Intimate & Historic Paducah Wedding

Lauren (she/her) and Dean's (he/him) intimate, historic wedding in Paducah, Kentucky is literally what wedding photographers dream about. Not only was it filled with gorgeous details and dreamy light, but they have such a big love for each other and everyone around them, and it really came through in their images. I feel so lucky to have been a part of their wedding day.

Driving down to Paducah from Louisville was a wonderful way to start the day. It's easy to get used to how stunning Kentucky is, but as I drove through the rolling hills in Western Kentucky I was in awe. I always get "warmed up" on a wedding day with detail shots— Lauren's dress was so perfectly her. I couldn't even imagine how she found one to fit her style and personality so seamlessly, but soon I learned that her mother Amy made it by hand and it all made sense. In eleven years of photographing weddings, I don't think I've seen a handmade dress - let alone one sewed by the bride's mother! All of their details felt that personal and I absolutely loved it. Dean said, "Lauren being a graphic designer by trade really helped keep the aesthetic timeless and classic. She has a great eye!" and I couldn't agree more. 

For their ceremony, "we wanted to incorporate both our religious upbringings in the service. It was important for me to include some Filipino traditions, the coins, cord, and veil, in the service to honor my heritage and our commitment to each other. We skipped the candle lighting and some other traditions (sand, ribbon, etc) and trimmed down some of the Christian traditions to just what we wanted and felt was right."

My favorite moment of the day ended up being their favorite moment as well, which makes me incredibly happy. After the dance floor had been going for a little while, the sun was getting pretty low, so I snagged them and we snuck out to the fire escape to watch the sunset. I always try to give me couples a breather to reflect on the day and really take it all in at some point and I'm so glad they enjoy it as much as I do. 

I'll leave you with some words of wisdom from the couple, "I got this advice from a bunch of people for our wedding day, but I'll pass it along: The day goes by so quickly so it's important to stop worrying about everything and slow down and notice all the details and the little moments. Also to make sure to take time to be alone together and enjoy some moments alone together as newlyweds."

Venue: The Grand Lodge // Florals: Flower and Furbish // Wedding Gown: Made by Lauren's Mom, Amy Smith // Bridesmaid Dresses: Weddington Way // Groomsmen's suits: Indochino // Caterer: Tomi Blom with The Grand Lodge // DJ: Sound Services DJ Entertainment // Cake: Artisan Kitchen // Make-up: F.A.C.E. Makeup Artistry // Hair: Megan Bandera // Bow Tie: Tie Bar // Cufflinks: BHLDN // 

Michler's Greenhouse Engagement Session

Last year Micaha & Austin introduced me to one of my favorite places in the world: Michler's. Their engagement sessions is still one of my favorites, and Michler's now holds a special place in my heart. I've been *literally* every single time I've been to Lexington since... I just love it that much. So when Stephanie & Brandon suggested doing their couple's session in the greenhouses I was over the moon. 

Not only did we get to use all their gorgeous plants as a backdrop, but Native Cafe was open so we got to talk Harry Potter & Star Trek over beers as well. My favorite engagement sessions are the ones where I get to basically be a (welcome and fun!) third wheel on a date. Stephanie & Brandon plan to elope on their anniversary this year in Pennsylvania— it seems like the perfect fit for them.

If you are wanting more greenhouse goodness try Micaha & Austin's engagement session or Chris & Cassie's anniversary session in Chicago's Lincoln Park Conservatory.

How to Choose Outfits for Your Couples Session // Interview with Cassie Scott

A couple weeks ago I sat down with model & photographer Cassie Scott to get some feedback on my what to wear guide. I’ve been working on developing it as a resource for my couples to use as they are planning outfits for their engagement or anniversary sessions and I wanted some expert advice. Because Cassie is used to being on both sides of the camera, she had so many helpful things to add that I decided to make this blog post in addition to incorporating her feedback into my existing post!

How do you choose clothes for shoots?

Picking clothes for a shoot can be a daunting task, and I’ll admit even after many years of having my photo taken I still stress about it sometimes! I ask myself two main questions that usually help:

Where is this shoot going to be?

This is always my first question because it dictates everything else. If for instance, I’m going to be outside in the woods I know that wearing heels won’t work because not only will I be sinking into the mud but it simply doesn’t match the location. You want to match your surroundings when your portrait is being taken otherwise the photos can come off as too set up. What would I wear if I were hanging out in this location? What time of year is it? It’s okay to dress casually! Casual doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Often people think they need to wear their very best clothes for their photo to be taken and it’s just not true. Simply looking through Pinterest is a great way to find inspiration or how to style clothes you already have.

What is this shoot for?

Keeping in mind what the photos are supposed to show and signify is extremely important. If you’re doing a couples shoot that’s supposed to be about you as a pair, making sure you don’t clash with your partner is important. You want your clothes to look like yourself but not distract the viewer. If they’re too fancy for the location they can stand out in a bad way, and vice versa.

Are there any fashion rules you keep in mind when planning an outfit?

• Find clothes that can be dressed up or down so that you can change the mood of the shoot quickly. A wrap dress, for example, can be casual with a jacket over it or more fancy with a pair of heels.

• Pick clothes that are flattering to your shape. You want to show off your best assets but also not distract from your face. Being comfortable is also key!

• Find colors that suit your skin tone. There are lots of guides online for this, but making sure you avoid colors that make you look washed out or ill is also good to keep in mind. As a pale woman, I usually avoid things that are light pink as they're too close to my actual skin tone, and pale green can make me look sick.

• Patterns can be great so long as they’re timeless. Geometric, stripe, plaid and floral prints never go out of style and are good options if you’re really wanting to add some interest. So long as the tones are fairly neutral (avoid neons) and the shapes aren’t too overwhelming and large you’ll be set.

• You should feel good in the clothes you wear! If you don’t feel your best in the clothes you put on it’ll show on your face, trust me!

During engagement sessions, we are often in public places and it can be difficult for clients to quickly transition into a second look. Any tips on how to do that in five minutes or less?

Personally, my favorite way to transition between looks quickly is either by adding lipstick or swapping accessories. The best way to do this is to start with clothes that can be dressed up or down and work with a variety of shoe, jewelry, and even hat choices. You can also add a stylish coat or jacket over what you have which can give any outfit a totally different vibe. Adding a lipstick can transform a look to be more glamorous or fun quickly, and if you bring a small mirror can be done anywhere. Personally, I’d bring a lipstick that’s an “all-day” variety so it’s kiss proof for couples pictures.

So I know that my shoots are usually shorter and more laid back than a full-on modeling gig would be, but just out of curiosity, what do you bring with you to a shoot?

Most models have a “model bag” that they bring to all their shoots that has essentials they need for either being on set all day or on location. I personally find these items are great for anyone planning on having their photo taken on location:

• Garment bag for carrying/protecting clothes

• Regular nude bra + strapless nude bra (the goal is to avoid any undergarments showing as they’ll distract from the clothes, and make sure the bras fit well)

• Seamless nude underwear (I personally love Calvin Klein’s Invisible Hipsters)

• Make-up wipes

• Concealer and powder for touch-ups (faces tend to get shiny when you’re outside for a bit, just check yourself between locations)

• Small mirror

• Hairbrush

• Tennis shoes (really any practical shoe for walking between locations)

• A snack! Don’t let hunger creep up on you!

• A weekender bag to carry all this and any accessories you may have

For these images, Cassie started in jeans so she could easily pull on a skirt and pull off the pants without getting indecent in public. I love how different both images feel by only changing that one element of clothing!

We went to Joe Ley in Nulu and Cassie's dress was the perfect blend of modern and vintage— it really worked well in the space. Fun fact, we only spent twelve minutes shooting there because they were closing, but I'm so pleased with what we got!

I hope you found this interview as helpful as I did! If you are wanting to dive even deeper into what to wear for your engagement session check out the guide I'm working on!