What to Wear: Engagement Sessions

What to Wear: Engagement pictures

The inevitable question before a portrait session: what do I wear? There are no hard and fast rules, but there are some suggestions that you may want to consider before your big day in front of the camera. Here are a few…

• I absolutely encourage outfit changes. So consider wearing something dressy and bringing along something more casual/everyday.
• Beware words, logos, loud colors and patterns that might distract from the truly important aspect of the pictures: you! The human eye will locate familiar words in pictures and put them together, taking away from the true subject.
• Coordinate your outfits, but don't wear the exact same thing. Stick to the same color family or complementary tones and bear in mind that darker colors are most slimming on women.

Kristen and Vic rocked the greens for a springtime session in a North Carolina park.

• Think about wearing an outfit that matches your surroundings. Floppy summer hat for a beach session: yes. Floppy summer hat for a snowy session on the ski slopes: maybe not.

Cole broke out the blazer for some preppy shots at Grace Cathedral and the Fairmont.

• Give your shoes as much attention as your shirt. They will be in the pictures and may even be highlighted in a few.

Caroline wore some very sexy little sandals that made an appearance or two.

• Wear something that you feel defines your personal style.

Fred and Sam, with their tattoos and totally laid back, awesome personalities, wore simple outfits that just felt like "them".

• Wear something you can sit, walk, run, lay down, jump, kick, and spin in.


• Check the weather and dress appropriately. No matter how cute you look in that flirty tank top, you'll be completely miserable when you wear it in thick San Francisco fog. Wool sweaters and wellies can be just as awesome. When in doubt: LAYERS!
• Accessorize with your favorite jewelry, scarves, hats, belts, shoes, and even pets (well-behaved, of course).

Tips:
• Bring a small mirror, makeup, and brush for any touchups.
• Unless you want it in the pics, don't bring a purse; you'll just be putting it down every few seconds.
• If you're particularly concerned about something, mention it to me so that I can keep an extra sharp eye out for it. (examples: that cowlick you've had since you were 5, the necklace that is constantly flipping around, more cleavage than grandma would appreciate, etc.)

In the end, be true to yourself. If you are not comfortable, it will be obvious in your pictures. If these suggestions don't feel like you, break all the rules and show up in something that is completely, and totally you.

“The only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.” - Paris Hilton

Helpful source: Miss Avocado on Weddingbee

An Engagement Session all over San Francisco

Last Friday Cole proposed to Caroline atop Mt. Tam and I got to be there to capture it. It was so beautifully set up.

On Saturday, Cole, Caroline, and I traveled all over San Francisco for a full-day engagement session hitting up some of San Francisco's most beautiful spots. And while Friday was almost sweltering, Saturday's weather was absolutely perfect. Not too warm, not too cold, bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Oh, it couldn't have been better!

Here are some of the highlights of our day…

We started around Union Square and despite being called "scoundrels" (them) and "wench" (me) by one of the locals, it was a good start to the day.



Onwards to Golden Gate Park's DeYoung Museum and Botanical Garden.



And we eventually found our way to Stow Lake, though I certainly took them on the scenic route. I introduced them to San Francisco's It's Its too!


We went to Fisherman's Wharf for some famous bread bowl and clam chowder at Boudin's and then strolled over to Pier 39 to check out the sea lions and the bay.



We then went back to Nob Hill to their hotel, the Fairmont, for a change of clothes and some shots around the hotel and Grace Cathedral.


I took them to one of my favorite little spots in the city – a little grove of trees that lets in the most amazing light during golden hour.


We ended our day at Baker Beach around sunset.




Phew! It was such a wonderful day and I can't wait to hear all about their wedding in Texas this winter.

Caroline and Cole, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your trip out to San Francisco!

No city invites the heart to come to life as San Francisco does.
~William Saroyan

p.s. To see more of Caroline & Cole's day, click here to check out their wedding guest book!

Marriage Proposal on Mt. Tam

Oh, man. So many pictures over the past few days but I just had, had, HAD to share some of what happened Friday night…

Cole contacted me a few weeks ago and said that he was traveling to San Francisco from Dallas and was planning on proposing to his girlfriend and wanted me to photograph the whole thing. Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled. I had read about this new phenomenon of proposal photography and even posted about it not too long ago.

We get everything in place and I drive to the top of Mount Tamalpais Friday evening and meet with Cole's friend, Tanner, to help set up. We staked out this stunning scenic overlook that was to die for! The view was incredible.


Tanner and I arranged rose petals and fresh fruit for Cole and Caroline to just happen upon.

I climbed up on the rocks to get a view of the action and stay hidden. Here are the results…


It was such a rush. I am always honored to be chosen to photograph someone's wedding and photographing the proposal may have been even more rewarding. The unexpected emotions and surprise and romance are so real. It's being part of a moment that may have been planned for months or even years, but the other half of the equation has no idea.

I took a few pictures of them against the amazing backdrop and then left them alone to watch the sun set, snack on the berries, and revel in what had just happened.


As if this wasn't cool enough, Cole had planned for me to travel all over San Francisco the next day for a super engagement session. Somehow he managed the best weather I have seen in San Francisco and we had a fantastic time. Stay tuned for that installation…

There is no remedy for love but to love more.
~ Henry David Thoreau

Engagement Session at China Beach and Lower Pac Heights

Allow me to introduce… Megan and Gardiner… [ applause ]

These two are just cute as a button and we had so much fun the other week shooting their engagement session. We met up in their neighborhood, which is literally right up the street from where I live (granted, California St. is very long, but still). I had scoped it out the day before and found some fabulous spots just around the corner.



I’ve said it before, but San Francisco has some of the best backgrounds. You can have whatever you want here and I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by so many beautiful options.



Just check out some doorways and interesting elements we found along the way. I love the architecture here and Megan and Gardiner made everything click.




I mean, hello, can you get any more beautiful?!



They were playful and made such great models.





After wandering around for about an hour we headed off to China Beach. I had checked it out the day before but had honestly never been there before that. I’ve done so many sessions at Baker Beach but this was a first for it’s smaller and more private little sister.



This location was especially necessary because this was the spot for their first date and where Gardiner proposed to Megan. This picnic table was the place that started it all.



We took a stroll along the beach and played in the waves and, despite the wind, it was a beautiful day. And I absolutely love Megan – not only is she absolutely sweet as can be, but she’s just my height so I totally get it when you need to stand on your toes to kiss.





I can’t wait to shoot their wedding at Viansa winery in September. They are going to be sooo much fun.



Thanks, guys! See you in just a few months!

Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own. ~Robert Heinlein

Lindsay Docherty for Lisa Leigh Photography

Engagement Sessions at Tilden Park with Julie Cheshire

I spent part of Friday with Julie of Julie Cheshire Photography at Tilden Park in Berkeley. I have no idea how big the place is but it seems like there are new paths at every turn.

I was there with Julie in March for some engagement pictures of Anjuli and Mark. Anjuli was adorable in her cute cotton dress but I felt so bad for her because it was sooo chilly that morning. She took it like a champ (I would have been a big baby).



And since textures are the hot new thing in photography…









Aren't they a cute couple? They were so sweet and I have no doubt that their wedding will be beautiful.

And here are Amelia and Ted! We spent a few hours with them on Friday and had such a fun time. Amelia is a little goofy and they were both making faces the whole time. It was a much warmer day and the weather was just perfect for the session.





This is their serious and lovey side, but just you wait…



We found some really cool trees that we just had to use. The bark was completely smooth and all those spindly branches made for a really neat look.



After getting kicked out of the gardens, we drove to a grove of eucalyptus trees and the smell was just intoxicating. The light coming through those huge trees was spectacular and I was kicking myself for not bringing my wide angle lens.



I kind of like this old 70s, vintage-y look, what do you think?





We then found some grass and brought out the props. Amelia and Ted met in a history class they shared in college. Amelia says that Mark is the reason she passed. These are books from that very class and it seemed so necessary to make them a part of the engagement session.



And, last but not least, Amelia and Ted showing off their totally fun side in their college sweatshirts. Go bulldogs!



Too fun! Such a great couple! Their wedding isn't until 2009 but I'm really looking forward to seeing them again.

I'm definitely going to get myself back to Tilden Park to explore all those nooks and crannies. Next time I'll bget there before closing!

Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker. ~Author Unknown

A Couple Session in Florida

I've got to mention a particular couple that I photographed while I was in Tampa for the Imaging USA photography convention. Fred put me up for a few days and we spent the time reminiscing.

Fred and I go waaay back. He's one of those friends that, despite the amount of time since you last saw each other, you can always just jump right back into a comfortable place. He's completely welcoming and one of the friendliest people I've ever known. I've known Fred since high school and we were pretty close til college rolled around and whisked me away to North Carolina and him to Hawaii (I guess we know who won that one!). Actually, I've known Fred for so long that I can't help but call him by his nickname, Derf (Fred backwards), that I don't think anyone else uses anymore.

Fred is on the far right. I'm the curly haired one who will never wear a linen dress again.

Anyway, enough with memory lane. Introducing Fred and Sam…

Fred was the one to come up with the idea of going to this spectacular park. We went to John Chesnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor and it was simply beautiful. Despite the great locations that the San Francisco Bay area has to offer, I was envious that we have nothing like this!

We took the bridge and a short path to a small forest of these huge trees all around. We went around golden hour and the light streaming through the trees and Spanish moss was stunning. It was the perfect place for s session. The scenery screamed color; the mood was totally black and white. See what I mean?

Fred is not a serious guy and he brings it out in Sam too. They were both full of giggles the entire time. I just had to set them up somewhere and let them go. They were both so fun and relaxed and real.

I know Fred to be totally playful and brought along some bubbles. Sam became preoccupied with the swingset for a little while. You might wonder if this is a children's shoot or a couples shoot. There was a healthy dose of both that day.

Fred and Sam sat together to watch the last minutes of the sunset at this spectacular location with a marsh and tall grasses. There were so totally at ease and totally in love. And the sunset was unbelievable.

Thank you guys so much for putting me up and putting up with my photographic whims. You two make a great couple. You'll always have a place to crash when you get out to the west coast!

Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.
- Mary Anne Radmacher

(I love that quote. It's easily one of my favorites)

Engagement Session in Golden Gate Park

I take advantage of every photography opportunity that comes my way and every now and then I have the honor of working with Julie Cheshire (formerly Julie Berry). I knew her back when I lived in Raleigh and we both moved out to the Bay Area around the same time. She is an excellent portrait and wedding photographer.

Today we met with this absolutely cute and infectiously bubbly couple. They've been together for seven years, have been engaged for 1 year (as of tomorrow) and they'll be married in August of 2008. It's so easy to see how smitten they are with one another. We went to Golden Gate Park by the DeYoung Museum for the last few minutes of sunlight. It lit up these lovebirds.
They are a beautiful couple and I wish them all the best. Check in around this time next year to see more of them - I might be helping Julie with the wedding too. (I hope so!)

Engagement Session at Chrissy Field

This past weekend I had an engagement session with a great couple who made the drive from Union City to Chrissy Field for Golden Hour (what photographers refer to as the hour before sunset when everything gets a beautiful golden glow). They have been dating for 7 years (she's a very patient woman). Their first meeting story was great: he threatened to throw her over a balcony at a friend's party. What an introduction. You could say he literally swept her off her feet! (Okay, that was really bad.) It was beautiful out and we made the most of the clear skies to get the Golden Gate Bridge in a few pictures.
She's short so I couldn't resist a tip-toe shot. (Not that I have any room to talk, just being barely 5 feet myself!)
I love going to Chrissy Field because it has so many great areas. I love grungy old industrial buildings - they just make a great backdrop.
They marry this fall and I'm so happy for them. It was incredibly obvious that they're truly in love.

All the best, guys!