Engagement Guide

WWW.cassbradleyweddings.COM WHEN TO BOOK YOUR SESSION?

704.941.9391 INSIDER TIPS AND FAQ

based in nc / clients world wide WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?

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HELLO

C E L E B R AT E NOW

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W H AT ’ S I N C LUDE D

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S O YOUR FIANCE IS E XC I T E D, RIGHT?

YOU ’ VE G OT T HI S !

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W H E N TO B O OK YOUR SESSION

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W H E R E WI L L WE S HO OT OUR SESSION?

W H AT S H O U L D WE WEAR?

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E DI TO R I A L / STY LED E NG AG E ME NT S HO OTS

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I N S I DE R TIPS

W H AT T O B R I NG WI T H YOU

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CLIFF NOT E S

Hello!

B L U E S K Y: T H E P H O T O G R A P H I C E X P E R I E N C E ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE GUIDE I A M S O G R AT E F U L Y O U C H O S E M E TO B E YOUR WE DDI NG P HOTO G R A P H E R !

I K NOW T H E R E A R E A N A B U NDA N C E O F G R E AT P H O T O G R A P H E R S T O C H O O S E F R O M , S O I A M T R U LY H O N O R E D Y O U P I C K E D M E !

I A M L O O K I N G F O R WA R D T O G E T T I N G T O K NOW YOU A ND C A P T UR I NG S U C H A N I M P O R T A N T S E A S O N I N Y O U R L I V E S .

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CELEBRATE NOW AN ENGAGEMENT PORTRAIT EXPERIENCE

We believe that Engagement Sessions

are just as valuable as your Wedding Experience because ‘living loud’ is not just in the amazingly ‘big’ moments like weddings and anniversaries. It’s the in-between moments that create a life and we believe it’s our unique job to help our clients notice and protect those moments.

We have one goal: to create an experience that allows meaningful moments to transpire, and in turn result in photographs that you will treasure forever. We look forward to planning a session with you that shows exactly who you are and what you love.

Please take a few minutes to read through these valuable tips.

It is important to us that you not only get great photographs,

but you also have a great experience! Â These helpful hints will ensure you get the most out of this time in your lives!

WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDE 01.

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A P L A NNI NG C O N S U LTAT I O N .

T H E P HOTO G R A P HI C .

A DE S I G N CONSUT

WE BEGIN EVERY PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE BY TAKING THE TIME T THROUGH A SERIES OF BRIEF PHONE CALLS, WE WILL EXPLORE WHA RELATIONSHIP UNIQUE. WE BELIEVE THE FOUNDATION OF ANY TRULY UNDERSTANDING OF WHO YOU ARE. TOGETHER WE WILL LEARN AB AND DISCUSS CUSTOMIZED ARTWORK THAT COMPLIMENTS BOTH YO

NEXT COMES THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE. THIS EXPERIENCE H TRUE AND MEANINGFUL MOMENTS TO TRANSPIRE THAT RESULT IN LE

AFTER YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC SESSION COMES THE MOST EXCITING YOU WILL ENJOY A CINEMATIC PRESENTATION OF YOUR PHOTOGRAP SWEET LITTLE STUDIO, BUNGALOW 1325. TOGETHER, WE WILL ENJO PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY. DURING THIS TIME, YOU WILL BE ASSISTE CUSTOMIZATION AND PURCHASE OF YOUR WALL ART THAT KEEP THE ON DISPLAY FOR YOU TO ENJOY FOR YEARS TO COME.

ES:

N TAT I O N .

TO TRULY GET TO KNOW YOU. AT MAKES EACH INDIVIDUAL AND LY AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE IS AN BOUT THE PLACE YOU CALL HOME OUR STORY AND PERSONAL TASTES.

HAS ONE GOAL ONLY: TO ALLOW EGACY PHOTOGRAPHS.

PART; THE DESIGN CONSUTATION. PHS IN THE COMFORT OF OUR OY THE RESULTS OF YOUR ED IN THE SELECTION, ESE SPECIAL MEMORIES

YOUR FINANCE IS SUPER EXCITED,

RIGHT;-)

O K , L E T ’ S B E H O N E S T.

Most grooms do not look forward to the engagement shoot with giddy anticipation. (I would say the words ‘dread’ and ‘dislike’ come to mind for most guys when considering being in front of the camera for an hour.)

That being said, every single groom I have ever photographed leaves the session in a great mood! The guys often compliment me, saying how fun the session was, and that they actually had a good time! (Whew!) So please reassure your guy that this will be just as much fun for them as it will be for you. I promise to make it pain free, even for the most camera shy of men. (and if we meet at the studio prior— there may of may not be a craft beer/ glass of wine involved.)

DON’T WORRY! Y

Everyone

is nervous about having their photo taken. We are all friends here…This time is very laid back and relaxed!

Don’t worry, the nerves will slip quickly away once we are underway and you see how easy it all is.

I will help you relax and have fun by guiding you through every ‘pose’ and setting. Don’t worry, you don’t need to show up with a list of ideas and poses. I have you covered :) It is my job as a professional to evaluate each couple and determine which individual location set-ups and ‘poses’ are going to

YOU’VE GOT THIS!

work for the two of you. This is our chance to celebrate your engagement and have a little fun before the wedding day.

My goal is to deliver to you the most gorgeous photos that showcase you, your personality, and what makes your relationship so unique! If you approach your session with an up-for-anything and ready–to-have-fun attitude, it will show on camera. Couples who are “game” for anything allow me to be my creative best and make the most magic possible.

EVERYT YOU NE KNOW PLANNIN ENGAGE SESS

THING EED TO ABOUT NG YOUR EMENT SION

WHEN TO BOOK YOUR SESSION HOW WILL YOU USE YOUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS? This helps us plan our shoot time. Some couples prefer a certain time of year/ season or some just want to get underway as soon as possible. Much depends on what you will be doing with the images. Important things to keep in mind when deciding on your session date: Your design consultation will take place immediately after your session .

May and October are our busiest months of the year and session times fill very quickly.

Save the Dates are typically sent 4-6 months before your wedding date.

Engagement guest books take 4-6 weeks to produce.

Reprints take 2-3 weeks to print.

Please note it is your responsibility to email/call to schedule your engagement session.

D AY S A N D T I M E S FOR YOUR SESSION Because of our wedding schedule, we offer engagement sessions Tuesday through Thursday exclusively as we are shooting most weekends. If you can’t scoot out of work early for your session, No worries! Depending on the time of year, we can start our session after 5 pm. The prettiest photos are shot two hours before sunset or one hour before sunrise. Please note: June, July and August; our sessions are in the mornings one hour before sunrise unless you have an inside location booked. (it is just too hot and you will not be comfortable which means it will be difficult to love your (sweaty;-) photographs.)

Another fun option: a night shoot! So many people see our beautiful night photos, but never think to schedule their own shoot for at night. Check out these examples and consider if you want a day or evening shoot. Reminder: You could always add extra time and do both by scheduling 1 hour before sunset!

If you absolutely cannot make a TuesThurs work…we may have a few Sunday options available for a fee of $350.

PLEASE ARRIVE A F E W M I N U T E S E A R LY The most important request I can make is to please be on time. I’m saying please as a nicety…but seriously, be on time:) I love you, be on time! In fact, please arrive a few minutes early so we can start right on schedule. If your scheduled time is 6pm this means we start shooting at 6pm. You will need to be there and ready to shoot exactly at your scheduled time. We usually have two or three sessions scheduled in a day. If you’re late, your session will likely be shorter, and you’ll receive fewer photographs. Help me help you by being on time.

Sometimes things happen. If you are going to be late, please call me at 704-941-9391. If you’re more than 15 minutes late, we will assume you are a “no show” and we will be really sad. If you are 30 minutes late, your session will be rescheduled at an additional charge of $250.

WHERE WILL WE SHOOT OUR SESSION?

There

are so many amazing Charlotte locations for shooting your engagement photos.

During your Design Consultation we will brainstorm with you to find the perfect place that matches your vision and your personal style. We take the time to get to you you and the things that are important to your life because those are **If your selected location requires a venue fee, please make arrangements in advance of your session directly with the venue and pay all appropriate fees

D E S T I N AT I O N ENGAGEMENT PORTRAITS

We

love destination engagement portrait sessions! If you have a location that’s close to your heart, but more than 20 miles outside of Charlotte, please let us know! We are happy to work up a travel quote for you.

WHAT SHO

MY GOAL IS TO CA P T UR E YOUR P E R S ON A L I T I E S , AND WHAT YOU WE A R P L AYS A PA RT I N T HI S .

Wear outfits that reflect you and your personalities. Wear your ‘best’ outfits that you feel amazing in. Dress to impress! Remember the shoes—clean, polished and perfectly styled with your outfits. You might want to bring a comfy pair to walk in since we usually walk a lot during your session.

The most important things to keep in mind are to choose outfits that make you feel gorgeous, and to choose outfits that fit impeccably. I’m excited to see what you choose to wear! Feel free to email me ideas for the thumbs up or down. I’m here to help!

OULD WE WEAR? 01.

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ONE PERSON WEARING JEANS IS OKAY, BUT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU BOTH NOT WEARING JEANS FOR YOUR SHOOT IF YOU DO NOT WANT RESEMBLE A LEVI AD:-)

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THOUGH I LOVE THEM MYSELF, DON’T WEAR RAINBOWS OR FLIP FLOPS…SORRY, THEY JUST AREN’T THAT CUTE IN PORTRAITS.

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AVOID LARGE LOGOS AND LOUD PATTERNS AS THEY’RE DISTRACTING AND TAKE THE FOCUS FROM YOUR FACES.

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DO IRON YOUR CLOTHES. IF THEY HAVE WRINKLES, YOU WILL HAVE WRINKLES IN THE PHOTOS.

LAYERS AND TEXTURES ARE GREAT! LAYER JEWELRY, SCARVES, SWEATERS TO CREATE DEPTH TO YOUR OUTFIT

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DON’T WEAR SOLID WHITE. I AM TALKING GAP AD CIRCA 1995, AVOID SOLID WHITE BUTTON DOWNS AT ALL COSTS.

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COORDINATE YOUR OUTFITS, BUT DON’T BE MATCHY-MATCHY. SOLID COLORS ARE TIMELESS, AND PATTERNS CAN BE FUN…AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT CLASH.

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YOU CAN FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT OUR PINTERST BOARD ON STYLING HERE: HTTPS:// WWW.PINTEREST.COM/CASSBRADLEYNC/ CHARLOTTE-ENGAGEMENT-SESSION-STYLING/

HAIR, M STYLING AN GROOMI

MAKE-UP ND OTHER ING TIPS

LOOKING YOUR BEST

It’s

important that you and your fiancé come to your session looking polished. Your engagement session is a great excuse to get pampered, too. I fully believe in the magic of professional hair and makeup styling for you to feel like a rock star. If you need a referral for a great hair and makeup artist, please check out my sister company, Charlotte Wedding Bosses at www.charlotteweddingbosses. com for a full list of hair and makeup artists at the top of their field and that will also ensure you arrive to your session on time.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR YOU BOTH: Get a trim before your session.

If you color your hair, make sure it’s freshly done.

Remind him to shave or trim his beard beforehand. Nose and ear cleanup is also a good idea. Guys don’t usually think of this stuff, so it’s a great idea to help a fella out! Also, the back of the neck is a great place for a touchup for guys before the session.

Consider brow waxing and a mani-pedi (for both of you!)

A NOTE ABOUT RETOUCHING:

These days, everyone says, “Oh, they will retouch that.” It sounds good in theory, but it is not really true. Basic retouching is included standard, but extensive retouching is not. For example, covering up your roots if you color your hair is considered extensive retouching and will be assessed an extra fee. So is digital tailoring of your clothes to make them fit better and removing tan lines.

Please note: Extensive retouching will be sent to a pro-retoucher and will add additional charges.

We are doing our absolute best to achieve the look we want in camera and not in post production. Keep this in mind…if you have to say to yourself “oh she can Photoshop that” then let’s try and remedy it before moving forward.

WHAT TO BRING? I F I T W O N ’ T B E I N T H E P H O T O S, P L E AS E L E AV E I T AT H O M E Please leave personal items that won’t be in the photos in the trunk of your car or at home...including your pocketbook, man purse (ok…so maybe he doesn’t have a man purse;-) , sunglasses, coats, phones and other items. We are on the move during your session, and carrying items can be a hindrance.

Remember time is limited and we don’t want to spend any of it fetching/ setting down/picking back up items we don’t need on our shoot.

We also don’t want you to lose anything that you set down, or have it stolen.

CAN WE BRING OUR PET?

W H AT A B O U T PROPS?

We love pets, and would love to incorporate your pet in your session. Furry little babies are always a treat to photograph!

While props are great and can add some fun to your session, keep in mind too many props can be a lot to handle. Styled shoots with larger props take time. If you plan to bring props, bring small things that can be used and put away easily. Personally—unless a fully styled/editorial shoot…I say leave props at home.

If you bring your pet for some of the photos please have someone come along that can take your pet home after we take a few shots, unless you want them in every photo. It’s easier on everyone (including your pet) to not have your pet stay for the whole session. If you do not have someone handy to take care of your pet we can refer a great pet sitter that can come and hang out with your pet while we shoot.

Even the best behaved pooch is in the way after we are done shooting with them, so having a pet wrangler is key to enjoying and making the most of the rest of our session time.

CLIFF NOTES 1. Portrait sessions are scheduled Tuesday 6. Please be on time (i.e., a few minutes early) through Thursday.

2. It is your responsibility to email/call to 7. Wear comfy shoes for all of the walking we’ll do. But feel free to bring a ‘cute’ pair schedule a time for your shoot. too.

3. July and August, sessions are scheduled 8. If it won’t be in your photos, leave it in the early mornings. at home or in the car. This is especially 4. September through May we offer important for purses. evening sessions in addition to morning 9. Ideally, your Design Consultation will times. take place on the same day as your 5. Plan to be at your shoot for one hour. Photographic Experienc.

N O W L E T ’ S G E T R E A DY T O H AV E S O M E F U N A N D C R E AT E A RT W O RT H Y H E I R LO O M S T O R E M I N D YO U O F T H I S E XC I T I N G T I M E I N YO U R L I V E S . . . E V E RY D AY !