Ask A Wedding Photographer // Props, and Why You Don't Need Them

Ask A Wedding Photographer // Props, and Why You Don't Need Them

We're about to get into a discussion about engagement photography, but first I’d like to get something out of the way. I don’t necessarily have anything against props, I just don’t think you need them to come away with images you will love. And I’m going to tell you why. And I’m also going to tell you that this is purely my opinion.

This post isn’t meant to diss people who are really into props and styling and have a whole story planned out in their head. This post is for people who think they’re supposed to have props because that’s what other people are doing and could use a little reassurance that they are not missing out.

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Real Couples // Old Town Alexandria Summer Engagement: Lauren + Micah

Real Couples // Old Town Alexandria Summer Engagement: Lauren + Micah

We first met at the University of Maryland where we would meet every now and then for lunch with a group of mutual friends. Our relationship grew very naturally. We started as friends and as time went on, our lunch meetings with our friends became lunch dates with just me and Micah. We spent a lot of time getting to know each other. One of our favorite places to spend time together has always been Old Town in Alexandria. We both enjoy being outside and being near water. The day after my birthday (February 19, 2016), Micah had my best friend invite me to get my nails done and go to happy hour. After Kristian and I left the nail salon, she suggested we go to Old Town for dinner and drinks. When we arrived in Old Town, Kristian pulled up next to Founder’s Park (which is right along the water). She handed me a box and told me to look at what was inside. On the outside of the box was a note that said “Open and walk towards the light in Founder’s Park.”

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Real Couples // Spanning A Decade and Thousands of Miles: Soundarya and Anand

Real Couples // Spanning A Decade and Thousands of Miles: Soundarya and Anand

Far too often, we are asked to let go off things. But maybe, it is not always a good idea, not in all cases at least! Ours is one of those stories that proves otherwise. Our story spans a decade—a decade of funny, good, bad, and hard times, plenty of roadblocks, and inconveniences. We met each other 10 years ago back in 2007, in college in India, thanks to our friends who set us up. I was a freshman, and Anand was already in his junior year, and we had the most beautiful time in college, holding hands and taking long walks in the valleys, motorbike rides in the woods, watching sunrises on the beaches, sharing memories with friends and going to parties. Two years just flew by, and Anand graduated from college and decided to do his Master’s in the U.S. Living on two different sides of the globe didn’t make it easy, but we became the experts and ‘know-alls’ of video conferencing apps and international calling cards. After three long years, I moved to the U.S. in 2012 to New York to get my Master’s, and I fell in love all over again. However, this time it was with New York City, which I now call my second love. Anand was living in Boston by then. Living in the same country made things a lot easier for our relationship. We had our shares of fights and break-ups, but in the end, we "always found our way back to each other." I recently moved to Philly for a job, so we are still in a long-distance, although a shorter distance, relationship, and we are still counting up those air miles/burning up the highway, and we are happy.

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Real Couples // Natural History Museum Engagement: Jess + Karolyn

Real Couples // Natural History Museum Engagement: Jess + Karolyn

I was enjoying swimming in a sea of accents as the bustling group of tourists funneled their way into the Natural History Museum in London. Karolyn and Jess told me about their engagement story as we walked through the crowd. They pointed at the staircase and told me it happened upstairs, a small private corner of the museum all to their own. This is where they got engaged, this is where they come to remind themselves of how it all started. This is where we took photos in loud whispers, in the echoes of the monumental stone walls, before wandering out into the rare sunlight of London for a walk in the park. 

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Real Couples // Knoxville, Tennessee Soulmates: Randall + Jenna

Real Couples // Knoxville, Tennessee Soulmates: Randall + Jenna

We met in 2014 at Carson Newman University. I had just graduated from UC Santa Barbara and transferred to Carson-Newman to finish graduate school and my last year of volleyball. I remember the first time I saw him. I was in the cafeteria, and he strolled up on me trying to ask me whole a lot of random questions like I was the new one at school. He was good-looking, so it didn’t bother me too much. Soon we started to hang out more and more and became really good friends. I remember always having the feeling that we were going to know each other forever, but I thought just as friends. I wasn't ready to get in a relationship, and he was still being whoever he was. But eventually, a love began to blossom between us. Fast-forward two years later to the weekend of my graduation, my family all came down to see me and out of the blue, he popped the question!!! I was so surprised but very happy. What I like best about our relationship is that nothing felt forced. Everything just felt easy and natural.

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Real Couples // Dirty Dancing Inspired Engagement: Blanca + Cody

Real Couples // Dirty Dancing Inspired Engagement: Blanca + Cody

I'm a commercial photo stylist, and I love conceptualizing creative shoots! So when Cody and I got engaged, I decided we needed to go all in for an awesome, original engagement shoot.  Needless to say we love Dirty Dancing. We're both huge Patrick Swayze fans; Cody particularly loves his work in Point Break, and of course I prefer him as Johnny Castle.  

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Real Couples // Love and Activism: Bianca + Christina

Real Couples // Love and Activism: Bianca + Christina

Going to a protest as a first date was fitting for these two Chicago land activists who are planting seeds of change all around their community. Bianca and Christina are passionate about making this world we live in a better and equal place for all. Love just happened naturally and sprouted fast for these two. They may even admit that it was L-O-V-E at first sight for the both of them. As they approach two years of being together, it still feels like fireworks and butterflies to them.

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Real Couples // Beautiful Rainy Engagement: Kaylee + Vincent

Real Couples // Beautiful Rainy Engagement: Kaylee + Vincent

Kaylee and Vincent met about a year ago and immediately had a connection. They both knew that dating wasn't something they wanted to do just for fun; they wanted to be serious about the person they spent the rest of their lives with. They knew within a couple of months that they were the ones for each other. They started dating August of 2016 and will be getting married in August of 2017! When you know, you just know. They knew how much they loved each other, and the rest was simple. During their engagement session, it rained the entire time, but it didn't phase them one bit. They danced to Nirvana and played in the rain. They were goofy and sweet and couldn't stop smiling.

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Real Couples // Seattle is for Lovers: Allie + Angie

Real Couples // Seattle is for Lovers: Allie + Angie

Recently I have been getting more involved with my engagement sessions and spending the whole day with my couples. When we are hanging out we really get to know each other and create photos together that reflect real aspects of their lives. So I spent all day with these two, and we had a blast. We started the day chillin' at their home and then eventually adventured out to Rattlesnake Ridge. They met at a bar, so it felt only natural to end the night at a few bars. 

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Real Couples // A Day in the Life of Lovers: Bonnie + Vince

Real Couples // A Day in the Life of Lovers: Bonnie + Vince

This session melts my heart for a few reasons. First of all, I had the opportunity to really get to know a friend from school and meet her boyfriend—something that wouldn’t have happened otherwise if we didn’t all share a passion for photography. At our initial meeting, they began to explain how different they both are but how great their relationship works. They both agreed that once I saw their apartment, everything would make sense. And it did.

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Real Couples // Love Fest at Home: Nina + Josh

Real Couples // Love Fest at Home: Nina + Josh

Josh: In 2014 Nina had just moved to Tampa from Lakeland. Her first weekend in town we met each other out through some mutual friends. Her sarcastic and goofy attitude instantly caught my attention. Over the next few months we learned more about each other, and in June 2014 we decided to make it official. Over the past three years we have spent time doing things we love to do with each other, like traveling, playing sports, attending sporting events, exercising, playing board games, exploring restaurants/bars, and just being our goofy selves together. Seems like every day we learn something new and interesting about each other. What I love about Nina the most is her intelligence, sense of humor, and her big warm heart. Nina would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. (She's always cold which makes this act even more selfless...lol.)

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Real Couples // Surprise Proposal & Wedding in One Day: Andrew + Judah

Real Couples // Surprise Proposal & Wedding in One Day: Andrew + Judah

In the middle of October, Andrew posted an ad looking for a photographer to assist in a surprise proposal to his boyfriend of 4 years, Judah. They moved from Louisiana about a year ago, and he wanted to propose to Judah at one of their favorite places. Both of their families flew to New York on the 5th (per Andrew's directions without Judah having any idea) to surprise Judah at the proposal. 

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Real Couples // The Real Thing: Leah + Darius

Real Couples // The Real Thing: Leah + Darius

We met in January of 2014 while attending Tuskegee University. I was apart of the Golden Voices Choir, and Darius was apart of the ROTC program. I was asked to sing the national anthem at their battalion by one of the members in the choir who also happened to be in the ROTC program. When I arrived to the program, out of everyone in uniform Darius stood out the most. He was standing up tall and had a huge grin on his face. I then asked my friend who he was, and she was clueless, especially on his relationship status. So then the investigation began. As she returned with answers she said, “He is single and will be talking to you after the program.” My body flooded with nerves, excitement, and acute nausea.

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Real Couples // High School Sweethearts & Best Friends: Erika + KaShawn

Real Couples // High School Sweethearts & Best Friends: Erika + KaShawn

"So KaShawn and I met when he was just a freshman and I was just a junior, in high school. It started as a usual high school relationship but the longer we lasted...the more I realized that this was different. We are going on four years in April, which will be the longest we've ever been in a relationship point blank period. Growing up, the awkward stages in high school, and going through real life adult struggles with him wasn't what I expected at all, but I'm so glad it turned out to be him. He turned me back to God, changed my life completely... We're literally the best of friends, and I couldn't see it any other way. We know all of our weaknesses and strengths, but we are definitely still learning a lot about each other. He brings out the absolute best in me, and he's the best he can be. It's imperfectly perfect." 

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Real Couples // Dating App Love Story: Marilee + Nicole

Real Couples // Dating App Love Story: Marilee + Nicole

"I met this beautiful woman on a lesbian dating website. On the surface, we had only a few things in common, but we emailed each other for two months before we met—turns out, she absolutely spoke to my heart. I never thought I would get married, let alone meet someone. Things in my life led me to believe that I was meant to be alone and that merely surviving in this world was the best it would ever get. But Marilee completely transformed my world; now we have a beautiful home, a dog, and a bright future ahead."

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Real Couples // Long-time Sweethearts: Mike + Ashlee

Real Couples // Long-time Sweethearts: Mike + Ashlee

We met at church; his mom was my Girl Scout troop leader. He was always trolling and dropping in on our Girl Scout meetings. We were like kindergarteners. I'm pretty sure he picked on me because he was so in love, lol. We became really close friends and remained that way through college.

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Real Couples // Picture-Perfect Love: Meghan + Andre

Real Couples // Picture-Perfect Love: Meghan + Andre

As Meghan says, "Andre is the romance type!" After meeting in the computer lab when their class times overlapped, he asked her out and their first date was a scenic nighttime stroll through a field of fireflies. They found an alcove by a creek and talked in the moonlight for hours. When Andre proposed, he did it in a bed of flowers decorated with lights outside their favorite restaurant, and Meghan asked through her tears if she was dreaming. These picture-perfect milestones in their relationship reflect how picture-perfect their love is. It was such a delight to photograph them, the joy and affection just radiates off of them. It's like standing in the sun. It was an absolute treat to photograph them and I can't wait for their summer wedding!

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Real Couples // West Loop Engagement: Deena + Brian

Real Couples // West Loop Engagement: Deena + Brian

Everyone stop what you are doing, and check out this ridiculously gorgeous duo!! From the moment we met Deena and Brian, we knew instantly that these two were something incredible. Not only are they some of the most beautiful people inside and out, they are also two of the kindest and most genuine people we've ever photographed. Deena and Brian just radiate pure love and happiness! We had such a great time exploring the West Loop with these two, and are even more excited now for their big day at Bridgeport Art Center.

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Real Couples // A Woodsy Kentucky Engagement: Russell + Dave

Real Couples // A Woodsy Kentucky Engagement: Russell + Dave

Russell and Dave describe themselves as opposites who bonded over their shared love of music. Russell is outgoing and free-spirited and Dave is the more reserved and introspective. They met early in 2015 and were engaged by the end of the year. Russell proposed to Dave during a visit to NYC in late December. They are enjoying a long engagement as Dave finishes his doctorate in clinical psychology. Russell works in the pharmacy at a children's hospital. These two share everything together and have established a tiny family with their dog baby Suzie Q. 

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