Kevin let me in on his plan to propose to Anna on their trip to Alaska, so we got to schemin’. We caught the most stunning sunrise at low-tide for their magic moment. Homer Alaska, my home town, is the most stunning place for a beach proposal. I always make sure to do my research and stay up to date on the tides and the weather here in Homer, so I can plan for both the best possible views AND lighting for my clients! We want to see those mountains and we want epic lighting. Leave it all to me – it’s part of my job and I absolutely love it!
Timing for the best views in Homer Alaska.
I am in love with orchestrating the best photos for my clients. I take notes on what you want to prioritize in your album, and I make it happen. For some folks they come all this way to beautiful Alaska and are just dying to have insane mountain views in their photos, and others are in love with the ocean and really want to incorporate it with the stunning views behind them, and some people have always wanted to experience an incredible beach sunrise surrounded by mountains and a fresh morning breeze. Yes to all of these! I can make it happen! You tell me your vision, your hopes and dreams, and I get to work on the time of year you’re wanting photos in and collide it with what time of day, the tide, and which location works best. Granted – this could mean we all get our butts out of bed at 6am to meet at the beach in time for cotton candy skies like Kevin, Anna and I did. I’m telling you right now – it was 1000% worth it. Let’s grab coffees and meet at the beach before anyone is awake, you won’t regret having the beach to yourselves during the most magical time of day in Homer.
How should I propose?
Let’s talk about it.
I can’t imagine how nerve wracking proposing to the love of your life would be. Thankfully, you have nothing to worry about once you’ve got me in your corner. Along with planning the perfect location and time to propose, I also hop on the phone with you to go over ~ the plan ~ together. Which, fear not, is insanely simple and straightforward. It gives you a bit of direction and basically just sets you up for the best possible photos, while still prioritizing your comfort and flexibility to propose when you feel ready! You will also have total access to texting with me the day – of just in case there’s a change of plans or you think of something new you’d like to do! I’m extremely go with the flow when it comes to sessions, and especially proposals. You really can’t go wrong with a Homer Alaska beach proposal.
Let’s do it!!
If your partner is anything like me – they probably don’t want a super public proposal. Instead, they want it to be documented by someone who stays out of the way, but captures all the feelings of that moment. I would want it documented authentically, artfully, and emotionally. Homer is perfect for getting engaged in – mountains behind, sunrise above, ocean before you. Let’s grab coffees and meet up for your “couple’s session” 😉
Let’s get to plannin’. Here’s a link to get the ball rolling.
Comfort. Confidence. Emotion.
01 / Why It Matters
Here's the thing, sometimes certain outfits that look great in real life can be suuuuuper distracting in photos. Also, if you're not comfortable in your clothes, you're going to look uncomfortable in all of the photos. The photos will turn out so incredible if you are physically comfortable in the clothes you are wearing, as well as feeling like hot stuff.
We don't want a clashing color with your skin tone, or a brightly reflecting color on your partners face in all the photos — lemme give you a little run down on what works, and what doesn't work, so we can get the best possible photos together.
02 / Options
Bring some options! Bring 3-4 outfit options per person so we can mix and match them to look best with each location and lighting. For families, bring 2 outfit options per person that can be mixed/matched. I typically have my clients change for each different location we go to or change of scenery. We do this by having you guys change in either a public bathroom if we're near a park or beach, or change in the car! If you don't think you'll be able to change in the car, or don't want to, then feel free to send me photos of the outfits in advance so I can help make sure you get the best photos possible!
03 / Personality
This is so important - PLEASE take creative freedom with your outfits. Like these guys brought some matching vests their friend made for them years ago, and it was freaking cute. I want you to look like YOU. Just remember to always always choose comfort over looks. Is there a jean jacket you've covered in patches together? Bring it. Is there an outfit you've always thought he looks extra good in? Bring that bad jackson. A big way to make these photos that much more sentimental for you in the future, is your outfits. Let's make these photos special — let's make them you.
04/ Movement
Movement can create ENERGY. Movement is so so important in creating authentic and timeless photos together. Most of my prompts and posing style is movement based and wearing materials and styles that move with you will make your photos SO much better. Anything that can show movement or catch wind is something I encourage all my clients to incorporate into their outfits. I LOVE having movement in my work in any way that I can since it adds energy to images. The stiffer the material, the less you'll be able to move, meaning you'll probably be a lot less comfortable! Remember, comfort > looks.
05 / Colors
Okay this is such an important one! Stay away from colors that can cast unnatural colors onto your partner’s skin. This happens from light reflecting and bouncing off of their clothing onto the other person, or onto the bottom of your own neck/chin. These colors are typically fluorescents, but specifically pink, bright red, orange, and yellow will cast the strongest. I recommend you lean towards neutrals and muted colors as they are what will be the most timeless and offer minimal distraction.
Choose colors that are complimentary to your skin tones. Usually, unless you have an olive skin tone or darker skin, steer clear of reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks for the most part.
I love colors — there is so much inspiration to pull from colors to create more playful or interesting shots, so definitely don't be afraid to bring a more colorful option! Okay let's talk about matching.
08 / Logistics
Unless they are meaningful to you in some way, don't go matchy matchy with the same color shirt or outfits— this will blend you two together a bit like it does in this photo.
Choose complimentary colors, not identical.
06 / Patterns
For me, I’m always aiming to keep the focus on your faces, since my style is so heavily based on emotion and storytelling.
Big, distracting chunky patterns are usually not gonna make for timeless and emotion driven images. I recommend clients stay away from thick patterns since they can be super distracting especially from your faces. I love patterns, but typically only shoot them if they’re subtle and not distracting.
Good example : Flannels, this isn't too much of a pattern that it distracts from faces or emotion.
Bad example : Chevron or thick striped sweaters. Makes someone look like a human barcode.
The first photo is totally fine with just the one pattern on her whole outfit, but when we combined three different patterns / designs, it was way too busy and took away from her beautiful face!
For these family photos, I would've gone with just ONE person wearing a pattern, instead of both the dad and son.
There's just the one pattern of the blanket going on here with the mama, so it's much easier to focus on their faces!
07/ Accessories
I always encourage accessories! I love when you guys bring hats, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, etc because it adds more interest to the outfits rather than being too plain. It's easy to mix and match accessories when you have a neutral outfit as a base. The only accessory I have clients take off are watches. Props. I am a huge fan. I highly encourage meaningful props like your dog, a picnic, an old truck, anything that helps represent the phase of life you're in.
Little things that make a giant difference! Be sure to iron your clothes so big huge wrinkles aren’t a distraction. This is something I can't touch up in editing, it will always end up looking wonky - trust me.
If it’s going to be cold, opt for warmer materials that hold in heat like flannel or wool. Bring layers in this scenario so we can have more options to play with! If it’s going to be hot, opt for cooler materials that can breathe like linen.
For maternity sessions, it's totally up to you if you want to capture that adorable belly unhindered by clothes! These usually end up being my favorites of maternity sessions. A cute and simple way to grab a few belly shots is to wear a bralette under your clothes and bring a jacket or cardigan to throw on for any walking we do. Heels are 99% of the time going to be a bad idea unless you're really good at walking in them. I just recommend to be sure to wear shoes that are comfortable!
09 / Specifics
Should you get your hair and makeup done? Some do and some don’t! I encourage you to do whatever is going to make you feel your very best. Some people feel the most like themselves with messy hair and no makeup, and some feel super confident all glammed up. Whatever floats your boat!
What about home sessions? Please still set aside 3-4 outfits, or if we're doing a family session get out 1-2 outfits! Choose a space in your home that has the most natural light, and throw everything in a closet or do a quick clean up of the area, and open up those curtains! No need to go crazy and dust every surface. Just throw the toys in the kids' room, and clear the couch off!
Do we bring the outfits to every location? They all stay in the car trunk. I like to keep each location/scene limited to one outfit. If we are hopping out of the car to shoot somewhere for 15 minutes then I’ll have them leave everything in the car.
10 / Questions
Well, there you have it! PLEASE feel free to ask questions, create a Pinterest board with me, or send pictures of your outfits beforehand! I am here to help with anything I can to make this part of getting photos taken easy!
