Fast forward a few months and Alison contacted me that she was interested in a maternity session (I squealed) and we planned to meet again this spring. I was so anxious to see them again, I love watching families grow but to be able to capture their announcement and now their maternity session was a like a quick slide into first base for me. I love that they were so happy with their first images that they wanted to hire me again. This to me is the ultimate compliment.
Side bar: If you didn't know already, maternity sessions are some of my absolute FAVORITE sessions. I figured my massive client closet might have given that away already, but honestly if you didn't know, maternity sessions are my JAM. I absolutely love posing moms of all shapes and sizes, I love assisting in choosing their wardrobe, I love seeing their husbands eyes light up when they try on the dresses and I LOVE accentuating their lovely bump and that pregnancy glow.
I was so nervous when Alison told me she DIDN'T want to wear one of my gowns, not offended... nervous. I knew she had great style so I tried not to doubt and I'm so glad I didn't. She bought herself a Fillyboo Maternity gown "Seeker Not Love Keeper" at a steal and I was head over heels. I have always wanted to own one of these gowns but with their price tag I was afraid to add to my closet and never use. All in all, it was perfect. The fit was amazing, the details of embroidery- EVERYTHING about this gown was so her and so gorgeous.
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Hampton Park, Azalea Park and Magnolia Plantation are the absolute hot spots for spring sessions this year and each one is just as stunning as the next. Here are some favorite captures so far this Spring!
Ethan weighed in at 10 POUNDS and 9 OUNCES! If you're not familiar with babies... that is HUGE. He was the talk of the town around MUSC Hospital for sure.
Evelyn was so proud and so careful around her new baby brother. She also reminded me how big he was and how bad he was hurting her arms and legs while holding him! (LOL!)
A new addition to my services this year includes video and still slideshows. I've been practicing taking video clips during sessions and piecing them together with edited stills from sessions to create one of a kind heirloom videos. It has been an interesting journey being a very photo-focused photographer but I am really excited to be adding video to my list of skills and offerings.
Here is a quick sample of what I hope to expand on this year:
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When do you book?
Beach Sessions book all year long but the ideal months are between March and August. Sessions are booked Monday through Thursday for sunrises and sunsets, Friday sunrises only if needed. Sunrise sessions typically start about 10-15 minutes before the sun comes up, sunset sessions usually start about 20-30 minutes before the sun sets. I take a maximum of 4 beach sessions a week, and every client books an initial date, and a backup date in case of poor weather, which does happen often here. With that reason in mind, I usually prefer to book MOST beach sessions at sunrise. It's less HOT here in the early mornings, the chances of thunderstorms here on the coast are a fraction of what they are in the afternoons and evenings. You can see now why these sessions book so quickly!
What do you recommend for children?
Kids are usually in the best mood when they're well rested from a good night's sleep. Often times when you're here on vacation you cram so many things into your day to see and do that by the afternoon and evening the kids are DONE and are ready for bed. With sunset at 8:30pm here in Charleston during the summer, they never make it. It's meltdown mode. Timing is key when planning for your session so keep the little ones in mind when you're choosing your time frame. If you aim for a sunset please try your best to make it a light activity day and try for a late nap time.
Why only Sunrise and Sunset, and why only Monday through Thursday?
If you've ever been to the beach, and especially if you've ever been to the beach in the summer in the south you know how HOT and how CROWDED the beach is during the day. Charleston is a major tourist and vacation destination so not only do we have our own mass of residents flooding the beach during the day, but thousands of tourists we have month to month, all summer long. There is no shade on the beach, you're squinty and you're sweaty within about 30 seconds during the day. During Sunrise and Sunset the sun is at the lowest point along the horizon and therefore is indirect on the subjects. So, no squinty eyes, lovely color in the sky, less people at the beach, and cooler temps. Here in Charleston we see the sun rise right out of the water in most cases, where as the sun sets behind the beach, hotels, houses etc and isn't visible like it is at sunrise. Either time frame is great for light and color, but if you've never seen the sun rise on the East Coast I do highly recommend that. There are some locations I also completely avoid for sunset sessions. Anywhere near piers and hot spots for tourist traffic, and I avoid weekends all together since there is never anywhere to park, tons of people out and about... Just trust me, I've shot plenty of beach sessions to know when and where is best for your session to cut down on the amount of background traffic in your images.
Here are some examples of Sunrises, notice the sky sometimes more pastel, lots of pink, yellow and light blue hues.
And below here, some examples of sunset. In some cases like Kiawah's Beachwalker Park (top image) since it closes AT sunset it's not possible to capture the colors of the sky and instead the images can be a little more hot/high key and blown out. They still maintain a dreamy feel, but just a little harder to capture. Below that are two images from the same session at sunset. The sky turning and once the sun is down. Silhouettes are easier to capture at sunset but are also possible at sunrise prior to the sun coming up. Sunsets tend to be a blue more "cool" in tones with darker yellows and blues.
What do we wear?
I always recommend dressing Mom FIRST for sessions. It's usually harder for Mom to find something she is completely comfortable and confident in so start with her first. I usually recommend light colors, pastels, easy on patterns or florals, nothing too bold unless that's your style. Below are some images from my favorite sessions with outfit pairings. I usually tell people to "Think Easter, or Neutral!" Pinterest is a great resource to find color palettes and what tones and colors work well together.
I also have a couple of dresses in my client closet that are perfect for mom and the beach if you're stumped on finding anything else. Just ask!
Here is a great Pinterest resource for coordinating outfits: https://pin.it/gqldzjy6fxxlnh
All in all, throughout the session I focus on capturing a family's posed and candid moments, we start along the water line, walking, looking for dolphins and snuggling up with mom and dad. Towards the end of the session I encourage kids to play and splash. It is definitely recommended to bring a towel and sometimes a change of clothes since the littles sommmmetimes get a little out of hand towards the end. But who can really blame them? It's the beach and the water is SO WARM!
Hope to see you this summer!
To book your summer beach session please shoot me an email with your available dates and some details about your family to:
[email protected]
I was actually shocked at how much was in bloom and it went perfectly with our spring style of dresses.
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She saw this dress in my Client Closet and just had to wear it, it was a perfect fit!
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The thing I love about letting clients trust me with their wardrobe is this image right below. Jen would have NEVER thought to wear a gown like this but I trusted my gut and had her try it on at the last minute. She looked absolutely STUNNING in this gown and I can't wait to show the train toss on this one.
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And finally, my perfect pair dresses and skirts. We had to do the purple for the sake of our Winter-Spring theme.
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Overall, I think we're all extremely happy with the results. It's hard not to be with a couple this adorable and dresses made to flatter anyone that steps into them. Huge thanks to Matt for enduring our many outfit changes, I think he was in awe of Jen's beauty the whole time. This is their sneak peek, with more to come soon!
To rent from my Client Closet please visit: ErinRosePhoto.Zenfolio.com/maternity
Credits:
Floral Gown (designer unknown)
Pink Monroe Gown with train: Chicaboo
White Everly Lace Gown: Chicaboo
Purple Overskirt: Chicaboo
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I just photographed their maternity session about 6 weeks prior, which also just reinstates why I don't like to wait any longer than 30 weeks for maternity sessions. You just never know, babies always have their own agenda.
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Big Sister, Mila was very excited and had arrived just a few moments earlier than myself. She hadn't gotten a chance to hold her baby sister yet so she was just pinging with excitement!
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This was such a humbling and amazing way to start my new year, and I'm sure the Rock Family feels the exact same way. Nora will be here in my studio next week for her newborn session and can't wait to snuggle again!
Cheers to 2019!
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What you’ll see here is the new direction in which I’m focusing my newborn sessions. Capturing the new life of a family and their little one, from the candid to the posed, all using natural light. For new parents and parents of multiples I’ve found my in home sessions to be so much more relaxed, smoother transition from pose to pose, and a lot quicker from start to finish. Because honestly, no one wants to spend their whole day away from home with a new baby, it’s exhausting!
I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do. And if you’re interested in booking an in home newborn or lifestyle session please contact me directly at [email protected]!
Last call for mini sessions, happening this Sunday at Hampton Park in downtown Charleston, SC. I currently have 2 available appointments- 8:15 and 9:15am, the rest of the morning and all other Christmas themed minis are SOLD OUT!
These will be my LAST mini session offerings of the year, last weekend appointments of the year to have images by December.
The sign up sheet for this session can be found here: http://www.erinrosephoto.com/form/white-couch-mini-sessions
Saturday, November 10th at West Ashley Park. Vintage Red Truck set up from 9:30 - 11:15am. Cost is $175 and includes 12 of your best images in a private gallery for download. SOLD OUT!
Sunday, November 18th at 2340 Ashley River Road, West Ashley. Vintage Red Truck & Classic White Couch set ups from 7:30 - 11:40am. Cost is $200 and includes an optional outfit change and your 18 best images in a private gallery for download. SOLD OUT!
Sunday, November 11th at Hampton Park, Classic White Couch set up from 7:45 - 9:30am. Cost is $165 and includes 12 of your best images in a private gallery for download.
Sign ups for this sessions are located here: http://www.erinrosephoto.com/form/white-couch-mini-sessions
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Spaces are very limited and going quickly, snag yours today!
]]>They had never been to Charleston but he knew he wanted to be somewhere near the water when he got down on one knee with a great place for dinner not too far away. We discussed some more popular spots downtown, the beach, but I suggested Pitt Street Bridge and after he looked it up, he knew that was the perfect spot. You can't beat the sunset at Pitt Street Bridge with views of the marsh and The Ravenel Bridge. From there I did a walk visual walk though for him via email and sent him links to all the great restaurants in the area to take a look at. Our plan was a go!
The ViewView of the Ravenel Bridge from Pitt Street Bridge in Mount Pleasant, SC
Typically with a proposal there needs to be somewhere to "mark the spot" of where everything needs to happen. It helps the photographer be in the right place at the right time waiting for the perfect moment. Joe decided to have the numbers "01.01.18" written, a special date to them both. It was the date they met at an Eagles game attending with friends. Joe said "we've basically been inseparable ever since".
X Marks The Spot!
I arrived around 5:55pm with the anticipation of Joe and Lauren arriving around 6:20pm. There were a TON of people there so I started to panic a little as a walked to the spot where I knew I wanted to write their date. At first I tried writing it on a palm tree... NOT a great idea, ended up with a huge splinter and barely visible writing. So i chose the post right next to the tree. I'm sure everyone around thought I was a lunatic. Then came the waiting game. This is when the photographer starts to get as anxious as the guy who is about to propose. We wait we heart rates elevated and trying to not be too obvious. I paced a little, took some scenic images, paced some more. The couples relaxing, fishing and enjoying the view around me all ended up in on the plan. At least that way they knew I wasn't crazy.
Finally I saw them, it was about 6:15pm. He was early but I was so ready! I tried to act like I was taking pictures of the bridge, and actually did, while looking out of the corner of my eye waiting for him to walk to the date, and make her blush. I saw her hug him a few times, kiss, he was obviously buttering her up hard! And then finally... IT HAPPENED. He lowered to one knee, her hands to her face. I turned my camera and just started snapping. She was looking around at everyone looking at her in a panic second and right back to Joe. She lifted her sunglasses, leaned in to kiss him and said YES.
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I gave them a moment, I could see the tears and knew she must be shaking with excitement. I finally joined them and Joe and I let her in on our planning. Once the sun began to finally set a little and the moon rose on the opposite side we began to shoot the best images of the night. The fun and the romantic portion of the proposal, the engagement!
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Lauren said she hates being the center of attention but she truly rocked this session and knew exactly what to do.
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I am so happy for them both. They fell hard and they fell fast. Let the rest be history!
]]>We first started around the rock wall with the vantage point of the Lighthouse. The sun rises to the right of the Lighthouse so before scheduled sunrise, this is the best sky you can ask for. I wanted to play around with size and perspective. I also wanted to get some great shots of a gown that is intended for maternity, but to me totally screamed leotard and DANCERS.
Next we moved along the seawall and put Bella in the white version of the gown her mom was wearing to capture a TRUE "Mommy and Me" image. It's just something Andi and I both HAD to have. The sun at this point had risen, and move past the shelf cloud so we worked a little more quickly since we were snagging some great action shots just prior to this.
Once the sun is up the best place to move to avoid harsh lighting is back within the driftwood and marsh area. I put Andi in this STUNNING red "Monroe" gown by Chicaboo. This gown is also a part of my maternity closet, but as you can clearly see, it's easily rocked by the non pregnant as well. Bella helped toss the gown on each side and the images were merged using Photoshop. Andi looks stunning! (HOT MOMMA!!)
Just behind this area is the marsh/beach combo as I like to call it. Lots of bugs but such a neat and bare place. It was a perfect location for these next shots.
I don't know much at all about dancing but I know I could NEVER do any of these moves. I was completely taken aback by the way this girl can stretch, flex, jump and move. And I know also, that isn't easy on sand. So hats of to Bella for totally embracing the location and it's challenges!
All in all, I had such a great time hanging out with these two beautiful ladies. It was a pleasure to make mine and Andi's vision come to life.
There are plenty more images, but these to me show the fruit of our labor and our vision for this project. I hope you enjoyed viewing them as much as I did creating them!
Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding location, timing, etc. Happy to have you pick my brain!
-Erin Rose
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Here's to the start of the beach season, may your sunrises be pink and your sunsets be lightening free?
