I'm not sure where this journey is going to take us, but the one thing I am sure of is that we all will learn from each other.
I have been photographing events for about 27 years and the one thing I have learned is that just when I thought that I have seen it all, something new just amazes me.
Photographing events and weddings over the years has been an amazing learning experience. Watching people as they experience one of the most joyous and yet stressful days of their lives has taught me a great deal about human nature and how we react to different situations, good and not-so-good.
Through my observations I think I have become a better person and photographer because I fully understand their position and their desire to acheive their visual perception of one of the most important days of their life, their perfect wedding day. Everyone has their own perceptions of life, and it's my job to realize their dreams and visions and capture and transform them into lasting memories to re-live again and again.
That is my commitment and my promise to you

This weekend I was reminded of the importance of "Time & Timing". Time has a funny way of slipping away on you. Just when you thought that setting aside a hour to have your photographer capture beautiful storytelling images of your day through portraiture and photojournalism, it only felt like 30 minutes or so and now it's time to hurry to the reception.
Here is my advice on this, I feel the reason this time mystery occurs is that while you have scheduled an hour or so for your portrait session maybe the timing of let's say the travel from the ceremony site to the portrait site then to the reception site was not adequetly calculated.
Typically I would say when figuring the timing of the day and the Time alotted for certain segments, I would leave extra travel time. A good rule of thumb is to double the travel time, let's say your ceremony is 15 minutes from the park, then allow 30minutes. It's better to have extra time and have a relaxing experience than to be rushed. Remember, your photographer is one of your only vendors who are with you your entire day and usually they are more than willing to offer their help and experience in the "Time and Timing" of your special day.

What to wear during your engagement shoot
We often get a lot of questions about what to wear during an engagement photo shoot,
1. Your attire and accessories should complement the location. High heels for a shoot in the woods won't look right.
2. The colors of your outfits should play off the location. Bold hues look great in a more gritty, urban environment, while softer shades look nice in a rustic setting.
3. It sounds like a no-brainer, but choose clothing in complementary colors. His bright red shirt and your pale lavender cardigan are going to clash in photos.
4. Be sure to bring a change of clothes (or two) and extra accessories so you get a variety of looks.
5. Your ensembles should also match formality-wise. If you're wearing a cocktail dress and heels, he needs to do better than jeans and a T-shirt.

Thoughtful fashion choices can take your photos from good to great
When selecting your attire, think about the location. "If you want to shoot in a woodsy area, high heels are the wrong choice," I always tell my clients.  The colors should also play off your location—bold hues work well in a gritty, urban environment, while softer shades are at home in a rustic setting. "It's not about dressing to play a part,". "If you wear something you feel amazing in you'll be that much more confident." Be sure to have a change of clothing on hand so there's some variety in the photos. Your ensembles should also be the same level of formality. That is, if you're going to wear a cocktail dress and heels, he needs to do better than jeans and a T-shirt.
We often suggest that couples bring another garment or accessory to switch up the look and add variety. I then help put the outfits together. I've shot fashion before, so we like to style and have a lot of input.  And don't forget about your fiancé! ,You don't want to be matchy-matchy, but try to wear colors that complement each other, His bright red shirt and your pale lavender cardigan are going to clash in photos.

For natural, beautiful photos, you need to loosen up
You might be understandably a little tense or nervous if it's the first time you're being photographed by a pro, but that will probably wear off quickly. "Couples naturally become more relaxed as the session progresses,"
Starting off in a familiar location—anywhere from your kitchen to a favorite bar—is one way to quickly acclimate to the shoot.
Your attitude also plays a crucial role. "The more affection you show your future spouse in the images, the better your pictures will look," "I can only do so much to make two people look in love."
Incorporating a prop or pet can also help break the ice. "People often feel uncomfortable having a camera focus just on them," adds Charles O. "Including a pet takes some pressure off the couple, and gives them something to interact with."
The location—especially if it's visually compelling or meaningful—is everything.
For dramatic photos, consider a unique portrait location. Your photographer may have some favorite spots in mind, but you can also suggest a setting that means something to you. For example, Sinatra Park in Hoboken, NJ.  There are other factors that make the shot compelling as well: 1) The backdrop beautifully compliments (the cityscape versus Train Station and a clear blue sky)—very smart; and 2) We shot the couple standing up, which echoes the vertical lines of the towering skyscrapers. We really wanted them to remain the focus. We positioned them off-center in the foreground so the emphasis would be on them, while the skyline would be showcased in a more subtle way.

Good lighting is, above all else, the most important factor in achieving beautiful, complementary photos
We always try to meet my clients an hour or two before the sun goes down—it makes for the yummiest, most flattering light. To achieve a really dramatic look, shoot at sunset.  We took this photo one September evening, There's some mystery to seeing just their silhouettes, not their faces.
Shooting midday can net disappointing results. The sun is directly overhead and at its strongest at that time. If you take pictures in that kind of light, you'll see unflattering shadows under the eyes, all your skin imperfections will be emphasized, and your eyes will probably look squinty.
As photographers with over 28 years experience we will know how to adjust camera settings to accommodate or manipulate the natural light to achieve the most beautiful—or artistic, or moody—results possible……but a little bit of post-shoot computer "magic" may need to happen, too.

If you really want to blow people's minds go for an "editorial"-style photo session
With their narrative themes and elaborate sets, these shoots are becoming popular among imaginative couples. Of course, this is definitely not for everyone: It takes hours of planning and prep—and a considerable amount of creative daring—to stage a themed engagement shoot. We  help guide couples toward a theme that speaks to them. While a theme can inspire a certain feel, the real goal is for the love story of the couple to be told. And no matter how theatrical the setting or props, you should still feel like yourselves, not characters in a film or novel. Once these "rules" are set, you can let your imagination run wild. To design the set, we can use props and costumes the couple may supply. The shoot can take place anywhere accomadating to the theme.