Gail Werner Photography » Engagements

Bailey and Kyle: The Engagement

Gail Werner — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:22:34 +0000

One of my favorite elements of an engagement session is getting to know my clients better. Granted, I’m sure the pace of an engagement session seems fast to them, but trust me, it’s nothing compared to a wedding day! No time to chit chat in formal wear when every minute of the day has a clock ticking down! haha ….. With Bailey and Kyle, I wanted to know more about what made them tick. About how Bailey has been counting down the days until she graduates, and then weds her beau, and then heads south to Texas to join Kyle as they start their new lives together as man and wife. It’s such an exciting time in the lives of my clients and I’m grateful to get a glimpse at all the changes and anticipation of what’s to come. This is my last engagement session of 2011 and it’s been another wonderful, wonderful year of meeting new clients who have become fast friends. So, without further do, let me introduce you to these two ….

WATCH THEIR SLIDESHOW

Bailey is a senior at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College outside of Terre Haute. She met Kyle while he was a student at nearby Rose-Hulman (who’s since graduated and recently snagged a great engineering job in Texas). And the rest? Well, as they say, it’s history ….when Bailey suggested we start their photos on Saint Mary’s campus, I was happy to oblige. A small liberal arts college, the school provided plenty of spots to make great art happen.

I always tell my couples the first 10 minutes of any session is about getting the “awkwards” out. And then I try to get them to laugh. As you can see, it usually works Bailey, I thought you’d like this photo of that sweet man of yours. They call this the Kissing Bridge, so, you know…they kind of HAD to We took a break to get warmed up and Bailey introduced her plans to spice things up with an outfit change. I loved all of her ideas and the spots we found to photograph them inside the dorm. Yeah, sooo…my dorm in college? Definitely did not look this cool. We ended the session at an old theater in downtown Terre Haute, another spot Bailey had scoped out for us! Cute candid moment — the wind was whipping Bailey’s dress up, Marilyn Monroe style. Kyle to the rescue! And a FAVORITE to go on….Bailey and Kyle, I had so much fun getting to know you both a bit better and I’m glad we could make this shoot work out with Kyle’s visit in town for the holidays. Can’t wait to see what a STUNNING couple you two are going to make on your wedding day this June!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Bailey and Kyle: Sneak Peek

Gail Werner — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:30:37 +0000

My last engagement session of the year and I’m ending 2011 with the sweet (and crazy attractive) Bailey and Kyle. I’ve got plenty more to share with you all from their time in front of my camera, but for now, here’s a few frames that caught my eye while editing. This whole idea—from the wardrobe to the location—was Bailey’s and I have to tell you, I LOVE IT. Bailey, thanks for thinking outside the box and to you and Kyle both for bringing the awesome. Hope you love these too!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Cara and Brent: The Engagement

Gail Werner — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:56:09 +0000

Two things I L-O-V-E about Cara and Brent: 1) They are cuuuuuuute and affectionate in front of my camera. 2) They went out of their way to make their engagement session with me very personal to them. When Cara shared that what they wanted most was to capture photos of their new life together living downtown in Indianapolis, venturing around the neighborhoods they frequent near their adorable apartment, I was elated. Couples, take note—when you make a session like this with me about YOU, you get photos that I hope you not only love, but that some day, you’ll be able to share with your future children and say, “See this kids? This was life in our 20s. And guess what? It was awesome.”

WATCH THEIR SLIDESHOW

More photos with Cara’s grandfather’s tandem bike. This ivy-covered wall was in the courtyard of their apartment complex and you better believe I squealed when we walked out and they shared that this is where they wanted to start the session. And folks, this bike was NOT just a prop. As they shared, they ride their bike around all over the city. I mean, seriously, how CUTE is that? If I had the coordination for one, I’d insist to Nick that we go buy one right this minute! From their apartment, we walked down a few blocks to MacNiven’s, a pub where Cara still occasionally picks up a few shifts and where Brent loves to pop in and say hello while having a pint. As we were walking down to our next location, I turned and saw THIS light and said, “Hey guys, stop RIGHT here.” Folks, any photographer worth his or her grain of salt knows it’s ALL about the light. And this light? Well, it was WAY too delicious to pass up. (Cara, don’t take this the wrong way but that fiance of yours is one sexy kisser )

A quick few photos in front of Yats, a YUMMY Indianapolis restaurant in their ‘hood where they happened to have their first date. What I love about this photo below is Cara’s mega-watt smile and how Brent brings out the best in her. Also loving that vibrant shade of fall behind them because around here, that’s now gone. COME BACK FALL! Brent, if you need a new photo of Cara to frame for your desk at work, may I suggest this one? BEAUTIFUL girl! As if I hadn’t already decided Cara had landed a pretty all right guy when he shared that he found his awesome boots at Broadripple Vintage (man knows how to dress!), Brent stopped as we were walking and asked, “Can we take a picture in front of this sculpture? It’s one of Cara’s favorites and I want to remember it.” AHHHH…Cara, hon, your single friends have GOT to be jealous. And one last shot back at their sweet first place together. What a great way to end the night…Cara and Brent, thank you SO much for asking me to document this time in your life right now, and what an incredible time it is. So so looking forward to the wedding in March — it’ll be here before you know it!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Cara and Brent: Sneak Peek

Gail Werner — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:04:27 +0000

A beautiful fall evening, a sweet couple whose wedding I’m photographing in 2012 AND an heirloom tandem bike for their engagement session? Well, that’s Cara and Brent for you. I’m in love with the images we captured of them earlier this week. Here’s just a peek until I can share the rest with you next month! (Next month…HOW IS IT GOING TO BE NOVEMBER IN FIVE DAYS?!!!)

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Lauren and Kody: The Engagement

Gail Werner — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:15:05 +0000

Lauren and Kody’s engagement session was one I’d been looking forward to since Lauren and I sat down over lattes in February and gabbed for two hours. What I love about her is knowing with 100 percent certainty that she booked me for me. Not because I happened to be “some photographer who’d do”, but because she found something in my work and my personality that she wanted represented in her wedding photographs and because she wanted a relationship with her photographer that went beyond me being “just” a vendor at her wedding. All of which makes Lauren and Kody the type of clients those of us who are wedding photographers love the most. And, without any surprise, I had a blast getting to know these two better on a quiet, laid-back Sunday morning earlier this month. We were up with the birds, which meant we got to take advantage of the yummy morning light without anybody else to keep us company. Lauren and Kody, if I didn’t know it before, I definitely do now——I cannot wait until your big day in October!

VIEW THEIR SLIDESHOW

See what I mean about the light? I’ love morning sessions like this because it’s just a beautiful time of day that you’d normally be under the covers——too pretty to miss for that! Lauren, you are B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!Oh, girl, go ON with your pretty self. Seriously….(I told Lauren she’s the taller, brunette sister that Reese Witherspoon never knew she had)LOVE this next series! After a little wardrobe change, we hit up the deserted streets of Noblesville — it’s so nice to shoot at a time of day when you have an entire town to yourself. On this day, 8 a.m. seemed to do the trick! FAVORITE!You’d be giggling like these two here if you knew that 5 seconds before I took this photo, Kody almost fell off that pipe. Kody, we weren’t laughing at you, we were laughing with you. I adore clients who trust me when I ask them to sit down in out-of-the-way, random places. Good light trumps location any day, right photographers? And this is some GOOODDD light! Lauren had her self some sweet cowboy boots from Tennessee — love that she brought ‘em along for their session.And one last shot at a random barn we spotted on our way for a Starbucks pick-me-up. Can’t think of a better shot to keep us waiting until we see them again as a bride and groom!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Jennifer and Chris: The Engagement

Gail Werner — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:12:31 +0000

OK, so, truly, I adore all of my 2011 couples. Honest I do. But I’d been lying if I didn’t admit to being a teeny tiny extra smitten with Jennifer and Chris. These two bowled me over with their fun ideas for their engagement session—I just loved how they embraced the occasion and set out to make it special to them. For me, the bonus was that Jennifer gave me complete creative control while, at the same time, bringing to the table her amazing ideas, from locations to props (she has a knack for this, I’m telling ya!)

What she and Chris also brought to this session was an ease to being in front of the camera. These two might deny it…they might say they’re camera shy (which they did) and they don’t normally like having their pictures taken (which they also did), but you guys, my camera doesn’t lie, does it? These two look good in front of my 5D! They let me create some of my favorite images to date. And now I am counting down the weeks until their wedding cause if their engagement was this much eye candy, can you picture them in a tux and wedding gown? I’m already giddy at the possibilities of what I know they’re dreaming up for the big day!

VIEW THEIR SLIDESHOW

Jennifer and Chris brought with them a yummy mead from a Hoosier winery that we all kicked back and enjoyed. Sweet wine on a hot summer night with a good-looking couple. How am I getting paid for this? Jennifer, this image is magical. (PS – Internet, who does Jennifer remind you of? I kept telling her she reminded me of someone famous, I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it! A young Winona Ryder, perhaps? GORGEOUS!) LOVELOVELOVELOVE

Photographers, you know when a girl’s hair completely cooperates with the image you’re working to produce? Yeah, totally what’s happening here. Perfect…Chris, you are a lucky, lucky fella Fun with Jennifer’s beautiful quilt (hand-stitched by her grandmother). From the beautiful old farm we shot at, we headed back to Chris’s parents for a wardrobe change and a chance for Jennifer to flex her editorial vision. Jennifer is a photographer herself and Chris a musician with a love for filmmaking. They had a vision for this shoot that I interpreted as one part fairy tale storytelling and one part editorial fashion magazine. When I posted Jennifer and Chris’s sneak peek, Jennifer sent me the sweetest email with the most reassuring words: “I asked for a lot, and you delivered way above and beyond my expectations. It means a lot to me to see my ideas brought to life…I am so happy.” See, I’m tellin’ ya what, I get so gosh darn lucky with my clients! Jennifer found everything for this shoot at Goodwills and Salvation Army stores. Her FABULOUS dress (which fit her perfectly) was a find at a costume shop. I’m telling ya, this girl just has that thing about her most of us can only envy. The one that causes people to make comments like, “Oh, leave it to Jennifer, she’s so good at making something like this come to life” or “She always knows what to look for…” As she twirled in this dress for us, her future mother-in-law noted: “She just has a knack for finding the perfect outfit for any occasion!” (Translation: I cannot wait to see her in her wedding dress!)Believe it or not, Chris really can play the accordion. The benefits of having a musician on a shoot Rawrrrr I want to call up Vogue magazine for these next few and ask if they take freelance submissions. PERFECT way to end the night!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Annie and Ryan: The Engagement

Gail Werner — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:33:57 +0000

There are a myriad of reasons why I encourage my clients to take me up on the offer of an engagement shoot with their wedding package. Of course the pictures that are the result are the best part, but, for me, what I value most is the opportunity to REALLY get to know my clients. It’s impossible to make small talk on a wedding day. There is just too much going on, too quickly. But, on an engagement shoot, I really get to hear from my clients—talk to them about their jobs, how the wedding planning is going, how they met. On that note, I really enjoyed my time getting to know Annie and Ryan—hearing Annie (a kindergarten teacher) talk about what happens when half your kids are out with the flu gave me new insight into a world I knew so little about! And it was great, too, to hear more about Ryan’s new job (congrats again!)

I have Annie’s older brother, Adam, to thank for making this connection—the two of us know one another from our college days at Ball State and he’s now a successful photojournalist in Columbus, Ohio. Having Adam recommend me to Annie meant a lot, so thank you Adam! And to all the Cairns (and Ryan’s family too!) I hope you enjoy the images—we certainly had a beautiful day for them!

VIEW THEIR SLIDESHOW

Talk about a good-looking couple, right? I LOVE this image—I think it’s my favorite because it just looks like it belongs in a fashion magazine! Annie AND Ryan, you two look sexy here! Annie spotted this fountain and thought it’d make a good backdrop for the shoot. To which I say, great eye Annie!As we were winding down the session, we took a moment back at Annie and Ryan’s apartment to capture a few images with their sweet pups. And a kiss to end on. I love a good silhouette!

Annie and Ryan, thank you again for trusting me to capture this sweet moment in your lives. Can’t wait for the October wedding!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Lauren and Kody: Sneak Peek

Gail Werner — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:19:19 +0000

These two were up for my ideas when it came to their engagement shoot. And when I say up, I mean, as in, BEFORE dawn. I met up with Lauren and Kody yesterday in a beautiful park in Indianapolis. At sunrise, we had the whole place to ourselves. And, I gotta say…it was lovely. Kind of like these photos, no? Much more to come!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Jennifer and Chris: Sneak Peek

Gail Werner — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:49:20 +0000

Friends, it’s late. I’ve had a long day. But since that day involved a wonderfully laid-back, in love couple with some INSANELY fun ideas for their engagement session, I’m wrapping things up tonight ready to hit the covers with a big ‘ol smile on my face. ‘Cause, really, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing on my weekends, I tell you that right now.

First we have a meet-cute…..Then we play dress up.

And look so very very glam doing so, wouldn’t you agree?

So much more to this session but tonight, two for Jennifer and Chris. And Chris’s sweet mama

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Annie and Ryan: Sneak Peek

Gail Werner — Tue, 31 May 2011 01:41:33 +0000

Hope everyone is having a wonderfully relaxing Memorial Day Weekend! I know when I photographed Annie and Ryan’s engagement session, these two lovebirds were looking forward to joining thousands of others on the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to watch the Indianapolis 500. I hope you two wore your sunscreen and had a blast! Here’s a few images from our session to start the week off right — can’t wait to share the rest with you two and your family!

I photograph exceptionally pretty people, don’t I?

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.