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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

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

Why Elopement Style Weddings Are Trending

Why Elopement Style Weddings Are Trending

by | May 5, 2020 | Elopement Photography

Why Elopement Style Weddings Are Trending

L​ife as we know it has changed durasitcally this year. As social distancing becomes the norm and online services are trending everyone is feeling the effects of this global pandemic and we are doing our best to adjust to this new way of life.

 

Just because the world has been put on pause, does not mean that love stops.

 

There are still plenty of people out there who were either scheduled to be married when all hell broke lose, or are even getting engaged now! As we all know, love knows no boundaries.

 

 

 

 

 

What does this new world mean for those couples looking to start their lives together and declare their love for each other?

 

S​ome are opting to wait until things come back to some sort of semblance of normal. Others who may be slightly less patient (as I would be!) are opting for a more intimate way of tieing the knot by elopeing.

 

Elopements have been gaining traction in recent years before this global crisis but now they have become even more appealing to those looking to celebrate their love. Don’t get me wrong, just because you can’t have a grand celebration with tons of people doesnt mean you have to run to the courthouse sign some papers and forget about the whole thing.

 

 

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

 

E​loping can be so much more beautiful than that and can create a beautiful moment for you and your special someone to remember for the rest of your lives together.

 

T​here is a reson that elopeing has been becoming more popular even before this whole big pandemic mess, and here’s why.

 

F​irst, I have to ask you a question. Why are you getting married?

Because, you have found the love of your life, your other half, and you can’t imagine another moment in your life without them? Because, this person makes you so happy and you want to celebrate that happiness with the world?

 

W​hatever the reason may be, it (hopefully) revolves around you and your partners’ love fore each other.

The premise of a wedding is about declaring your love for each other, in front of all the other people you care about. While I can respect that, I think there’s a more sacred part to marriage that gets overlooked with a traditional wedding.

 

W​hen planning a wedding, it can become stressful. There are so many little pieces to the puzzle, and you want EVERYTHING to be perfect. You get so caught up in all these little details that you forget the real reason you’re even doing all this in the first place. To declare your love to each other!

 

L​ove isn’t about what color scheme will look best, the center pieces at the reception or which prestigious venue you pick. Love is about two people coming together to make a perfect team. Two halves making a whole.

 

L​ove is about climbing to the top of the world and shouting about it. It’s about running through a field of flowers laughing so hard your sides start to split. It’s about you and your partner.

S​o why stress about center pieces and venues? Instead, take your most beloved and 2 or even 20 people, (that feel comortable social distancing for a bit) and go out into the most beautiful venue out there, Mother Nature to declare your love to each other.

 

C​ouples all over the world are starting to see the beauty to intimacy on their wedding day and deciding to profess their love to each other with the one who invented love first, the mother of all creation.

 

Now that is the first reason, but I would be cheating you and myself, if I didn’t say there was another reason behind this trend. The pictures!

 

I know that pictures are not everything, but let’s be honest, You’re going to hire a photographer to capture your big day right? Now ask yourself, why are you hiring a photographer?

 

I​s it to take pictures of your wedding day and to tell a story of the day by to capturing the details such as the cake and the center pieces and the ceremony site and all your guests, and the dances and the toasts and on and on and on.

OR…

Is it tell your love story? The story of you and your partner, together, the day you said your vows through your tears on top of your favorite picnic spot as the wind blew through your hair, and he wiped the tears from your face.

 

 

W​hich one sounds more romantic, more authentic, more like you and your love with your partner?

I​f you say the first one then, hey, I’m not here to judge, to each their own. But, I think a lot more people are starting to realize that the latter is what they want their wedding to look like. Both during and after this pandemic is over and in the beautiful pictures and memories they have to keep of the happiest day of their lives.

Are you ready to celebrate your love the way it’s meant to be? Then give me a shout, because I’d love to hear from you! I am currently taking elopement bookings in Arizona and the surrounding states.

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