our hotel bathroom at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Jasmine and JD were about to land and our engagement session would be underway in less than an hour! Oh my gosh. I barely slept the night before and as much as I don’t want to admit it… I was NERVOUS. GAHH! I was SO NERVOUS!!! And I’m a PHOTOGRAPHER!!! I should have been confident! I shoot engagement sessions all the TIME! It’s my JOB. Why was I freaking out? Welp…. it came down to two reasons:  1. I loved Jstar… and I was about to hangout with her. omg. 2. I didn’t have a good “Model Face”.  I knew I wasn’t destined to be a model and I had accepted that fact about myself.  I tried to practice my modeling skills before we left for WPPI and that helped a little….but I still wasn’t confident. However, after meeting up with Jas and JD, I calmed down… she made me feel like a rockstar even when deep down, I didn’t feel like one.  We LOVED our engagement pictures so so much. I knew they would be good and that I would love them… but something did surprise me…..my FAVORITE shot was a pose with my “Model Face”! Really???  No way! I HATED my Model Face….. I actually believed that I didn’t have one! It just didn’t exist! …… But I was proven wrong.  Am I signing up for ANTM next season? No….. but I go to bed EVERY night and look a beautiful portrait hanging over our bed and I feel confident.  It’s amazing what a simple pose can do.

Some of you out there are my 2012/2013 brides and you’re worried. You’re intimidated to get in front of the camera and the idea of having your own “Model Face” scares you to DEATH!   Well, I’m hear to admit that I understand. I’ve been there.  I’ve practiced in the mirror and I’ve been self conscious.  It’s normal to get a little nervous but let me encourage you…. it’s not that bad.  Really. Speaking from experience… it’s not worth the worry.  Your engagement session is going to be AMAZING and once you get going,  you’re going to feel like a rock star… trust me. If a little southern redhead, wearing a jcrew dress and a cardigan can feel like a rockstar in the middle of the DESERT…. you can too.  Here are some things to remember:

1.  There is NO pressure or expectation. I realize that you have never done this before and you’re not professional models! I have NEVER shot professional models as clients. All of my couples are just ordinary, everyday people.

2. I will coach you through EVERYTHING!! You won’t have to worry about awkward arms or fly-aways. I’ll take care of you and I’ll walk you through the whole process.

3. A “Model Face” doesn’t = a “Mean” face. In the examples below you’ll be able to see this. That is such a common misconception! More serious, editorial poses can actually be MORE intimate in some cases.

4. Don’t shoot down your modeling abilities before you even TRY. I did this…. and it’s not encouraging at all.

5. I’ve been there and I know how it feels to be in front of the camera and guess what….  it’s a BLAST!!!!!! … But it’s even more of a blast when you allow yourself to RELAX.

6. LAST but probably the MOST important piece of advice… remember that this is supposed to be FUN! Your engagement session is a pre-cursor to your WEDDING DAY!…. Only without the stress of a timeline and a white dress. This is the time to PRACTICE and get comfortable in front of the camera!

So as you continue to prepare for your engagement session and eventually your BIG DAY…. know that the your “Model Face” should be the LEAST of your worries! You’re going to be AMAZED at what you can do in front of the camera… you just wait:):).

OHH and Ps! Be sure to click over to Jasmine’s blog today if you have a minute to spare! I’m SO incredibly honored that she asked be to guest blog and help out while she finishes up with The Fix!!! AH!!