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Beautiful Engagement Photos in Joshua Tree California

Beautiful Engagement Photos in Joshua Tree California

by | Mar 22, 2021 | Engagement Photography

Beautiful Engagement Photos in Joshua Tree California

I have been dying to photograph at Joshua Tree National Park in California for a while now and when Lauren and Dakota said they were adventurous enough to take the trek out there, I was so excited!

Unfortunately In order to take professional photos in the national park you have to get a permit and it can cost an upwards of $315, because of this we actually opted not to shoot in the actual park itself . luckily the entire area of Joshua Tree is absolutely beautiful and offers many unique locations to photograph in. 

We rented the cutest little airbnb for the night and took full advantage of the gorgeous scenery both at sunset and at sunrise! We even got a cheeky little session in the airbnb! 

Lauren and Dakota were such a joy to work with, their passion and fun vibes made the whole experience. I am so grateful for being able to be a part of their love story! I hope you enjoy their photos as much as I do!

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

Two Benefits of a First Look

Two Benefits of a First Look

by | Feb 3, 2021 | Love Stories, Wedding Photography

Two Benefits of a First Look

 

The days of strict traditional weddings are slowly fading out and one of the newer trends that have come around are breaking the age old tradition of not seeing the bride before the ceremony. This trend is called a first look. It’s a specific time set aside for the bride and groom to share a moment together before the ceremony. 

Now you may be extremely against this or simply wondering why? Some may think it is all about the photos and that is why it turns them away but it’s so much more than that. There a two main reasons why a first look can be an excellent idea for your wedding day.

 

 

One

Creates a beautiful and intimate moment

 

When you walk down the isle and your husband to be sees you for the first time you will probably take his breath away. He will relish at how he came to be with such an amazing and beautiful woman and feel lucky he is about to promise forever to you. But he won’t be able to express any of this as he feels it. You will be given away and have to stand in front of all of your guests to begin the actual marriage process. Skipping over his initial reaction of seeing you.

 

With a first look you are given a chance as a couple, to enjoy each other privately, and marvel at the beauty of what you are about to do. Without all eyes looking towards you expectantly. 

 

You will get to hear your future husband tell you how extraordinarily beautiful you are as he takes you into his arms. You will get to feel the excitement of the day and remember the reason why you are here, because of the love between you two. 

 

And of course all of these beautifully intimate moments will be captured for you tot elite forever. Adding to the personal and emotional story of your wedding photos. 

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

Two

Allows for more time flexibility in your schedule

 

You will be surprised how little time there is to accommodate everything you want to do on your wedding day. Photographs can be one of the most time consuming but also a very important part of preserving the memory’s of your wedding day. After all It’s not every day you get to have all of your friends and family in one place and have a professional photographer on hand! 

 

Your going to want to have a photo with everyone that matters to you, and you’ll be surprised how quickly that eats away at your time. A first look is an excellent way to make the most of that time.

 

If you wait until after the ceremony to do all of your photos you will only have an hour long window while your guests are enjoying cocktail hour to do all of your family, bridal party and personal wedding photos. This can add unwanted time stress resulting in a less enjoyable experience as well as cut down on the ability to have those beautiful intimate photos of just you and your partner. 

 

If you choose do a first look, this is an excellent way to give yourself some extra time to get all of your bridal party and even some of your family photos out of the way. Resulting in more time for your formals as a married couple after the ceremony, and may even free up some time for you to join in on the cocktail hour for a bit! 

 

When deciding if a first look is for you think about what is more important. If you really want to stay traditional and wait for that first look to be you walking down the isle, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. After all it is your big day and it should include what is most important to you and your partner. 

 

If your still looking for a way to have that intimate moment before the ceremony, without spoiling that first look, there is an option for you! It is called a “first touch”. This option allows you and your partner can hold hands and exchange some meaningful words, separated by a wall or a door so you don’t spoil the surprise! 

 

Whether a first look or a first touch is for you or not your wedding day is sure to be magical. If time is your biggest worry, check out my post about how to plan a day of timeline. 

How to Include Your Dog in Your Photos

How to Include Your Dog in Your Photos

by | Dec 13, 2020 | Engagement Photography, Photography, Wedding Photography

How to Include Your Dog in Your Photos

 

Dogs are Man and woman’s best friend, so of course it’s only natural to want to include them in important moments such as your engagement or family photo session. Heck, I say dress them up and bring them to your wedding or elopement! However, there are certain things you should be aware of and ways to make it easier to include your fur babies in your special moments.

 

 

One

Know your dog

 

Know your dogs behaviors and make sure you have a game plan on how control them.

 

If you have a small dog this is easy you can simply hold them in your photos. But if you have a dog that’s a bit too big to hold and carry your going to want to take into consideration how well they behave and how obedient they are.

 

Does your dog know simple commands such as sit and stay, and do they stick to them even in exciting situations? Are the good off leash? Or do they wander and get excited and not listen to anything anyone has to say?

 

If your dog is the latter don’t write them off completely for being in your photos, you will just have to adapt your plan… and maybe your expectations. Expect more candid photos and a lot of laughter, but that’s what real life is right? Make it fun and enjoy the authenticity of having your dog sharing in these moments with you.

 

If you do have a super obedient dog then there will definitely be more chances for nice easy looking at the camera photographs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun too! Bring along Fido’s favorite toy and get him or her playing if you’re looking to capture those fun natural moments with your dog.

 

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

Two

Bring Incentives

 

Toys are great for play but treats are the best way to get your dog to cooperate. Don’t forget to bring along a few of your dog’s favorite treats to help give your furry friend some incentive to sit pretty for the camera.

 

Pro tip: If possible give the treats to your photographer and have them give the commands to capture your dogs attention so your dog looks to them and the camera instead of you. If you desire your babe to be looking at you switch the rolls!

 

Three

Bring a caretaker

As fun as it is to include your furry friends into your photos, most likely you don’t want them to be in EVERY photo. The best way to deal with this is to organize someone to come along to your session that can take your dog when you don’t want them in the photos.

 

Decide with your photographer when in the shoot you want to include your pup and have the care taker bring them in for that specific time and take them away again when they’re roll has been filled. This will leave you with the time you need to get other photos without having to worry about you dogs well-being.

 

Big moments are meant to be shared with friends and family and your fur family is no exception! I hope these tips helped to make you feel more confident in making the decision to include your dog or dogs in your next photo session!

 

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

The Secret to Trash The Dress Photos

The Secret to Trash The Dress Photos

by | Nov 30, 2020 | Elopement Photography, Wedding Photography

The Secret to Trash The Dress Photos

 

 

Y​ou have probably heard of people doing a trash the dress before and maybe you have even thought about how you would never “trash” something you spent so much money on. I totally get it! I’m not sure I could really do that either, but the good news is a trash the dress session doesn’t actually have to ruin your dress for good!

 

T​here are a few really amazing options that allow for some killer out of the ordinary photos and some really fun and memorable moments with your partner, that won’t actually “trash your dress”.

 

 

Get wet!

 

My personal favorite, (being a Florida girl and all) is anything to do with the beach and the ocean! Think mermaid bride, because who doesn’t want to feel like a mermaid princess? Getting in the water with that gorgeous dress flowing all around you is sure to make you feel like one!

 

 

 

Get Sandy

 

R​olling around in the sand can be fun too. Like some sort of steamy movie scene where the girl gets rescued by the handsome Leonardo DiCaprio, followed by an intense beach make out sesh as the waves crash in the background. Okay maybe not THAT dramatic but you get the picture, right?

 

 

 

Go Under the Surface

 

I​f your photographers got that capabilities you can go all the way under the surface of the waves and really become the mermaid you’ve always dreamed of being! There is something so magical about your hair flowing around your face and your dress flowing freely making you and your partner truly weightless below the surface. An underwater session will definitely result in memories and stunning photographs to be cherished forever!

 

T​he best part about these options for your trash the dress session, is that with a little baking soda and water your dress will be good as new! There is still some slight risk of course, but once you see the reward it will all be worth it!

 

 

 

I​f you really want to go all the way and add a little color to your dress paint and Holi powder can be an explosive and mega fun way to trash the dress… just don’t expect to be washing it out anytime soon. If your down for the destruction though, it’s on my bucket list so get in touch, and we will see what kind of crazy ways we can “trash your dress”!

 

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

How to Unpose – The Secret to Authentic Photos

How to Unpose – The Secret to Authentic Photos

by | Nov 13, 2020 | Elopement Photography, Engagement Photography, How To, Love Stories, Wedding Photography

How to Unpose – The Secret to Authentic Photos

 

I​f you are not a model, the thought of being in front of a camera can be daunting enough, trying to act natural on top of that is basically impossible. There are a lot of guides out there that will tell you how to “pose like a pro” for your photos but in this guide I am going to help you learn how to “unpose”.

 

W​ould you rather spend your wedding day having orders barked at you from someone with a camera telling you to hold your hands and tilt your head, OR spend it creating real and authentic memories that can be captured to tell the story of your love; as a result letting you relive your favorite moments for years to come?

 

P​ersonally I would prefer the latter, but you may be wondering how in the world are you supposed to be natural and candid in front of a camera? Here are a few things to keep in mind when taking pictures that will guarantee a natural flow to your photography sessions and give you images you will fall in love with over and over again.

 

 

F​irst

M​ake sure you are touching

S​o many times I have couples show up to their photo sessions and act as if they are afraid to touch each other. If you’re not a PDA person, I get it, but now is not the time to be shy. The camera and I will not judge we will eat up all of your displays of affection.

T​hroughout your session be conscious to be touching your partner. Hold their hand or rest your head on their shoulder. When hugging make sure you get close, this isn’t a middle school dance there is no three finger rule!

T​hink about how you would naturally touch your partner when you are home and want to display your affection. The real trick here is pretending the camera is not there and focusing only on your person in front of you and how much you absolutely adore and love them.

 

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

S​econd

M​ovement is key

 

W​hen it comes to any kind of modeling this is a golden rule. Often times when we are put in front of a camera we get really stiff and feel as though we need to freeze, but it’s not the 19th century anymore folks! My camera is more than capable of freezing motion way beyond you moving your hand or turning your head.

 

B​e fluid with your motion as if you are simply acting as you would behind closed doors. Hold your partner, sway with them, tuck a stray strand of hair behind their ear, kiss, adjust yourself as much as you want, these actions that are so natural in life are what create natural looking snapshots. The goal of a photograph is to freeze a moment in time, not capture and already frozen moment.

 

One of my favorite things is to have my couples dance together. Dancing can be extremely intimate or it can turn out to simply be super fun and ends in laughter. The best are the twirls, spins, and dips!

 

 

Third

Say I love you

 

An excellent way to creating real authentic moments is to remember why you are having photos taken in the first place. Think about how much you love the person standing in front of you. Think about why you love them. Tell them that. It’s important to voice your emotions during your session it will deepen the connection you have with each other and bring out those raw feelings of love that translate so well to your photos.

 

F​ourth

D​on’t forget to smile!

I​’m not talking about the say cheese kind of smile, I’m talking about the kind of smile that takes over your entire face no matter what you do. The smile that reaches all the way to your eyes. Think about what is actually happening in these moments. You are celebrating your love to your favorite person on earth, you are promising forever to them, now does that not put a smile on your face?

 

Fifth

Laugh often

 

W​hat’s the saying? Live fully, Love Fiercely and Laugh often? Yeah, apply that here. No, but seriously, what is life without laughter. Tell jokes to each other, now is the perfect time to whip out those inside jokes that only you two know about and make you laugh without fail.

 

It’s also fun to get a little dirty. Sometimes, I’ll have my couples whisper something dirty or naughty in each other’s ear, and without fail it always ends up in a laughing fit that results in some of the most beautiful, fun and genuine photos of the session. Couples who laugh together stay together!

 

 

Lastly

Have Fun!

 

T​he most important thing is to have fun and really focus on being in the moment. Most of my previous points have already stated this but it is the basis to good photos. If you are enjoying yourself throughout the session, your photos are bound to be amazing.

F​inal tip

C​hoose the right photographer

 

I have said this before in past writings, but I really cannot stress it enough. You want to choose a photographer who you feel 100% comfortable with. Try to find someone that you could literally see yourself hanging out with in general, it will guarantee you feel confident and comfortable in your photos so you can have the most real and authentic moments as possible!

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

Top 5 Locations To Elope In Arizona

Top 5 Locations To Elope In Arizona

by | Nov 12, 2020 | Elopement Photography

Top 5 Locations To Elope In Arizona

 

Every state has it’s features that make it beautiful and special. I’ve always been drawn to the red rock and cacti of Arizona, which is part of the reason I decided to make it the first stated I’d live in when I left Florida. After taking some time to do some exploring, I have put together a list of places that I think would be a totally EPIC elopement location.

As a result of these locations being explored by me most of the images are simply photos I have taken on my own personal adventures! 

 

number five

Saguaro National Park

T​his is actually the only place on this list that I haven’t actually been yet but, it is next on my list! I am obsessed with the saguaro cacti as they only grow in a certain part of the country and are so big and majestic looking. I like to call them picture perfect cacti, because if you look at all the trendy pictures and drawings of cacti they are always this type of cactus.

Y​our elopement day is bound to be on point at this destination!

 

 

number four

Horseshoe Bend

T​here’s no doubt that Horseshoe Bend is a unique location. It is a short and simple hike making it a really good option if you aren’t looking to do any crazy hiking or for intimate weddings with guests that wouldn’t be able to accompany you on a traditional hike. This location is beautiful at golden hour but tends to get a bit crowded around sunset, if you’re looking to beat the crowds consider a sunrise hike instead!

 

 

number three

Monument Valley

When I used to day dream about Arizona the landscape at monument valley is what I pictured. The monuments themselves make for an excellent backdrop for any photo and your elopement would be no exception! ​The best part is that it is a HUGE park and there are many opportunities for a beautiful backdrop while still having the intimacy of it being just you and your guests.

 

 

number two

Cathedral Rock, Sedona

L​ooking to be more traditional without going as far as getting married in a church? Consider a more natural cathedral made out of red rock! Sedona in general is hands down my favorite place in Arizona. It’s spirituality and healing properties really speak to me, if you’ve ever been to Sedona you know what I’m talking about!

 

C​athedral rock can be a more intense hike if you are planning on going all the way to the top so it would not be the best for grandma, but is a great option for a sunrise hike just the two of you to the top and an intimate wedding ceremony in the evening on the lower levels.

 

 

number one

The Grand Canyon

L​ast but definitely not least, the grandest location of them all! The Grand canyon gives many location and hiking options that there is something that works for everyone. The north rim is more secluded and is a great option for a summer elopement on one of the back trail hikes. If you’re really dedicated you can even hike down into the canyon!

 

F​or something a bit more low key and in the cooler months of the year the south rim has many options and easy hikes that would be suitable for an intimate wedding and easily accessible for all your guests!

 

 

T​here are so many amazing locations in Arizona these are just a few of my favorites. These locations would also be a really good option for a newlywed session, if you aren’t familiar with what a newlywed session is or are considering one for yourself, you can learn more about them here. If you are looking to elope in Arizona and have an epic location in mind that you want to pass along to me, I would love to hear about it!

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

How to Get Those Epic Landscape Wedding Photos

How to Get Those Epic Landscape Wedding Photos

by | Oct 20, 2020 | Elopement Photography, Wedding Photography

How to Get Those Epic Landscape Wedding Photos

I​f you’re like me and love looking at all the beautiful and epic wedding photos in nature on Instagram then you have probably wondered how they have time for these perfect golden hour shots on such a busy day.

T​he truth is, unless they are elopement photos most of those shots were not captured on the actual wedding day. The best way to guarantee you get epic nature shots is to schedule a newlywed session.

 

What is a Newlywed Session?

A newlywed session is a separate photo shoot that takes place on a day other than your wedding day. It can be the day before or after or it can be weeks or even months away from your wedding day. However, I suggest keeping it close to the actual day of your wedding to encourage those special romantic moments and exciting emotions that come with getting married.

If you’re one of those people where photos are really important to you then I hands down recommend booking a newlywed session! Most photographers will include this in at least one of their packages, or will have no problem adding it on. I know I love newlywed sessions because it encourages my creativity and my couples always have a great time doing it as well.

How to plan a newlywed session

First choose your location. Consider locations that have some sort of personal meaning and that reflect your relationship. If you love to spend your days by the beach you could consider a seaside session and maybe even get a little wet, because who doesn’t dream of being a mermaid!? On the contrary, if you prefer to spend your time going on hikes in the mountains plan a session around one of your favorite hiking locations.

T​hink about the details. Since this is meant to represent your wedding pictures, you want to keep consistency with the quality. A good reason to keep it close to your wedding day is so you can reuse your flowers if that is important to you. Or you could have your florist makeup a separate smaller bouquet a few days early to be used for the shoot.

Hair and makeup is something to consider as well. If you are an all natural kind of girl, be true to yourself and opt for minimal makeup and an easy hairstyle. However, if you want to go all out it’s still an option and since it’s for just you and you’ll have plenty of time before the shoot it’s a little easier to simply go somewhere inexpensive and get your hair and makeup done instead of having a stylist come to you. You may even be able to talk to your wedding day hair and makeup artist to work something out!

I​f you have pets this is a great time to think about including them! That way you can still have those adorable photos with your pet for your wedding without having to include them on the madness of the big day. Just be sure to have someone that can take care of your pet when you are taking photos without them.

I hope this helped reveal the mystery behind some of those epic Instagram shots and has you considering a newlywed session for yourself. You won’t regret it! For more information on how to schedule your newlywed session feel free to reach out and talk to me directly. I’d love to answer all your burning questions!

 

 

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

10 Common Misconceptions About Wedding Photography

10 Common Misconceptions About Wedding Photography

by | Sep 19, 2020 | Wedding Photography

10 Common Misconceptions About Wedding Photography

 

I​n every profession there are going to be ideas and stereotypes surrounding it. Wedding photography is no exception! As a wedding photographer I have decided to explain away a few of the common misconceptions about wedding photography.

 

number one

The quality of the photos depends on the camera

 

T​here have been so many instances of me out shooting where someone will come up to me and say, “Wow! That’s a fancy camera, I bet it takes really good photos.” First of all let me say, yes I love my camera, but was it the most expensive camera on the market? Nope!

 

Nine times out of ten I could hand my camera over to the person that made that comment with the settings unset, and they would take the crappiest photo ever. In fact there have been many instances where I have given my camera to a person fully set and ready, showed them an example of the photo I wanted them to take and had them try to replicate it, and they still couldn’t get it right! That right there is proof that it’s not the camera that makes the photographs great, it’s the photographer!

 

S​o if your uncle Jim just bought a new fancy camera and offers to take your wedding photos, it may still be a good idea to hire a professional!

 

 

 

number two

T​he only thing that matters is that you like your photographers pictures

W​hen you are choosing a wedding or elopement photographer your obviously going to make sure you LOVE their pictures, but don’t stop there!

 

B​elieve it or not, loving your photographers photos and pictures style is not the most important part. There are a lot of photographers out there with similar picture styles and skills, but every single photographer is a different person.

 

T​he most important thing to consider when choosing your photographer is that you like their personality, and they make you feel comfortable. The best way to go about doing this is find a few photographers that have that style you love and then reach out and get to know them a bit more to see if they are a good fit. If they really care about what they do, they will be doing the same thing with you!

 

A​s a photographer I won’t work with a couple that I don’t get along with because I know I am not the best person to capture those intimate moments that make up the core of their big day.

 

M​ake sure you are comfortable with your photographer, because believe it or not you will be spending more time with them on your wedding day than most of your guests!

 

 

number three

E​verything can be Photoshopped later

P​hotoshop is a great tool and most photographers use it, however, it is not a means of changing reality. No, I cannot photoshop someone to make them look 30lbs lighter or change hair color, or insert the wedding cake “here”.

 

Not only is that falsely representing your wedding day but it is time-consuming! Most of the time while editing we photographers use shortcut software such as light room to edit our photos. This makes editing many photos at once much easier and less time-consuming. In order to do massive correctional editing in photoshop would require taking those photos individually and spending hours on each one to make the corrections… and nobody has the time for that.

 

If you want something to look a certain way in your photos, make it that way in real life! K​eep your wedding photos as authentic as possible you will be glad you did 20 years in the future!

 

 

number four

W​edding photography is not a necessity

I use necessity here with relativity, obviously photography is not as necessary as food and water, but neither is a wedding!

 

W​eddings in their own right are a luxury and there are many optional luxuries that can factor in to a wedding day. The flowers, the cake, the party favors, the dress and so much more.

B​ut here is a question for you, what is the point of spending time and money making sure every single detail of your wedding day is perfect and pretty, if you don’t have any way to preserve those memories forever and share them with everyone?

 

I​n a world where we have to take a picture of our food before we eat, it would be lunacy not to have a photographer to capture your wedding day!

 

 

number five

W​edding photos have to be pretty and posed

 

W​hen looking for a photographer you will see lots of gorgeous photos that look like they were planned out and set up, and you will think that these are going to be your favorite must have photos on your wedding day. While these are the photos you will gravitate to in the beginning, as time goes on you will find that the photos that capture little special moments hold more meaning.

 

The photos with mom and dad will be shared on their birthdays, and photos with gran will be cherished forever after passing. The most important photos become the ones loaded with meaning that take you back to that moment.

 

I love to focus 90% of my photography on capturing real and authentic moments instead of forcing awkward or cheesy poses. Even when it comes to your formal and epic photos, adding in the intimacy of a real moment shared between the two of you will make that epic landscape photo even more special for years to come!

 

 

number six

A​ll wedding photographers have the same style

 

T​his should be a given. Every person on this earth is unique, everyone has their own personal style in general, so of course the same would go for photographers and their style. Some photographers favor the moody dark look, or the retro film look while others describe their images as light and airy.

 

B​ecause of this, it is important to chose a photographer that matches the style you are after for your wedding day. Don’t hire a wedding photographer that specializes in light and airy photos and ask them a week before your wedding if they can make your photos look dark and moody. You’ll be disappointed in the least or completely shot down at the worst.

 

 

 

number seven

W​edding photographers will work for free for exposure

 

D​o you like working for free? Neither do photographers.

 

W​hile building my photography portfolio I worked for other photographers, set up stylized photo shoots and started with discounted rates for weddings, but never did I work for free. Unless a photographer reaches out to you and offers to shoot your wedding for free (highly unlikely) don’t expect them too.

 

Y​es, everyone has got to start somewhere but, everyone has got to eat too!

 

I​f you were thinking of “supporting a starting photographer” and having them shoot your wedding in order to save some money at the same time as “doing something good” just keep in mind that you get what you pay for. The best way to support someone just starting out is to offer to do a stylized wedding shoot separate from your actually wedding day. This will give you the opportunity to get additional photos that could come out really neat without the pressure of your wedding day, as well as help out a photographer that is just learning the ins and outs of wedding photography!

number eight

Wedding photographers work only on the wedding day

W​edding photography is way more than a one day job. Before a wedding is even booked the photographer is working a full time job, from marketing, keeping up the blog and managing the website.

 

T​hen there is the outreach and building of the relationship between brides and photographer, helping plan and answer all the brides burning questions. The engagement shoot and don’t forget the hours and hours that go into editing. Sometimes, editing can take more time than the wedding day itself!

number nine

Wedding photography is an easy job

 

T​his point ties so much into #8. Wedding photography is so much more than showing up and shooting. On the wedding day itself I am often running around like a madwoman trying to make sure I photograph all the important details and capture all the special moments.

 

I will often times coordinate a large part of the timeline and make sure everything is moving along smoothly and in a timely fashion. There are also many moments you will find me in very interesting positions to get that perfect shot, laying on my belly or climbing in a tree, camera in hand.

 

T​he thing with wedding photography is you have to love what you do, If you love what you do, then every day it will be worth it.

number ten

Wedding photographers aren’t good at taking other photos

I didn’t pick up a camera and decide I was only going to photograph weddings. In fact, I had been practicing my photography skills for YEARS before wedding photography even crossed my mind. Since becoming a wedding photographer, I have traveled the world for two years straight and captured the entire journey along the way.

I have photographed, maternity photos, head shots, and many personal photographs for myself. My skills go way beyond wedding photography and I always love to expand on them! My favorite subject to photograph other than weddings is the night sky. Wedding photographers can be so much more than a one hit wonder.

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos

What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos

by | May 30, 2020 | Engagement Photography

What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos

 

C​ongratulations! Your engaged! The proposal was easy since you didn’t know it was coming… but now it’s time for the real announcement, the engagment photos. Most likely your planning on using these for your save the dates and to tell the world the amazing news, so you want them to be perfect. If you’re anything like me that means ransacking your closet your, best friends closet and then buying a whole new outfit because nothing is good enough.

S​o to help make it a litle easier here are a few tips on how to pick the perfect outfit for your engagement session.

 

One

C​hoose something that makes you feel comfortable

If you never wear dresses now is not the time to try it out! Since being in front of a camera can feel uncomfortable to begin with you don’t want to feel uncomfortable in your own clothes as well, so make sure you choose an outfit that makes you feel comfortable in your own skin and represents you and your style. After all y​ou know your style better than anyone, and chances are you also know your fiance’s style best as well!

two

C​oordinate with your partner

T​he key word here is coordinate so no “matchy-matchy”! Choose outfits that compliment each other and are in the same general style. You can even choose a theme for your engagement photos such as formal, vintage, or casual. Most importantly, make sure you are on the same page, the last thing you want to do is show up in a beautiful red dress while he’s wearing shorts and a t-shirt. (Honestly, he probably shouldn’t be wearing shorts and a T-shirt at all!)

three

Consider The Backdrop

T​he location of your engagement photos can do a lot to determine what kind of outfit you wear. What will the backdrop to your photos be? You can compliment the setting with the colors, patterns and fabrics you pick for your outfits. When photographing in nature settings it is really fun to pick colors that really pop against the background such as red in a forrest or blue in the red rocks of Sedona.

 

 

four

Dress for the Season

C​onsider the time of year your engagement photos will take place. Temperature is one important aspect of this because you don’t want to be wearing spaghetti straps in the snow, but it also comes down to the look and feel of the season. Fall photos will have a much different look than summrtime photos, resulting in a summer dress vs jackets and boots in the fall.

 

 

five

Show Off Your Best Assets

I​f you have specific features of your body that you like better than others make sure you choose an outfit that accentuates that. On the contrary, if you are lacking in a certain department don’t pick an outfit that emphasizes this. If you want to appear to have a smaller waist than wear a dress that flairs out at the hips, or if you’re like me and a proud member of the IBTC then maybe it’s not the best idea to wear something with a plunging neckline! Also, keep in mind what colors that compliment your skin tone!

 

 

six

Consider More than One outfit

O​utfit changes can be a great way to get the most out of your engagement photos. If you really can’t decide between a dress or a pants and top ensemble then choose both! However, make sure you have the option to change with the location you have chosen otherwise things could get a little awkward… If you don’t have that option, another way to still get that multiple outfit look is to take advantage of layering!

 

 

seven

Accessories Are Your Friend

N​othing ties an outfit together better than the accessories, so don’t stop at the clothing pieces. Make sure you choose the right shoes for your outfit and maybe add in a statement necklace or that hat you’ve been dying to wear!

 

U​ltimately, you are in control on how your engagement photos look. Your outfit will play a huge part in the look and feel of your photos and is defintely important, but don’t over think it. Choose something that represents you and your relationship and there is no doubt you will be happy with the result!

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker

Katie & Preston Island Elopement

Katie & Preston Island Elopement

by | May 11, 2020 | Elopement Photography

Katie & Preston Island Elopement

It is always a huge pleasure of mine when I get to take part and capture the beautiful love stories of people I am actually close to and care about. That’s why enjoyed photographing Katie and Preston’s island elopement so much! They reminded me so much of me, and their special moments were truly moving and beautiful. 

It was intimate and simple, and we couldn’t have asked for a better night. The weather was perfect and the company even better! They declared their love to each other on a secluded island off of the coast of Pinellas county Florida. A place we both call home. I can’t think of a better location for such a beautiful ceremony! Congratulations to both of you, I wish you a very happily ever after! 

About Me


Born and raised in Florida, I love the ocean, but I hate the sand. Adventure and the possibility of new opportunity fuels my fire, but I have to return home from time to time to visit the fam and get big cuddles from our dog Easton!
-Emilie Becker