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  • Express Your Love Story: How to Plan a Timeless Engagement Photo Session.

    As a Maryland wedding photographer, I have helped countless Maryland couples plan their timeless engagement photo session. I find engagement sessions to be very important for couples. Especially when they are done with their wedding photographer, which is why I include them in most of my packages. You see, engagement sessions are the perfect opportunity for you to get a taste for what your love story looks like through your wedding photographer's lens. It also helps you to get to know your wedding photographer, and for them to get to know you. When I work with my couples for their engagement session, I get an idea of what poses they prefer, what images they like. I learn what they want to show off and what they want to hide. Plus, it's also fantastic practice for the big day, which is an immense relief to couples who aren't comfortable posing for photos! Tip: If you're deciding between photographers, trying them out for an engagement photoshoot could be a way to decide! But how do you personalize your photos? The beauty of social media is that we've never had so much inspiration at our fingertips, but this same benefit can also be very overwhelming! After hours of scrolling on Instagram and Pinterest, you may feel you have too many ideas. You may want something timeless, but you also don't want it to be generic... because afterall, your love story is anything but generic! It's easy to feel discouraged and decide to skip it all together. But have no fear! I've been doing this for 18 years and I know exactly how to direct you to plan a personalized, engagement photoshoot that is also timeless. The fact is, there are so many ways to make your engagement photos unique to your love story! Does this sound complicated? Yes! But it really isn't—I promise! Let me show you how my couples personalized their engagement photos with their shared connection so you can make the most out of your time with your photographer. First, Pick an Engagement Photo Session Location Location is everything for photography. But for engagement shoots, the location can mean so much more. Think about the place where you first met, where he proposed, what your passionate about or where you both love to spend time together. Are you both hikers? Lets go to a park that you love! Did you meet at in college? We have two options: go to where the magic happened or incorporate your college colors! Passionate about flowers? Let's go to a garden! Are you in the Navy or into sailing? Let's go to Annapolis! Then, pair it with the right outfit Once you pick a location, it's time to decide on your outfits. I always recommend a style change. Transitioning from casual to formal attire provides a chance to capture different moods and styles, reflecting the personality of your unique connection. My styling tips for the best photos: Opt for complementary outfits, rather than matching, you want to harmonize in style and color without being identical. Don't forget to consider the setting of your photoshoot as it can influence your outfit decisions, with flowing fabrics for beach shoots and sophisticated looks for urban environments. To add interest to your outfit, you can layer with coats, scarves, or statement jewelry to add flair to your photos, and pay attention to footwear, as it can alter the overall vibe! Tip: never be shy about sending your outfits to your photographer for input—that's what we're here for! Find more detailed information about styling in my free downloadable guide, located here. Finally, Add an Activity Posing is fun and all, but in all seriousness, it can feel too serious. Many people don't feel 100% comfortable in front of the camera, unless they have had professional training as a model. So adding in an activity is a little hack that will loosen you up and help you feel comfortable, more quickly into your engagement photo session. But what kind of "activities" are there? Practice Dancing Dancing allows you to focus on each other instead of the camera, plus it's fun! It also will make your movements and expressions more natural. This is a favorite "activity" of mine since you don't need to bring anything! Pop Some Bubbly! Champagne and celebrations go hand-in-hand. And what’s a bigger celebration than deciding to spend the rest of your life with your significant other? A champagne toast can add a festive vibe to your shoot. This is a chance to get stemware for your wedding or finally try that bottle popping shot! Remember, this is an accessory, not a focal point. You don’t need to invest in Moet Chandon, but you should pick a corked sparkling wine in a dark bottle with a simple label. Skip anything too busy or with a screw top. Did you adopt a dog together? Let's grab the leash and go to a park that you love! Believe it or not, your pets can add a lot of personality and charm to your engagement photos. They’re part of your family, after all, so why not include them in one of your most significant moments? I love to incorporate playtime with your pets into your photoshoot. The candid moments often make the most meaningful pictures. Tips for bringing your dog along: bring a friend to handle your pet between shots. Make sure that you are prepared with lots of treats, poop bags, water and a towel for dirty paws. Putting it all Together It's hard to envision how your idea will turn out, so let me show you some examples from my actual couples in the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia region. I walked my couples through these steps and here are their results! Chesapeake Bay with Megan & Patrick Stevensville, Maryland Megan + Patrick are both advocates for the Chesapeake bay, so we went to the bay shoreline at sunset. They packed a sundress and button up for the "date vibe" and jeans and a top for the casual look! We walked through the trails to get to the beach at sunset where they walked the shoreline hand-in-hand. A Dog Walk in the Patterson Park & Date Night in Fells Point Baltimore City, Maryland These two are Baltimoreans through-and-through. They live in Baltimore City and spend a lot of their free time here. We went to their favorite spot, Patterson Park, in sandals and a casual cotton dress, followed by a jersey dress in cobalt blue for their Fells Point portion of their photoshoot. They brought their dog along plus some friends to keep her company between shots! Emily & Chris's Engagement Photo Session on Campus Blacksburg, Virginia Emily and Chris met in college at Virginia Tech, so naturally they wanted to having their engagement photos there. For the casual look, Chris is wearing a cream 3/4 zip sweater and Emily is wearing a white belle sleeve swiss-dot top with dark blue jeans. The white and creams complement the stone facades and pops against the lush landscape. For their second look, Emily is wearing a rose-colored dress with lots of texture and Chris is wearing a blue dress shirt with khakis. This color combination works beautifully with their surroundings and shows off their personal style! Date Night in on the Waterfront with Sam & Matthew Annapolis, Maryland Sam and Matthew chose Annapolis so they could make a date night out of it after! For colors, they beautifully pulled together this palette of greens ---all of which coordinated with Matthew's flannel and complemented the colors of Annapolis and its harbor! Logan & Jessica's Fall Hike Fairfax, Virginia Logan and Jessica wanted to be in nature for their engagement photo session. The park they chose had these beautiful rock formations and since it was the end of Fall, we had had some leaves still clinging to the trees! The black in their outfits added a nice contrast against the stone and so did her red jacket! Packing a jacket for an "outfit change" is always a smart move for a hike since there is not always a place to change... plus who wants to change when it's cold out?? Did these examples inspire you for your own engagement photoshoot? I hope this blog will help you plan your timeless engagement photo session. Just remember, your engagement photoshoot is about you and your partner. As long as you focus on your connection and express it in a way that feels natural, the beautiful pictures will follow! If you’re looking for a wedding photographer and planning an engagement photoshoot in the DMV region, contact me. I offer engagement photography with my wedding packages. I have traveled all over Maryland for weddings, from Taneytown to the eastern shore. Check out my wedding photography style through my portfolio and through my Instagram! And if you're looking for even more help to plan your engagement photo session, don't forget to download my free guide!

  • Jenny + Brock :: Anchor Inn, Pasadena, MD

    As a Maryland wedding photographer, I have the honor of working with countless couples in the DMV region for their weddings. Telling your love story, capturing memories, and the details you’ve poured your soul into for your big day, these are the things that I love about my job. Last year, I had the joy of photographing Jenny and Brock for their summer waterfront wedding at the Anchor Inn in Pasadena, Maryland. Jenny and Brock live in North Carolina, but wanted to get married in Maryland, close to their family. In 2019, they asked me to be their photographer for their waterfront wedding at the Anchor Inn. They had seen my work, I had photographed a couple of weddings of family friends, and loved my storytelling style, true color editing, and my focus on capturing real emotions. Read on to see how their big day unfolded! The Venue: The Anchor Inn, Pasadena MD. Jenny and Brock loved the idea of getting married on the water, so they chose Anchor Inn Pasadena Maryland—an all-inclusive wedding venue on the Chesapeake Bay. Their indoor reception space is filled with natural light and windows facing the water with a big dancefloor. There is a pier for photos and a covered deck for outdoor ceremonies—a major plus if rain is in the forecast! It’s close to the BWI airport, which helped their out-of-town guests. Plus, with food by Catering by Uptown… you can’t go wrong! For getting ready photos, they decided on the Sonesta Inn Suites, because the walls matched their blue theme, and it was one of the closer hotels to the venue. Jenny’s Inspiration for her Wedding at the Anchor Inn. Jenny is a graphic designer, so each detail was perfectly thought out. Her colors were blue, blush and creamy taupe. Bridesmaids wore navy blue satin pajamas while getting ready. … and creamy taupe chiffon dresses that mirrored Jenny’s bridal gown! Jenny picked out all the flowers for her bouquet and hired Rhonda Kaplan Florist designer to get the job done; she knocked it out of the park! For “something borrowed”, she borrowed a crystal bracelet from a family member. For “something blue”, she wore a pair of blue block heels... which matched the groomsmen's suits (and their dog’s YAMIKA)! Getting Ready at the Sonesta Inn Suites, Linthicum, MD On the afternoon of the wedding day, I arrived at the Sonesta Inn Suites, and got to work quietly photographing details, as the girls finished their hair and makeup. By the early afternoon, Jenny and her bridesmaids were ready for pictures and Jenny’s reveal–only her sister and mother had seen her dress! Brides, if you can keep your look a secret from your bridesmaids till the very end... I highly suggest it! Your bridesmaids’ reactions will be so worth it! Then it was time to head on over to the Anchor Inn for the First Look, Ceremony and Reception! The First Look Brock was positioned at the end of the pier for their first look, while I photographed from afar. As your wedding photographer, I want you to be present in these special moments of your wedding day… and I want your pictures to reflect that. The Ceremony Once the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and their furbabes, had made their way to the ceremony spot, Jenny walked down the aisle. Though they had been legally married the previous year, it was important to them to have a Jewish ceremony. The couple exchanged handwritten vows, Brock stomped the glass as their guests shouted “Mazel Tov” and they were pronounced husband and wife! Wedding Portraits While guests made their way to the indoor reception, Jenny and Brock signed the Ketubah and had a few minutes to themselves. Because they’d done a first look, they were able to quickly join their guests for cocktail hour and mingle before introductions! Reception Following introductions, Jenny and Brock had their first dance, listened to speeches by friends, enjoyed food by Catering by Uptown… and then it was time for DANCING! As a wedding photographer, I love capturing the action on the dance floor, especially when there are DUELING PIANOS! Howl2go put on a spectacular dueling piano show and Jenny could NOT stop dancing… until she got hoisted into the air for the Hora! Once night fell, we snuck out Brock and Jenny and the bridal party for some beautiful night shots! Congratulations, Jenny and Brock! It was an honor to be your wedding photographer for your Maryland waterfront wedding! A Waterfront wedding in Maryland, at the Anchor Inn, is such a fun way to say I-do! If you are planning a wedding, big or small, get in touch with me for your wedding and engagement photography needs. As a wedding photographer for over 16 years, I have worked with many venues all over the Maryland, Delaware, Virginia region. I specialize in photo journalistic style, meaning I capture emotion in true-color, and balance between posing you, without imposing on your big day. I offer a variety of photography packages and I am SURE there is the right one for you! Learn more about me through my on Instagram, and see what brides think about me on the WeddingWire, and The Knot. Please reach out if you have questions about my wedding or engagement photography services! Vendors Photography: Sara Vars Photography Venue: Anchor Inn Catering: Catering by Uptown Florist: Rhonda Kaplan Floral Design Band: Howl2go Videography: Heritage Visuals Hair: Beauty on Location DMV Live Streaming: Dan Goldman Events Invitations: Cink Art Transportation: Towne Transport Rabbi/Officiant: Rabbi Laurie Hotel: Sonesta Inn Suites

  • Maggie + Tim :: St. John Catholic Church and The Tannery Barn, Taneytown, MD

    What an awesome wedding day Maggie and Tim had! A few amazing tidbits that you must know: Tim made the ring box pictured below in 6th grade. Maggie's sister, Laurie Anne Benko designed and made Maggie's beautiful wedding gown. Tim's great uncle who is 92 years old, not only came to the wedding with his wife of 66 years, he got down on the dance floor! These two are so full of life and love and enjoyed every minute of their wedding day surrounded by their dearest friends and family. It was such a joy and honor to capture their celebration! The incredible vendor team: Wedding gown: designed and handmade by Laurie Anne Benko of Restitched Designs. Wedding Coordinator: K.B. Shore Event Planning Hair/MUA: Beauty on Location DMV Florals: Frank Tunzi DJ: DJ Sirr Chris Ceremony location: St. John Catholic Church Reception: The Tannery Barn Catering: Rouge Fine Catering Afterparty: Thunderhead Bowling

  • Caitlin + Stephen :: St. Mark's Catholic Church & Overhills Mansion, Catonsville, MD

    Caitlin and Stephen were officially married last year in the middle of another wave of covid that limited all social gatherings and functions. On their one year anniversary, they renewed their vows and had the wedding that they had planned! The ceremony took place at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Catonsville, MD followed by an amazing reception with their family and friends at Overhills Mansion! Congratulations Caitlin and Stephen!!

  • Kathleen + Dave :: St. Mary's & Annapolis Sailing School, Annapolis, MD

    Kathleen and Dave's wedding day was a sweet blend of beautiful weather, fantastic people and amazing food and music! "Somethings are just better together" was printed on their guests' koozies and I couldn't agree more! With their ceremony at St. Mary's, photos around Annapolis, and reception at Annapolis Sailing School, it was pure magic! Congratulations Kathleen and Dave! Ceremony: St. Mary's Reception: Annapolis Sailing School Coordinator: KO Events Hair: Kristi Crawford Make-up: Victoria DJ: C & J Entertainment Caterer: Adam's Grille BAR: Mills Wine DESSERTS: Blue Crab Cupcakes

  • Kim + Giovanni :: Silver Swan Bayside, Stevensville, MD

    Kim and Giovanni's friendship dates back to their high school years! These two went their separate ways after high school, but kept in touch. Years later, they reconnected and fell completely in love with each other. Giovanni treats Kim like a queen and they are so entirely committed to each other. Their dreamy wedding day took place near their home at Silver Swan Bayside. It's such a gorgeous venue and was a perfect setting with all of their sparkly rose gold details!

  • Sarah + Patrick :: Historic London Town & Gardens, Annapolis, MD

    Sarah and Patrick were married in Annapolis, MD at Historic London Town and Gardens. With an outdoor ceremony overlooking the South River, cocktail hour in the garden and dancing under the tent, it was magical! Eleven Courses Catering did a phenomenal job with the food, and their DJ was fantastic! What a beautiful wedding it was, full of love, excitement and memories to last a lifetime! Congratulations Sarah and Patrick! Coordinator: Mallory with Pink Peony Coordination Catering: Eleven Course Catering DJ: Don Hair and Make-up: Weddings by Sage Florist: Bay Blossoms

  • Julia + Kevin :: Historic Kent Manor Inn, Stevensville, MD

    Julia and Kevin's wedding was such a blast! Though it rained off and on, the misty drizzle provided a lush, green landscape. Their wedding was a total celebration and included some amazing food, Nicecream (ice cream made on the spot using liquid nitrogen), a decadent, layered chocolate creation by their talented friend and incredible music by Larry the amazing DJ! He kept the party moving until the very last moment when the skies opened up and it rained again! That's when Julia mentioned getting a rain shot! And well, you don't have to ask me twice about a rain shot as those might be my favorite! Venue & Catering: Historic Kent Manor Inn Florals: Adrimar Flowers DJ: Adler Entertainment Dress: Champagne Taste Bridal

  • Cathy + Terrence :: Bayfront Club, Edgemere, MD

    Cathy and Terrence's wedding was such a joy to photograph! They were married at the Bayfront Club in Edgemere, MD on a cloudless, August day. Terrence arrived by boat with the groomsmen while Cathy and the ladies got ready at the Baltimore Waterfront Marriott. Terrence had the sweetest reaction when he saw Cathy during their first look, his face just lit up! It's always so exciting to see a groom's reaction, and their connection and deep love for each other was so evident. Their ceremony was down by the water at Bayfront Club under a gorgeous blue sky! Reception followed with the most amazing food as always (Catering by Uptown does not disappoint!) and music that really got their guests moving! A sparkler exit was the perfect ending to their most amazing day! Venue: Bayfront Club Catering: Catering by Uptown Flowers: Enchanting Gardens Floral Hair: Bmore Bobby Pins MUA: Fleurt Beauty Company DJ: Shew-sical Entertainment Wedding Dress: Betsy Robinson Bridal (Martina Liana) Videography: The Brand Photographer: Sara Vars Photography

  • Devyn + Nathan :: The Wheel Store, North Beach, MD

    After rescheduling from April due to COVID-19, Devyn and Nathan's wedding venue changed as did so many other details. They rolled with it and you'd never know that things weren't planned just as they happened. The Wheel Store ended up being such a unique venue for them, a block from the water. Their coordinators outdid themselves and the venue looked amazing. A friend of theirs officiated the ceremony and some other friends live streamed it for those who couldn't make it. It was such a great way to make everyone feel apart and witness their ceremony! Chesapeake Grille and Deli catered the delicious food, and Brian and Rahn from Crow Entertainment cranked up the reception. They had everyone dancing well into the evening. Bubbles, light-up flowers, and headbands brought some added excitement to the dance floor. The evening ended as Devyn and Nathan exited through a sparkler tunnel! It was magical :) Venue: The Wheel Store Caterer: Chesapeake Grille and Deli DJ: Brian Crowe with Crowe Entertainment Cupcakes: Jen Krauss with Crumbsnatchers Coordinators: Laura Brake & Sara McEwen Wedding Dress: I Do I Do Wedding Gowns in Gaithersburg Flowers: Weaver's Fresh Cut Flowers Officiant: Daniel Wilson Jr. Rentals: Top Hat Party Rentals Suit Rental: The Black Tux Hair: Amanda Langhorne with Salt and Light Hair Co Make-up: Bridal Glow with Victoria O Favors: Rhebs Handmade Chocolates Getting Ready Location: The Guest Quarters at the Inn

  • Susie + Adam :: Our Lady Queen of the Americas, Washington, DC // Key Bridge Marriott, Arlington, VA

    Roses, baby's breath, and a touch of mauve created a soft, dreamy look for Susie and Adam's winter wedding! Their family and friends gathered to witness their exchange of vows in a beautiful ceremony at Our Lady Queen of the Americas in DC. They exited through a ribbon waving send off! Their reception took place at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, VA which has such fantastic view of the DC skyline! That view paired with incredible food from the Marriott and music by DJ Rumba made for such an enjoyable celebration for Susie and Adam! Ceremony Venue: Our Lady Queen of the Americas Reception Venue: Key Bridge Marriott Wedding Coordinator: The Wedding Ninja, LLC Cake: Amphora Bakery Flowers: Flowers by Wendy Carol Make-up: Beauty in Bloom VA Hair: The Glam Squad DJ: DJ Rumba Photographer: Sara Vars Photography

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