graham nc photographer

For Brides: What Should I Wear for My Engagement Session? | NC Wedding Photographer

This post is part of a series for brides (and grooms!) or for those who are helping someone plan a wedding. My goal for this series is to help you make informed and educated decisions about your wedding day so that it will be as beautiful as possible! If you're joining me for the first time, you can catch up here:

1. Should I Do an Engagement Session?
2. What Should I Wear for My Engagement Session?

DiPrima Photography_What Should I Wear For My Engagement Session_NC Wedding Photographer

I get asked this question a lot and after planning my own engagement session last spring, I totally understand why! I spent days trying to decide on what to wear for my engagement session and I changed my mind several times. It's a difficult decision! Here's a few tips I hope will help in your decision making process:

Choose Different and Diverse Outfits
I always recommend choosing one "dressy" outfit and one "casual" outfit. You certainly don't have to do that but I think it gives you some good options and diversity in your pictures. I also recommend choosing two outfits that have different colors.

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Complement Each Other
Consider complementing outfits for you and your fiancé instead of outfits that match. You could wear different shades of the same color (for example navy blue and light blue) or one could wear a solid and one could wear a pattern with some similar colors.

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Wear Flattering Styles and Colors
This sounds obvious but it's really important to remember! Consider what clothing styles and colors flatter your body and your skin tone. You may be tempted to wear something really different than what you'd normally wear but just make sure it's something that's flattering!

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Don't Be Afraid of (Some) Patterns
A lot of times people are afraid to wear any patterns for their pictures because they don't want to look too busy. I think patterns can look great and are a fun way to show off your personality! If you decide to wear a pattern, I would encourage you to have your fiancé wear a solid or vice versa. 

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Be Yourself
Wear clothes that are true to your unique personality and style! I love creativity and I love people who have their own unique style! Don't be afraid to wear something that's a little "different" if it reflects your personality.

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Make Sure You Feel Comfortable and Confident
Please make sure you feel comfortable and confident in your outfit! I don't mean you shouldn't wear something dressy, I just mean that you want to make sure that you're covered in the places you want to be covered and that you feel confident in what you're wearing! If you don't feel confident in your outfit or you feel uncomfortable, it will show in your pictures.

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When In Doubt, Choose Something Timeless
If you're unsure of what to wear or you're torn between a few outfits, the safest choice is to choose something timeless. While I love fun, trendy, and unique outfits, just realize these will be the pictures you have for years to come and so you don't want to regret what you wore. Styles will inevitably change but if you choose something classy, timeless, and beautiful, you should love your outfit choice for years to come.

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Accessorize!
Accessories can be a fun way to add a splash of color or a little uniqueness to your outfit. Especially if you're wearing fairly plain and neutral clothes, consider adding a little pop of color with your jewelry or shoes.

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Utilize Pinterest
Pinterest is a wonderful tool for things like this! Make a board of the outfits and clothes that you love. Try and notice patterns and use your board to discern your taste. When you look through my "Fashion Inspiration" Pinterest board, you can quickly tell that I love clothes with a vintage, feminine, soft, romantic, classic style (and also that I just recently bought a black gingham shirt!). 

I even made a Pinterest board of engagement picture outfit ideas for you!

DiPrima Photography Engagement Session Outfit

I hope you enjoyed this post! Check back next Wednesday for my next post. I'll be discussing whether or not I think you should do bridal portraits.

Sanders Family Pictures | A Saxapahaw, NC Family Photographer

The family on my blog today is one that is very special to me! I nanny part-time for the Sanders family and so I've spent many hours with their children, Jack and Lib. I was so happy to be able to do a mini session for them at Saxapahaw last weekend. I absolutely adore their pictures and I think they're a very accurate representation of their children! Lib is full of energy and she's constantly talking and laughing! I spend a lot of my time with Lib while Jack is in school and we have SO much dancing and singing to all of the latest pop songs, playing dress up, and going for walks. I think these pictures really show off her personality! I mean, she looks like she could be a baby model!! I've also really enjoyed getting to know Jack! Jack is very kind, gentle, and thoughtful. He's also one of the smartest children I've ever met! Sometimes I'm amazed at the things he knows! Here's a few of my favorites from the Sanders session:

Edwards Family Pictures | A Saxapahaw, NC Photographer

I had a wonderful time with the Edwards family this week during their shoot! We met at Saxapahaw on a gorgeous Monday evening. Saxapahaw is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to do shoots (in fact, I love it so much that I'm going there this afternoon to do a few mini-sessions!).

The Edwards go to Grace Reformed, my church here in Mebane, and I enjoyed getting to know their sweet family better during their session. They are a lot of fun and full of personality and they were naturals in front of the camera! I think their bright and happy personalities really shine through these photos.

Spring Mini Sessions and a Giveaway!! | Graham, NC Photographer

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I am excited to announce that I will be offering spring mini-sessions (which are less than half the price of my normal portrait sessions!) this month. Doing a mini-session is a great way to get some new, updated family pictures just in time for Easter or Mother's day! Spring mini-sessions are also a good chance for senior pictures or for couples to do an anniversary session.

Here's the details about the mini-sessions:

  • Sessions will be from 8-10am and 4:30-7:30pm on Saturday, March 28th
  • Sessions will take place at Saxapahaw near Graham, NC. If you've never been to Saxapahaw, it's one of my favorite places in the world! There is a beautiful, wooded trail along the haw river that makes a very picturesque location for a photo session! You can read more about the location and find directions here.
  • Sessions will occur every 30 minutes
  • Mini-sessions are $95
  • You will receive at least 15 digital images and a print release in an online gallery
  • Maximum people per session is 5. If you have more than 5, you will need to purchase multiple sessions.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before sessions time. If you're late, you will only have the remaining time to complete your session.
  • Session will be rescheduled if it rains
  • To schedule your mini-session, please email me at diprimaphotography@gmail.com

I am also excited to announce that I'll be giving away one mini-session FOR FREE!! There are three ways to enter to win:

1. Like DiPrima Photography on Facebook
2. Share my Facebook page or post about spring mini-sessions on your Facebook timeline
3. Follow me on instagram and tag two friends in my post about spring mini-sessions

THEN...
Leave a comment in the comments section of this post letting me know which of the three you did. You can do all three for more chances to win! Also, please be sure to leave your email address with your comment so I can contact you!

The WINNER of this giveaway will receive...

  • One free mini-session at Saxapahaw on March 28th (if this date is not available for you, we can reschedule within 2 months at a location within 15 miles of Mebane, NC)
  • An online gallery of 15+ edited high-resolution images
  • A print release

Please enter by Friday, March 20th. The winner will be announced on Monday, March 23rd.

The Maxim's Adoption Ceremony | A Graham, NC Photographer

Allison Maxim was officially adopted by the Maxim family on Friday, January 30th at the courthouse in Graham, NC. The ceremony was a beautiful picture of Christ's love for and adoption of his people. Allison was adopted into the Maxim family just as Christ adopts his children into his family. Russell Moore writes in his book Adopted for Life: “When we adopt—and when we encourage a culture of adoption in our churches and communities—we’re picturing something that’s true about our God. We, like Jesus, see what our Father is doing and do likewise (John 5:19). And what our Father is doing, it turns out, is fighting for orphans, making them sons and daughters.” R.C. Sproul writes, "Nobody is born into this world a child of the family of God. We are born as children of wrath. The only way we enter into the family of God is by adoption, and that adoption occurs when we are united to God’s only begotten Son by faith. When by faith we are united with Christ, we are then adopted into that family of whom Christ is the firstborn."

During the ceremony, the Maxims poured different colors of sand into a container as a symbol of their family blending together. They also had their friends and family place a bead in the sand as a symbol of their prayers for Allison and for the Maxim family. There were rubber ducks placed on the table as well because rubber ducks are one of Allison's favorite things! I have never photographed an adoption ceremony before and I'm so thankful the Maxim's gave me the privilege of capturing such a special and important day.