Engagement Sessions

I  have one customizable engagement portrait "package". I charge $500.00 for a one hour on-location portrait session in Lake or Porter (Indiana) Counties (options for additional portraits session time or photographing at multiple locations are available at an additional charge). I charge extra to go into Chicago (or elsewhere... have passport, will travel) to cover my added expenses and time.

From that session, I create a proof gallery where you will see most of the photos from that session (I remove the clearly bad ones... eyes closed, clearly bad "smile", etc) and then the you can pick up to 10 of your favorite poses (of course, you can select more than 10, but each additional pose is $30.00).

Once the favorites have been selected, I edit the favorites (color correct, touch up (remove zits, etc.), add effects). I also include a portrait montage of your favorites set to professionally recorded music, and I will create one special collage with my choice of photos (selected from your favorites). Additional collages may be commissioned from your edited favorites for $30.00 each.

The edited photos will then be placed in a new password protected gallery where you will be able to download the high-resolution digital images which may be used for unlimited personal (non-commercial) use (i.e. posted to Facebook or other social media) and you will be able to print them anywhere you want.

If you would like to get professional prints, you can order them directly from the website. My prices are very reasonable (and you will NEVER beat the quality at WalMart or Walgreens or any local retail printer all of which use cheap paper and cheap dyes), but you have no obligation to get your prints from me. If you are looking to buy a large number of prints (especially wallets where you are wanting 100+ of the same pose), then we can see if a discount may be given on print prices (I contract with several professional print houses that give discounts after a certain number of prints, and I am happy to pass on those savings when possible).

You may add on a customized guest book for your wedding (or other occasion) with the edited photos you select. After consulting with you, we can design and print an heirloom quality album/guestbook that matches your tastes, wedding colors, and personality.  Our customized guest books are always a hit at weddings and will be a treasured family heirloom for generations to come.

If you have any questions or would like to book a session, please do not hesitate to contact me.

What is an Engagement Session?

It is a portrait session of you as a couple… two people in love. These portraits are often used at the wedding (as a guest book, a framed photo for your guests to sign, etc.), on a wedding website, to be sent in to newspapers with the announcement of your engagement, or just to have as a keepsake. As an added bonus, it gives you time with us to get to know us (and for us to get to know you), so you feel comfortable with us and in front of the camera on your wedding day.

We are very happy to be your engagement photographer even if you don’t use us as your wedding photographer. HOWEVER, if you book us for both, we discount your engagement session by $100.00 (with a signed contract and payment of wedding photography deposit prior to the engagement session).

One of the first things to consider about the portrait session is location. Brainstorm about creative places to take images that truly reflect who you and your fiancé are as a couple. Think about the places you love to go, what you like to do together, your hobbies, special points of interests, or even the theme of your wedding. We will often go to a couple’s favorite park or do something that they enjoy doing together to start our engagement session. These are great ways to create images that will be meaningful to you through the years. Need to make a road trip? We are ready to go – whether it is to Chicago, to your favorite university campus, or just about anywhere else. Talk with us, let us know your needs, and we will work out the details for the engagement portraits you really want.

The most important key to having a successful engagement session is that you be yourself. For the majority of people, it can be a little tough to relax in front of the camera, but remember you are there getting to spend time with the one you love, so have fun with it! Do things that you normally do with the one you love: hold hands, sit on his lap, kiss her on the cheek… If you love to dance, DANCE! It will be a great memory captured forever.