Prepare for Your Epic Engagement Photos : Elopement Photographer Nicole Aston Shares Her Fav Tips!
Hi there! I’m Nicole,
the girl behind the camera. I am a 27 year old Utah native with a recently acquired & extremely handsome husband that I’m crazy in love with. Together, we love making air-pop popcorn, running around with our pup Luna, trying to out-Harry Potter each other, eating steak burritos and exploring around our state + beyond.
How long have you been photographing weddings?
I've been photographing weddings for nearly 10 years now!
How would you describe your style?
Bold, passionate, and joyful. I want my couple's photos to take them back not only to the memory of the moment, but the emotion of the moments they shared with their loved ones and with me. Deep tones and authentically captured emotion are my hallmarks!
What kind of engagement sessions do you specialize in?
The kind for couples who want their relationship to shine through Whether that takes place on a mountain top, a Moab cliff, or a comfy couch, capturing my couples in their relationship's element is my goal. You won't find fake posing or awkward prompts here- just the two of you having the time of your lives in a special place!
What advice can you provide to help couples prepare for the perfect engagement session?
-Be on time! Being late to your session often means you'll run out of light. Steam + set out your outfits ahead of time and plan for incidentals like traffic or gas stops so you're not arriving to your session already feeling stressed and rushed.
-Pick a location that is meaningful to you both! While cliff sides might look epic on your invites, the photos that mean the most to you will be the ones that reflect you and your love, and in the places that are meaningful to you both.
-Go out to eat beforehand! Nobody likes being photographed while hangry, and it can really put a damper on your session if one of you is in the mood for food instead of photos!
How do you help couples relax in front of the camera?
The fact that I'm way more weird and awkward than any of my couples makes a great ice breaker. ;) My couples and I are usually having too much fun- and laughing too hard at my absolutely terrible jokes!- to have to worry about relaxing for the camera! When you hire me, you're hiring an 'I've got you!' friend, not just a photographer.
What are 3 things you want couples to keep in mind while planning or on their engagement sessions?
1. Relax!! EVERYONE- and I do mean everyone!- feels nervous for their session or awkward in front of the camera! Don't worry about how the photos will turn out (that's my job!) and instead focus on having a total blast with your partner.
2. Dress according to both the season and your chosen location. While that sundress-and-heels combo might be the cutest outfit you own, it would look really out of place in a snowy field! Match the vibe of the area you're headed to (and don't be afraid to ask your photographer for outfit recommendations if you're feeling stuck).
3. Intimacy is key. While your mom, sister, or best friend is dying to be there to support you, I find that having an audience present can really detract and then distract from the moments we're sharing in front of the camera. If getting those authentic, emotional shots is your goal, leave the friends and family home for the evening so you and your partner can just focus on each other.
If you are interested in booking Nicole, here’s her website: nicoleaston.com!
