February 29, 2012

closet inspiration :: greensboro engagement photographer

February 29, 2012/ Glessner Photography

Watching the Academy Awards this past Sunday, I couldn't help but ooh, aah, and ugh over what the celebs were wearing. Angelina sparked enough leg jokes to keep us entertained for the rest of the year, The Help's Octavia Spencer looked stunning in her figure-flattering white gown (and won a much deserved Oscar for her role as Minnie - go on girl), and Emma Stone proved that gingers can look fab in red. In fact, I loved her gown so much, that I've decided to use it as inspiration for today's wardrobe to spice up your engagement photos.

Let's face it... not all to-be-brides are suited for jeans, boots, and blazers. Some of you want NEED more glam in your lives... enter this classy little his+hers frock, which I think would be just lovely for an evening engagement sesh in the city or maybe even in a beautiful hotel lobby.

Red-Carpet Inspired Engagement Look by glessnerphotography featuring chain earrings

Red dress, $105
Grey vest
Bridal shoes, $260
H M bracelet, £3.99
Daytrip chain earrings, $9
Banana Republic Soft Wash Textured Stripe Shirt, $60
Gap The Tailored Khaki (Straight Fit), $55
Banana Republic Silk Tattersal Tie, $60
Banana Republic Modern Fedora, $50

Remember to dress for your shape... steer clear of clothing that is too tight or too loose. One reason that I LOVE this red number from Modcloth, one of my favorite online shopping addictions, is that it accentuates the waist, showing off your figure without giving away every curve. Pair it with a great ruffled heel like the one below to elongate the leg and a few statement accessories and you're good to go. Alot of times, we think we'll just put our guy in a button-down shirt and jeans and he's good to go, but don't forget that he looks great with accessories, too! This simple black fedora and plaid tie provide the perfect pop of personality for your man.

Wanna see more? Check out some real-life engagement session style in the gallery.

Engaged? Ready for your close-up? Contact us today to schedule your engagement session!

January 26, 2012

5 reasons you should do an engagement session :: greensboro engagement photographer

January 26, 2012/ Glessner Photography

I hear people say it all the time, "Why should I do an engagement session? I'm going to have photos taken on my wedding day." Most of my wedding collections do include engagement sessions, and while not a requirement to be married (duh), I do strongly encourage my couples to elect to have engagement photos. Why? Not just because I really like photographing engagement sessions (although I do LOVE taking photos of couples together in the carefree setting an engagement session offers), but because of these five reasons that I've decided make all the difference in creating your ultimate wedding experience:

1. An engagement session allows the two of you to reconnect. Let's be real... in the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, sometimes it can seem more like a job than planning a celebration of your love. Your conversations revolve around cake tastings, bridesmaids who think they won't look good in that style of dress, floral arrangements, and making sure the caterer provides a vegetarian option for your one friend from college who doesn't eat meat. Romantic? I think not. An engagement session allows you to spend some carefree time together with no wedding worries and lots of hugging, kissing, and hand-holding which is sure to remind you of why you decided to get married in the first place.

reasons to do an engagement session with Christi and Jeremy's Old Salem engagement session in Winston-Salem, NC by Glessner Photography

2. It allows you to get comfortable in front of the camera. Maybe you're a complete natural in front of the camera or maybe you feel that you're not photogenic at all (which isn't true by the way), but either way, it always helps to work with your wedding photographer prior to the big day. You learn how your photographer directs or guides you and how to react to those directions. Much like dating, you get to know each other and the relationship between you, the camera, and the photographer only becomes more relaxed from here on.

reasons to do an engagement session with Brittany and Jeff's Belmont University engagement session in Nashville, TN by Glessner Photography

3. It allows your photographer to get to know you as a couple. Some couples are more affectionate, while others are more reserved, and you and your fiance each have different personalities that help to define who you are. Maybe you laugh very easily or maybe you need a little coaxing to reveal a true smile. There's no right or wrong, but knowing these things beforehand in a more relaxed setting and open timeframe guarantees beautiful photos when it comes time for your wedding. Consider it insurance for the big day.

reasons to do an engagement session with Tonika and Tony's downtown engagement session in Greensboro, NC by Glessner Photography

4. Who doesn't need more photos? Maybe the last time you had professional pictures made were senior portraits (that was me before Josh and I had our engagement photos made), and you've likely never had professional photos made as a couple. This is a chance to provide more decor for your home, photos to display at your wedding, great gifts for your family, and a photo for that newspaper announcement that your mom will insist on having in your hometown paper. Engagement photos are also great for save-the-dates, your personalized wedding website, and you can even have them made into a custom guestbook for your wedding day. Make your engagement session special by selecting a location that's special to you - where you first met, your first date, a favorite park - so that the photos will hold even more sentimental value and you'll be thrilled to show them off.

reasons to do an engagement session with Kristin and Read's Dragon Park engagement session in Nashville, TN by Glessner Photography

5. We have FUN! We try out different locations, photograph you in all your favorite outfits (an engagement sesh is also a great excuse for a shopping spree, btw), you (and Josh) laugh at my lame attempts at making you laugh, and we may even top it off with a coffee or dinner together afterwards. I promise it's a great time!

Ready to schedule your engagement session? Contact us and let's plan your perfect engagement photo experience.

See more of our engagement photos here.

January 23, 2012

closet inspiration :: greensboro engagement photographer

January 23, 2012/ Glessner Photography

Every couple wants to arrive to their engagement session in style, but I've learned that my brides and grooms struggle most with what to wear for photographs when it's not a tux and a white Vera Wang. So today starts my first installment of "Closet Inspiration", where I'll be posting his+her outfit inspiration for engagement photos (or just everyday wear) along with tips for rockin' your engagement wardrobe.

Today's inspiration is all about winter... so many couples shy away from doing a winter photo session, and I hear time and time again that their outfit choices just aren't as cute in the colder months, but I beg to differ. The trick is layering... a button down blouse or a cute silk tank (which allow you to introduce a bold color or pattern without going overboard) looks lovely with cardigan or blazer and a thermal underneath a button-down shirt provides your guy's outfit with depth. And just because the fall colors have disappeared from the trees, don't shy away from warm colors like browns and golds... they provide a great neutral backdrop for bright colors and bold accessories.