More Engagement Photo Session Wardrobe Tips from Tracey Attlee

Texans Lauren and Ben flew in to celebrate the first day of summer on the beach at sunset in Spring Lake, New Jersey with an engagement photo session by Attlee Weddings and Portraits.  

Lauren was in charge of selecting wardrobe and wisely harmonized her choices with sea and sand in solid colors.  A look at this sneak peek of their Jersey beach engagement photos will demonstrate this valuable wardrobe tip to other engaged couples preparing for their engagement portrait sessions  http://video214.com/play/WOKMdW1439vDdcBNngnK8A/s/dark  
When asked what inspired her wardrobe choices, Lauren says, "Ben and I wanted to highlight the natural beauty of the beach by selecting a wardrobe that would complement the seaside town of Spring Lake.  For a classic ensemble, we adhered to a neutral color palette.  Ben wore a white linen button down from Brooks Brothers with stone washed khaki shorts and I wore a white eyelet shift dress from Madewell.  Our more playful outfits were inspired by the ocean.  I wore a muted gold tank and neutral wedges to showcase my turquoise chiffon skirt from Lauren Conrad.  To coordinate with me, Ben wore a teal polo with a red lobster logo from Perlis, khaki shorts and topsiders, which was a nod to his family's Maine heritage."  

Color harmony with the background and wearing solids rather than complex patterns are what keep the viewer's eye on the faces in a portrait!  Also, Ben's crisp linen shirt and neatly pressed khaki shorts deserve mention.  Wardrobe wrinkles attract the viewer's eye.  Press them out beforehand or your viewers will be distracted by irregularities that will weaken the impact of your engagement portrait!

Thank you Lauren and Ben for your attention to detail in wardrobe.  See you next summer for your destination wedding on the Jersey shore!

Lauren Farrelly and Ben Searway celebrate engagement on the beach in Spring Lake, N.J.  Photo by Tracey Attlee.

Tracey Attlee is a wedding and portrait photographer who grew up on the Jersey shore in Spring Lake and resides in the Washington, DC area in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband, architectural photographer Todd A. Smith www.tasphoto.com
Tracey Attlee photographs town and beach weddings from Washington DC to Spring Lake, NJ to New York City on a full time basis and is a former White House credentialed photographer.

Seminar on Better Rose Photography:  May 18, Bon Air Park, Arlington

While my professional blog is normally dedicated to teaching the public how to look good in pictures, next week I'll be teaching the public how to make flowers, specifically roses, look good in pictures.  I have a bit of a passion for growing and photographing roses as my husband and friends will tell you.  So I'm sharing it with anyone who has time and interest to attend the seminar May 18.  Bring your tripod!  Here is the press release:

Former White House photographer Tracey Attlee and Arlington Rose Foundation President Pam Powers are teaming up to teach a seminar to novice photographers on how to photograph roses in the garden.  The seminar will start at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden, 850 North Lexington Street, Arlington, VA 22205.

Interested photographers should bring their camera and tripod.  After the demonstration and follow up questions we will help you photograph your favorite rose varieties in this garden of over 2000 plants, including Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, Floribunda and miniature roses.

Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden is one of the largest AARS (All American Rose Selection) gardens on the East Coast.  Arlington Rose Foundation has a long history with this beautiful garden maintained by Arlington County and open to the public.  For further information please contact Pam Powers at 703-371-9351 or pam1powers@aol.com

Adding Art and Romance to your Wedding Photos

Most brides say their wedding day takes forever to arrive and then passes in a blur.  Allow this rush to rule your day and you'll end up having just bread and butter documentary photographs as your lifelong memory. Attlee Weddings and Portraits has a tip for you:  why not plan for 10 minutes of romantic photos later in the reception?  By then your obligations to family and friends are complete and you and the groom can take a few minutes for yourselves.  When our brides do this it gives us wonderful freedom to use our imagination and come up with something artistic and romantic for them.  The results are always a pleasant surprise and never predictable.  Our inspirations can come from the couple, the weather, the mood, the light, the setting, the music, the wardrobe...and the amount of time we're given.  Here is one of our favorites from a recent wedding at The Key Bridge Marriott.

Tracey Attlee of Alexandria, Virginia is a former White House photographer and a DC wedding, corporate and childrens photographer recommended by Congressional, Chevy Chase, Cosmos, Sulgrave, Columbia and Kenwood Country Clubs.

Attlee Recommended by The Cosmos Club of DC

Attlee Weddings and Portraits has an exclusive invitation to exhibit wedding and corporate photography today from 4-7 pm at The Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008.  This private event enables club members planning upcoming business and social events to meet The Cosmos Club's preferred vendors face to face.  "This is such an honor for us.  We always love to photograph events in the ballroom of The Cosmos Club, truly an art treasure in Washington, D.C.," says Tracey Attlee.

Tracey Attlee of Alexandria, VA is a former White House credentialed photographer who has photographed weddings and business events at The Cosmos Club and other venues in DC, VA, MD, NJ and NY for over 20 years.

Gentlemen: Secret Marriage Proposal Tips

Gentlemen considering a surprise marriage proposal to their girlfriend might like to hear how Jeremy Keck styled his on Valentine's night in Washington, DC.

After three months of planning, Jeremy arranged for delivery of wine, candles and two dozen red roses to Erin's townhouse after work.  Then, a hairdresser and a makeup artist rang the bell and came in to help beloved girlfriend Erin prepare for a nice Valentine's dinner out.  Jeremy got himself ready for the evening across town, wearing the new and carefully tailored suit Erin purchased for him and the same necktie he wore on his first date with her. Jeremy arrived via hired transportation with pink longstem roses.  The ring was hidden in his suit.  He was to escort her to a fine dinner out at Fogo de Chao.  On the way, he suggested a quick stop at his favorite quiet space, the north side of DC's Lincoln Memorial.  As of Valentine's Day 2013 Jeremy had never even said "I love you" to Erin.  After that innocent little stop, the memory was made and it is here:  http://video214.com/play/vL1rgWoSJl0IdDdIMQwUQA/s/dark

Not one to overlook details, Jeremy wrapped up his evening with another surprise.  Waiting tableside at the restaurant for Erin were her parents.  And his mother. All had flown in secretly and were seated in advance to greet Erin and Jeremy upon arrival to the restaurant!

Tracey Attlee of Attlee Weddings and Portraits, Alexandria, VA, has photographed weddings, engagements and secret marriage proposals from Washington, DC to New York for over 20 years.