It’s the moment you’ll remember for a lifetime. Now you can easily share your engagement story with friends and family.

 

 

Whether he got down on one knee at the restaurant where you had your first date or asked you on the big screen during your baseball team’s big win; your story is unique and worth sharing. Plus, you know that as soon as you show friends & family your ring their next question will be, “So, how did he propose?”

Now, with photos and video stories by EternityBound Media you can share that story with all your friends and family. With my background in both video and still photography, I combine a couple’s telling of their engagement story with photographs of the couple (both from the engagement shoot and previous snapshots the couple may want to include) to create a beautiful story of their journey together.

 

The video of your story is great for posting to social media to share your exciting news, playing during your wedding reception as guests arrive or just to have as a keepsake.

 

There are options for both engagement photo sessions along with the video of your story or just the photo session. For the video I like to set up a casual interview with the couple in a setting that is comfortable. Even better is if that setting adds to the telling of your engagement story. The same goes for your photo session.

 

 

To see some of my work, head to my portfolio page.

Contact me directly eternityboundmedia@gmail.com to set up your session.

 

 

 

Here are a few suggestions and ideas to make your photo and/or video session look top notch and unique:

 

1)   Decide on a setting

 

If you enjoy going on hikes together, perhaps, a good setting is along one of your favorite trails. If your faith is an important aspect of your relationship, then have your church or other place of worship be your backdrop. If the spot where you got engaged is accessible, then it could also be an option.

Some couples will have a long engagement, and therefore, have time to choose the season during which they would like to have their photos taken. However, no matter the time frame, together we can make your photo session and video look great.

 

 

2)   Decide on a wardrobe

 

Clothing is one thing that is very personal and tells a lot about one’s personality. While, yes, it can be nice to have a more formal clothing option it is more important that you both feel comfortable and can be yourselves.

 

Dress seasonally for outdoor shoots. For example, if it is summer, you don’t want to break a sweat in your fall clothes. It will also be apparent and seem out of place to have a summery backdrop if you are wearing a heavy knit sweater.

Choose outfits that go together. This could be wearing your favorite sports team’s jerseys or maybe you have t-shirts from the first concert you went to together. Your outfits should also be equally formal or informal. If one of you wears jeans the other shouldn’t be in black dress pants; this will make the less casual person seem unprepared or sloppy.

 

 

3)   Have fun!

 

The whole point of engagement photos is to share the news with others, and show them you love one another so much that you’ve decided to be together for the rest of your lives. This won’t come across if you both aren’t having fun; forced smiles are easily detectable. This means you should both be comfortable in your setting and your wardrobe.

 

 

4)   Show each other affection

After all, you are now engaged so make it clear to others that you are in love. This doesn’t mean you have to be kissing in all or any of your photos. I completely support couples who may be waiting until the “I do” for their first kiss. With that in mind, there are many ways to show your affection from holding hands, hugs and embracing one another to laughing or simply gazing at one another lovingly. I also focus on capturing those small moments of when you are simply relaxed in being with one another and not thinking about the camera.

 

 

5)   Just be you!

From the setting to the wardrobe to how you interact and show affection, the most important thing is to be who you are together. Your engagement photos/video should tell the story of your love, affection and enjoyment of one another.

 Thanksgiving is here!

We all begin to reminisce about family, friends and feasts from years past. We begin to think about all the blessings and challenges we’ve overcome throughout the year. We begin to think of all that we are thankful for in our lives. Now, let’s take that one step further. Let’s go from the internal thoughts of gratitude to the external, and show our loved ones just how thankful we are for each of them.

As a photographer I am always thinking of ways to use photos to help tell a story. So, here are 3 easy ways that you can incorporate photos to show gratitude to your loved ones.

1)   A simple thank-you card

I am still of the mindset that a handmade card with a handwritten note goes a long way. Focus on what has made your relationship special or a specific act for which you are grateful to that person. Include a photo of you and your friend or loved one. The photo can be the main image or even just include it in the card.

These thank-you notes can also be used as name place cards for assigned seating at your Thanksgiving meal. Instead of just writing the person’s name on a card, personalize it with a thank-you note to create a keepsake they can treasure.

There are also many options online for creating a digital card or using online designs to create a card you can print. One site that I have come across for creating cards online is www.canva.com.

2)   Gratitude in a Jar

Take a favorite photo of each of your guests and place it (facing outward) inside a clear mason jar as a way to identify to whom the jar belongs. On small strips of paper (perhaps in fall colors if you want to be seasonal) write different characteristics or actions taken by that person for which you are thankful. Eg. I am grateful for your giggles., or I am grateful to you because you lent me your car for the day when mine broke down.

Your short statements should be just the starters. Invite each of your guests to write short gratitude statements and place them in each other’s jars. Your guests can then take their jars home, and anytime they need a boost they can pull out a reminder of why others appreciate them.

3)   A coffee table book of memories

Looking back through photos with your loved ones is an easy way to reminisce about good times, but also to say, “I am so grateful you were there to be my maid of honor” or whatever the photograph may show. With that in mind you can put as much or as little time and energy into this idea.

You could create an extensive scrapbook of memories you have shared with your loved one with notes of gratitude alongside the photos. However, a quicker an less expensive option is to simply take 4×6 prints of your loved one and write a thank-you on the back of each one. Then create a hole in the corner with a hole-puncher and bind the photos together with a ribbon. You can also cover with cardstock and attach it in the same manner.

There are also many online digital ways to create a photo book. One that I recommend from personal use is www.blurb.com

The book(s) can be set out on your coffee table providing for a conversation piece during your Thanksgiving gathering. You can also create a space in each book for others to leave their own reasons why they are grateful. The signed book can then be a great keepsake party favor.

BONUS IDEA:

Show your gratitude with the gift of photography. Book a photography session for your loved ones in gratitude for all they have done for you. Refer friends and loved ones to EternityBound Media to capture all the memories for which they are grateful.

1)   Do Have Fun! Let your guard down.

Ultimately, your best smiles and your truest selves will shine through when everyone is having fun. Although, portraits are by nature more staged than candid shots, you should still remember to be yourself and laugh.

Let kids be kids. If they are worried about what they are supposed to do or how they are supposed to look or smile then the portrait will seem very unnatural. Don’t be afraid to be a little goofy if that will get a genuine giggle.

 

2)   Do pick a setting where you are all comfortable

Does your family enjoy the outdoors, being in the woods or on the lake? These could all be great options. If on the other hand the sight of even a ladybug traumatizes your child then let’s find a more comfortable setting. Perhaps, you want to consider a photo shoot in your home or maybe the child’s favorite playground.

 

3)   Do tell a story

There are any numbers of ways to let your family’s story shine through in photographs. A few ideas: Include your favorite family pastime. Sports fans? Everyone can don his or her favorite player’s jersey. Baking? Don’t be afraid to get a little messy and take your pictures while making Christmas cookies. Reading or playing board games? Let your books or games be your backdrop.

Is your faith an important aspect of your family? Include items that show this. For Christmas, maybe you opt for a Nativity scene backdrop instead of a generic wintery background.

 

Maybe the story is more reminiscent. You can include loved ones who have passed away by having a family member hold a framed portrait of him or her, or have your family gather at your loved one’s tombstone.

 

4)   Don’t forget to include your pets

Fido is more than man’s best friend. He helps entertain the kids by playing fetch for hours; he is always there lending an ear to the frustrations of your day, and don’t forget those goofy looks that always make you laugh. A family photo without your dog, cat or even a goldfish may seem lonely.

Pets can also bring character to your portraits and help calm any nerves someone may have about having their photo taken.

If your not certain how a pet will behave in the photographs you can always take some with the pet and some without. If your want to include the pet on your Christmas card maybe a separate photo will do the trick.

 

5)   Don’t clash

Of course you want everyone to look nice when you get your family photo taken so keep in mind some basic style tips.

 

Solid colors are best. Generally dark is good, but don’t be afraid to have splashes of complimentary colors. Stick to a similar color pallet; shades of the same color bring variety while still tying in together. Generally black is better than white for lighting and it is more slimming. Avoid stripes, busy patterns and large logos, which typically only distract from the people in the photograph. Plaid tends to be the one exception if you are going for a casual, country or outdoor portrait. However, you’ll still want to stick to a similar color pallet and pattern of plaid.

 

Your outfits should match the sentiment. If you want to have an outdoor autumn shoot then you probably will want to avoid suits and ties; opt for nice jeans instead. If black tie is what you’re going for then an indoor setting may be more appropriate. These are not hard and fast rules but considerations.

 

6)   Don’t be rigid

This ties in with the first tip of having fun. Your mother always told you to stop slouching and stand up straight. Well, she may have only had it half right. However, it is worth specifying that your posture will say a lot.

 

Yes, it looks nice when you’re not slouching, but don’t forget that your family members are not robots. Opt for natural poses such as: a hand on the hip, a slight bend at the knee or a thumb hooked on a belt loop. Along that same line don’t be afraid to show a little affection. Hold your husband’s hand, snuggle your kids or blow someone a kiss.

Just as important as how you stand or sit is where you’re posed. Having everyone in one straight line will look very rigid. Perhaps, only one step better is the fallback of mom and dad sitting in front with the kids standing to their left, right and behind.

 

The important thing is to stagger where people’s heads are located. Of course you want to see everyone’s face, but people can and should be at various levels. Sitting in a chair or on the ground, someone standing or a toddler on someone’s shoulders are all good ways to bring depth to your photograph.

 

For more information on scheduling your family portrait session contact me directly: eternityboundmedia@gmail.com

“Thank you sir, for all you do to serve our country.” Those were the seemingly sincere words from a man to my friend who was dressed in his military uniform. “You’re welcome,” came his response, but something was off when he acknowledged the praise. It seemed a little odd to me; my friend, who has served overseas both in war zones and on peacekeeping missions, definitely deserved to be thanked. Then he explained how he sometimes felt like the words were empty and that it is just a rote response from people who don’t understand and maybe never will what it means to serve our country.

 

I will not claim to fully understand; I have not served in the armed forces or even grown up in a military family. That does not, however, mean that I am not grateful to friends, family and all of those whom I will never meet who voluntarily put their lives on the line in defense of our nation. As for all of our veterans who did not sign-up but were drafted, you have my respect. To all of the spouses who hold down the fort back home, I am humbled by your ability to handle more than you may have planned for. To all of the children who pray each night for their mothers and fathers to come home safe, I am in awe.

 

I can send all the thank you notes in the world to each of our service men and women, to their parents, spouses and children, but I think my friend is right; “Thank You” doesn’t seem to be enough. It is a good place to start, but how about instead of sharing our gratitude we give our veterans the space to share their stories. Instead of speaking simply listen. Everyone has a story and everyone deserves a place to share that story.

 

In an effort to say thank you to our veterans please share this blog post, but don’t stop there. I invite you, whether you are a veteran or your loved ones are veterans to share a bit of that story. What does Veterans’ Day mean to you? Where and when did you serve? What has been most rewarding or challenging? These are just a few ideas, but please share your story as you see fit. Post it below in the comments, Tweet, or post this blog to Facebook or Instagram and add a picture of your loved ones who’ve served our nation. When we take time to hear someone’s story we may come to better understand and then, just maybe, that “Thank you “ will no longer be rote but instead written on our hearts.

 

It is EternityBound Media’s mission to capture the moments that tell your life’s story including our veterans and their families. So whether it is capturing a tearful sendoff, the surprise homecoming or the playing of taps for a life well served, EternityBound Media will be there to accompany you preserving those moments of life’s story. For more information on the services I provide please email: eternityboundmedia@gmail.com

Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy. Sometimes it is unexpected and other times it is a long farewell, but it is always tough. So whether your loved one just came into this world or has celebrated 90+ years of memories, I firmly believe that each of these lives has an inherent dignity and beauty that deserves to be honored and remembered.

 

As a whole-life photographer, it is my mission to accompany your family through these difficult moments. Even amid sadness and difficulty I look for those small moments that when looked back upon will warm your heart.

 

EternityBound Media will accompany parents who suffer the loss of their child in infancy, during birth or miscarriage by giving you beautiful keepsake photographs of your little one that you can treasure forever. I also want you and your loved ones to know of resources as you grieve.

 

For a number of resources check out: http://www.hopeafterloss.org/support/resources/

 

Although a terminal diagnosis changes the course of life that we had plotted out, we should not forget there is beauty and joy to be found in some of the most unexpected places. So whether it is your child’s diagnosis, your own, a spouse, parent, grandparent or a dear friend, I want to help you find and capture that joy and beauty. Because everyone’s story is as unique as they are, I will work with each person and their loved ones to find the best way to capture that story.

 

This stage of life comes with many difficult emotions and decisions. For finding resources across the United States check out these website:

http://www.nhpco.org/find-hospice

http://www.npcrc.org/content/26/Palliative-Care-Organizations.aspx

http://www.catholicendoflife.org/

 

When a loved one has passed away there can be a lot of details to worry about from funeral plans to medical bills, and all too often what gets lost in the shuffle is remembering your loved one’s life and legacy. This is where I want to assist your family. I can be there to capture the moments of your loved one’s funeral as family and friends say their final farewells.

 

 

 

EternityBound Media can also go beyond photography to also create a beautiful tribute video of your loved one’s life story. With any photos from across their lifetime, I will compile these into a keepsake video that can be played during a wake or other services.

 

For further inquiries please contact me: eternityboundmedia@gmail.com

 

I know that the grieving process does not end on the day of the funeral and has no timeline. For that reason I also want my clients to know of various resources available to them.

 

For more resources check out:

http://www.hospicecarecenter.org/services/grief-counseling