Engagement Photo Session at Cape Henlopen, DE

I love meeting new clients, and I prefer meeting them at least once before the wedding. Especially, if they opt not to do an engagement session. Sometimes all we can do is have a phone conversation before the date, and if that is what it is then we will make it happen that way. 

Work Day, Fun Day

 However, my hope is that we can get together at least once before the wedding. I love working ( as in working an engagement session) with a new couple before the wedding date. We get to meet in a very casual way, spend some time getting to know each other, and avoid awkward silent moments. I always try to make it as easy and fun as possible. I understand that for most people having their photos taken can be uncomfortable. I once had a bride tell me that she couldn't sleep the night before because she was so afraid. 

Don't Stress About It

I don't want to digress here because this blog is about Samantha and Chad's engagement session but as I was writing the above paragraph I began to wonder why some people hate having their photos taken and what the actual science tells us about it. I definitely will write a blog post about it in the future but here are five reasons I found on Top Five Reasons You Avoid Having Your Photo Taken

1. The Mirror

Looking in the mirror created an unrealistic expectation of yourself. The mirror creates a reversed left brain/right brain image, the way you look in the mirror is not the way you look to the rest of the world. I think we all have heard people say after they see themselves in a photograph, "That is me? I don't even recognize myself." 

      2. Bad previous experiences

We all have had the experience of bad snapshots. The photo taken by your best friend after a long night out or before your first cup of coffee.

Or the one time you decide to go to the store without your make-up and wouldn't you know it your boyfriend chooses that day to try out the settings on his phone.

        3. Terrible make-up or bad wardrobe choice

We have all been there! We see a beautiful shirt or dress on someone and have to have it, or we see some movie star wearing the newest lipstick to perfection. 

And because we feel so great about our purchase we want our best friend to take a photo. Just to realize that the orange lipstick looks horrible with our skin tone and the line of the dress is everything but flattering. 

         4. Posing 

I understand that most of my clients don't model in front of a camera for a living. A bad pose can ruin a photo and even the most natural-looking poses usually have some direction. 

        5. Insecurity and Anxiety

Now combine those 4 points and what you get are insecurity and anxiety. However, since you getting married and want pictures you will bite into the bitter apple and have photos taken. 

This brings me back around to the beginning of my post. The engagement session provides an opportunity for us to work together, overcome your fear of the camera, have some fun, and have photos you love your years to come. 

Engagement Session At Cape Henlopen

Now, let's get back to our regular programming and talk about the fun afternoon I had with Samantha and Chad at Cape Henlopen.

The Right Dress For the Occasion

Samantha is bubbly and beautiful. And even though the weather was unpredictable in late November, she dressed in a floral summer dress and was going to tough it out if the winds of the ocean were too brutal. 

Chad, on the other hand, wore his favorite black Nike shirt and matching shoes. As I saw them walking towards me, I knew one of them was going to be a little uncomfortable. 

As it turned out, Samantha made the right call with the dress. The weather was perfect for a late autumn day and the wind played with her long hair and free-flowing dress. 

Empty Pier, Empty Beaches, Yes, Please

We didn't know where to go at Cape Henlopen and met at the Pier. 

And since this was the couple's first time at the park they left it pretty much up to me to pick the location. 

Most engagement sessions are on the weekends. Sometimes this can make it more difficult since parks like Cape Henlopen are very crowded. 

However, the couple works on the weekends and therefore we were able to meet on a weekday. A Thursday in late November means an almost empty pier and beaches. 

After photographing at the pier we meandered to the beach and had some fun. As it happened the tide was very low and we could get some great shots of the two almost surrounded by water. 

Since Cape Henlopen is one of my favorite places I enjoyed every moment and now can't wait to see the two again for their wedding.