Cute Engagement Photo Idea: Include the Dog!

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Mother of the Bride, does your daughter have a running list of possible engagement photo ideas to share with their wedding photographer?

If so—and if your little gal and her guy have a much loved dog (or other pet)—here’s an idea you’ll want to share with her pronto. Have the photographer include their pooch in a shot!

Including the couple’s dog is such a fun idea, and I especially like the super cute way it’s done in the photo above—doggie in the center with the Mr. & Mrs.-to-be planting kisses on him or her at the same time. Of course, the photographer will probably take a series of shots with the dog, so I’m sure they’ll be sure to get several great photos.

So MOB, share this photo with your sweet couple and keep your eyes peeled for other unique ideas. They’ll appreciate every great idea you can send their way!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photos: Consider a Night Shoot, Engagement Photo Idea: Bike Fun!, Engagement Photo Idea: Show Off the Ring, and Engagement Photo Idea: Frame That Moment!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Engagement Photo Idea: Include Heart Balloons!

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Mother of the Bride, don’t you love how fun and creative engagement photos are today? Sure, the photographer may have your soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. pose for a traditional shot or two, but the more creative shots capturing the personality of the couple or the depth of their love are the ones you’ll love the most.

Pictured above is an engagement photo idea too cute not to pass along—heart balloons included in a shot where the couple is kissing. Isn’t this a super sweet photo? So much love expressed through the kiss as well as the hearts. What a fun shot filled with the promise of a lifetime of love. Romance and fun at the same time make this shot a winner, a real must-have photo to commemorate your little girl’s engagement.

So why not show this heart balloon idea to your daughter, MOB, and see if she and her honey would like to include something similar in their engagement photo session. After all, their hearts are already soaring in love. They might as well picture it, right?!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photos: Consider a Night Shoot, Engagement Photo Idea: Bike Fun!, Engagement Photo Idea: Playground Fun, and Engagement Photo Idea: Frame That Moment!

*Flickr photo by Bert Palmer, Creative Commons License

Bridal Portrait Idea: A Stairway Shot

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Mother of the Bride, bridal portrait photos will definitely be among some of the most beautiful photos ever taken of your daughter. A little planning before the photo session will reap a great reward so if you haven’t done it yet, start a list of possible shots you’d love to see the photographer capture of your sweet girl.

Be sure to add a stairway shot to your list of possibilities. Of course, capturing this particular shot will depend on the location of the photo shoot, but if there is a stairway anywhere on the premises or nearby, ask the photographer to take a few shots there. If you or the bride definitely want stairs included, keep that in mind as you select your location. Many historic buildings and homes have beautiful staircases that will translate into gorgeous photos.

Stairway shots can be so elegant and classy, whether looking down on the bride (as in the photo above of my daughter Kelli) or taken from behind the bride with her gown and train beautifully displayed on the stairs. Your photographer and/or your daughter may have some other great ideas for stairway shots as well.

So go prepared with ideas, MOB, and make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime bridal portrait session. Be sure to take some tissues with you, though. I warn you there may be a few tears as you behold your beautiful daughter in all her wedding day finery!

*You might also like to read Bridal Portrait Idea: Windows Plus Great Light, Bridal Portrait Idea: A Mirror Shot, Bridal Portraits: Include Some Artsy Shots, Bridal Portrait Idea: A Shot with Mom, and Bridal Portrait Idea: Fun With Sunglasses!

*The Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is underway. Details are in my Oct. 19 post on my home page and sign-up is to the right under “Free For You.” Deadline is 6 p.m. Nov. 11. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

*Photo by Will Flowers

Wedding Photo Idea: Hideaway Moment

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Mother of the Bride, are you on the lookout for wedding photo ideas you can share with the bride and groom? If not, it’s not too late. Today is a great day to get started because I’ve got a super sweet idea to share with you.

The hideaway shot above captures a stolen intimate moment between the newlyweds. Not only will it become a photo they will treasure their entire lives—and I love it in black and white—it will provide them with a precious private moment on the wedding day itself.

Ask the photographer to be on the lookout for a spot similar to the scene above—a place where the groom can pull the bride off to the side for a moment and whisper sweet nothings in her ear or steal a kiss while guests mingle unaware in the background. The stars of the show will be so happy to sneak in some private time like this that they will quickly forget the photographer’s presence and truly delight in the moment.

So MOB, give your love birds an early gift and suggest the Hideaway Moment shot. They will love the idea—and they’ll love you for suggesting it. Another win-win for the Mother of the Bride!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer, Wedding Photo Idea: Black and White Bubble Shot, Wedding Photo Idea: Groom Admires His Bride, and Wedding Photo Idea: The Corner Shot.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. Sign up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Tela Chhe, Creative Commons License

Include Venue Signs in the Wedding Photos

Sharp ChapelMother of the Bride, many wedding photographers today pride themselves on telling a story with their photos. They make an effort to capture more than the standard shots and provide not only a timeline but the emotions of the big day as well. Their beautiful and meaning-filled finished products are works of art.

In the telling of the Wedding Day story, ask your photographer to be sure to include the signs at your ceremony and reception sites. Having those locations identified through photos not only helps tell the story, but it will be a help in years to come when you try to recall the names of the venues. After all, these special places play an important part in one of the highlights of your family’s life.

And believe it or not, MOB, a good photographer can even make photos of signs look artistic. So scope out your venues and give your photographer a heads-up about the locations of the signs. Be a part of telling the whole story!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer and Bridal Portraits: Include Some Artsy Shots.

0280*Photos by Chris Humphrey Photographer

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early August. Sign up is free and to the right!