Engagement Photos!
December 10th, 2007 @ 4:48 pm by Mrs. Tulip
It seems to be engagement photo season around here these days — I know several of the Bees have just gotten theirs back. And, so have we!
As you may recall, we were originally torn over whether to have a professional photographer for the wedding…. But it turns out hiring Punam Bean was a fantastic decision. She was a joy to work with, and we’re in love with the engagement photos. Now we can’t WAIT for the wedding pics!!
We traveled up to NYC for the photos, since that’s where Punam Bean lives. (FYI, for anyone who needs to travel between DC and NYC, there’s a new $25 bus with guaranteed reservations and wireless Internet onboard — you can’t beat it!) It was freezing all day and drizzled off and on, but we had a great time. Started the afternoon at South Street Seaport:
The area seemed to be ruled by seagulls. We were even buzzed by a seagull flyby. (Me: “I only have eyes for you, Mr. T.” Mr T: “Well, maybe you should spare some for the enormous bird flying right at your head!”):
Then we traveled to the DUMBO neighborhood in Brooklyn, where I used to lived. There are lots of magazine photo shoots taken here, and my old roommate and I wax nostalgic whenever we come across one in a magazine. Many of them are shot on this street, with the Manhattan Bridge in the background:
And at the end of the afternoon, we ended up at a playground! (I love this next shot because of the grafitti underneath us, which we didn’t notice till we saw the photo…. Also for the glimpse of the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.)
Finally, as we were packing up and some serious drizzle started, we noticed a patch of what looked like grass made of fiber optic lights, growing in a park along the river. And came away with this magical shot:
A few lessons learned from our e-pic session:
1. We were both really nervous because we tend to be shy in front of a camera. But it turned out to be fun just walking around together and exploring. The photographer takes so many pictures that you start to forget she’s there. And when in doubt, you can always smooch! We clearly took full advantage of the smooching option. But it was great for neutralizing our tendency for goofy facial expressions….
2. Don’t worry too much about what you’re going to wear. Basics like color matter much more than the intricacies of style. I agonized over the issue, changing clothes multiple times before we left. (In summer, a flirty sundress or vintage skirt would be so easy. But what do you wear when it’s 30 degrees?) And as it turned out, we never took off our coats!
3. Similarly, don’t worry too much about location. Sure, sometimes fun locations (like Miss Petunia’s amusement park) can make for equally fun pictures. But you can also get great photos on the street, on a bench, against a wall, wherever….
What words of wisdom for engagement pictures (or any pictures!) would you share with everyone?
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42 Responses to “Engagement Photos!”
Beautiful pictures Miss Tulip! You guys look so great! I heart the green coat!
Miss Tulip, you have such beautiful red hair! Great pictures!
I absolutely love these! A great photographer and a couple in love: what else do you need?
These are fantastic. chilli’s right, you have gorgeous hair, especially in that first shot. Sooo pretty. Congrats!
I’ve got a suggestion for folks who haven’t had theirs done yet: we scheduled and planned and I even got my hair done…and then it rained. Our engagement photo outting was ruined! We had to take all photos in studio, and while they’re cute, they aren’t nearly as special as I’d hoped they’d be had we been able to take pictures in the park, along the city streets, or in the garden that we’d wanted to get them done in.
Later on, I realized what we should have done was gone to our favorite bar where we sat and talked for 3 hours on our second date, and asked them if we could take some photos inside. And another bar where they have a pool table, so we could get some “action shots” of my beloved kicking my butt as we played. And the train station in town, which has some amazing photo opportunities inside of it all by itself.
I was an idiot. And while I’m a bit peeved that my very experienced and fabulous photographer didn’t think of ideas like that herself, I have to blame me and my husband entirely for the muss up. I plan on getting the photos we want taken for a one year anniversary dealio. I can’t wait!
Your photos blow me away. And I heart your green coat– you two look like you belong in a J.Crew catalog!
I love the green coat with your red hair! You are a cute couple!
sooooo cute!! I love that crisp, bold color feel to photos!
i love redheads in green. gorgeous pictures!
I love the rich colors and that first photo would be gorgeous with in Seattle. Great job!
Would you mind sending me Punam’s contact information? Your pictures are fantastic!!
I should say it was a great decision–those are great! What fun wonderful memories to have of your engagement! I am loving these winter pictures with the jackets–so classic, too!
Love the shots- esp the first picture with the green of your coat & red in his bag against the black outfits in the background!
the fiber optic grass one is so cool!
Those are seriously GORGEOUS. You make me want to take engagement photos!
The first one is beautiful, but that last one is just amazing. It ought to be in a magazine!
Aw, thanks for your nice comments, everyone!
Spruce08, the easiest way to contact Punam Bean is through her website. You can also check out many more of her great photographs there. It’s at http://www.punambean.com. (But I think she’s having surgery this week, so may be a bit slow to reply….) She’s great to work with — I recommend her so highly!
And Faithsista, I love your suggestion to remember indoor locations as well. Especially at this time of year!
P.S. Ha ha, Jayna, I hadn’t noticed that everyone in the background of the first pic is in black…. Typical NYC!
P.P.S.! Sorry, Spruce, the period at the end of Punam’s website name is messing up the link. Try this: http://www.punambean.com
Beautiful hair, coat, photos! Wow, you look different than in your profile picture.
I love them! Gorgeous!
I’ve been ambivalent about e-pics since the beginning. I had my moments of really wanting them, but they always pass… BUT, your pictures are SOOOO pretty and now I really want them again. =)
Was Punam easy to book? And was her pricing reasonable?
OOH, btw, your last photo made it onto Punam’s blog’s banner. =)
I especially like your first & last pics!! The colors are so vibrant! Beautiful epics =)
Clessy, the engagement session was included as an automatic part of our wedding package. Punam likes to have the shoots when she can fit them in, because it’s a chance to get to know the couple and work together before the actual wedding day.
But I’m sure she’d be happy to do a separate engagement session, if that’s all you were interested in. And I believe her prices are very reasonable for her level of talent! She said she oddly often gets multiple calls asking about shoots on the same few dates, but failing that, she seems to have a fair amount of free dates, even on shorter notice.
I would completely recommend Punam to anyone. She started shooting weddings only recently, but that’s a plus because she’s still SO enthusiastic about her work and in love with her career! She’s also very friendly and easy to work with.
I love your pictures Miss Tulip!! Gorgeous!
My tips for e-pics:
-wear colours! DF and I wore pretty neutral colours, and I think some brighter colours would have made us ‘pop’ just a bit more
-definitely do an e-pic session! I wasn’t sure if I wanted them, but the practice in front of a camera was so valuable!
your red hair is such a great contrast in the pictures. that’s the first thing i saw. lovely pics.
Power to the redheads!
O-M-G Miss Tulip! Your e-pics are amazing!!! You guys DO look like a J.Crew catalog~ Sooo adorable! A great idea for you: photo guest book with your epics and the 1st and last pics used as back and front book covers. My friend did this and I think I will too. And those two pics are just PERFECT!
Thanks Miss Tulip!! I already emailed your photographer about a separate e-pic session. My FIl, who never would agree to engagement photos, fell in love with your pictures and was actually excited about meeting Punam!!!
THANKS!!!
these are gorgeous! I especially love the seagull one, and your conversation summary of it!
great photos! you 2 look like models from a magazine. =)
Thanks again for your sweet words, everyone! I’m blushing….
Clessy, I’m so excited that you may be working with Punam! I just love her and know you will too….
And Maple, 2 very good points on your e-pic suggestions.
woowowo! that first shot with your hair, his bag, your jacket, the background. just wow!! so beautiful, so cooool.
You are right, your photographer is amazing. You guys look great in the pictures too. These are one of the best sets (if not the best!) of engagement pictures I have ever seen! - And I have seen lots when I tried to find a photographer to do ours.
I definatly agree wear colors! My fiance wore a black jacket, brown polo and dark jeans and unfortunatly he doesnt pop in many of the pictures because of it. I wore a blue jean jacket, a creamy golden top, and a orange and white striped scarf and that really made the pictures pop. Some of the best photos we have of us are with us both in our different stripped scarves (our photographer’s suggestion to bring along , or some cute stripped gloves) since they are more fun and work well with the background we chose (Navy Pier).
Also go at a time of day when you can get multiple kinds of lighting if possible we started at like 4:30pm (still very much daylight) in mid october and by the time we finished at 6:30 it was very dark. We managed to get three very different looks from the same area because of the lighting being day, twighlight, and dark.
Definatly do epics even if you dont think you will get anything out of it you will learn how to pose together more comfortably and what angles to avoid on your wedding day.
OMG. i went to the same exactly place to take my pixs. I love them. I cant wait to see mine……
I love all of your pictures. So magical, esp the last one <3 
Thanks so much Miss Tulip for your post! After seeing your beautiful pics, I went to Punam’s website. Her pictures are amazing! And I am so happy to say that she will be our photographer for our big day! So, thanks for sharing!!! I am so excited now!
ms. tulip - punam is not available on my date. did you consider other photographers with a similiar style? Would really appreciate it if you could pass along any info … having a real hard time getitng someone similiar…. your photos rock! thanks a bunch. smt dmt weddding @ gmail without the spaces.
ack! 2 ds in wedding.
Mrs. Tulip, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Retired
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't Contractor
Engagement Date: August 8, 2007
Wedding Date: March, 2008
Venue: Still Looking!
About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
Tulip, these are FAB! I totally agree with you on point #1, after a while we forgot he was there!
And #2, I think it’s so funny that you mentioned this. I, too, agonized over it, and I never took my coat off either (again, we also took photos in 30 degree weather!)! Though, I do suggest wearing bright colors! I love your green coat! They really make the photos pop! (I wore an orange coat!)