After I post any engagement session, I’m always asked how I pick my locations and what I do in regards to styling for my clients. As much as I wish I could, I really can’t take credit for my clients’ amazing fashion sense and we always work together to pick the locations. I can say that it’s been really beneficial to have a FAQ and some suggestions on hand to steer them in the right direction when we start planning the session out. Since I’ve found having these bits of information available to share with my clients to be oh-so-useful, I wanted to share those same tips with other photographers and any brides-to-be looking for advice.
“Style Book: An Engagement Session Guide” is a twelve page pamphlet of information on (you guessed it) how to plan for the engagement session. It includes everything from “when to book” to “how to pick a location” to “what to wear.” I emphasize the importance of making the session unique to the client and I probably wear out the word “confidence” because a confident person just knows how to work it in front of the camera; I preach the truth! Amen. If you’re a photographer and you’d like to share this with your clients, feel free to share this page of suggestions that I’ve found helpful, but as I say in the closing page of this booket:
“This Style Book is in no way a rule book. It’s just a few pointers to help guide you in the right direction to make sure you’re ready for the camera. When it gets right down to it, this is YOUR session! Make it personal, make it real and remember, above all else, just have fun!”
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Click “Full Screen” to get started.
Note to photographers: feel free to share this page with clients if you find it helpful, but please be respectful and do not copy or plagiarize.
Tell me what you think:
I’d love to hear any feedback you might have on this booklet. Was this helpful for you? Is it chock-full of typos? Would you like for me to continue doing the occasional informational post for photographers or should I just hush up and get back to the photos? ;)
Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments and have a great weekend!
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+ - 23 comments
Samuel Marcondes - Great, I loved it!
Thanks from Brazil!
Samuel Marcondes / Minas Gerais / Brazil
Brian Davis - Awesome book!
Elissa - Beautiful :)
Stephanie - This is really amazing, and such a good idea.
I really think you should continue to post these, based on your experiences. Looking at your formspring, you get asked a lot of the same questions over and over. Maybe an FAQ booklet about how you got started? Or quick references for people just starting out, like, “make sure you have these things, or pay attention to this, these are good questions to ask.” You could even post them for cost. I’m sure people would eat them up. I would.
Csanad - simply awesome.
Veronica Varos - Great idea, Nessa!! This will definitely be helpful for couples all over! I’ve been working on a basic guide for my couples because they’re always asking what they should do but I don’t see myself being done with it until after the 2011 e-session season. I am definitely going to be pointing my couples to this page!
Leah Muse - This is wonderful and lovely and you are great.
Charmie - Nessa what an amazing stylebook.. bravo!
Leo Druker - What an awesome idea, and it’s done so well! Love it.
Jason - What an awesome idea! Also looks amazing, this is superb. Good job.
Brad Ross - Well written and beautiful to look at.
Taylor Jackson - I LOVE THIS!!! the style book is laid out so professional exactly like an editorial and the tips are genuine and helpful! you rock! and I’m bookmarking your blog to keep updated!!! :D so glad I found you through flickr!
Jessica Schilling - Wonderful stuff here, Nessa, both for clients and photographers. It’s nice that your awesome information comes in such a pretty package!
Ariana W. - This is such a great idea and I love how you did it! Smart, practical, and stunning!
Jessica Horton - You’re so awesome, Nessa…. so talented in so many ways!
Keao - this is crazy amazing. Not anyone can put this together, you’ve got a great writing style and you picked perfect photos. I laughed so hard at the “if you shirt has more tattoos than you do, leave it at home.”
Vitalii Kukresh - Nessa, thank you very much for a very necessary and useful thing.
Char - REALLY, really love this! Thanks for sharing!!! I have been wanting to put together something like this for my client..this sooo helpful! Can I ask you what program you used to create the booklet? LOVE your work!
Jeremy - Great idea Nessa! I think this is a wonderful way to provide info to couples. I like it so much I added a blog post that links back to you! Thanks so much for sharing.
Kristin Nicole - Great job…I have been working on one of these forever, so I might send my clients your way until I am finished with my own. :)
Heather - This is awesome!!! :D
Julia Manchik - I made something similar for wedding tips but hadn’t gotten around to making one for engagement tips. I will send this to my clients this month until I finish my own. Thanks! I just found your blog today thought Twitter and am so glad I checked it out. You style is superb.
brie - Awesome book! I keep meaning to come up with something, but there never seems to be enough time, I’ll definitely have to direct my clients your way for this. :)