So this month we are having designers, people who have Etsy shops, small business owners that need good professional pictures of their product. I have tons of models lined up and a few designers. We need more designers and would love to work with those that can really benefit from this! Thought I would post this on here in case someone knew of a children’s clothing etsy shop or a designer that this could benefit:)

If you can just email me if you know someone or are that someone:) shann@shannonkelleyphotography.com

And if you are near the Knoxville area, we’d love to have you join us!

*be you
This is the biggest tip I think. Just be you. Don’t try to change that. If you are comfortable with yourself that day then that results with better, more candid, pictures. Embrace your awesomeness! Also take into account your location…you can play into it or go against it and still look cool. Example, if you are having a session out in the woods then you can go super casual and really fit into the scenery or you can go super glam and stand out and the photos would be awesome. And in your engagement session, feel free to ask your photographer if you can do outfit changes to maybe get a little bit of both:)

*no matchy matchy
I’m going to throw this out there for ya. I know there are people and photographers that love this look. And I will *sheepishly* admit that our own engagement photos may have had a little too matchy matchy in them. But we’ve all come into the new modern era and really, just please, don’t wear matching white shirts. Coordinate, yes. Matching, no.

*think of an outfit
When you are picking out what to wear for the two of you, think of both people as one outfit. Have similar colors, coordinating patterns, fun accessories. This visualization works well for me because then you free yourself up to coordinate. For example, you have a fun patterned dress you want to wear. Then maybe pick out one of the colors on there and have his shirt be a solid color or a smaller coordinating pattern.

*be bold!
I love pictures because they are the one place where bold, larger than life things look awesome. Crazy striped shirt with giant glasses and a hat? Yes please! If you can’t go that bold that is fine but don’t limit yourself. For instance, I have this one hat in my closet that I love but just never wear because its not one of those “let me put this on and run to the store” kind of hats. It’s a little funky. and awesome too:) It’s those kind of things that are great in pictures. Got awesome shoes, crazy scarves, a cool leather jacket, you name it? Bring em on:)

*accessorize
Accessories can make even a plain black shirt and jeans look great. In fact, if you must be matchy matchy then accessories are the way to go! And feel free to bring some accessories with you to your photo shoot to change it up.

Hope this helps! Here is an example from the awesome Caroline and Ryan rocking their engagement session last fall… simple, coordinating, and rocking the boots…what more could you want:)

We had our session at the Knoxville Arboretum. This is a gorgeous place for photographers in Knoxville!

The day before the wedding: what is a photographer doing

So today I thought we would take a look at the day before. For all you wedding photographers and those thinking that someday you would maybe want to be. Here it is. The whole truth and a look behind the scenes of the day before:)

First up, I invited an awesome fellow wedding photographer, Jules Wiegand from Louisville, to join in the conversation. Here is what her day looks like on the day before:

I like to check all the areas i will be shooting prior to the
wedding. I check lighting and different backgrounds and make a few notes of
some creative ideas for photos. The day before i go through all my
equipment and plan for the day as well as notes on the couple and some of
the things they want for the day.

So after all the behind the scenes of booking the wedding, meeting up with the bride and groom, and getting all the fun details down the day before the wedding is here and you are getting ready for the big day of photographing the wedding. Can I recommend comfy shoes too:) As Jules stated, prep work is key! Be familiar with the space, how the light hits it, think outside the box for family shots. Here is my general checklist that I go through:

• charge batteries
• clear CF cards and pack them with gear
• go over notes from location and meetings
• get all contact info printed and put with gear
• print out directions (even if I know where I’m going…you never know:) )
• put charged batteries with gear.
• clean lenses if needed
• go over day of schedule
• call bride if needed to chat about any last minute stuff or to confirm
• make sure I have gas in my car
• make sure I have fresh batteries for flashes
• pack water
• charge phone (its an ongoing issue and needs to be on the list with me:) )
• remind the hubby of the schedule for the day so he remembers to take care of Lena:)

A giant thanks to Jules for being awesome and helping out with post!  Her and I share a kindred heart on missions. Here are a few pictures of her beautiful work to enjoy!

2. I’m never one to wish winter away or let it bother me but Lord, I need me some springtime! I could move to the ocean tomorrow and be fine. It’s not usually this cold here in Knoxville and maybe that is why…not sure what is up about this year, but that is where I am with life right now:)

3. Lena is cracking me up lately! I have to get some of it on tape! She is a mess! My favorite: she has been helping paint and has adopted the new rollers (the fluffy part of it..ya know?) as her babies. She rocks them and they sleep, and then she says “oh, they crynin” So cute!

4. Did I mention I need some springtime. Anyone that lives in a tropical location want to put a crazy loud family of three (2 of whom are obsessed with keeping it dark and only using flashlights!) up in a room. We’ll do dishes:)

5. This weekend is full of studio finishing up and 2 fun shoots! Plus I have a contest going on for some wedding wonderfulness…my Knoxville brides that are getting married in 2010 and 2011 are all in a drawing for some awesome Bride shirts that I have to give away…so we’ll have the drawings and winners up next week! Woohoo!

ok…on my way! Have a great Friday!! I’ll post pics of the studio soon…I have some awesome before ones!

So, here are the goings on for the contest once again…
-The contest will begin on 12/26.
-Spread the word you nominee’s….it’s American Idol style voting but online so let them know to come to the blog to vote.
-Contest will run through 12/31
-And leave those comments on any of the nominee posts including this one…winner from the comments will be drawn on 12/31 as well! Winner gets an awesome surprise gift! Wootwoot!

Here are all the nominee’s in one fun place! Enjoy!

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Behind the scenes: This picture was of the amazing Casey and Courtney’s wedding. It was held in Historic Rugby and every detail was so perfectly planned and crafted. Loved it! This picture is looking out the over 100 year old window of the church looking out at Courtney and her dad before she walked down the aisle. I love that you can see the oldness and speckles in the glass of the window in the picture and you can see Courtney and her dad talking and wonder what it was about.

A little behind the scenes: This was from Jenny and Ty’s engagement session. They went on to have a beautiful wedding with pictures that could be up here as well. This picture was nominated because I love the “different-ness” of it (is that a word?). I love that it looks like I snuck up on them, love the angle and the colors too. For you locals, this was taken up at Norris Dam. Shot with a Canon 5d at 25mm, 4.0, 1/15 sec.