top of page
AG_Logo_RGB_transparent_DkGreen.png

Advice + Tips

ashleygracephotographics-02.png
This is where it all begins.
​

You’ve hired me to be your third wheel, and I couldn’t be more excited! I want this time to feel like a date. I want this session to be the best for the both of you…full of love and laughter. So let loose! Have fun! And don’t take your hands off of each other.

Engagement_Photography_Massachusetts_Wor

My Philosophy

​

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this: If you are feeling awesome, you will look awesome. Super manufactured moments and fake smiles are not really my jam! I want to help facilitate you having a genuinely fun experience and then capture the authentic moments that flow naturally from that experience.

​

I am so excited to work with you!
​

I put together this guide for you to help better prepare your outfit for our photoshoot! This style guide is to do just that. GUIDE. The purpose of this is to still be yourself and stick to your style. I suggest that you two coordinate your outfits! Do not wear the same clothing, with the same color and same pattern. Matching is out, coordinating is in! The most important thing to me is that you feel and look like yourselves. If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing, you will be constantly thinking about that instead of focusing on each other. That being said, I do feel like these tips will really help you, and if you follow this advice, it will really make your photos come together nicely. 

​

  1. First off, I always recommend bringing options.
    To get the best results, I’ll pick and pull from the options you bring for you to change into for each location we shoot at. This way I can make sure the outfits compliment the environment so that the focus is on you, not on any distractions, which yes, can be your outfits. All you have to do is make sure you bring stuff that you feel like a million bucks in that we can pick and pull from! 

  2. Don’t bring your whole closet though. It will take too much time for me to go through everything and will take time away from your session. Most people bring a couple pairs of bottoms and 2-3 tops each, then you can bring dresses, accessories, jackets, hats and whatnot as well. Also, just know that depending on where we are shooting, you’ll most likely be changing in the back of the car on the side of the road. If you aren’t down with that, that’s totally fine and you can just bring one outfit! Just make sure to text me a few photos of the outfit options you have and we can pick it out together beforehand. Also, keep in mind, the more outfits you bring, the less time we have to shoot. 

  3. Make sure it makes sense.
    Think about the conditions and locations we are going to be shooting in and plan around it. If we are going to be hiking or walking around a lot, bring shoes with good grip and you won’t twist your ankles in. If we are shooting on a sandy beach, it would look weird if you’re wearing shoes (ps heels are almost always a bad idea in most scenarios, unless you’re freakishly good at walking in them). If it’s freezing cold outside, bring lots of layers and warm clothes with wool socks and boots. If it’s going to be hot, bring clothes that can breathe more so you don’t have sweaty pit stains in the photos. Be as comfortable as you can be! 

  4. Movement This is a big one for me. I LOVE movement and clothes and accessories that can catch the wind. It adds energy to your images and it looks gorgeous! Also, make sure that the materials you wear will keep you comfortable during the shoot... not only for temperatures but also for being able to move around in. If you're in brand new jeans that are still stiff and tight, you might be distracted during the shoot trying to make sure everything stays in place as well as lets you sit and run and move around in. I recommend bringing clothes that are "broken in" so that you'll be as comfortable as possible.

  5. Colors
    I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones. Neutrals doesn’t mean just grays and browns; there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc.) Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright orange, bright white and reds. If you have dark or olive tones skin, it might be an exception with the light conditions, but a lot of the times it can reflect in the images and make your skin tones look way off. 

  6. Patterns
    Avoid big, loud, chunky, crazy patterns. The smaller or more subtle, the better! If the pattern is too loud, it will distract from your faces. Flannels are always a yes in my book! I usually try to avoid pairing too many patterns together because, you guessed it, it makes the photos feel a little hectic and distracting from your faces and the location. Also, be sure to iron your clothes before so there’s not huge wrinkles distracting from your faces either! 

  7. Props
    When I think “props”, my mind flashes through all of the cheesy Pinterest photos I’ve seen of cheesy chalkboards and hobby lobby props brought to shoots that basically....just aren’t my thing. But props don’t have to be cheesy! Props could be a dominos pizza picnic, a motorcycle, your dogs, blankets, a truck/car, a campfire, a bouquet, etc. If you have props you wanna incorporate, let me know and we can make sure to incorporate them in a non-cheesy way! ;) 

  8. Logos
    To be honest, I am not a huge fan of logos or having a quote, large picture across my shirt or hat. I think they can get distracting, that being said, I am a sucker for a faded band teeshirt. It really is all on the placement, and how bold the logo is. If you are questioning it, just text me over a picture! I am always happy to help, in fact, I LOVE to!

  9. In Home Sessions
    All of the above applies, but for in home sessions I say the more skin showing the better! No that doesn’t mean you need to be borderline naked, I’m just saying the photos will look a lot more comfortable and intimate than if you're in lots of heavy layers! I recommend having options of tank tops, shorts, sweaters, and jeans to mix and match! Anything that will show some skin is perfect! 

​

​

Let's make one of a kind images!

​

Want to make these images really capture who you are as a couple? Think of things you like to do as a couple, and we can incorporate them into the session! Here are some fun ideas to consider:

-Picnic

-Riding Bikes, 4 wheelers, motorcycle.

-Hiking

-Swimming in the lake/ocean

-Surfing

-Cruise around in your Jeep

-Kayaking

-Walking around at a record store 

-Walking through a park

-Check out your favorite brewery or winery. 

-Playing your guitar in nature

-Coffee Shop

-Walking on the beach

 

You could do several of these, or make up your own, or do none of them and just hang out together. All options are fantastic and will yield great photos and connection. It just depends on your personality and what sounds the most fun to you both!

 

What to bring

​

Whether we are staying in or going out, it is good to consider what you want to bring and include in the shoot. What things represent you as a couple?  What things are meaningful to you? What things do you love to do together?

Here are some ideas of things to include/bring:

Blanket (I also bring options, but if you have one that is special to you, bring it!)

Your favorite food

Your favorite beer or wine

Musical instrument

Your pet

Books you love

Your favorite hat

Skate board

Soccer ball

Etc…

For outside shoots I always recommend bringing one or two things of meaning. It makes the session more personable, fun and comfortable!

 

For inside photoshoots, I suggest looking around your house for things that mean something to you and things that your normally do together at your house. Get an idea in your head of a couple things you love to do and which spaces in your house are your favorite! Let me know about them and lets plan something fun!

Some ideas:

Making tea or coffee together

Making your favorite meal or dessert together

Enjoying coffee or tea on your porch

Working in the garden

Carving pumpkins

Eating popcorn while watching a movie

Listening to records 

Drinking your favorite beer or wine

Cuddling in bed

Etc…

 

 

What to expect

​

The main thing to remember is that this is going to be a fun experience! The thing I hear most often from couples after a shoot is how relaxed they felt and how much more fun they had than they were expecting.  I don’t want you to feel like this is something you have to do. This experience should feel like a fun date together! Your only job is to be present and be yourself, I’ll do the rest!

 

 

See you soon!!

 

Ashley

AshleyGracePhotography_Engagement-1.jpg
Like I said before, I am here to help you!

Please feel free to text me or email me over any pictures.

 
Click here for visual inspiration!
  • Black Facebook Icon
  • Black Instagram Icon
  • Black Pinterest Icon

©AshleyGracePhotography2019  |  ashley@ashleygracephotography.net  |  774-253-8203

Douglas, Massachusetts Photographer serving Worcester, Boston, Providence, Shrewsbury, Millbury, Grafton, Sutton and beyond.

bottom of page