot of it! And in most cases you will actually get to eat on your big day!

19. The PAR-tay!

2 words: OPEN BAR. Stress level -4. Now all your friends and family can join in for the celebration on a less planned scaled weeks or even months after you have eloped!

20. You have been together for-ev-er...

14 years later you decide to tie the knot. Everyone already thinks you are married.

21. Deceased family members.

Maybe your father has passed or even a sibling. After a major life event the idea of a big wedding sometimes looses it value.

22. Your Milkshake Brings All The Boys To The Yard!

Yep, you can booty shake to that song all day and not have your grandma give you funny looks.

23. THE PHOTOGRAPHY!

You can hire the photographer you want, instead of the photographer you can afford. You don't have to worry about splitting the budget between cake, flowers and dj. Photography can be the item you splurge on. Just because you decide to elope doesn't mean it can't be documented beautifully.

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Casey + John | Rome, GA

The wonderful thing about the photography industry are the people you meet along the way. From photographers, caterers, officiants, florists, grandparents and everyone in between. But, what is really wonderful are the couples I get to photograph. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph beside Whitney of Tulle and Grace! We photographed a wedding high in North Georgia where cell service is nonexistent, but love fills the air!

Rachel + Thomas | Outer Banks, NC

When friends Rachel and Thomas decided to elope I was so excited! But, shortly there after I realized I wouldn't be there to take the photos. So, when we started planning our annual OBX (Outer Banks, North Carolina) vacation I knew Rachel had to bring her dress. This was my chance, my chance to photograph love in one of the most romantic places EVER! We decided to start with a bridal session in Rodanthe, North Carolina. The same Rodanthe from "Nights in Rodanthe", the Nicholas Sparks book turned movie with Richard Gere and Diane Lane. THAT Rodanthe! Following Rodanthe we drove the hour back to Corolla, North Carolina and met up with Thomas. The rest of the session was done on Corolla Beach. YES! The Corolla Beach that wild horses live on.

ROMANCE, ROMANCE and more ROMANCE in the Outer Banks!

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Children and Portraits | Atlanta, Georgia

When a Mom says, "My children are 1, 4, and 7" most people might cringe at the idea of this type of photo session. I, on the other hand, welcome it with open arms. Why? Well, this means I get to show up to the shoot in a t-shirt and jean shorts. I get to bring my secret weapon: bubbles. And I get to have FUN!

It always amuses me when the Mom starts to panic because all she can see is her children running around, not smiling, not listening. She doesn't see what I see. I do my best to calm her down and let her know that it will be fine (in the end). I try to remind her that they didn't come to Wal-Mart for their portraits, she came to me. The person who is going to take her well dressed children and throw them in the river for a portion of the shoot. The person who is going to play with them, the person who is probably going to end up in an ant bed and at the same time take some photos.

Sometimes- you just have to the let the kids BE KIDS. Not all photos need to be looking straight into the lens with a smile.

Sometimes- it can be the connection between the siblings that makes the portrait

Newborn Session | Marietta, Georgia

11 days late! Little baby Jaxton had us all on edge waiting for his arrival with tips and tricks pouring into Christine like eating eggplant, and walking and every other idea you could think of. I was so excited to photograph their first family portrait as a group of 4. We all starting cooing over newborn sneezes and yawns, but first big brother had to give me a lesson in legos!

Congratulations you guys! Thank you for inviting me into your home and letting me be Jaxtons' first photographer.

5 Tips For A Great Head Shot

By definition:"A head shot or headshot is a photograph of someone's face. Many head shots are promotional pictures of actors, models, authors, or other famous individuals." I have specialized in (children's) head shots for the last 4 years. So, what makes a great head shot, you ask? Well, you might as well ask what makes a great photo. But, here are some pointers:

1. Connection. Eye contact is KEY. You want to be able to look at the image and feel the person is looking you in the eye. If your subject isn’t intrigued then neither will the person viewing photograph.

2. Simple backdrop. We are here to see the person in the photo, not where you took the photo. If the backdrop is visible then it should support the subject and not be distracting.

3. Clothing. Simple solid colors are always best. Also, try to avoid solid white – it can be distracting. The eye tends to go toward the brightest part of the image and you don’t want that to be the shirt your subject is wearing. Also, minimal jewelry and makeup. BUT- if your client insists on wearing white and patterns pull yourself together and MAKE IT WORK. After all, you are a professional.

4. Vertical: In my experience, comp cards are generally vertical. If you take a horizontal shot, make sure you pull back enough to where it can be cropped vertical. There is nothing worse than having your client love the (horizontal) shot you took only to hear they can’t use it because it can’t be cropped vertical.

5. Posing: Head shot means just that. Pose from the shoulders up and fill the frame. Don’t “cut off” the top of the head. Proper facial expressions can also affect posing. Change up expressions!

But, most importantly, you need a good photographer! You have to have fun and feel comfortable during a head shot session or it will reflect in the photo that is primarily, well,  your face. Head shots are about capturing your personality, so make sure you bring it to your session.

Personal Work | Krisandra Evans

It's a MUST. A job is a job. It doesn't matter if it is photography or sitting at an office desk. It's still a job. And yes, while photography may seem like a super cool job (well, it really is) but there are certain photography jobs I would rather not do. Yep, you read right. There are certain photography tasks I would rather not do. Why? Because they don't ignite the passion I have for photography. They don't inspire me. They don't challenge me. It's the same as an "office desk job". I'm sure you joined the company because they had some really awesome things to say, but there are those mundane tasks that every job has that you would rather not do too! But, we still do these jobs with a smile on our face and to the best of our ability because it comes down to this- WE GOT BILLS TO PAY!

This is why I give my self personal assignments. You might find me at a tattoo shop photographing. You might find me in the Chattahoochee River photographing. You might even find me at a desk working on an extensive restoration project. Projects that I can do to practice techniques, to try new things, to "see what happens if"… To break the "rules".

Doing personal projects like this allows me to bring new ideas to all shoots. It allows me to bring my personality to the shoot.

How do I come up with personal projects? I might be on Pinterest for an hour (don't act like you're not on for long amounts of time too!) browsing around and see something that strikes me and an idea develops from that. Or I might be at the grocery store and see an interesting person and ask them to "model" for me on a shoot. Or someone might approach me with a shoot idea. Ideas come from everywhere! Movies, other people, magazines, the internet, my Mom.

It doesn't matter where the idea comes from. What matters is that the idea is executed- good or bad.

The important thing is to stay creative.

Black and White versus Color | Krisandra Evans

It's the tale old battle of which is better… Black and white or Color? When you don't know which one to post, what do you do?

99.9% of the time I will post color images. That .1% of the time I do post a black and white images it is because for some reason it caught my eye more than the color image did. Why is that?

Black and white tends to be more simplistic. Timeless. Less distracting. More dramatic. Right?

Then there are times where you want the image to grab your attention. You want to see all the colors involved because they play off each other to make the image. And sometimes who really cares how timeless the image looks because, well, it's just that good of an image!

So, you tell me.. Black and White OR Color?

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!