Amber & Ryan: Surprise Zelienople Proposal

Boy do I have a good one to share with you today! ☺️

Ryan contacted me several weeks ago and shared with me that he would be proposing to his long time girlfriend in Zelienople. As a photographer who literally lives IN Zelienople… I was absolutely stoked to get to document this moment!

Ryan shared with me that he planned to propose at his girlfriend (Amber) after a meal at her favorite restaurant, Kaufman Tavern (if you’ve never been there… it’s a must try! So delicious. The charred cauliflower appetizer is my absolute favorite!)

Together, we chose a location in Zelienople that would be photo-worthy for such an occasion. The day was set, the location was set, and everything seemed to be falling into place… except for a few surprises!

The first surprise (which won’t really be a surprise if you’re familiar with the weather here in Pittsburgh) was the weather. All week leading up to the proposal, there was a strong chance of rain (and storms) for the majority of the day. The day of the proposal, however, it was only overcast, no rain. Woo hoo!

The second surprise came from me. After cleaning out our attic the day before the proposal, I slipped down our steps and rolled my foot. Nothing was broken, but I couldn’t walk on it and couldn’t put a shoe on it (definitely a problem if you’re photographing a proposal…) There was no WAY I was going to cancel, so I did a lot of praying, and the next day, I was able to at least put some weight on my foot. I still couldn’t fit a shoe on it, however… so yes - I photographed this entire proposal with only one shoe on, hobbling around. The ground was cold and wet, but that’s nothing that a pair of fuzzy socks and a heating pad couldn’t fix after the fact!

God bless my husband, Nick, who came with me and was my human crutch.

But back to Amber and Ryan! Ryan popped the question to Amber, she said yes, and then her best friend (who had been in hiding across the street in the Walgreen’s parking lot!) came over with some very on-theme “Bride-to-be” and “Maid-of-honor” bedazzled sunglasses! We took some photos at the gazebo, then headed back to Kaufman Tavern to take some photos out front… since it is a special part of their story now!

Amber & Ryan, thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a special moment for you two! Congratulations on your engagement!

Deidre & Paul: Cleland Rock & Moraine State Park Engagement Photos

This was such a fun engagement session! Deidre & Paul were a BLAST to photograph (alongside their pups, Navin & Piper!), and made my job so easy!

Deidre & Paul met while in college and are getting married next year at Irons Mills Farmstead! They had their first date at a bounce house (talk about a great first date!) and love spending their time just being together - them and their pups!

Their engagement session took place during one of the recent weeks where there was a lot of extra haze from the wildfires further North (you’ll especially notice in the photos towards the end when they are in front of the lake).

We started off their session at Cleland Rock, then headed over to Moraine State Park for our last chunk of time. It was truly a joy to photograph these two, and I couldn’t be more excited for their wedding next year!

Congratulations again on your engagement, Deidre & Paul! ☺️

How to Get All of the Wedding Photos You're Dreaming Of

When it comes to wedding photography, what brides and grooms might be looking for out of their wedding photos can be very broad from couple to couple. Every couple has must have shots (i.e., the things that happen at every single wedding - the first kiss, first dance, parent dances, etc.), but then there are other photos that might not be as obvious - photos that are based more on preference or details specific to that couple (i.e., a photo of the couple dipping in front of their reception venue, a photo of the bride with her great Aunt Suzie, etc.). As a wedding photographer, it’s my job to capture not only the must-have photos that happen at every wedding day, but also the small details, relationships, and specific photos that might not be so obvious.

To do this, I like to practice three specific things - communication, coordination, and cooperation, all of which must be strong between me and my clients. In this blog post, I’m going to break down how practicing each of these three C’s with my clients has helped me create & capture images that my clients love!

1. Communication

Good communication is an essential building block for any relationship, including a photographer-client relationship. I love spending time getting to know my clients, whether through Zoom at an initial consult meeting, at their engagement session, or on phone calls leading up to their wedding day discussing details. This helps me get a better idea of who they are as a couple, what their like and dislike are, what prompts/direction they respond best to (or don’t respond to at all!), and ultimately helps me figure out how to best photograph them in a way that’s true to who they are. I love when couples give me multiple opportunities to get to know them, because it helps me serve them all the better!

Leading up to the wedding day, communication becomes even more important. There are SO MANY details to communicate about when it comes to a wedding day - addresses for the reception and ceremony, other vendors who will be involved in the day, start and end times, VIP’s, family members, must-have photos, family formal combinations, special details - the list goes on and on! I like to collect all of this information via an online questionnaire that my clients fill out, that is then submitted to me (about 2 to 3 months before the wedding day). This allows me to have all of that information in one place, straight from the bride and/or groom. I can refer to this questionnaire whenever I want! Leading up to the wedding day, I use this questionnaire to create the wedding day timeline, which leads me to my next C - Coordination.

2. Coordination

After communication comes coordination, and there can’t be much coordination of the photo timeline for the wedding day without solid communication!

The first part of coordination happens before the wedding day. Once I receive all of the details about a wedding day from a bride & groom, I take those details and create a master photo timeline. This is my guide for the couple’s wedding day, and allows me to create a game plan for their timeline to make sure we are able to get ALL of the photos they are hoping for! I love when my couples rely on me to help them create their wedding timeline, because I know from experience (10 years of weddings as of 2022!) how much time certain things on a wedding day take… and it’s usually longer than most think!

For example: does it usually take 2 minutes for you to get into your outfit for the day before work? That’s great! But on your wedding day, it will take longer. You may have buttons on the back of your dress, which can take a lengthier amount of time to complete. You might have special jewelry you’ll be wearing, or shoes that have clasps that you’re not used to - not to mention a veil to put in! I encourage my brides to leave 15 to 20 minutes just for getting into their wedding day attire. Sometimes it takes less time, and sometimes it takes more, but that is the average!

Other things that can take additional time on a wedding day are: travel between locations, bustling the dress, restroom breaks, walking between photo locations, receiving lines, first looks with a family member or the wedding party, and even more! Coordinating a solid game plan prior to the wedding day that both me and my couple are on the same page with is key to ensuring that we have enough time to get all of the photos we need, and that the couple, family, and bridal party don’t feel rushed while completing those photos.

The second part of coordination happens on the actual wedding day with the execution of that timeline. Many weddings I photograph do not have a “day of” coordinator (i.e., someone keeping everyone and everything on time on the wedding day). Some may have a ceremony coordinator or reception event coordinator, but what about everything that happens prior to the ceremony and reception, like making sure the bridesmaids/mother of the bride are dressed before the bride, getting the bride dressed, leaving for the church on time, and any photos that might happen in between? Many times, the photographer steps in to coordinate the timing of these events to make sure the bride, groom, bridal party, and family aren’t running behind. For me - it’s a role I happily take on! I love being able to help in this way, and help my couples stay on track for the day. Even the most laid back wedding needs to have some semblance of a timeline and coordination in order to run smoothly!

3. Cooperation

After the communication and coordination comes cooperation, which pulls all three of these pieces of a client-photographer relationship together. Cooperation together on a wedding day between the couple, bridal party, family, photographer, and other vendors is key to having a fantastic day, and to getting all of the photos you’re hoping for! There are many moving parts on a wedding day, and many opportunities for hiccups. On a wedding day, there are a few specific relationships that I, as a photographer, find the need for cooperation with:

Cooperating with the Couple, Bridal Party & Family - First, with the people I’m photographing. This includes the couple (obviously!), the bridal party, and the family members of the couple. The vast majority of the time, cooperation between me and my couples is very easy (first because the ones I photograph are so amazing!), but also because I’ve had the opportunity to build a relationship with the couple. However, the majority of the time, I’m coming into a wedding day without having met the bridal party or family who will be present, which means I need to take the time to build trust with them prior to directing them around. I love to do this by finding ways to encourage the bridal party and family members as much as I can during the getting ready portion of the day, when my job is a bit more candid. That way, when we come to the parts of the day that I need to direct and take control of a bit more (bridal party portraits, family formals), I have built that trust a bit (at least with the bridesmaids and bride’s family!) and have hopefully gained a bit of their trust.

Family members and the bridal party cooperating with the direction and timing I share helps us continue through the day and get all of the photos that the bride & groom want. Problems can arise if family members wander off to cocktail hour during the family photo portion of the day, which ultimately sets the timeline behind. Sometimes, if the bridal party has had a bit too much to drink, they aren’t paying attention to the direction I’m giving, which makes the photos take a bit longer. I love to try to make the photo portion of the day as quick and painless as possible for the larger groups of people involved (family & bridal party), so when all cooperate, we are able to get through photos faster and get them to the reception even quicker!

Cooperating with Other Vendors - Second, I find the need for cooperation between myself and other vendors. On a wedding day, photographers have the unique opportunity to see MANY of the wedding day vendors - usually beginning in the bridal getting ready suite with the hair/makeup artists, working with the videographer throughout the entire day, the “church lady,” limo driver, and finally the DJ and venue event staff/coordinator. Because we work with so many vendors on a wedding day, it’s important for us to put our best foot forward whenever we are able to, and to try to stay on track for the sake of honoring those other vendors who have put so much time and effort into a couple’s wedding day and who want them to have the best day, too!

It’s important for the bride and groom to be diligent in communication and coordinating between their vendors for the sake of the vendors cooperating well on the wedding day. For example: it’s important to ask your photographer when they would like to start taking photos so the hair and makeup artists know when they need to have the bride, bridesmaids, and mother of the bride ready for photos. If this crucial piece of information is not communicated, it can make the entire day run behind. Another good example is communicating how much time the videographer will need on the wedding day. Will they need any time separate from the photo portion of the day for their own video footage? If so, the photographer should know in advance, since they are usually the ones coordinating the day and creating the timeline! (Note: this might not apply if you are working with a skilled wedding planner who can coordinate multiple vendor timelines). Does the photographer know when the limo will pick you up to take you to the ceremony? Does the reception venue know how much time you will need between the end of the ceremony and beginning of the reception for photos? (Note: always ask your photographer how long portraits will take, don’t assume a time based on what your reception venue tells you! Your photographer is the one creating your wedding photos and knows how long it will take them to get all of the photos you want - not your venue!).

Proper communication and coordination between vendors will result in better cooperation for all parties involved, and will, in turn, help your wedding day run more smoothly!

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Thanks for taking the time to read, I hope this post was helpful to you as you plan your wedding day, or help someone else plan theirs! If you are interested in reading more (or in seeing more of my work!) feel feel free to check out additional blog posts below:

Amy & Anthony: Indiana Country Club Wedding Anniversary

You might recognize these two if you’ve been following along on the blog over the last few years! ❤️I’ve had the pleasure of spending the last THREE Octobers in Indiana PA with these two - first with their engagement session back in 2019, then with their micro-wedding in 2020, and again this year for an anniversary celebration with all of their friends & family! Indiana PA is GORGEOUS in the fall!

Amy & Anthony were married last year on the coveted date of 10.10.20 surrounded by a very small group of friends & family. It was sweet, intimate, full of unexpected twists and turns (like the breakdown of the trolley that was supposed to carry all of the guests from one place to the next!).

And this year... they got to celebrate with so many more people that they hold near and dear to their hearts at Indiana Country Club! Though it was rainy day, it was still a beautiful celebration of their first year of marriage, filled with lots of little personal details! Including lots of Dunkin' donuts (their favorite dessert… and mine! ;) ), and a luggage tag favor to represent their love for travel. AND we were even able to sneak outside when the clouds parted for a few brief minutes after their ceremony!

Amy & Anthony, it was such an honor to get to celebrate with you AGAIN! When I think of or visit Indiana, PA, I will always think of you two. Congratulations on your first year of marriage!

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Vendors: Indiana Country Club, Flower and Balloon Gallery, Dunkin' (dessert), Antonette Medved (makeup artist), Shari Pho from Tease Salon (hair), White Lace Bridal (bride's dress), White Lace Designs (invitations), AZAZIE (bridesmaid dresses), Top Dog Productions (lighting), Lendable Linens, Dorosh Documentaries (videographer)

Brittany & Ian: Tropical Wedding Celebration at Pinehall at Eisler Farms

I knew from the moment I first chatted with Brittany & Ian that their wedding was going to be unique, colorful, and fun! And if you’ve been reading the blog for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that I LOVE COLOR in photos! Their vibrant, tropical-themed wedding had an abundance of lush greenery, vibrant flowers, fresh fruit, and even some "tropical" rain storms that made us feel like we were shooting a wedding in the rain forest! ;) Okay, so, the random rain storms that came throughout the day weren’t anyone’s favorite part of the wedding, but we were able to still get some gorgeous photos while dodging the rain!

Other fun details you’ll see below include: pineapples galore - even in the bride’s bouquet and HAIR! (look closely and you’ll see what I mean!), as well as an antique shuttle bus (killer!), goats, and fireworks!!! Really and truly, this wedding had it all.

Congratulations on your marriage, Brittany & Ian, and thank you so much for letting me be a part of your beautiful wedding day!

Vendors: Pinehall at Eisler Farms, Community Flower Shop, Sweet Treats Bakery PA, Glam To Go, Bridal Beginning Pittsburgh, Minted, Medure's Catering, Flower + Oak Films, and a big thanks to Amelia Petrus for shooting with me!

Jordan & Robbie: Summer White Barn Wedding Photos

They met in the seventh grade. She “friend-zoned” him until the tenth grade. They got engaged in Italy while studying abroad. They waited so long for this day - their wedding day. And when it finally came, it was everything they had waited for and more!

Besides their fairytale love story, what is so impressive about these two is their immense love for each other. Their joy radiates from the inside out, and has Christ at the center. And that made their wedding day even more of a joy to photograph! These two had waited SO long to finally be husband and wife, and their love and joy for what truly matters most - the marriage - was evident in every decision, every detail, and nearly every interaction.

While I feel like I could write a whole book about this beautiful wedding day and incredible couple, I’d love to let the photos speak for themselves. This is a longer wedding blog post, but there were so many wonderful details and moments that I couldn’t possibly narrow this post down any further.

So with that - Jordan & Robbie, thank you from the bottom of my heat for letting me be a part of your wedding day! I could not be more thankful to have had the privilege of celebrating the next step in your journey ❤️

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Vendors: The White Barn, Elegant Event Solutions (coordinator), Toast Wedding Films (videographer), The Johnston House (flowers), Mainstreet Bake Shop (cake & decorative cookies), First Class Entertainment, The Salon at Saxonburg (hair), One Enchanted Evening (bride’s dress), Azazie (bridesmaid dresses), Magnet Street (invitations), Medure’s Carering, Mathieu Vavro (ceremony music)

Brielle & Stephen: The Heritage by Hayloft Wedding Photos

Their first date was in 2013. They got engaged five years later in 2018. They were married in a global pandemic in 2020. And this year, in the wedding you’ll see below, they recommitted themselves to one another, surrounded by their family and friends.

And friends, it was one heck of a day.

The Heritage by Hayloft hosted Brielle & Stephen’s huge one-year-married anniversary celebration, and it was an absolute BLAST. To be fair, we’ve known these two and their families for quite a few years now. Brielle’s dad is like a brother to my dad, so we’ve always considered them to be akin to extended family - aunts, uncles, and cousins that may not have the same blood, but who we adore and always wish we could see more of!

Throughout the years, I’ve had the immense privilege of photographing Brielle AND Stephen’s senior photos, so of course, getting these two back in front of my camera was such a treat!

We started the day at a hotel with getting ready and detail photos. After, we headed over to the barn to get Brielle in her dress, have a first look with her dad, and have a first look with Stephen! We were running 30-40 minutes ahead of schedule for the ENTIRE day (totally unheard of in the wedding world!), so we had plenty of time for photos of the two of them and their bridal party!

Their ceremony took place in the Heritage by Hayloft’s “Enchanted Forest.” Separated from the barn, away from road traffic, this quiet spot sits on the edge of the forest and served as the most beautiful location for Brielle & Stephen to renew their vows.

The reception that followed included a cake made of mini donuts (it was just as amazing as you think it would be!), ice cream, more donuts, and of course, a cookie table with TONS of boxed cookies! The night ended with a sparkler exit, and my heart left so very full and happy for these two people (and these two families) who I love so much!

Brielle & Stephen, we adore you two and we are so thankful to have been able to spend your second wedding day with you! ❤️ CONGRATULATIONS on a beautiful day, and a beautiful marriage!

And friends, you’ll just have to excuse this longer than usual blog post… there’s no way I could narrow these photos down any more! 😂 I just love way too many!!!! PS - we make an appearance right at the end! 😉

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Vendors: The Heritage by Hayloft (venue, cake, DJ), Jenna Hidinger Photography, One Enchanted Evening (bride’s dress & bridesmaid dresses), Legendary Celebrations (videographer), Chuck Wagon (caterer), Steven Vance Entertainment (ceremony violinist)

Rachel & Peter: Hartwood Acres Mansion Engagement Photos

What a blessing it was to spend an early Spring morning with these two!

Rachel and Peter are getting married in just a few weeks after postponing their wedding from 2020. I am so thankful to have been able to photograph them before their wedding day, so that we could all get a feel for what it would be like to work together on their wedding day! And of course… they were total naturals in front of the camera! And now I am even more excited for their wedding day than I was before.

I cannot wait to celebrate with you two so very soon! ❤️

JHP Behind the Scenes 2020

Wow… what a year! 2020 will certainly be one for the books.

At the beginning of this year, all of us were unsure of many things. I, for one, was completely unsure of how wedding season (and portrait season!) would shake out. I had so many couples (for good reason!) postpone their wedding days in the spring and early summer, and I wondered if I would if I would have any clients at all. Would people be too nervous to go outside to have their photos taken? Would there be any sense of normalcy late summer/early fall when it came to events? Would I need to get another full time job?!

In all of the uncertainty, I was reminded of the incredible, unsuspecting ways that God provides. And provide he did! From random part-time jobs to an increase in senior sessions, God truly provided for every need - and gave me many, MANY opportunities to continue doing what I love, even in the midst of a pandemic.

This year, I got to photograph 13 AMAZING wedding days, and over 70 portrait sessions. I was able to start a little Etsy shop that I’ve been dreaming up over the past year (Beyond the Boardwalk), take on a few graphic design projects (which is what my degree is in!), and dove a little bit into the world of thrifting through Mercari and Poshmark (which I love!).

More than anything, this year, I learned the value of being truly grateful for every. single. thing. that God provides for me. We’re easily tempted to compare and wallow when we are not grateful, but when we see the continual goodness of God within every opportunity and praise him for it (something I am quite imperfect at), we live in a renewed perspective - and a much better one, at that!

To every couple, senior, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, baby, and fetus who gave me the joy of photographing them during this strange year - thank you. Your support, your encouragement, and your love mean the world to me! I am so thankful for you!

For more Behind the Scenes content: 2017 / 2018 / 2019

Our only "normal" wedding this year (without any restrictions or masks) was back in February at the Atrium. Little did we know that every other wedding would be extremely different!

Seeing if we could make a living taking cell phone photos... I think DSLR's still win 😎

Helping the FOB with his boutonnière! Nick has pretty much perfected his "pinning" skills by now!

This was riiiiight before Covid hit!

Our first wedding in the Covid era!

My little editing helpers!

Our first 2020 backyard wedding. It was absolutely beautiful!

One of the coolest senior sessions I've had to date! We shot at the Butler Airport.

Nick with his favorite movie poster at a movie themed wedding this year!

When we got to ATTEND my cousin's wedding!

Anddddd later that night, I sprained my ankle on the dance floor and couldn't walk for two weeks. 🤦🏽‍♀️

My assistant leaf thrower! I was so thrilled to have Robin join me at so many of my senior sessions this year. She is fantastic! And has the coolest hair!

Getting to take photos at this private family farm was magical! And this was the year I fell in love with fanny packs. Not mad about it.

These two!!! 😍

Professional veil fluffer. I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing such beautiful, vibrant fall color before this wedding!

Sweet Jill! I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to work with this beauty this year! She is fantastic!

So many Nick photo bombs...

See?

Thankful when he’s able to come and carry all of the things :)

That's Jean (my mom!) helping us out at Christmas mini sessions!

Last wedding of the year selfie!

Nervous About Having Your Photo Professionally Taken? Read This.

It’s no secret that many, MANY people feel nervous when they think about having their photo professionally taken. There are so many decisions to make and questions that don’t have a definitive answer: what will I wear? Will I look stiff? What happens if it rains? What if I see something that I don’t like about myself when I look back at the photos?!

A few months ago, I took a poll of my followers on Instagram, asking what made them most nervous when it came to having their photo professionally taken. There were so many amazing (and hilarious!) responses, but today I wanted to share the top eight concerns that came up again and again, and address how each of those could potentially be solved!

The point of this article is most definitely not to diminish any of the concerns anyone might have while having their photo taken – my hope is to provide an alternative perspective (as someone who’s been behind and in front of the camera), as well as some potential solutions to these common nerves!

Things you might be nervous about:

1.     Worried about having onlookers or too many people around?

Choose a location with less people around! If you’re having your photos taken in a city, there will naturally be a lot more people around – but choosing a small park or more secluded area will mean less people, and less on lookers!

If you’re having your photo taken in a city, don’t forget to at least check to see if there are any sports games, festivals, or concerts happening in the area your session will be taking place at! Here in Pittsburgh, we have three major sports teams, and when any one of them has a home game, it’s a must to stay away from that general area!

Opt for a morning timeslot instead of an evening one. Most photographers who shoot in “natural light” will schedule appointments either within the two hours after the sun rises, or in the two hours before the sun sets (when the daylight is easiest to manage and at its prettiest!). I’ve found that more people are out and about leisurely in cities and parks in the evenings, opposed to the mornings. One thing to consider, however, is that some locations are better (or more photogenic) in evening light versus morning light, so make sure you talk with your photographer about if a morning or evening slot would be better for your chosen location!

2.     Worried about not knowing what to expect, or having to come prepared with ideas?

The great news is: your photographer is your BEST source for figuring out what to expect! If you have any questions, just ask! Many photographers will have information about their approach to sessions on their website or their social media platforms, so don’t be afraid to do a little research yourself!

If your photographer doesn’t provide any specific ideas for what to expect beforehand, make sure you take some time to look at the work on their website, blog, and social media channels. You’ll start to get a feel for what poses they like to use, and what expressions they coax from their subjects. Having an idea of what the final product could/might be can make a huge difference!

You can also ask your photographer beforehand if you should come prepared with any ideas. Most photographers will guide and direct you throughout your session, but I’ve heard of some who say “just go be yourselves!” and then let the client do the work. That would be quite intimidating for people who aren’t used to being in front of the camera!

3.     Worried about choosing the wrong outfits and regretting it later?

I have a couple of blog posts (Click here, and here!) that give some additional information for how to choose outfits for your session, but if you’re nervous about choosing outfits that you will regret later, here are some of my best tips:

• Go for classic looks. Classic looks never go out of style and stand the test of time! For women, an A-line dress paired with some sort of heel is almost always in style. For men, a close-toed shoe with fitted pants and a blazer is always a great choice!

• Make sure it “feels” like you. Whatever that means for you… make sure the outfits “feel” like something you would actually wear! Now, that doesn’t mean that you should wear your old t-shirt and 10 year old jeans (sorry!), but it does mean that if you are the type of person who never gets “super” dressed up, don’t feel like you have to get super dressed up for your photos! You can certainly kick it up a notch, but you don’t have to look like a completely different person or sacrifice your personal style in the process.

• Make sure whatever you choose is flattering to your shape! Sometimes, oversized sweaters, shirts, and/or dresses (particularly those that don’t accentuate the waist or any part of your figure) can actually add weight on camera.

When it comes down to it, there’s no way you’ll know for sure whether you will love or hate the outfits you chose for your photo session ten, twenty, or even thirty years later. Make the best choice you can in the moment, and trust that, no matter what you choose, the outfits you DO choose represent you at this time in your life!

4.     Worried about the rain?

Living in Pittsburgh means that rain can be a real threat when it comes to taking photos outside! So, how oh how do you handle things when it looks like it might rain the day of your session?!

There are basically two options: work with the rain, or reschedule! If you decide to work with the rain, you’ll most likely want at least some photos where you aren’t directly in the rain or holding an umbrella. The key: look for locations with natural light that are out of the rain. This could be as simple as finding a large (or small) covered outdoor area (Mellon Institute columns and the David Lawrence Convention Center are popular rain spots in the Pittsburgh area because they have large amounts of natural light AND are covered!). Or, you could use a clear umbrella (clear umbrellas work best cause they let in the most natural light!) to get some shots in areas that do not have an overhang!

5.     Worried about seeing things about yourself that make you feel self-conscious?

We all have things we’re self-conscious about when it comes to how we look. The biggest piece of advice I could give when it comes to this worry is to communicate your insecurity with your photographer. It might feel weird, embarrassing, or awkward – but, while some insecurities might be more obvious, others might be more in the beholders eye. I personally always appreciate when a client communicates an insecurity so that I can be EXTRA mindful to pose them or move them in a way that minimizes what they’re worried about.

6.     Worried about looking heavy, or being seen from unflattering angles?

So much of this comes down to how a person is posed and the angle from which they are photographed. Certain angles are less flattering, while others are more flattering. For example, shooting from below someone’s eye line or face (with the camera pointed up towards the subject) usually exaggerates features from a negative point of view – the jaw line, hips, thighs, etc. Shooting from a slightly higher angle creates a more flattering silhouette, slimming the face, jaw, hips, and other body parts. Whatever is closer to the camera will appear larger; whatever is further away will appear smaller. Photographers aren’t trying to distort truth by doing this, they’re just trying to find the very best way to flatter their subjects!

Posing is another huge piece of the puzzle. Naturally, there are some poses that are more slimming, and some that are not. Part of the reason why I’m not solely a candid photographer (or, someone who constantly gives movement prompts without any posing at all) is because good posing is VERY flattering – and people want to look good in photos! It’s as simple as that. The key, for me, is to strike a balance between helping people look good, but feel natural. Because of this, my approach is not purely candid nor purely posed – it’s a combination of both!

7.     Worried about looking too posed, or not natural?

And this next question perfectly flows from the last! The two biggest worries I’ve heard when it comes to people having their photo taken is the fear of looking too “posed” or “unnatural.” The great thing about living in the era we currently live in is that you can go online and see TONS of samples from (almost) any given photographer. So before you decide on who you want to photograph you, make sure you are familiar with the photographer’s style so you can determine who might be too posey for you – I think the answer is truly different for everyone!

8.     Worried about your significant other hating the experience and/or being mad the whole time?

I know for a fact that this is a big one for couples who are looking to have engagement, anniversary, or wedding photos taken! Even if you can avoid engagement photos or anniversary photos, chances are you’re going to have one heck of a hard time getting out of wedding photos, since it’s one of the biggest decisions in your life and one of the most important days you’ll have! And who wants to be mad on their wedding day?!

You HAVE to do your research for this one to know how the photographer you’re hiring will pose, move, and interact with your during your shoot. Liking the photographer’s work is so important, but it’s almost equally as important to read reviews about other people’s experience or see the photographer in action for yourself. Is the photographer awkward or enthusiastic? (I guess you could be both! ;) ). Do they pose their subject meticulously, or fluidly? Do they want to get you two interacting and having fun together? All of these questions are important to ask, because they’ll give you an indication of how much fun you could have during your session and how comfortable you will be!

Are there any other nervous photo concerns you would add to this list? I’d love to hear them below!