engagement

Planning for an engagement session | Maryland wedding photographer

Hi Friends! 

As I chronicle my personal process down the aisle I wanted to share something that you'd be able to benefit from- planning and preparing for your engagement session. 

After you've searched and searched and searched again,  you've found the photographer that speaks to your style and the way you envision your big day to be documented. You look over their website, Instagram, Facebook page, Google page, and Pinterest, and decide this is it! They have to be a part of my love story.  You complete the necessary documentation and then move onto step 1: The engagement session.

For me and my Fiancé, we are a modern chic couple that loves to have fun but are also very focused and driven. So we looked for a photographer with similar qualities to us: produces great images, down to earth/personable vibe and overall just fun to be around. We want people around us who are going to add joy to our big day and moments leading up to it as well as make out day seamless. We want vendors who understand our needs, our vision and our love. 

After deciding on our wedding photographer, we started to correspond with them frequently to share the vision of our engagement session: look, location, day/time, overall vibe. One way we really communicated what we were looking for was by creating a look book or vision board using Pinterest. We created a pinning board, found images we loved, and invited our photographer. 

Then it came down to the actual visuals. As I am a planner, I broke down everything I need: Hairsyle, Makeup, Outfit.  Below you can see what I used to create the vision I wanted for myself.  

Eric & Mimi | Chic Washington D.C. Engagement Session

Recently I had the opportunity to photograph a very love filled engagement session with Eric and Mimi at the beautiful Library of Congress and Meridian Hill - Malcolm Hill Park in Washington D.C. Their session was so true to who they were as a couple: fun, energetic, loving, and easy going. Eric and Mimi met while attending Old Dominion University in Virginia. They share a passion for traveling, staying physically active and fit and spending time with friends and family. Eric proposed to Mimi on her 25th birthday while attending the light show at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

#IssaCelebration

Hi Lovies!!! 

It's Gemini Season! So this past Thursday was my birthday and I'm so blessed to see another year! Birthdays are such a big deal to me because it's an opportunity for a rebirth or rebranding and a celebration of your journey from the year before. I actually love my birthdate (6/1) because it's smack dab in the middle of the year, so I get to evaluate the previous months and make a plan for the ones ahead. And did i mention that I share my special say with two iconic American figures: Marilyn Monroe and Morgan Freeman! 

For my birthday this year I took off from my 9-5, participated in a boot camp class and spent time with my beautiful family; but I also took a moment to reflect on the year. In 2016, 3 Major moments happened to me. 

In 2016 I celebrated being a mom for a full year-that in itself is major. People always say parenting will change your life and if totally has! It's been a challenging and eye opening experience with much reward. I have learned so much from my little guy and I'm truly blessed by his presence

The love of my life and my best friend, proposed to me and asked for my hand in marriage! It was such an an intimate and meaningful experience and yes, planning has commenced! (I'd love to hear what you all are planning for your big day)

Last but definitely not least, I started Radiant Imagery by Jocelyn Renae! This moment was a giant step in fulfilling the desires of my heart. Photography has been a passion of mine for a loooonnnggg time and having the courage and the support of my family pushed me to follow my dreams. In this short time in business I have met some amazing people who have given me a chance and trusted me with the magical moments in their life and I'm so appreciative of them. 

I indulged myself with a couple of self portraits and yummy macaroons !

 

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