Engagement Photos

by Uppereast.com Staff

Congratulations! You’re engaged. Now I am sure you want to share your good fortune and happiness with everyone. You want to scream from the top of the Empire State Building: “Look at me. Look at my ring. Look at my fiancé.” But there are better ways to spread your joy that won’t give you laryngitis; namely, wedding announcements. In the past, people have announced their engagement in local newspapers from where they live and where their families live. Today, your options are limited only by your creativity.

Newly engaged couples are creating E-cards or regular announcements which are sent to friends and family. They are creating their own place in cyberspace dedicated to their wedding on sites such as weddingchannel.com or theknot.com. But before you can announce your engagement, you need the right picture to go along with the sentiment. Enter a professional photographer. Don’t go through your digital photos searching for that perfect one which makes you look ten pounds thinner and captures your fiancé looking dapper in something besides his alma matar’s T shirt and a pair of mesh shorts. Stop pulling out photos from stacks of pictures filed away in boxes and the junk drawer. This moment warrants a professional’s touch. While hiring a professional may seem expensive, having quality shots that you can use for announcements, at your wedding reception and for keepsakes from this day forward is well worth the money. “New York City is the best canvas for pictures,” says photographer Jennie Aleshire. “But more importantly are the people in the pictures.” Aleshire, a professional photographer with years of experience behind the camera offers couples some advice.

(1) Choose Your Style: Before you select a photographer decide on your own individual style. Do you prefer staged shots, a more traditional approach to photography? Or do you prefer a photographer who brings a photojournalistic flare, capturing moments on the fly? Ask to see a photographer’s book to see what style they have and what artistic bent they have used in the past.

(2) Come Prepared: When you arrive to meet your photographer at the location of your shoot, be prepared with a list of pictures which you want to make sure he/she takes. Perhaps you want some headshots to use for announcements in local papers or a picture of just your hands to show off the new ring. Whatever shots you MUST have should be laid out to the photographer a head of time. (3) Put Your Best Face Forward: It may sound stupid, but practice smiling and tilting your head in a mirror. Decide if you have a better side. Also, have your hair and make-up done. You don’t need to spend a lot to look like a million bucks. Try getting a blow out at a salon like Dramatics (multiple Upper East Side locations), where prices are around $40. You can get your make-up done for free at one of the counters at Bergdorf of Bloomingdales. Need a new lipliner or a new blush? At most cosmetic counters, you can schedule a makeover with a professional make-up artist for the purchase of a few items and a tip.

We asked our favorite photography expert, Jennie Aleshire, some questions which all Upper East Side brides want to know. Q: What are some of the best Upper East Side locations to use as a backdrop for engagement photos? A: The Upper East Side is an amazing backdrop for romantic and gorgeous photos. Some of my favorite places to shoot are:

(1) Central Park
(2) Steps of the Met Museum
(3) Guggenheim
(4) Tables at sidewalk cafes
(5) The location of a couple’s first date or special moment. Did he propose at an Upper East Side restaurant or did you share dessert on your first date? Re-enact that moment.
(6) Taxis
(7) 5th Avenue

Q: I am sure the grooms aren’t always on their best behavior for a long photo shoot. Do you have some suggestions on getting the groom to vogue it up for the camera? A: Bribery always works. Try to make it fun for the guy. We know their attention span may not be what the bride’s is, but complimenting him or getting him to ham it up for the camera makes the time go by faster. In the end, the groom usually relaxes and starts to have fun. That’s when I get the best pictures.

Q: What is the best time of day to shoot pictures? A: For the best lighting, shooting in the early morning or late afternoon is best. That time of day offers the most flattering light for shadow contrast.

Q: What makes a good engagement photo? A: When the couple looks natural and comfortable the photographer can capture their personality. It helps to make sure that you have enough time for everyone to get used to and then forget that the camera is there. The first twenty minutes usually are a warm up and the best pictures come later on when you forget the photographer is there.

Q: What’s the difference between shooting with digital vs. film? A: Digital is much easier to crop images or convert images to black and white or sepia. You can burn multiple copies of the disc for the couple. You can easily post photos that are digital and upload them to online websites like Shutterfly or Ofoto so that you can directly order prints. (Make sure to order matte finishing for best results.). Film always has the highest quality, but it’s more expensive to develop so you can’t have 100s of pictures to just find a few good ones while being economical. I would recommend film for those who have a very discerning eye. Choosing the right photographer is as important as choosing the right location. You can learn a lot about a photographer and their style simply by asking to see their “book” and speaking to them on the phone to get a sense of their personality. “You want someone who is going to put you at ease,” said Aleshire. “You want to admire the work in their portfolio and appreciate their unique style.” Aleshire offers pointers on what makes a good portfolio. “You have to keep in mind that photographers only put their most compelling photos in their portfolio. To get a feel for the real deal ask to see a few images from a recent shoot which are not in their repertoire of selected photos.” Professional photographers’ prices range from $100 up to $1000 or more. Be sure to ask a head of time what the package rate includes. Will the photographer touch up pictures? Will they edit them? An engagement photo shoot should take about 2 hours of shooting time and then some behind the scene work from the photographer to upload or develop the film. Make sure you know what you are being charged for up front. “A camera is an instrument which teaches people how to see without a camera,” Aleshire said quoting Dorthea Lange. A true mark of a talented photography is being able to witness beauty and capture it on film forever. Aleshire’s work is an example of her creative vision and eye for seeing and capturing what so many of us miss. Jennie Aleshire has a BA in photography from Earlham College and is currently completing a Masters at NYU. She has worked as a freelance photographer for years and completed several photo-documentaries, most about a small town in Honduras. She has exhibited her work with rave reviews in Pittsburgh, Honduras and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She continues to work in New York City and often photographs weddings, engagement shoots and a variety of photo journalistic projects. Her work can be seen on her website, and she can be reached by email at: jenniealeshire@gmail.com.

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