St. Augustine Wedding Photographer: The awesome Engagement Session and how to do it right!

This post is not only for my clients but for any couple wondering what this engagement-session phenomenon is all about.

An engagement session is about becoming comfortable with your photographer and learning what it takes to create rad portraits. It's important for the three of us to work together before the big day. It should (in my opinion) be provided to all couples who book a wedding package. Unless, for some reason, they absolutely detest the idea of an engagement shoot (which is okay), or can't make the trip before the wedding because they live in Antarctica (but if that were the case —I'd definitely fly there to shoot it.)

Lindsay & David Countdown to be wed!

I cannot wait to see (and capture!) Lindsay & David's—who have been together a decade— wedding this weekend. I did not have the chance to post our awesome "hang" session from what seems like forever ago... so here it is. Anticipating beautiful light and perhaps recreating some of these photos on Saturday. As long as the nuns allow us to hang on the porch this time...

St. Augustine Wedding Photographer, St. Augustine gay wedding photographer, St. Augustine Ice Plant & Vilano Beach Engagement: Ali & Marcie

I have to say...I have never spent 6 hours shooting an engagement session—until now. I just couldn't stop hanging out with Ali & Marcie. They are madly in love, hysterical to be around and we have similar taste in drinks (and pizza). We started at the Ice Plant to beat the heat (and to save the awesome makeup by Amanda Hopcraft Makeup Artist) and ended up at the shrimp docks nearby and later, at the beach— once the clouds rolled in. The night ended with a stormy Florida sunset (my favorite) and beachgoers photobombing our last couple of shots. :)

I am beyond stoked to be part of their wedding come November.

St. Augustine Photographer: St. Augustine Engagement: Paige & Andrew, Classic Black & White Photography, St. Augustine Photography

Paige and Andrew currently live apart (she in Atlanta, he in Mayport) and I could tell moments after meeting them that they were psyched to not only be taking these photos, but to be near each other. We planned a sunset shoot that changed to sunrise last minute and I am glad it did. It was a beautiful and chilly morning. The contrast of the sun rising and their dark attire had me basically seeing in black and white.

Engagement ShootSarah WilliamsonJanuary 29, 2015st. augustine photographer, St. Augustine, St. Augustine wedding photographer, Saint Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, St. Augustine photographer, florida photographer, florida wedding, florida wedding photographer, bridge of lions, wedding photographer, Engagement, engagement photographerComment

St. Augustine Wedding Photographer: Sarah Annay Photography 2014 Year in Review!

I look back at 2014 with a surreal sense of growth. Only one year ago, I was walking across the stage receiving two degrees from Flagler College with two years of experience as a photographer and photojournalist. After spending two months abroad in Southeast Asia, I came home with a lot of work ahead of me. It was my first year working as a full-time photographer— no more side jobs keeping me afloat— and I have to admit I was afraid.

Wedding Photography, Inspiration, Engagement ShootSarah WilliamsonDecember 28, 2014st. augustine photographer, St. Augustine, florida wedding photographer, St. Augustine photographer, St. Augustine wedding photographer, florida photographer, white room weddings, Washington Oaks, Casa Monica Weddings, Fountain of Youth Weddings, St. Augustine Weddings Comments

St. Augustine Photographer: St. Augustine Wedding Photographer, Engagement & Family Session: Brooke & Ryan

Here is a sneak peak of the family/engagement session I shot a couple weeks ago with Brooke, Ryan, Maddie & Hayden. It ended up being warmer than we expected and we watched an awesome sunset fall behind the trees at the Mission Grounds. I cannot wait to shoot Brooke and Ryan's White Room wedding next June!

Family Portraits, Engagement ShootSarah WilliamsonNovember 13, 2014st. augustine photographer, St. Augustine, St. Augustine photographer, St. Augustine Weddings, St. Augustine wedding photographer, florida wedding photographer, Florida, florida photographerComment

St. Augustine Wedding Photographer: St. Augustine Wedding, Engagement Photography and Family, Washington Oaks, St. Augustine, Florida

Now that October is over and I have a chance to catch my breath (ahhhhh), it's time to reflect on some shoots I have had in the last month. Here's an awesome engagement/family session from a couple of weeks ago.

Engagement Shoot, Family PortraitsSarah WilliamsonNovember 3, 2014st. augustine photographer, St. Augustine Beach, St. Augustine wedding photographer, St. Augustine photographerComment

St. Augustine wedding photographer: Anniversary Shoot, Anna & Michael, St. Augustine, Florida Photographer

Anna contacted me SUPER excited about celebrating her one year anniversary with her husband, Michael. The two of them had never fully explored St. Augustine and she wanted our session to capture the beauty of this city. I chose Aviles Street, my "secret" garden in Old Town and the fort.

Engagement ShootSarah WilliamsonOctober 8, 2014st. augustine photographer, St. Augustine, Street photography, one year anniversary, anniversary photos, love, wedding photographer, florida wedding photographer, florida photographer, downtownComment

St. Augustine Wedding Proposal: Glenn & Holly

When Glenn called me early August from Georgia about a proposal he'd been planning on St. Augustine beach, I will admit, I was nervous. This was my first "official" proposal shoot and I didn't want to screw it up. This will be one of the most memorable days of their lives, I thought to myself. How will I—and my camera–go unnoticed?

Engagement ShootSarah WilliamsonSeptember 9, 2014Engagement, proposal, St. Augustine Beach, St. Augustine, st. augustine photographer, wedding photographer, Sarah Annay Photography Comment

St. Augustine Engagement: Angela & Eric

When Angela told me that her and Eric met playing volleyball and that she wanted to experiment with some yoga on the beach for their engagement session...I knew they were going to be awesome.

Engagement ShootSarah WilliamsonAugust 21, 2014St. Augustine, St. Augustine Weddings, St. Augustine Beach, Engagement, Sarah Annay PhotographyComment

THE BLOG

This post is not only for my clients but for any couple wondering what this engagement-session phenomenon is all about.