Alykhan and Sultana's Engagement Party

The Photobooth at Alykhan and Sultana's Engagement Party

This year I've been experimenting with my photography business, branching out into new areas and incorporating new experiences into the services I provide at Jamil Teja Photography.

One of these experiences is a Photobooth.

The first photobooth I set up was earlier this year at Luke and Hannah's Wedding, they provided the props and we took pictures using our lights. The second photobooth I worked on was under Osborne Photography, I was the second photographer John and Laura's Wedding and working under Karl was a really good experience and I learnt a lot from that wedding, I saw how he set up his photobooth, what props he uses and I was able to draw influence from that experience and bring some aspects into my own photobooth.
At Alykhan and Sultana's Engagement party I set up my third photobooth. Before the event, I went out in search for props that I thought the couple would enjoy.

The Happy Family

The Beautiful Couple

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What to wear for your Engagement Portrait Session

Now I'm not a fashion expert, (just ask my girlfriend) but I'm going to give you my tips on what to wear for your engagement portrait session.

Firstly we need to address the basics, you want to wear something that you feel comfortable wearing and also something that will help convey your personality through the images we produce.

I want you to be yourself and the best way to do this is for you to feel comfortable in what you are wearing, you don't need to put on a show for anyone!

The second thing I'd like you to consider is the season; the time of year, even the day in question, if it's snowing please don't arrive in shorts and a t-shirt, that will just look ridiculous and we'll probably have to cut the session short due to frost bite!

If it's a beautiful sunny day, please bring shorts, a nice summery dress and casual shirts, if that's what you feel comfortable in then we’ll make it work.

Thirdly, Dress to impress, I like my couples to bring at least 2 outfits for their engagement sessions.

One casual outfit that you can arrive wearing and get comfortable in front of the camera in, then when you're relaxed you can change into your smarter attire for some more formal portrait ideas.

Number 4: Bring an item of clothing that means something to you; If there’s a special jumper you always wear when he's away, or that special shirt she bought you for your birthday, any items you have some emotional attachment to then please bring it along.

They'll be appreciated by both of you and we’ll be able to incorporate these items into your portrait session and they will be saved in your memories for years to come.

Number 5: Spoil yourselves a little

This is your first chance for professional pictures of the both of you together as an engaged couple, it's always a nice touch to get your hair and make up done professionally too!

And if he needs a trim, remember it’s as much his celebration as it is yours!

Number 6: Co-ordinate with each other, it’s going to look really weird if he’s wearing a tux and you’re wearing your summer dress, obviously you shouldn’t dress exactly the same either.

It’s often when a couple is wearing similar/matching colours it helps to depict the special connection between the two of you.

Number 7: Use your location - make it relevant

Similar to number 6 – coordinate with your location as well, when deciding on your outfits think about the style and colours of your location.

I will be able to help you out prior to the day – I’m just a phone call away!

Number 8: Layers and Accessories

Giving you choice as well as flexibility – if you’re deciding on an outfit with bare arms that is great, but think about a cardigan or a wrap that matches with your outfit for when it gets a little colder. 

Number 9: Don't wear big logos or clothing with writing on - loud clothes can often detract attention from yourselves and we want to avoid this as much as possible.

Number 10: Remember to launder and iron your clothes - Even photoshop won't get rid of those wrinkles.

Bonus - Tips

1)   Don't get a spray on tan right before your session

2)   Get your nails done too!

3)   Bring Props - I love including items that as especially thing that are meaningful to you, your pets, an instrument you play, an item from your hobby, or something significant to your story, how you met or how they proposed

Oh Yeah, talking about things we want you to bring,

YOUR RING and the box your ring came in.

Jamil Teja

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My First Ever Engagement Session with Luke and Hannah (Part 2)

At the second location the couple felt more comfortable, we put down a matt and opened up a bottle of Shloer which I had picked up the day before as I thought it would be nice to have a little celebration for the couple. 

I made sure to capture the small details and the bigger pictures so that I captured a variety of images for the couple to choose from.

My First Ever Engagement Session with Luke and Hannah (Part 1)

I met Luke at college, he studied photography and media too but was more focused on the Web Design aspect. The first time I met Hannah was at Luke's 18th birthday party, you could even back then that there was something special about their relationship, just by the way they looked at each other.

Last year Luke and Hannah took their first steps to becoming man and wife, 

Luke proposed, Hannah said Yes and a few weeks later we made some pictures to celebrate the special occasion!

I did A LOT of preparation for this shoot as it was the first engagement shoot I'd ever photographed, so I hit pinterest pinning anything I thought would be relevant or visually interesting to try. 

I was eager to try as many different looks and shots as I could and researched into a variety of locations.

When the day came around I was feeling ready, my batteries were charged, memory cards formatted and I even had a few surprises for the happy couple!
However, things did not go exactly to plan... the first location we went to was a disaster! I thought because we live near the beach that we should include the beach, I can't believe how wrong I was.
Ordinarily the section of beach we went to was quiet and calm but on this day it was crowded!
I then discovered an even bigger shock,
the bride to be didnt enjoy having her picture taken and on top of that, they did not enjoy the beach!

I suggested we move on to the second location I chose for the shoot, this was a much better location, secluded wooded area and this turned out to be perfect!

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