stacyreeves || photography

am so excited about an engagement session I did this past weekend that I couldn’t wait to post it and show you (even though I have three awesome bridal sessions waiting in the queue!). I had an amazing session with Paige and Uy on Saturday, and there are a few major reasons that I believe this session turned out so awesomely that I think everyone could learn a lesson from.

1) They picked a location that was unique and had specific meaning to them. Since most people aren’t used to having their photo taken, when it comes time to do their session they often gravitate towards cliche locations such as parks, downtown areas, buildings with columns and arches, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I have taken some gorgeous photos at the canals, Arboretum, Deep Ellum, and other photo spots that are pretty popular with Dallas couples, and every time I go to those places I get photos that both I and the couple are happy with. However, there’s just something so cool and special about a location that has never been done before, especially when that location has special significance to the couple.

2) They dressed for the occasion and the location. As soon as I arrived at the first location, I thought in my head, “I sure hope Paige shows up in a tight, slinky skirt and a cute frilly blouse and heels, and I hope Uy shows up looking super GQ.” And sure enough, that is EXACTLY what they wore! Crazy! Their outfits totally set the mood for the photoshoot – dramatic, sophisticated, romantic, and edgy, and it really worked for their body types. They also brought along a casual outfit that allowed me to capture the fun side of their relationship, as well. For more information about what to wear to your photoshoot, check out my What to Wear page (which I just updated this morning!).

3) They trusted me. Often times I will ask a couple to do something that they think is really weird or goofy, and I get plenty of hesitance and strange looks. One thing I loved about Paige and Uy is they totally trusted me to make them look good, and no matter how strange they felt doing something, they went for it 100%, and their awesome photos reflect that. One thing I learned from the amazing Jesh de Rox is that fear holds us back from so much in life, and when we let go of that fear – fear of failure, fear of looking bad, fear of getting dirty, fear of embarrassing ourselves – we experience the most incredible things that we would otherwise have missed.

Okay, enough gushing about these two, on to the photos!

We started off at a really fantastic location, the new house they are in the process of building! Very soon these two will be starting their lives together in this beautiful Arlington house, but for now, we decided to have a little fun with the work in progress!

See what I mean about their killer outfits? Love it!

HOT!

Soon this will be their kitchen.. For now, it’s my new favorite location! (too bad I can never go back )

When I told them to dance, I could tell they were both a little afraid of their dancing ability.. but look how cute they are! See where a little trust can get you?

This photo was actually an accident.. I was just testing my settings, and Paige and Uy were doing their own thing, but when I looked at it later I fell in love. I just adore how Paige is straightening her collar, how her back is arched and her leg pointed, and how casual and cool Uy looks. I could not have posed this more perfectly myself!

And this is the shot that I got on purpose, haha!

Now another unique, meaningful location. On their first date, Paige and Uy sat in her car (a beautiful BMW that I would kill to have! so jealous!) and talked in this parking lot late at night. What a perfect place to return to for their engagement session!

Jason loves this shot, he thinks these two belong in a car magazine. I agree!

Smokin!

Next it was off to the UTA campus for some more casual photos. Even on a college campus, a popular spot for photos, these two found a way to make it unique. Apparently these two trees are their “Marriage Trees.” They would park on campus and walk through these trees to class together, and they joke that the big one (“the fat one” according to Paige) is Uy’s tree, and the little one is Paige’s. So cute!

More fun on campus… For some reason this shot is my favorite of the entire day.

UTA has some great architecture!

Just as we were about to pack up, we saw the most incredible light coming in from over the treetops. I had to take advantage of it while it lasted!

Paige and Uy, thanks for much for thinking outside of the box and challenging me with some awesome locations. I had so much fun with you both, and I can’t wait for your wedding, whenever it is! PS :: My vote is definitely for Bora Bora