ASHLEY, NATE, & EASTON - GRAND FORKS PHOTOGRAPHER FAMILY SESSION

GRAND FORKS PHOTOGRAPHER

WINNERS OF MY GIVE-AWAY DRAWING FOR A FREE FALL FAMILY SESSION.

Back in September, I held a give-away drawing for a free Fall family portrait session on my Facebook fanpage. I was overwhelmed with all of the interest and participation. Ashley and her family were the lucky winners from the drawing!

When I contacted Ashley to tell her she was the winner, she seemed surprised and really excited to win! We immediately started planning and trying to schedule her free session. Uncooperative fall weather, along with the busy schedule of the beet harvest, foiled our plans numerous times until we finally got our chance this last Sunday (Oct 23)!

Though our shoot started out cold, windy, and cloudy...as we eased into it, it became a gorgeous October afternoon! Meeting, and working with, Ashley and her family was well worth the wait! Little Easton was a ball of energy...and though SOME of his smiles were paid for with bribes...he was a natural model and I even got a HIGH 5 from him when we were all done! 

All and All, this was an awesome experience for me (and I hope Ashley and her family enjoyed it too)! I will definitely be holding more give-away drawings in the future so if you'd like to be notified and take part...be sure to "LIKE" my Facebook Page HERE...and follow me on INSTAGRAM HERE!

Thanks to Ashley, Nate, & Easton!

5 Tips For Better Engagement Photos - Grand Forks | Fargo Wedding Photographer

5 Tips For Better Engagement Photos - Grand Forks | Fargo Wedding Photographer

Congratulations! You’re engaged! Now-a-days, engagement photos have taken on a life of their own. Couples use engagement photos for Save-the-Date announcements, wedding invitations, wall art for their homes, gifts for family members, greeting cards, photos to display at the wedding reception, photos to view in wedding slideshows, social media updates...You name it!

So...how can you make sure that your engagement photos stand apart from the rest and leave friends and family members talking about them??? Follow these 5 tips and you'll be on your way to get some truly unique and memorable photos.

1. DON’T WING IT.

For most couples, getting engaged and married is a once-in-a-lifetime experience so it’s something you should have an experienced professional guide you through. This is an important time in your life and you’ll later regret choosing to have a “Friend with a camera” take some pics for you over HIRING AN EXPERIENCED WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER WHO WILL GIVE YOU AN ENTIRE EXPERIENCE.

You’ll want to find a photographer who will meet with you BEFORE your scheduled engagement session (whether in person or via zoom) to chat about your ideas and come up with a solid game plan for your session. You don’t want to spend all the time and money to hire someone to capture these special moments and they tell you, “Wear whatever you want, Let’s just meet at the park, and we’ll go from there.”

Let your photographer get to know you as a couple, learn your likes & interests, give you some valuable tips, form a plan and come the day of your session…things will move smoothly , you’ll have much more fun, AND your photos will be much more awesome.

2.       Comfort is Key

Being in front of the camera can be a little unsettling sometimes…especially when you are asked to show intimacy with your fiancé in a public place. To make this insecurity a “non-issue”, set up a consult with your potential engagement photographer before your photo session. That way, you can ask questions, talk about ideas, and most importantly…you can see if you all “Click” and will be a good fit to work together.

Hiring a photographer who you can get along with and who can make you feel calm and “at ease” is VERY important…especially if you decide to hire them for your wedding day because they will be with you the entire day!

An engagement session is WAY more than just getting beautiful photos taken of you and your partner…it’s also quality time to work with (and get to know) your photographer which will help build trust between you. This is KEY if you want to feel confident and stress-free on the wedding day!

3.       Location, Location, Location!

Meaningful places help make engagement photos all the more special…but don’t be afraid to think outside the box here. If you want your photos to be different, then you can’t shoot in all of the same locations as everyone else. If your city has a landmark that EVERYONE has their photos taken at, avoid it…plain and simple.

Talk with your photographer about ideas for a unique photoshoot. Are there places that are special to you and your fiancé that can help tell your story? Does your city have other, less known, landmarks that help define it? Look for areas with different textures and colors. A lot of photographers come from ART backgrounds and know about things such as color theory, composition, leading lines, contrast, and juxtaposition…so discuss these things with them and don’t be afraid to use (and trust) their creativity.

4.       Wardrobe, Hair, Make-Up…

If you are unsure about what to wear or you don’t have a stylish wardrobe, consider consulting with a stylist. Go outside the realm of your regular everyday wardrobe. After all…this is a one-time event (hopefully). You want these engagement photos to stand out and make an impression on your family and friends.

Spend a little extra money and splurge on that dress you had your eye on…or that sport coat and watch your fiancé has been eyeballing. Avoid anything that will make you look dated. You don’t want to look back on these photos 10 years from now and wonder why you wore those skinny jeans and lady Gaga T-shirt! Also…avoid trying to match each other’s outfit. Instead, try and complement each other’s outfit. Don’t forget to bring accessories like shoes, socks, belts and jewelry too.

As for Hair and Make-up…Get both done by a pro and you'll not only look amazing, but the extra confidence will shine through. If you are hiring a makeup artist for the wedding, they will likely want to do a practice run, and the day of your engagement photos would be a great try out. If you are doing your own makeup, consider wearing matte since it photographs best.

If you want unique, memorable photos…the key here is to pretend you are movie stars, get all dolled up, present the photographer with the best versions of yourselves, and do something different. Most photographers allow a wardrobe change or two so you WILL be able to get some photos in clothes that are more casual…but definitely take advantage of this opportunity and get some images in some formal-semi formal attire! You won’t regret it!

5.       Watch the weather…and the clock.

So…when IS the best time of day to shoot engagement photos?? Most photographers will tell you that the light is best in early morning, or late evening…and I’m sure most photographers will tell you that early mornings aren’t for them. So that golden time right before sunset is perfect.

The common misconception is that bright sunny days are great for shooting portraits. Quite the opposite is true. Mid-day, when the sun is directly overhead, causes many problems…such as harsh downward shadows over faces, Raccoon Eyes, squinting, Bright Blown-Out Highlights, and a few other troubles. So try to avoid scheduling your engagement session around mid-day, if at all possible.

If, however, it is overcast, foggy, or even drizzling outside….it can favor your photo session with soft even lighting and you can get some interesting, great looking shots during mid-day.  

For the most part, it would be safe to schedule your shoot 1-3 hrs BEFORE sunset for the most flattering natural light possible.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE AWESOME TIPS, INFORMATION, AND GUIDES…BE SURE TO JOIN MY FREE VIP BRIDAL FACEBOOK GROUP HERE: VIP BRIDAL FACEBOOK GROUP

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A FREE ZOOM CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOUR DATE IS AVAILABLE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT MY WEDDING AND ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE…CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW!

Janelle & Mike / Grand Forks Wedding Photographer

The morning air was a bit chilly the day of Janelle and Mike's wedding...WELL...maybe that's because it was 7:30 am as I drove through the nearest coffee shop to make sure I had the caffeine fix that would supply me with the energy I would need to jolt myself awake. Normally...my wedding day shoots don't start until much later. This day was different though.

8 am sharp, I was to meet the bride-to-be and all her bridesmaids at OLIVIERI'S SALON & SPA in downtown Grand Forks and begin my day capturing the excitement, anticipation, and laughter as the women all got their hair and make-up done for the festivities that were to come later in the day.

The hustle and bustle of a normal wedding day usually brings a bit of stress along with it for the bride and groom. But both Janelle and Mike were super laid back all morning...and as the ceremony played out later that afternoon at the alter inside beautiful ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, everything Janelle and Mike had been planning for all the months before had finally come to be. There were both smiles and tears as the couple exchanged vows and became husband and wife. 

If any of you know Janelle and Mike, you know that the party definitely did not stop there! It continued at the recently remodeled RAMADA in Grand Forks. Everyone enjoyed an amazing dinner, some heartfelt toasts, lots of cocktails, and then DANCE MAN DAN cranked up the music and lights and kept the party going the rest of the night! Janelle and Mike spent their first evening as husband and wife surrounded by hundreds of close friends and family...all who were there to celebrate the new couple's amazing wedding day. 

It was an awesome experience and I'm honored that I was asked to be a part of Janelle and Mike's wedding day! 

If you would like to book me for your 2016/2017 Wedding...Contact me Now!

A Bridal Session With Janelle

In mid-March of this year, I met Janelle and her wonderful Mother, Robyn at Janelle's Aunt's home for her Bridal Session. (For those of you who aren't familiar with what exactly a Bridal Session entails...you can find all the info you need RIGHT HERE!) 

Our intent was to capture some relaxed photos of the Bride-to-be in her stunning dress with no stress or time restrictions. Not only did we get to do that, but we also filled the afternoon with plenty of storytelling, laughs, idea sharing for the big wedding day, and even a bit of fun with Janelle & her Fiance, Mike's dog! 

All in all, I got some great images I think we could all be proud of, I met some awesome new people, and best of all...I think we all had a great time! 

If you are getting married in 2016/2017 and would like to book me for your wedding, bridal session, or engagement session...

Contact Me NOW!

Jodie & Marc: A Key West Destination Wedding

As I mentioned in some previous posts...2016 has been a year of FIRSTS for Shawn Morrissey Photography. Another one for the books is my first Florida destination wedding!

Key West was the setting for Jodie and Marc's intimate, non-traditional, outdoor ceremony. The beautiful, tropical garden of the Sheraton Suites Key West was where the ceremony would take place. When I asked the bride-to-be, "Why Key West?"....She told me,"Because it was on our bucket list. We thought that the history, the beauty of the water and beaches, and the fun that engulfs the Keys was perfect to have our celebration!" 

Long time friends and close family of both the bride and the groom-to-be traveled from all over to witness all the months of Jodie and Marc's planning be played out in front of them near the radiant Florida seascape. 

A casual "meet and greet" at the Conch Republic the evening before the wedding gave family and old friends a chance to catch up with each other in a laid back, ocean-side environment.  

On the wedding day...Nicole, the wedding and event manager, with SAY YES IN KEY WEST made sure every detail was perfect and kept the moments moving without a hitch the entire day! And though the ceremony was brief, it was filled with tears, laughter, joy, excitement, pride, and pretty much all the other emotions you could think of. The mother's and father's of the new husband and wife were all beaming with pride and happiness. 

The reception and dance followed on the resort's poolside deck and the night was capped off with amazing food, plenty of drinks, wild dancing, great stories, laughter, and a couple sharing their first evening as husband and wife together with those closest to them. 

I also asked the Bride-to-be, "What's the one thing you are looking forward to the most on your wedding day?" She said, "Sharing a very intimate, yet fun moment with the people that mean the most to us! It is a day of celebration and joining of family and friends together for a tropical day of laughter, fun, love, dancing,...more fun, and amazing memories!!" Looking back on Jodie and Marc's wedding day...I think the new bride got everything she hoped for. 

I feel lucky and honored to have been asked to be a part of their amazing journey.

                     Congratulations Jodie and Marc!

If you are getting married in the GRAND FORKS area, or have a DESTINATION WEDDING coming up and would like to book me....

                             CONTACT ME NOW!

Teaching My Very First Photography Class

Art 280 Photography I Class

There have been a lot of "FIRSTS" for me in 2016! In late 2015, I was approached for a teaching position for the spring semester at Lake Region State College. I had never taught a class before but it's something I've always wanted to do. Though it was frightening to think about and I felt VERY insecure, I didn't let those negative thoughts sway me from accepting this great opportunity.

Luckily (for me), the class size was very small and I felt that if I could just plow through the nervousness and make it to the end of the first class...it would be a breeze from there!

Man...was I wrong! I struggled to find my way most of the first half of the semester. Once Spring Break came I reevaluated  my teaching strategy and made some changes and from then on, things seemed to go A LOT smoother. The students responded better and I felt that I had worked through my "learning curve" and got into a nice stride! 

Now that this semester is over, I can only hope that the students walked away knowing that there is more to photography than just an i-phone and Instagram! Teaching is a very difficult job in today's ADD/ADHD society. I definitely have a new-found respect for those in the education field! 

If just one student walked away feeling inspired and wanting to learn more about photography, I will feel I've done my job. If not...I can only hope to have another chance, make some changes, and try harder to reach that one student next time. After all, if I were amazing at everything the first time I did it...life would be pretty boring, predictable, and I would never know what determination and hard work were!  

Here's to trying new things, continuously improving, and not letting your fears and insecurities keep you from taking new paths in life!

"CHEERS!!" 

New Custom Flash Drives For Shawn Morrissey Photography!

2016 is bringing a whole slew of new products to Shawn Morrissey Photography. This is one of my favorites! It's a new custom engraved crystal Flash Drive with an amazing matching Snap box. I'm ecstatic with how they turned out and clients that I've already given them to have loved them! They're available through PhotoFlashDrive.com and am a huge new fan of theirs. These will be available for my weddings, engagement sessions, and bridal sessions. 

If you are interested in booking me for your 2016 wedding, engagement, or bridal session and getting your hands on one of these amazing flash drives...please don't hesitate to CONTACT ME NOW!

Shawn Morrissey Photography Turns 10!

2016 is a huge milestone for Shawn Morrissey Photography...In more than one way. It's really hard to believe, but this year marks the 10th year that I've been photographing peoples' memories! Man...an entire decade! Where does the time go? I will be running a 10 Year Anniversary Special which you can find out about HERE.

In 2006, DSLR's had come down in price just enough for me to buy one and continue my photo-taking passion. You see...I always wanted to work in photography, but in the film days, it seemed like an impossible dream. I'd have to spend thousands on constructing a "darkroom", invest in developing chemicals, spend countless hours in darkness developing photos I wouldn't even know would look good or not, and not have much room for a learning curve.

When SLR's became available in a digital version, all of a sudden, everything seemed a lot more possible. I bought a small canon rebel off eBay brand new for $1000. At the time, That was a giant dent in my financial pocket. I had just planned on using it for more a hobby-type-thing until my Mother threw my name to someone who mentioned that they needed someone to photograph their wedding and the rest is history! That first wedding I shot was NOT good by any means (it will be the subject of my next blog post) and I cringe when I think back on how horrible I did...but the important part is that I knew I could learn and do better if I stuck with it. And here I am 10 years later!

The other reason 2016 is a huge milestone is that for the last 10 years, I've been doing photography "part-time". Now...I'm very excited to say that Shawn Morrissey Photography is my business. Shawn Morrissey Photography, LLC was formed on March 23, 2016 and I'm super excited to meet new people this year and be a part of their most precious memories...as well as (hopefully) continuing to be invited into people's lives whom I've been blessed to work with again and again over the past decade!

Thanks to everyone who's been a part of my journey.

Remember to take a look at my 10 Year Anniversary Special I am running for Weddings! Please share this link with anyone you know who may be getting married in 2016!