STEP 1:  SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION

  • We recommend scheduling your session at least 8 weeks before your wedding.  Please be sure to schedule
    your session as soon as possible as we only schedule 1 session per week (to maintain a high standard of
    quality for each session).

  • We hold all bridal sessions on Fridays at either 10:30am or 2:00pm.  Pay special attention to the timeline
    that we have on this site, and be prepared to make adjustments based on your wedding date.  For example,
    if your wedding is in October that puts your engagement session in the dead heat of summer.  If you want
    an outdoor location, you will need to adjust your timeline and do your session outside the summer
    months.  We avoid doing outdoor sessions in the warmer months but sometime it is a must.  In the
    Summer months we will occasionally do a late session ie. 7:00pm because of the heat, but selecting an
    indoor locations is strongly advised in this instance.  Email us 2-3 dates that would work for you
    (info@absolutephoto.biz).


    SPECIAL NOTE!  What happens if it rains on my scheduled date?
    Texas weather always throws a wrench in the works and if your bridal is scheduled during a season shift
    (Spring to Summer) then you are increased risk.  The plus side is that this time of year has very pleasant
    weather when it isn’t raining.  Here is Mikes theory of what to do when the weather wont make up it
    mind!  
  • If there is less than 30% chance of rain then don’t sweat it!
  • If there is a 40% chance or more then I an indoor location or reschedule will have to be made.  
  • I get all my information from www.weather.com and they have been very faithful to accuracy in the
    past.
  • Please don’t call us if you see that there is a 50% chance of rain 10 days in the future.  Weather
    changes so much in just a day or two.
  • I will make an official decision about my suggestion to reschedule or not at noon the day before the
    shoot.  
  • Indoor locations are the easy solution but most of them don’t like you showing up on the same day
    and typically there are fees for use of the facility.  If you are coming into town to do your session
    please remind me because we will need to plan ahead a little  better since rescheduling is probably
    not possible.



STEP 2:  PREPARE FOR YOUR SESSION

  • Most places do not have a facility for you to change into a second outfit.  Check the shooting locations
    page for that specific information.

  • What should we wear?  This is totally your call, but we recommend dressing like you are going out on a
    nice date!  Mostly wear what reflects your personality.  Most of our couples wear jeans and a nice shirt,
    but if you want to go more formal, go for it.  If you want to be Twinkies and wear the same thing, go for it!  
    I might poke fun at you, but go for it anyways!  :)  PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE WEARING A
    DRESS.  Dresses are great but it will greatly change the pose concepts that I have selected for you guys (eg.
    no piggy back rides or twirls!).  As far as colors please avoid wearing white because it tend to wash out
    skin.  If you are very dark skinned then wearing white might be a good idea.  Black is iffy but if I restrain
    you too much then you might show up in something weird.  Don’t be afraid to wear some color as it really
    livens up the images.  Technically any clothes with texture are best but please don’t wear a sweater in May
    to your session!  :)

  • I know this sounds silly, but practice different poses and facial expressions (big smile, small smile, etc.)
    while looking in a mirror.  This will help you to know what sorts of poses look more natural for you.

  • Relax and have fun!  Our goal at the session (other than getting great images) is simply to get to know you
    and to have a great time!  Remember, a relaxed couple makes for awesome, more natural pictures!



STEP 3:  ENGAGEMENT SHOOT!!!

    We will take up to 1.5 hours at your particular location, and usually take 200+ images.


STEP 4:  SELECT YOUR FAVORITES FOR PRINTING

    No more than two weeks after the shoot, we will upload your images to your online gallery.  There will
    be two galleries, one of unedited proofs and the other of our edited suggestions.  Once you have had a
    chance to view your images, choose which images you would like to have printed from either folder.  To
    determine your printing credit, see the paperwork we initially gave you or email us.  To submit your print
    order...click the following link and fill out the form  http://www.absolutephotoclient.biz/PrintOrderForm.
    html

    NOTE:  Before you purchase your frame, wait to hear from us on the print sizes.  This may be surprising to
    some but frames are NOT made for modern sized photographs.  Follow the bouncing ball here.  The size
    ratio (called ‘Full Frame’) of an image taken by camera today is 2 inch by 3 inch.  Double that size and now
    you have a 4x6 which is the standard size.  Double it again and you have an 8x12.  You are probably all
    familiar with an 8x10 frame but that size requires us to cut 2 inches off the top or bottom.  This might even
    cut off your head!  Double it again and you have a 16x24 but most the frames are 16x20.  Point of the story
    is that frame companies build most their frames based on the sizes of the 1960’s.  Some images will not
    work as a standard size print, so we will make a recommendation on which size will look best.   Click here
    to see how different sizes appear when cropped.  Do not fear b/c more and more frames are becoming
    available in the modern sizes and most of the time we can cut down the picture to current frames.  
    Hopefully one day I can skip over this confusing topic but for now we are stuck to scratching out heads.  


STEP 5:  GOING TO PRINT

    Once the selected images have been edited, we will upload them to an online gallery for you to view.  We
    will email you the link to your gallery as well as a link to our Print Approval Instructions.  You must fill out
    the Print Approval Agreement before your prints will be shipped to you in a few days  (Keep in mind that
    Canvases take about 2 weeks).  You will receive the DVD with printing rights containing full-resolution
    files from the session along with your wedding DVD at your Image Release Premier after the wedding.
ENGAGEMENT SESSION