Anna mentioned on her client information sheet that she didn’t want “typical kissy kissy engagement” photos, so as we were gearing up for Chip and Anna’s engagement session, I said, “Remind me if we get too cheesy!” I think that one statement freed all of us in a way. In addition to offering some specific posing ideas, I said something like, “Okay, stand in this great light and just be yourselves – chat, talk, laugh, tell each other stories and secrets.” And I really like the result. While we got plenty of the posed looks, we also got some fun photojournalistic-styled photos. So thank you, Chip and Anna, for reminding me to just let things happen and photograph the results!
Now, let me talk about what makes a great session “look.” Anna did an incredible job of picking their wardrobe! For me, there are four key ingredients to a good session: fun clients, great location, great light and a thoughtful wardrobe. For a lot of clients, the fourth ingredient, wardrobe, is the trickiest thing to figure out. But what do I mean by a thoughtful wardrobe? Here are the keys to thought-out wardrobe choices: the wardrobe tones should compliment the location by either contrasting or complementing the tones of the location. The clothing on each client should be coordinated but not matchy matchy.
“Wha?!,” you say? Yes, coordinated but not perfectly matching – see how they’re both dressed in dark jeans and warm tones – but NOT the same colors? Coordinated – but not matchy! Another hint for easy variety within a session: note that Anna kept on the same shirt throughout the session but changed her look by removing her sweater for a few shots and then adding a different jacket over the shirt. Chip changed sweaters half way through for great guy-variety as well! As you look through the photos, think about how different they would feel if they were wearing different colors.
And I’ll wrap up this crazy-long post by saying that it has been so fun to photograph at this location during every season this year (well, with the exception of dead of winter, but that’s coming!). I started out in April with Patrick and Brittany’s engagement session (and they are friends with Anna and Chip!) and met Phil and Joy there a couple of weeks later for their session. Even in just a couple of weeks you can see the difference in the colors and foliage of the farm. In June, I met Gary and Samantha there for their engagement session and that beautiful field of green grass had turned into a golden field of wheat. (And note how the spring couples are also dressed perfectly for their seasons!) Next up is Lydia and Vance – we met at the farm in August and there was a deep green field of soybeans growing where that wheat had been harvested. And just about a week before Chip and Anna’s session, I met Ashley and Shaun at the farm, where we captured the soybeans at their bright yellow peak. And here we are just a week later, the soybean leaves had turned brown and created this deep-brown, so-very-harvest color that was just right with Anna and Chip’s heirloom vibe.
Anna wore a necklace and jacket that belonged to Chip’s grandmother and they also incorporated some of her antique rugs into their session as well for a real heirloom look. And Anna’s beautiful engagement ring was his grandmother’s as well. It came together along with their laid-back charm and personality to create a wonderful scene. And here we go!!!
Here’s Radish, watching me take photos. Definitely the world’s cutest mini pony.
Radish checks in with Anna and Chip to see if they have anything good to eat. 
It was at about this time that Anna jokingly told Chip to “smize” – which of course led to a great discussion of “America’s Next Top Model!”
One of those great, impromptu moments!
Anna is definitely smizing. Definitely.
Anna’s engagement ring. Love.
Thank goodness we caught the field at this moment in time – those soybeans made for the perfect color for a crisp fall day.
Love, love, love.
This one felt like it wanted to be in color. And in black and white.
Parting shot of Radish. I call this one “The Visitor.” He kept an eye on us. I think he wants his own pony session!
by Amy Sandoval
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