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Wedding, Engagement, and Couples Session Information 

I LOVE to Photograph Engagements and Weddings!


I love intimately getting to know people and their stories. When I see two people’s independent stories woven into a love that makes them want to spend the rest of their lives together, something inside of me wants to celebrate! It is seriously so fun and such an honor to get to know my clients, their love story, and to hear their thoughts and dreams about their wedding day. I have had the privilege of being a part of so many breath-taking life commitments and I am certain that I was made for this craft! I thrive with wedding day logistics, drawing out a couple's love, noticing small details, documenting timeless emotions, and celebrating love!

Portland Wedding Photographer_Amy Coles
Portland Wedding Photographer
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Portland Wedding_Amy Coles Photography
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My Approach to Engagement
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My Approach to Engagement Sessions and Surprises Engagements

I am a firm believer that engagement sessions ​should be mandatory for any wedding photographer. It is an amazing way for a couple to get comfortable with each other in front of the camera. It is also the best way to get to know their photographer's personality and style.  

 

Engagement sessions are also a great way for you as a couple to focus on each other rather than wedding day logistics! These are often some of my favorite images. Who are you as a couple? What do you love to do together? Walk, hike, eat, cook in the kitchen? Let's document that together! After our session, I want you as a couple to feel even closer and even more passionate about sharing your lives together. I want you to be excited about your wedding day!  I want you to have full confidence in me as a photographer to represent your relationship and the amazing life journey that you are about to embark on :).

Are you considering a surprise engagement? I have had the privilege of working with couples as they plan some seriously creative proposals. From ferry boats and walks along the beach, to scavenger hunts and being overwhelmed by thirty poodles, I've done it! You know yourselves as a couple and what fits you best. I am happy to help you with the planning process as needed, and I am certainly honored to help you execute and capture your special engagement.

For more information on surprise engagement photography pricing, please contact me!

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My Approach to Photographing Weddings
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My Approach to Wedding Photography

Having gone through the process of planning a wedding and being a bride myself, I know how important it is to have someone else who can create a safe, relaxing, and purposeful environment around you on your wedding day. I want you to be fully present in this joyous celebration and I will do everything I can before and during your wedding day to make sure that is the case. I will be sure to walk you through a purposeful timeline, to discuss some creative ideas, and check in on your mental health before the wedding day itself.  I'll also be sure to reach out to key vendors, do site visits, and have all of my ducks in a row so that you can just relax.  I want you to be able to have full confidence in my approach, style, and images so that you can focus on each other and celebrate!

Another way that I invite you to celebrate what matters most, is that I don't want to just give you the gift of remembrance through photography,  but I also want you to be able to make a memorable gift to others as well! After my wedding clients have made their final payment, they have the awesome opportunity of choosing one of the organizations listed below that are near and dear to my heart to give 15% of their wedding payment to (not just the proceeds). ​Let's celebrate together!

Hope International
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Jibu
Wedding Packages
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2024-2025 Wedding and Engagement 
Packages

Wedding Package #1 

$5,000

-8 hours of wedding day coverage

- additional Photographer for 6 hours on your wedding day (ideal for larger weddings and/or LOTS of candids)
-engagement shoot (usually lasts about 90 minutes and comes with 50 images)

-on-going correspondence to help you plan an optimal photo timeline and wedding day

-online image gallery of at least 500 images to view, download (high-resolution images), print, and share

- copyright release for personal use of the images

Wedding Package #2

$4,500

-8 hours of wedding day coverage
- complimentary engagement session (includes an
hour and a half session with 50 images)

-on-going correspondence to help you plan an optimal photo timeline and wedding day

-online gallery with printing rights

-online image gallery of at least 500 images to view, download (high-resolution images), print, and share

- copyright release for personal use of the images

Wedding Package #3

$3,750

-7 hours of wedding day coverage

- complimentary engagement session (includes an hour and a half session with 50 images)

-on-going correspondence to help you plan an optimal photo timeline and wedding day

-high-res online gallery with printing rights

-online image gallery of at least 300 images to view, download (high-resolution images), print, and share

- copyright release for personal use of the images

Wedding Package #4

 $2,750

-6 hours of wedding day coverage
- complimentary engagement session (includes a one-hour session with 30 images)

-on-going correspondence to help you plan an optimal photo timeline and wedding day

-high-res online gallery with printing rights

-online image gallery of at least 200 images to view, download (high-resolution images), print, and share

- copyright release for personal use of the images

Engagement and Couples Package #1

 $500

-two hours of coverage (time for two locations and one outfit change*)

-high-resolution digital image files with printing rights 

-online image gallery of at least 75 images to view, download (high-resolution images), print, and share

- copyright release for personal use of the images

Engagement and Couples Package #2

 $300

-one hour of coverage (time for one location*)

-high-resolution digital image files with printing rights 

-online image gallery of at least 30 images to view, download (high-resolution images), print, and share

- copyright release for personal use of the images

Additional Opportunities:

-$100/hr (4-hours min) for adding 2nd (or 3rd) photographer to any wedding package

-$400 for the first hour and $375/hr afterward (2-hour min) for elopements, sealings, dinners, and non-traditional intimate weddings (30 images/hr)

-$450* surprise engagement (comes with planning, setup, a 45-60 minute session, and 50 images)

-$75 travel fee (and gas costs at $4/gallon) for any shoot location outside of 15 miles from Chicago, IL (60623))

-Veterans and those who are in active-duty receive a 15% discount on any and all packages

 

*Note: Suprise engagements prices vary depending upon the ideas, so please contact me for more information

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Tips and Tricks for Wedding Timelines

Tips and Tricks for Engagement and Couples Sessions

Location

We will most certainly brainstorm together on this, but I would start by thinking of places that have significance to you as a couple and have a number of shooting options. Perhaps a park, waterfront, or field where you have gone on countless walks. Do you want to do something more intimate in your home? Maybe pack a bottle of wine for a field with a fantastic view of the city or pop a bottle of champagne to celebrate 10 years of marriage?! In the event of inclement weather, think of an indoor location option with lots of windows and natural light (ex. library, candy store, coffee shop, conservatory, etc.) or embrace the rain PNW style and take some fun shots with my clear umbrellas.

 

Clothing 

It’s not every day that you have an engagement or couples shoot, but you also want to look like yourself. Find something that is comfortable to wear and move around in, but also formal enough to have for the pictures in your parents' home, or if need be on a “Save The Date”. I would suggest having one alternative outfit to change into for different types of images or in case of a stain. Interesting necklines are often key for women (so feel free to wear or bring a necklace or a plain colored scarf), and solids with varying textures always photograph best. Think about your location (lots of greens, reds, grey, etc.) and what clothing might "pop" against it so you can be seen. Make sure that both of your outfits work together but don’t match. In terms of shoes, remember to take both of yours into consideration since there will be plenty of full body shots. Avoid sneakers, neon, and black/brown combinations. There is always a chance that the weather could change here in the PNW, so make sure to pack layers. Think solid scarves, cardigans, nice jackets, etc. Try to also avoid shirts with logos, busy patterns including small stripes, transitional lenses, and revealing clothing as these will all take away from our shoot’s flexibility and often serve as a distraction.

 

Things to Consider

Since we will take close-up photos of your ring(s), it may be a good idea to have each cleaned prior to the shoot. It might also be a good idea to get your nails done or a least make sure both parties have clean nails since we will take pictures of your hands together. Think about what you both enjoy doing when you’re together; drinking coffee, reading books, riding bikes, cooking, etc.? Should you bring some of these props to seem more natural? 

Make Your Preferences Known

Please make sure to voice any preferences you have. We live in an image-saturated world, so if you have seen any images that you love (or dislike) or have a fun idea, please let me know! I really enjoy working with my clients and their creative ideas. 

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Tips and Tricks for Newborn Sessions

Tips and Tricks for a Smooth Wedding Day Timeline

Every wedding couple has different wishes and desires, and so as a photographer, I find it to be extremely important to work with my clients to create an ideal timeline that will enable them to fulfill these wishes. This is often a SUPER helpful exercise for clients and can totally change the whole feel of your wedding day. I think it's extremely important to be able to be fully present on your wedding day and making space and time to do so is huge!

Sample Schedule (8 hours of coverage):

1:00pm: I arrive and take pictures of the site at large, details, and the bride/bridesmaids getting ready 

1:40pm: I take pictures of the groom/groomsmen getting ready

2:00pm: I go back to the bride to take pictures of her putting on her dress, final details

2:25pm: I place and prep the groom for the first look

2:30pm: First look in a private and intimate location, followed by portrait shots of the couple

3:00pm: Pictures of the wedding party

3:30pm: Pictures of the family

4:15pm: Detailed shots of the reception and ceremony areas (couple gets to take a breather and re-group before the wedding ceremony (maybe eat a snack?))

4:40pm: I head to the ceremony to take candid pictures of friends and family as they arrive

5:00pm: Ceremony begins

5:30pm: Ceremony ends, followed by the certificate signing and a few more newly-married couple shots

6:00pm We join cocktail hour for candids/greet guests (some couples like to get some additional time alone)

6:15pm: Bridal entrance and dinner begins

6:45pm (or whenever sunset is): We sneak away for some awesome sunset pictures

7:15pm: Toasts

7:45pm: Cake Cutting

8:00pm: First Dances

8:15pm: General Dancing Begins (make sure you've got the whole bridal party and the right people on call to get that dance floor going right away)

8:50pm: I usually like to check in with the couple and their parents to make sure all pictures they can think of have been taken

9:00pm: I head out!

If you are looking for other wedding timeline suggestions, I think photographer Katy Weaver has some awesome advice here: 13 Tips for Hacking Your Wedding Timeline

Ashlyn and Collin Wedding
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Amy Coles Photography offers portrait and wedding lifestyle photography out of Chicago, IL 

amycolesphotography@gmail.com  

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