Still Life Studios Arizona Wedding Family Senior Baby Photographer

So I haven’t wrote much on our blog since the beginning the 2013. I think my resolution should have been to write more!

I have been posting to our  Still Life Facebook for photos and a small description of the weddings we have shot in the past, and even have wandered into the realm of Pinterest which you can follow HERE . But yet I find it is simply not enough!

So to start off the New Year… in April =) Here is what I decided to blog about. Engagements!!

Engagement 101:  How to Make it Truly Yours

In the world of Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr, Etc . It can be really easy to find photos that you love and want to have in your own photo collection, Especially when it comes to Weddings & Engagements. As photographers we love that are couples are interested in looking into photos that catch their eye and can help them describe what their personal photo style is. But at the same time with all of these outlets…..It can become overwhelming and frustrating.

So Here are  5 simple tips to help couples out and make their life a little easier when it comes to your photos.

Tip#1 – Relax and Enjoy the Experience- The Engagement Session is not only about taking photos (Shocker i know! )

The biggest reason for an engagement shoot is to make the you COMFORTABLE! It’s not everyday that you are asked to pose and kiss each other in front of a stranger with camera! We understand it’s a little weird, and you might take 10-15 minutes to really relax. But it is so important to have this experience, so when the wedding comes around your not so shy, and you have that feeling of ” Oh I have done this before!”

Tip #2 – Don’t Over think It

Don’t Over think your outfits, The Poses, Etc. You can get beautiful shots regardless if your dressed in a cocktail dress and suit or in more comfortable clothes. Can you bring both? Absolutely! We always suggest to couples to wear solid dark colors for engagements because honestly they are the most flattering outfits for photos. But can you wear something else?…. Well Yes you can! We don’t steal your wardrobe. But make sure your comfortable.. that Tye-dye  mini dress might look AMAZING in person but might FLOP in your photos…Just saying. As for the poses Don’t fight them! Just relax, Trust us we have been doing this for awhile and only want you to look your best! Fake smiles and stiff body language only makes you two look uncomfortable towards each other…. AWKWARD..

Tip#3 – Don’t Make your Shoot Pinterest Only

Ok Guys I have seen ALOT of pinterest, Sure that shot with you two kissing holding a candy, a pear, etc, might look really adorable but what in the heck does that candy mean? Do you or your fiance make candy for a living? Are you in charge of exporting pears out of the country!? WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Just because a lot of people are jumping off the bridge doesn’t mean you have to!  There was a shot a Bride and Groom asked us to shoot and of course we said yes.. but looking on pinterest.. Do you really want to know how many couples duplicated that shot?

Do you want a shoot that is Yours? or someone else’s?  Make it custom. Sure If it’s something you really want then we will do that for you, We only want you to be happy… but make sure your not coordinating the entire shoot from 1 pinterest shot to another. Again we want to take photos of  both of you… just being you.

Tip #4 – Bring in Special Props

This Tip goes hand in hand with number 3. Now above I’m not bashing props, don’t get me wrong. If they have meaning to you then bring them. Dogs, Children, Bikes, if you want to bring a picnic!  Just have it mean something to you both!  Now if you would rather not bring it something then don’t!  We also like to focus on you two as well. Either way your going to get fantastic shots! (on a side note if you bring animals or children, It’s a big help to your photographer if you bring a helper…I have been tangled in leashes before, and trust me they don’t help! Haha)

Tip#5 Tell it Like it Is

Communication is Key. Since this shoot is all about becoming comfortable with yourselves as well as your photographer, Tell them like it is, If you felt uneasy in a pose let them know, They will try something else out, If you would rather not kiss so much, Just say so, We are trying to figure out your style and you guys as  a couple. And honestly we would rather have you tell us what your uncomfortable with on the day of the shoot then be upset with your photos later.

So there you have it, 5 simple tips for engagements.. as well as weddings I’m sure there are more tips floating up in my head, But we can save those for another day =)

Bridget Levi

Team Still Life Studios

We met Josh and Lacey awhile back before their big day last Saturday, and we knew even then they would be a fun wedding =) Fast forward through there awesome Mr. and Mrs. Smith engagement and onto the wedding day, and we were absolutely right!

They kept it as a family affair and close friends but it was not a small,quiet wedding! Everyone was having fun, big laughs, showing their moves on the dance floor… it was a riot! and even though on the big day the weather decided to drop to what I will argue as freezing..  and even a little sprinkle of rain during the ceremony NOTHING could get these two wonderful spirited people down. It was a blast to be there so check out some of our favs from Josh and Lacey.

Lacey was literally poured into this dress! How AMAZING does she look!?

There Bride and Groom Session was FREEZING but you can’t tell by looking at them! they do a great job at keeping each other warm

Ok now they might look cold… but that is because we were heading in for the big party!

Photography by The Dream Team

Nate Ethington and Bridget Levi

Megan and Chris rang in their 2013 New Year with what else……. A Wedding!  They decided on the ever elegant Regency Garden in Downtown Mesa for their setting  =) and Nate was lucky enough to share in their day.

Megan was gorgeous as usually!

and the guys were up for anything.. even the daunting cheerleader pyramid!

Kisses were stolen throughout the shoot

Megan and Chris showed us their skills with Swing and really brought the house down! Look at how much air Megan got! It was amazing

Nate “Lets do  a pyramid” Ethington

Still Life Studios Photographer

Hello! and a Happy Holidays from Still Life =)

Can you believe that we are already 5 days into Chanukah and two weeks away from Christmas? It seems that in the wedding business  September – December just FLY by! I mean I was just sitting here in the office with the team editing Weddings and it just dawned on me, That we are heading into the new year with no brakes on!

So as we race closer to 2013 Let  me share just a few highlights from our 2012……. shall we?

Pinterest has officially become an addiction to some of our brides as well as to Bridget  (though she claims its for Recipe and Household ideas..once you start there is no end)

The Team has been on the ball this year! going above and beyond to make sure all of our brides and grooms have the best experience with us,  schlepping wedding shoes, balancing over streams, laying in the street and sometimes questionable locations, climbing trees, walls, buildings,etc  Its just how we roll!

We watched the growth of popularity of  the “Gangnam Style ” at each wedding… That song will not get out of my head! I wonder what is in store for 2013!?

Try NOT to hear it in your head when you see these photos =)

Among all the family/ baby/ senior and engagement shoots We have shot 110 gorgeous bride and grooms this past year and Two of which were very dear to us, one being of our own team and the other being a very close friend in our shared industryBoth were beautiful brides and let us eat at the tables with everyone else….so weird and exciting to be the photographer and the guest =) Thanks for the experience ladies!!

and last but certainly the biggest news of 2012 for us!!  We are  expecting a few new members to our team as soon as in a few weeks and others to look forward to in 2013!  So excited you guys!  ***Also a HUGE congratulations to Cosette who I don’t have a photo of yet =( , we still need to drag her in for a Maternity shoot when she is a little  further along!**

So that is just a few highlights from our 2012! I hope you guys have your own great highlights from 2012, and I cross my fingers  that maybe we were apart of some of yours from this past year ….and dare I say.. even in the years to come =)

Happy Holidays! Chag Sameach To you all!

Love,

The Still Life Studios Team

Michael and Alisa  had their fall inspired engagements with me last night, and it took a bit to get them to loosen up and get use to kissing in front of a stranger with a camera! I mean who expects that in their life? But after a few shots they began to feel comfortable and the giggles died down a bit!

It amazes me how much people can still giggle and blush about kissing each other after however many months or years they have been together! So stinking cute!

On that note here are some of my favorites from their shoot last night!

How amazing are her nails!

Photos by: Bridget ” I will watch the trees for you” Levi

Still Life Studios