engagement photos

We've been planning, postponing, and rescheduling for months, and we finally got to take some photos with our wedding photographer! I'm not crazy about the idea of engagement photos, but of course, she convinced me that we needed practice taking pictures together before the wedding. Truthfully, the first photos I took with Krista were my bridal portraits, but those are still secret for now. I may schedule some for just after the wedding if I can convince Zack not to peek at the scheduled posts. 

We had so much fun with Krista at the airport! I'm so glad we went there because it's really where our love story took place. I can't believe I have never written our love story here! I will have to do that soon, but basically we fell in love in and around airplanes. 

This time, I started planning our outfits with what Zack would be most comfortable wearing and look nice in, then planned mine accordingly. Keeping it simple helped. That's my bit of advice for engagement photo outfit planning--plan the man's outfits first and keep it simple. Outfit details are at the bottom of the post. 

All photos by Krista Joy Photography. 

K: Waccamaw Pearls // Anthropologie top // J. Crew 3" chino shorts // Jack Rogers Palm Beach sandal 

Z: Southern Proper shirt // Over Under belt // Onward Reserve shorts // Sperry shoes

K: Moon and Lola earrings // Anthropologie dress // HMD bracelet // Jack Rogers Napa Valley Navajo 

Z: Onward Reserve shirt // Over Under belt // Dockers pants // Clarks shoes 

snowy engagement photos

For Christmas, Zack's sister generously gave us an engagement photo session with Leslie Perkins Photography. We got snow at the perfect time when Zack was in town and Leslie was available to take these photos. Leslie was easy to work with, and I'm pleased with the photos. 

I am entertaining the thought of wedding Wednesdays. Would you be interested in reading wedding posts? What would you like to read about? Comment below or email me! 

photography equipment

My dad told me, "I've got a surprise for you. It's something you want." 

"A doughnut!"

"No, it's something you need."

"A dog?"

"It's something you said you wanted

.

.

.

a tripod!"

"How?!"

"Do you have a camera bag?"

"No."

"Well here's a camera bag and a bunch of other stuff, too."

My grandfather, Fozzie, had all of this photography equipment. I don't remember him taking photos all that much, although I do remember watching a slideshow of his travel photos one time with my whole family in my grandparents' basement. 

I am very excited to have a tripod, some different lenses to try, and a large enough bag for all of my equipment. Now, what do I do with these old cameras? 

Charleston Harbor Marina

Here are a few snapshots I took from the Charleston Harbor Marina last week. I have very limited photography knowledge, but I do enjoy playing with my camera's settings. 

I was walking around, trying to find a spot to sit and work on my computer, when I noticed that I could walk out on a dock, closer to these boats. I ran inside for my camera and tried to capture some photos before it went completely dark.

I couldn't believe how much light I could get in these photos (it looked so much darker in real life), but the experience made me want a tripod more than I did already. That may be my next photography related purchase.

Any suggestions for tripods? What are your best photography tips and tricks?