Cincinnati Engagement Session at TQL Stadium

Cincinnati Engagement Session at TQL Stadium by Carrs Photography

Over the years we have shot some pretty epic engagement sessions. There really is no end to our client’s creativity. We thought we had covered most locations, but enter Laura and Tyler. These two are huge FC Cincinnati fans. They have season tickets and are longtime supporters. So we channeled some Ted Lasso energy with a fantastic engagement session at TQL Stadium, home of FC Cincinnati. 

From the pictures on the field to the locker room, it’s hard to pick our favorite shot from this session! 

I know we say it all the time, but have fun with your engagement session. These pictures should showcase your relationship. So do what you love and let us come along. It will result in the most authentic pictures of you! 

Garfield Garden Conservatory Engagement Shoot | Indianapolis Wedding Photographer

Engagement sessions are like learning to ride a bike with the training wheels on. The goal is for you two to see how your photographer works and for your photographer to get a sense of what is “natural” for you! You may not love every image of yourself, and that is ok!  But we want there to be a handful of images that make you think… “Yea, that is us, you nailed it.” 

If you are feeling overwhelmed by your engagement shoot, trust us, you’re not alone. We work with a lot of clients who are nervous about what to wear, where to go, and what to do with their hands. Our best advice, make it you!  Pick a location you love and an outfit you feel great in. Yup, we are giving your permission to shop. Don’t worry about your hands, we will give you plenty of direction. If you want over the top drama, we can make that happen. If you are breezy and natural, that is amazing too. It is all about showing off who you are as a couple. And if you’re really nervous, bring something bubbly and have a glass before you start…Yes, we are serious. Trust us! 

Cecilia and Logan are the perfect example. Their engagement shoot at Garfield Garden Conservatory was so dreamy. Indianapolis was showing off and provided a beautiful backdrop. They took a stroll, did a little dancing, and we snagged some amazing shots. Engagement session done with no stress!  

How to Include Your Dog in Your Photos | The Dogs of C&Co

How to Include Your Dog in Your Photos - Carrs Photography

At C&Co we know that dogs are part of the family and we love when clients include them in their engagement sessions, wedding photos, or family portraits. Photoshoots are best when they represent who you are and even where you are at this time of your life, and your pet is a huge part of that. Plus, dogs add so much personality to your photos and by including them you will ensure you have some special shots to keep with you forever. So, why not include them in your next session? 

If you are ready to snap some photos with your dog (or dogs!) here are a couple of tips: 

  1. Pick a dog-friendly location for your shoot. A park, dog-friendly brewery, and in-home shoots are all great ideas. You know your dog best, so make sure it is a place they will feel comfortable. 
  2. Bring an extra set of hands. Especially if you want to snap a few photos without your pup, having someone there to hold their leash while that happens is a must. 
  3. Give them a good groom or bath before the shoot. That way they look their best for their camera debut! Got a cute outfit or fun accessory for them to wear? Even better! 
  4. Get the energy out beforehand. This is especially helpful for puppies or high-energy dogs. A tired dog will be easier to work with. 
  5. Be flexible. You can’t always predict how dogs will behave in new situations. Go with the flow, trust your photographer, and you will be sure to get some shots you love. 
  6. Don’t stress about them moving around, it’s ok. The photographer will keep snapping. 

Now bring on all the dogs!! 

Salt Lake City Engagement Session | Destination Wedding Photographer

Salt Lake City Engagement Session - Destination Wedding Photographer

When your client says, “Do you travel?” Our hearts do a little flutter and we (maybe a little too eagerly) reply with an big, “YES!”  So when Nicki and Tyler wanted to do a Salt Lake City engagement session, we were thrilled. Bringing your photographer to your current location or planning a destination is a great way to plan a unique engagement session. 

 

We find that many clients think of their engagement sessions as kind of a throw away thing. It’s just a chance to get comfortable with your photographer and maybe grab some images for a save the date. But it can and should be so much more than that! You will only be engaged for a short season. And this is such a memorable time in your life. You are planning a wedding, looking forward to your life with your spouse, basically mapping out a big piece of your future. So document where you are in this moment, the spaces you live in, or make it about the adventure you have always wanted to take. You never know where life will take you but being able to look back at this short season will be a huge gift. 

 

Need some inspiration? Take a lesson from Nicki and Tyler! They scouted out some amazing locations in Salt Lake City and allowed Kera to capture who they are in some epic spaces. They started out at Big Cottonwood Canyon, hit up the Salt Lake City Public Library, popped into a favorite brewery, and ended up at the Great Salt Lake. If you are adventurous don’t just settle for the park down the street, we can help you push the envelope! Ready to go? y

6 Tips for an Amazing Engagement Session

6 tips for an amazing engagement session - Dayton and Cincinnati Engagement Photographer

We love engagement sessions! They are a great way to celebrate with your new fiance and show off your unique style. We realize being in front of a camera can cause all sorts of nerves (we aren’t all supermodels at heart), so we will give you tons of direction and take care of making you look fantastic. 

So how do you prepare for your upcoming shoot? Here are our 6 tips for an amazing engagement session: 

  1. Wear cute shoes!
    We love to photograph cute shoes and they really pop on camera. Consider this your invitation to go shopping. 
  2. Don’t be afraid to look hot.
    Pick outfits that make you feel amazing. If you feel sexy, you’ll look sexy. Don’t force yourself into an outfit that is uncomfortable. Stick to things you would normally wear. The right outfit will give you confidence and help you relax. And yes, this goes for girls AND guys. 
  3. Lean into color.
    A fun, colorful outfit will make your picture pop. Don’t be afraid to let your style come through. These pictures are all about you! 
  4. Find your vibe.
    Some people want to walk into the sunset, while others want to dance in the rain. Pick the time of day and location that suits the vine you want. We are up for whatever!
  5. Makeup is important.
    Pay attention to your eyes. Eyeliner and a good mascara are an absolute must. Your eyes will be the most important element in many of your images and you want them to pop! 
  6. Bring a prop.
    A hat, a jacket, a baseball bat, a surfboard, your favorite bottle of wine, your dog…anything that tells the story of who you are. It’s not required, but it definitely gives your photos something unique. 

Oh and don’t forget to have fun! These pictures are meant to reflect the two of you during one of the best times of your life. Relax, enjoy, and trust us with the rest!

Clients for Life | Alberto & Anne

Carrs Photography Client for Life Minnesota Family Photographer

Since the day we started Carrs Photography almost 15 years ago we have told our clients that we want to be their photographer for life! We love shooting engagements and weddings, but that is just the beginning. Your life will be full of adventures – new homes, new babies, new jobs, birthdays, graduations – and they all deserve to be documented with beauty, style, and rockstar photography!

Alberto and Anne are one of those clients who immediately captured our hearts. You know when you just have a connection with someone? When things feel easy, light, and comfortable? That is exactly how we feel working with Alberto and Anne! They live out of state so we didn’t meet face to face until their engagement shoot, but from our first FaceTime call we just knew that they were special people. 

For their engagement shoot, they graciously hosted Michael in Minneapolis providing a tour of the city, taking him to some of the best food spots in town, and serving up some amazing looks for their session. This is a couple that epitomizes grace and style. Their outfits were inspired by a recent trip to Europe and everything about this shoot gave us a romantic Parisian vibe. It was also one of the most acrobatic shoots we have done at Carrs Photography with Michael hanging off the edge of a bridge to snag this epic canoe shot. But the resulting image was 100% worth it. 

Not surprisingly, their wedding was just as perfect. This couple always looks good! And their first look might be one of our all-time favorites. You can’t fake the emotion on Alberto’s face when he saw Anne – pure happiness and joy. It doesn’t get any better. 

Fast forward a few years and many visits and meals together, we got the news that they were expecting. I know that we always say pregnancy makes you glow, but seriously, Anne was radiant.

When Avalyn arrived, we were immediately smitten. We know our little Posy and Avalyn will be great friends. And check out her amazing mop of hair! I think we have another natural in front of the camera. 

It has been such a gift to walk along Anne and Alberto in each of these life stages. It is a reminder of what we love about our job so much. Each time we pick up a camera we get to tell a piece of a story in someone’s life, the more pieces the better in our opinion. 

Did you work with us for a wedding? We have special Client for Life pricing for you as you move through new stages of life… don’t forget about us! 

Timeless, Elegant Stories In An Uncertain Time: The Best of 2020

It’s hard to overstate the challenge that 2020 was for all of us. It was a year full of uncertainty, instability, and unrest. For a lot of our friends and couples that meant postponing important life moments, or preparing for conditions they had never expected on the biggest days of their lives. For others it meant facing incredible tragedy and hardship.

As photographers it is years like 2020 that we feel the weight of our jobs most clearly. Photos can be so dear, and sometimes their importance is only understood long after they could be replicated or repeated. We’re so grateful that you trusted us with those moments this year. It is hard to overstate what that means to us, and it’s our prayer that these are photos that you carry with you for a lifetime. 

We got to hear so many of your stories in 2020! And despite the conditions: It was a year full of bold love, joyful bonds, and beautiful creativity! Check out our favorite shots of the year below!

In Memory of Aidan Clay

In February I had the amazing opportunity to take some photos of a local musician and artist: Aidan Clay. Aidan was one of the nicest, most generous, people I have ever met. We connected over music and songwriting and he gifted me the beautiful 1920’s grand piano we used for the shoot. 

In December of 2020 Aidan passed away. It’s hard to overstate the light that the world lost with him. I experienced a great deal of joy over the course of our brief friendship and I know that so many others felt the same. I was blessed with the chance to do a session with him and his fiancé a few weeks prior to his passing. 

Sharing in Aidan’s story for those few months highlighted, to me, the importance of being a person of grace and generosity. His was a life well lived and I look forward to the chance to pick up where we left of on the other side. 

-Alex 

Dark Romantic Fall Elopement | Jessica & Henrik

Bride laughs as groom kisses her head

With most of the normal wedding traditions getting tossed out the window: Jessica and Henrik eloped with a simple focus: Capture Love. Capture Joy. and Be Together. In their own words: 

Flowers by: Sherwood Florist

Cake By: Jessica & Henrik

Shoes: Doc Martins

Skeleton Hand Flutes by: Pottery Barn