My first official year in business will soon be drawing to a close.
It has been a whirlwind of emotions. excitement, nerves,joy,discouragement. I have meet a lot of new people and I have reached out to a lot of new people.
I bought all my dream gear to help me improve on my own skills, I invested in my education and classes and Youtube has become a new best friend. i guess at this point I was just hoping to already have 30+ weddings lined up for next year like other stories I have heard of again and again. It doesn't always feel like my work is being seen or even liked. But Some of the greats in the photo biz say to have patience and to have grit. So for right now that is what I will do, wear my patience, keep practicing, keep improving, and keep going. Photographing people is something I truly love and believe that all the hard work in building myself and my skill will be worth it. Even if it is still just my Hubby liking my photos on Facebook.
Downtown St. Paul Photography | Favorite Urban Location for Photoshoots
Do you want to be let in on a little secret? All Photographers have a favorite location to shoot.
It fits their style, the light is stunning, it fits their personality, there can be numerous other things that has people coming back to that location.
As for me, one location I could shoot for the rest of my photographer days would be Downtown St. Paul. After I finished college, I got my first "grownup" job in the heart of downtown. I am thankful that I am able to be emerged in the experience everyday. St. Paul is my favorite urban spot to shoot as a photographer;It is a place that I am always comfortable in.
St Paul constantly bustles with people that makes the city come to life. I have always enjoyed the look of having couples engagement shoots downtown. The light at certain times of the day is just stunning.
A handful of the structures downtown make a beautiful story for an engagement and portrait shoots. Downtown can be so versatile with all the different nooks and crannies, beautiful parks (Mears park,Harriet Island Park, Raspberry Island), fun water fountains (check out some here or here), and delicious restaurants for some date night shoot look in your photos. (Sakura anyone?) I love St. Paul and I want to share that same breathtaking experience with my couples in their urban sessions.
Here are a couple of my recent session in the great Downtown!
If you do not know what location you want your session, do not be afraid to get some suggestions from your photographer. They can give you multiple locations that will fit your style; Photographers want you to be comfortable wherever you choose for your shoot!
(Here is a previous post on 3 tips to rock your engagement session if you want to read more!)
3 Tips to ROCK Your Engagement Shoot!
I am going to share with you a recipe that if done correctly your engagement session will go off without a hitch for both you and your photographer.
Be Comfortable : When you are uncomfortable in front of the camera, it shows BEHIND the camera. To help your session be pleasant, here are a couple of things that I promise will help. Choose your location of the E-session. If it is someplace that is familiar it will help you feel right at home. In some cases that may be your home, back yard, park nearby. If you both enjoy that location as a couple it will make it that much more special looking back at your photos. Choose clothing you know won’t make you self-conscious. We all have those pair of jeans that are not as forgiving around the midsection or you are constantly pulling up with every new pose. During your session, the last thing you want to be doing is constantly adjusting to feel more comfortable. On the same thought as clothing, let’s also address shoes. If you love your heels (a common love affair I share) make sure to pack a pair of flats to help walk from spot to spot. Know what works in your location! Heels are horrible in grassy fields, but in pictures you will work it! If you come prepared your feet won’t be killing you be the end of your session.
Be Confident: The best way to be confident is to be yourself. An Engagement session is all about you and your fiance, there is no one that has the same love story as you two. Know that when worse comes to worse you will have each other! If all else fails have confidence in your love.
Have Fun: Stepping into a session can be a little awkward at first when you’re letting a stranger take over. Take a deep breath and give the reigns over to the photographer. The moment this is done you will be able to fully enjoy your time with your fiancé. For a lifestyle photographer, it is so important to capture a couple’s natural reactions. Another way to achieve a good time is going into your session with a good attitude and determination of having fun as a couple. Now, I know this sounds really obvious, but when you purpose in your heart to have a fun time, you will! This goes for your fiancé too.
One last tip to help your session run more smoothly, arrive on time. Being respecctful of your photographer's time is important and will help you both to start off on the right foot.
I hope that even in a small way this helps you to get ready for your photos!
