I love what I do. I love what I do. I LOVE what I do.

And it's great to get paid for what I do! But every photographer, at some point, will be asked, "Why do you charge so much?"

It comes down to a few simple things: costs associated with equipment, services, and running a business, and the time required to execute a skillful photographic product.

I have the fortune to be able to play with a lot of expensive equipment and software: fancy cameras, fancy computers, and fancy photo-editing tools are a joy to work with. But those fancy tools come with a hefty price tag that must be insured, replaced, and upgraded periodically.

Prints and other photographic products may be cheaply found at your local grocery store, but getting archival paper, color-correcting services, and quality display products will run higher than that.

And I take pride in my work; every photograph that I turn over to a client has been "touched" by me; I color-correct, lightly retouch, and edit my work so that you get beautifully documented moments. That takes time: for every hour that I photograph, at least another one to two hours is spent on the computer editing and perfecting the final product.

Michelle Burke, an Oregon-based photographer, wrote an excellent article, breaking down the costs and work associated with photographing a wedding. She sums it up well like so:

"Rarely will a photographer accumulate great wealth from wedding photography. Not without writing books, conducting seminars and inventing new gadgets, and even then, well. But every full-time professional wedding photographer, in order to continue to do what she loves, must be realistic in her pricing so that she can remain competetive in skill, customer service and workflow."

I didn't get into this business to make buckets of money. I got into this business because I LOVE what I do and the people I get to work with.

For further reading, Professional Child Photographer offers a consumer's guide to the costs of custom photography.

In continuation with my old film work, I decided to pick up with the self-portraits again, and use them as a way to get me thinking symbolically about gesture and figure. I picked out remaining colors to examine: white, green, yellow, orange, black, and purple, respectively.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, WHITE:

For WHITE, I decided to whip out the ol' wedding dress. After all, what other white garments could I possibly find in my wardrobe? I love that a wedding dress comes already loaded with connotation; read into it what you will.

The setting is by a window, so the overall ambient light is diffused by the blinds in my living room. A flash (off to the right), was triggered via radio slave to supplement the light and give a little more drama. In post-processing, I added a little vignetting and bumped up the contrast.

As for posing, I chose the first shot, because it appears as though I am flying. And the second, I enjoy the dramatic, quirky cropping, which complements the strange phenomenon of "girl on the floor in a wedding gown". The strangeness is also accentuated by the wide angle of my lens, set to 17mm (normally, it's anathema to put someone's face by the edge of a wide-angle frame shot).

There you have it: WHITE.

By the end of the summer, I hope to have shot all the remaining colors. Green is complete (and forthcoming!). I have well-formed ideas for yellow, black, and purple, and even some potential locations. Orange, however, remains a mysterious challenge for me. We will see what comes from letting it simmer in my brain.

This summer is going to be a fun one. I get to teach photography at Park School Camps in July.

I have a digital lab and a darkroom. I hope to teach film, digital, and cyanotype to a batch of about a dozen kids.

My class syllabus is complete, and I'm about to order supplies for camp; I'm drooling with anticipation!

Getting ready to teach photography also lit a fire underneath a small pet project of mine. I've been working on a general "how-to" photography syllabus for awhile now, and the first edition is complete. My hope is that eager-beaver shutterbugs can use it to teach themselves a few things. It covers exposure (f/stop, ISO, shutter), composition, lighting, subject matter, and offers a few suggestions for take-home lessons:

Basic Photography (1.1 MB)

Enjoy, and please let me know what you think!

A bride to be recently told me about a conversation with a caterer who pressured her to spend more money on food. She said, "He told me that if I hadn't 'blown all my money on the venue,' that maybe I would have been able to afford their catering." Understandably, she wasn't offended by the idea that she couldn't afford their catering, but by the manner in which he spoke to her. "Blown all my money?" she said, "I'd rather you just tell me that you're out of my price range; it's much more polite."

I couldn't agree more. And listening to her story underscored why I do my best to meet people where they're at in their wedding budget.

The most important thing to me is that my pricing enables me to work with good people who want to hire me because of my photographic style. As a photographer, I see how important it is that clients get the kind of photography they want for their day, and it pains me when price ends up being a very prohibitive factor.

That's why I tend to favor an a la carte approach to pricing. Doing so ensures that there's a wide price range available for the wedding couples looking for photography. So if you're really gung-ho about my work, but can't afford all the bells and whistles, there's probably a package for you.

What it comes down to for me is this: It's energizing to be around people who are as excited about having me at their wedding as I am about shooting their wedding. It feeds my creativity, gives me energy, and keeps me excited about my work! Win-win all around.

Plus, being flexible and having fun means you get genuine moments like this!

Get Rich Slowly, one of my favorite personal finance blogs, recently wrote about having a low-cost wedding, having written about "Beating the High Cost of Weddings" in the past. Another favorite blogger of mine, Ramit Sethi, over at I Will Teach You To Be Rich, has also written about this topic.

I think this is a great phenomenon.

What makes a meaningful and exciting (read: fun to photograph) wedding is primarily the energy and the atmosphere of the people involved. Of course, a beautiful locale, fancy dresses, and delicious food can certainly help get everyone in a celebratory mood. But the source of the celebration is you.

By far, the most important thing about your wedding is that it reflects your budget, values, and priorities. Of course, as a wedding photographer I would love it if those three things meant that you were leaving room for quality photography (wink wink).

The alternative isn't always bad, though. It is true that the technology behind the latest cameras has put a lot of power in the hands of amateur enthusiasts and semi-pros. The democratic (and by that I mean "open to everyone") nature of photography is what got me started in the first place! And while I have been able to learn a lot, I have a long way to go myself. (For instance, I will forever admire the technical skills of The Strobist.)

But if what's ahead of us is that everyone will be cutting back on their expenses--weddings included--it's my hope that the emphasis on thinking creatively, cutting back, doing it yourself, and involving your family in the planning will bring families and friends even closer together.

Ultimately, a great time can be had with a lavish affair or a small bash in your backyard; both are fun to photograph.

That said, thrifty brides should head over to A Practical Wedding (which I found through Get Rich Slowly's feature this week) for inspirational, low-cost wedding stories and tips!

On Thursday evening I visited the lovely Gilah Press, a letterpress design firm in Hampden. The lovely Nathalie Wilson gave me the heads-up (I'm shooting her wedding in April, hooray!), and I headed over for a little liquid refreshment.

Lo, and behold, I arrived somewhat late, but Whitney gave me a personal demonstration of one of the presses, to my extreme delight. I came away with this beautiful coaster:

The ladies at Gilah Press do absolutely fantastic work. I'd encourage anyone interested in unique wedding invitations to visit their portfolio and see how simple and elegant letterpress can be.

And not to mention that in December, Gilah is hosting BINGE: an open studio event and holiday sale! Handmade goods and beautiful art will be there for purchase (think unique gifts, everyone). Oh, and I'll be there too for another press demonstration and shmoozing.

Hope to see some new faces there!

When I was in college, I spent a summer as a "freelance childcare provider" so that I could work the hours I wanted to, save all my money, and take a class from the Maine Photographic Workshops. I wanted to get better at photography, and I figured that my college wasn't the only place where I could learn.

So after three month's worth of changing diapers, managing naptimes, cycling from job to job and playing outdoors, I wrote one of the largest checks I'd ever written, and took the bus up to Rockport, Maine.

It was an inspiring week. I had a blast, and learned the joys of color slide film. I came away with a few gems, one of which was this piece of paper--a list of things to photograph when you've lost your inspiration or direction:

In case you can't read what it says, here is the list...

1. make a photograph about something that is happening around you
2. choose a simple subject and play with your depth of field -- what makes the photograph more exciting?
3. make a photograph about texture
4. make a photograph about shapes
5. make a photograph about patterns
6. make a photograph that "balances"
7. make a photograph that doesn't "balance"
8. make a photograph that stops motion
9. make a photograph about motion
10. make a photograph about a gesture
11. make a photograph about an emotion
12. make a photograph of a memory
13. make a photograph about perspective
14. make a photograph about how you feel

This list is a starting point, a place to get your creative juices flowing, something to keep you moving when you're feeling stuck. I've used it on many occasions when I'm sitting at home all sad that I'm not taking photographs, or feeling creatively listless. I hope that all you photographic enthusiasts find it as helpful as I have over the years, so pass it on to others if you think it's helpful!

Lately, everyone's been tightening their belts, even when it comes to once-in-a-lifetime events, like a wedding. In the past month or so a number of hopeful couples have contacted me, only to discover that I am outside their budget. When we discover this, two things can happen: negotiation, or we part ways.

It's painful for me when we're forced to part ways. One of the most charming things about each couple who contacts me is that they all have a wonderful story, and they all absolutely deserve to have their event photographed beautifully. I'm frustrated when economic realities prevent this from happening, since I absolutely love what I do.

If negotiation opens up, fun, fruitful, frustrating, and futile things can result. Both sides suggest possible solutions, with varying success. Admittedly, I have spent very little time on the couples' end of the negotiating table. When I first realized this I paused to think: was there something that I knew, something about the way I worked, that might help couples find good compromises with the photographer they want to hire?

So here I am, offering what little nuggets of advice I have. Please keep in mind that I speak as a professional photographer, from my own experience and perspective; my opinion is decidedly shaped by being on "the other side of the table." Also, I am only one photographer; most likely my opinion and approach differ from that of others.

Things To Try: Cutting Back & Bartering

This is tricky, even if you put it nicely. I personally love the idea of negotiation, but some photographers see it as a threat to their professionalism. Even with photographers who are open to a little negotiation, it's important to communicate to them that you think their services are worth what they're asking. I love to be told that I'm valuable; don't you?

Offering to cut back or barter right off the bat, or simply saying "I don't want to pay the full amount," can sound an awful lot like "I don't think your work is worthwhile." In which case, I start to wonder if you enjoyed my work in the first place and why you would want to hire me; perhaps I'm not for you!

A good way to start is by saying, "You do wonderful work, and I'd love to be able to hire you, but I can't afford $____.  Is there any way you would consider ____?" As with all communication, the how you ask is as important as what you're asking.

1. Cutting Back: Ask to reduce package options, or go a la carte

If the photographer you're looking at has packages with lots of extra do-dads that you could personally do without, it can't hurt to ask politely if they'd be willing to scale down a package for you.

Be aware that some photographers won't budge on this, as they consider the packages they offer as an integral part of their client experience. Even though it may seem superfluous to you, those packages are carefully thought out, and are a part of the attractive image they work hard to maintain.

But some photographers will be willing to trim things a bit for you, and that's great! And while I offer several scaled-down options there are still a few things I provide that I just won't cut back on, because to me it feels like I wouldn't really be doing justice to my clients.

2. Bartering: Trade your skills or trade your stuff

If I need brake work, a new couch, or someone to design a website for me, I will (and have) bartered photography for those necessary things! The art of bartering is a lost one, and I'd love to see this come back into play. It can't hut to ask politely and generally about bartering as an option for payment, and find out if it's even a possibility.

Things To Avoid: RAW Files and Promotion

I call these items "things to avoid" because although they are valid requests, I have found them to be incompatible with my own approach and goals as a photographer. And based on my knowledge of other photographer's attitudes, they are also less likely to be fruitful. If these ideas interest you, delicacy is key, as it was with the "things to try." How you ask for them is as important as what you're asking, but keep in mind that these are probably things for which no matter how nicely you ask, you likely won't get what you're asking for.

1. Asking for RAW files (unprocessed images straight from the camera)

Some clients may try to cut costs by asking for the photographer's RAW files so they can process them apart from their photographer. You may just happen to find a photographer who specializes in what's called "shoot and burn" weddings, and this arrangement will work for you. More often than not, you won't.

For a photographer who doesn't do so (myself included), it's often a philosophical reason: the belief that the beauty of the photographer's work extends into the way they process their images. Personally, this helps me maintain control over how other perceive and view my work. It's important that my portfolio should never appear different from the images I deliver so that clients can trust that my work is consistent. It proves that I am skilled, and ensures I'm providing a beautiful result every time.

There is, however, a practical reason for avoiding the photographer's RAW files: do you have the setup necessary to process through hundreds (perhaps thousands) of high-resolution image files? If you don't have the basic software, RAM, or hard drive space to do so, you may want to reconsider.

2. Offering promotion in return for a discount

I, personally, am not interested promotion unless it's something that happens organically--hopefully the result of me doing an exceptional job. Any other arrangement would mean I was creating a different, less authentic reputation for myself. Genuine word of mouth is invaluable, and I hope to deserve more of it every day.

So, for me, while I really truly appreciate offers for promotion, it's simply not an option. Other photographers may be open to the idea, but find it difficult to quantify; they have to ask themselves, "How many blog posts or glowing message board reviews constitutes 10% off?" It's a really tough call, and I'd be curious to hear of any successful arrangements.

It Can't Hurt To Try

Reading this through, it must sound like we photographers are touchy people. "Tread fearfully!" you must be thinking. Please don't think so! I encourage everyone to consider these options and put them in their budgeting arsenal, but using them sensitively and appropriately to the situation. You never know what great things could result from a polite question and creative thinking! I feel for all you couples on a budget, and with everything in your life being squeezed right now it's tough to manage to afford the beautiful, meaningful event you desire.

I owe a lot to several friends who helped me brainstorm and edit this piece. Please, if you have feedback, do contact me with your experiences, questions, and advice.

Coming Soon: What to Do if You Just Can't Hire a Pro

This is a second part of a two-part series on wedding photography in a recession. See Part 1: How Do I Negotiate? if you missed it!

Sometimes the sad truth is that with some wedding budgets, it just doesn't work out to hire a professional. Regardless of what your budget is, the photography is one of the longest-lasting investments you'll make in your wedding day. It's important to have it done well. Here's what I'd do if I was in dire straits, and had a minimal budget to work with.

Hire A Talented Amateur

There are a lot of resources on the internet about how to amateurs can go about photographing a wedding. You can probably find a student who already knows a lot, a friend who has taught themselves a lot, or someone who's willing to give it a go and has a fairly good eye.

The key here is that no one--not even an amateur--should photograph a wedding entirely for free, in my opinion. A friend who is the photographer has the unfortunate status of not being able to fully participate, since the photographer's job is to capture the moment, not enjoy it. A student in training or a photo enthusiast still has specialized knowledge to put to use.

I'll reiterate it again: an "amateur" needn't command professional rates, but their efforts should never go uncompensated! How you work it out with your amateur is up to you; just please, don't let them work for free.

1. Find Your Amateur

Instead of looking to the omnipresent Craigslist first, turn to your local colleges and universities; each of them has art departments with students who may be willing to give their skills a whirl. In the Baltimore and D.C. areas, a few of the prominent schools include MICA, Baltimore School for the Arts, Washington School of Photography, and Corcoran.

If your student pool turns up dry, you can mine your friends, associates, co-workers, and family members for any photo enthusiast who might be interested in the job. The benefit of looking within your networks is that may turn up someone with whom you feel more comfortable, since they already have a connection with you.

Another great resource, but probably a little tougher to find someone local, would be Flickr: you can search through regional groups and see if you find shooters you like, or someone who dabbles in wedding photography but who may not advertise. It's worth a shot!

2. Get Comfortable With Your Amateur

Subject your amateur to the same scrutiny that you would as if they were a professional. This is your wedding day, and you want to feel at ease with the person in charge of capturing the moments. Examine their portfolio and ask them why they enjoy photography. Give them your timeline and ask them what their thoughts are. Invite them to come to the location with you on a pre-wedding visit. Ask them what they would do in the event of inclement weather, uncooperative guests, or equipment failure.

Plenty of students and enthusiasts, though, may already have those things in the bag. But just in case, consider providing part of your photography budget for their backup equipment needs, and travel expenses too.

3. Help Your Amateur Get What They Need

Here I've prepared a short list of helpful resources that amateur wedding photographers can use to enhance their shooting skills, get the equipment they need, and feel inspired.

Enhance Skills
21 Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers
The Digital Wedding Forum
Planet Neil: Flash Photography Techniques
Strobist: Lighting 101

Gear Resources
B&H: Photo and Video Equipment
Ziplens: Online Lens Rentals
Service Photo: Rentals & Photo Equipment (local to Baltimore)

Inspiration
Jonathan Canlas Photography
Laura Burlton Photography
Carina Romano Photography
Ellen Warfield Photography
Sabine Scherer Weddings

In Summary

Regardless of what happens with your wedding photography, please make sure that your longest-lasting investment is in each other. In the end, all the beautiful photographs in the world can't compare to a happy, healthy, and joyous relationship.

I often hear from clients of mine before a portrait session that they're nervous about their appearance. "I hate pictures of myself," they say, or "I'm really not that photogenic."

What usually underlies those statements is a desire to look good--to project an attractive image. It's much easier than you think! But looking good in pictures isn't necessarily about finding the best concealer, choosing the most fashion-forward outfit, or having the perfect smile.

Here are three very basic things you can do to look fabulous in your photos:

1. Go bold with color, daring with your outfit or accessories.

We all have certain pieces in our wardrobe that make us feel good, sexy, fun, or more comfortable. Pick that one thing, and wear it! Or, find something unusual--something outside your normal comfort zone; you'll be inspired to learn how to wear it.

2. Get plenty of sleep, eat well, and drink water.

Looking good in pictures isn't just about the make-up and hair gel; it's the larger ways you take care of your body that contribute to an all-around healthy glow. Making sure you're well-rested and feeling good overall can add a hidden energy boost to that radiant smile of yours.

3. Stop worrying, and fake it 'til you make it!

Relax. If you're one of those people that "hates pictures of themselves," and you're nervous about looking good, the best thing you can do is to push that out of your mind. If you're tense--even just a little bit--that will show up in your pictures!

You may be nervous as all get-out, but take a deep breath. If you don't feel confident, take a deep breath, and just fake it. You could practice strutting in front of a mirror. Try loosening up to some of your favorite dance music to catch an at-ease vibe. It may feel silly, but if you can maintain composure, you'd be surprised that you're pulling it off!

AN ASIDE FOR ASPIRING SHUTTERBUGS

For those who are looking for how to create better images on the other side of the camera, I wrote a basic photography how-to PDF after teaching at Park School Camps. You can download it here!

I'm (approximately) six months pregnant right now. I'm almost halfway through my second wedding season of shooting while pregnant, and it occurred to me the other day that there's not that much written out there for nervous brides who have hired a photographer who is (or could become) pregnant.

The Big Question

Should I hire a female wedding photographer if they could get pregnant?

Any, and I mean ANY woman who works can become pregnant, so even if your photographer isn't planning on having kids, a surprise might just be right around the corner. Does this make you nervous? It probably makes them a little nervous too!

But hiring a male photographer instead won't ensure they'll 100%-without-a-doubt be there. The not-so-big secret is that any photographer can be a potential victim of fate. What if they get sick? What if their child is hospitalized? What if their parent dies? With any photographer you interview, examine their cancellation policy, and talk with them about what they'd do in the event of an emergency.

Pregnancy is actually (in my opinion) one of the more predictable and reliable things that can happen to your wedding photographer. But go with your gut. Really. If you simply feel that you don't want to rely on someone who's pregnant, then by all means, do what makes you feel at ease.

Of course, if you're totally over the moon for them and they have a good emergency policy, then you just might have hit the jackpot!

My Approach

As a pregnant photographer, doing my best at being pregnant is also a part of doing my best on your wedding day.

Firstly, I do my best to be in good physical shape. After my first baby, I did everything I could to get back into regular exercise and good eating habits. Hooray for jogging strollers! Even at six months now, I'm running three to four times a week, and doing aerobics to boot. As I get bigger, I plan to alter my regimen towards less intensive, but just as frequent exercise to accommodate the extra stress on my joints. Photography (at least the way I do it) requires a lot from me physically, and so will childbirth, so why not prepare for both marathons at once?

Secondly, I rest. Pregnancy can really beat your body up; not many people tell you about the strange sensations you'll have, or how tired you'll feel. It sounds silly, but I also make sure I take a nap or lie down for a half-hour or so every day. I rely on friends and family members to help me make sure I'm well-rested and get to bed on time before a big wedding.

Thirdly, I cut back. In order for me to do my job properly and take care of the coming little one, I have to say "no" more often. I'd love to be superwoman (really, who wouldn't), but I have to be realistic: my energy level is being redirected to creating new life, so of course I'll have to take it a little easier on the commitments.

On Your Big Day

The hardest thing about being a wedding photographer is that you're pretty much always "on." So, I have three major things I do on a long day of shooting:

Key #1: Snack Snack Snack
Key #2: Stay Hydrated
Key #3: Strategic Bathroom Breaks

Granted, I've only been through pregnancy one-and-a-half times now, but focusing on these three things helps me keep my energy up and lets me stay focused on what's important--the beautiful bride and gorgeous groom. A bite of a granola bar here, sips of water when I can, and using quiet and in-between times for a needed trip to the restroom.

My Back-Up Plan

I have a list of emergency shooters for the last-minute unthinkable thing. I hire assistants for the weddings that I know will be large, long, and physically arduous. Other photographers in my personal network know that I'm pregnant. My family is alert and aware of my obligations. My doctor knows my vocation and keeps tabs on my health for me. It's a lot of work to set this up, but it's only fair to my clients, and to myself!

The Final Word for Brides

As I said before, do go with your gut on this issue. But also take a lesson from it: no matter what photographer you choose, make sure you go over their cancellation policy and what their procedures are in the event of a personal emergency--for them or for you! It's not pleasant to think about either you or your photographer having some sort of emergency, but you'll be happier and feel more at ease leading up to and on your special day.

A Note For Photographers

My advice to other photographers is this: you know your body, your shooting style, and your business plan. Make decisions based on accurate knowledge of all three, and with the guidance of your doctor. Pregnancy is not a terminal illness; it's a temporary but significant and unpredictable condition that will require you to alter your normal way of doing things.

So, examine your cancellation policy (please tell me you have one). As with any other medical condition, create a safe and satisfactory back-up plan for you and your clients according to your worst-case-scenario. Your clients will thank you for ensuring that there's someone there to photograph their one-time event, just like your body will thank you for all the preparation and caring towards its one-time event!

The worst thing you can do is nothing, and pretend like pregnancy doesn't matter. It does, but it's no reason to go into a mental tailspin. Your clients may react unpredictably to your news, but don't let that phase you. Pregnancy and birth, like marriage, are life-changing events, so cherish them both accordingly!

In my internet travels and experiences, I occasionally come across excellent articles geared towards helping brides choose a good photographer, or how to plan the wedding day to achieve great photos. It's been awhile since I hired my wedding photographer or planned a wedding day, so it sure is a good reminder to me to see these around! Here are a few of the ones I thought hit the nail on the head while being fair to the photographer, too:

• On Hiring A Photographer (with Part 2 and Part 3) from Bride's Little White Book
• Photography (amateur and pro photos side by side) by Seattle Bride
• The Secrets to Great Wedding Photos by R.D.Decker Photography

And I can't close without plugging a few things I've written to try and help out the budget-conscious bride (there's also great stuff over at A Practical Wedding):

• Wedding Photography: How Do I Negotiate
• Wedding Photography: What To Do If You Just Can't Hire A Pro
• The Pregnant Photographer: A Bride's Guide

Of course, my standard two-pronged piece of advice is this: hire someone you're totally comfortable with, and on the day-of, RELAX and be happy! It's your wedding day, so ENJOY! What often makes the best photographs happen is very simply the love, energy, and affection present between the people being photographed.

May you find these articles helpful, inspiring, and productive for your wedding planning!

Congratulations, you're engaged! If your wedding date is set far into the future, you just might be hankering to take some portraits of you and your spouse-to-be. Here are ideas for locations, activities, and extra touches to add to your engagement portrait session.

SET THE STAGE: PICKING A LOCATION

An engagement session location needn't be exotic or expensive to create excellent portraits and lend a bit of lightness to the mood. Here are some suggestions for cheap (if not free) possible locations. Keep in mind that you (or your photographer) may need to contact the venue or location in order to obtain permission to take photographs, and pay any applicable fees. Do your research: planning ahead is key!

• arts center - making great art and looking at great art all at once!
• restaurant - pick a visually interesting food or dessert; something with elaborate stacking or succulent fruit?
• coffee shop - perhaps the one at which the two of you met, even!
• college campus - these tend to be well-groomed and thus are beautiful almost year-round
• grocery store - keep the speed of the grocery-cart races to a safe level!
• at home - show off the personality of your home décor
• retail windows - fun and whimsical things can provide a commentary on personalities
• in the mall - enjoy some ice cream, play by a fountain or perhaps a lighted atrium makes a nice backdrop
• library - have a little word-nerd love-in!
• courthouse - stately buildings, fine architecture
• hotel lobby - or, if you're in a romantic mood, rent a hotel room and make a night of it
• state park - nearly always free, and nearly always beautiful!
• nearby field - don't overlook nooks and crannies in between buildings for some nice undergrowth
• beach - if, of course, these are nearby!
• highway underpass - the abandoned and gritty feel of concrete can be sexy
• hair salon - get your 'do fixed and get some awesome pix!
• laundromat - you can "pretend" to spy on each other while washing your unmentionables!
• brewery - if you have a favorite brew, or know a brewery nearby, see if they'll let you take a tour together!

Ask your photographer for location suggestions if you're stumped. More often than not they've been scouting location ideas for future sessions or other projects, and may have a few fabulous tricks up their sleeve!

MAKE IT ACTIVE: DO AN ACTIVITY

Having an activity to do while you're being photographed can help get those candid, relaxed moments that you like to capture. It puts you at ease and gives you something to enjoy or joke about with your loved one.

• kite flying
• cooking or baking together
• picnic
• board games
• bowling
• skiing/sledding/snowboarding
• rock or mountain-climbing
• bikeriding or wearing rollerblades
• reading your favorite magazine/book together
• play music/instruments
• fingerpaint, draw, or paint a wall

Of course, some of these are outdoorsy/messy, so be sure to have a few costume changes planned!

MAKE IT FUN: ADDING TOUCHES

Using props can be another way to add action or something interesting to a photograph. Something unusual, or using something everyday in an unusual way, can make the photograph intriguing, and add personality.

• giant lollipops - a sugar rush to give you the energy you need!
• antique/vintage jewelry - show off an heirloom you connect with emotionally
• glass drinking bottles - these lend a nice old-fashioned feel
• slurpees - stick out your colored-tongues!
• wine/champagne - make it dramatic and let it explode!
• flourescent/plastic jewelry - hitting up the dollar store can be fun!
• gag toys - fake moustaches, funny-looking glasses, etc.
• silly straws - just what you need for your milkshake
• masks and/or costumes - animals, crowns, celebrities, villains, superheros, etc.
• balloons - oversize, or a large bunch, can be dramatic on a windy day; maybe even try popping them!

Oh, and always remember to enjoy yourselves and relax!

E-mail me if you have an idea you'd like to share, too! I love hearing them.