Andrea Dozier Wedding Photography based in Dayton, Ohio » Sourhern Ohio & Destination Wedding Photographers

Eden - October 26, 2011 - 2:01 pm

I like your choice of processing in the first shots. The softness gives a lovely “blushing bride” feel to them

Friday, September 23, 2011

What Should Guys Wear to Engagment Sessions? | Fall Fashion for Men by Andrea Dozier

Posted in Client Resources, Love Stories

Judging from this morning’s tweets, I believe today is officially the beginning of Fall. I haven’t checked for sure yet, but the rain & pumpkin candles I’m burning say it’s so. The end of summer brings a special season: Engagement Sessions!

Many of you planning spring & summer weddings can’t wait to get dressed up & get your pictures taken in the next few weeks. One of the most frequently asked photography questions I get is “What should guys wear for engagement pictures?” It’s kind an ambiguous topic. Women have fun shopping & find satisfaction in new dresses. Guys tend to be a little more reluctant to take fashion risks. Sure, they have clothes. But what in the world do they wear for portraits? Not just any portraits, but the “first, official, we are going-to-be-a-couple-forever announcement type portrait.” No pressure, right?

Five Tips for Fall Engagement Fashion – FOR MEN.
I designed these images with boards I made on Polyvore {that also allow you to shop these J Crew looks}.

1. It’s ok to be neutral. I say this because I really like to ask the bride to be the center of attention for a majority of the portraits. I think that a print on a dress or a color that complements her skin tone can make a really awesome focal point for pictures. I think of the guys as the “supporting cast.” For the most part, guys don’t have the same insecurities as women. Making her comfortable & beautiful is really important. If you wear a neutral color that enhances hers, you will have a very cohesive look. Which means: people will think you’re meant for each other based on your wardrobe alone. #winning

Fall Engagement Fashion for Men by andreadozier on Polyvore.com

2. Dress neatly. Your clothes should fit well, maybe even slightly tighter than normal. You want to be able to move (of course, if you are getting photographed by me), but check to make sure that there aren’t pieces that could be more tailored. If this means you should opt for a new pair of dark jeans or khakis, they will last well into your marriage. She will think you’re pretty dang handsome every time you wear them.

3. Shoes. Photographers like to take pictures of shoes. It’s kind of artsy, it’s kind of offbeat. It’s fun. Most importantly, because she probably didn’t sleep for three nights trying to figure out which ones she would wear! She loves to see pictures of her pretty shoes. Remember this when covering your feet.

Mens Fall Shoes for Engagement Sessions by andreadozier on Polyvore.com

4. Sunday best. {Not casual Friday}. I think there is a misconception that if you want casual pictures, you should dress like it’s a vacation morning on a rainy day. Lounge clothes {loose jeans, t shirts, gym shoes} are really comforting. However, look to your photographer {and maybe a shot of Jack} to help you loosen up. You can wear fashionable attire, and still have amazing candid lifestyle photography. You can even have a vintage or modern style & still look at ease. That is the art of a good photographer. To help you relax even in clothes you don’t like to wear. As wedding photographers, we do this on a weekly basis for the men wearing tuxedos. Trust us {wink wink}.

5. Look to the “fakes.” Remember the mannequins at the stores that we always ignore? I know you rarely “shop the look.” However, take notes. Usually there are layered styles {perfect for keeping warm for those of you in Dayton or the Midwest} with pops of color in the right places. If you feel at a complete loss, this is not a bad place to start! It helps keep the flow of the session going {so you don’t have to change everything} and still gives you variety of colors & textures in your photographs. If you’d rather browse online, look at the “lookbooks” or full body scans. Thank me later.

Fall Fashion Christmas Look by andreadozier on Polyvore.com

I spent time earlier this morning making a Pinterest board for an upcoming portrait session and that inspired me to do this.
Please feel free to share this link with your engaged friends and let me know if you find this helpful!
Whether you are trying to dress him for engagement pictures, family portraits, a Christmas card, or just a freaking Facebook pic {for goodness sake}!

Have a good weekend! ♥

2 comments

Michelle March - September 23, 2011 - 3:45 pm

What a great read! I love all these ideas and hope our grooms-to-be take notes.

Ladies: what to wear at your fall/winter engagement session » Miami Wedding Photographer – Michelle March Photography - October 5, 2011 - 11:23 am

[...] on how you should dress for your upcoming engagement session. Inspired by Andrea Dozier’s post with tips for what the men should wear (super must-read!), I thought I’d put in my two cents [...]

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Styled. Magazine The Art of Autumn Merrymaking | Fig Spread with Hooray Design

Posted in Editorial, Food, Inspiration

Around here we are embracing cooler weather & grey skies. The trees are subtly letting go of green and embracing amber hues.

Fall has arrived in crisp spirit & summer is becoming a sweet memory, {no matter how many calendar days say otherwise}.

I’m not sorry to dust off my boots & slip on cardigans.

I’m a Midwest girl & I love my seasons. ♥

Last June Alli & I shot a spread for Styled. The Art of Autumn Merry Making. It is an online magazine with “over 100 pages filled with some of my favorite ideas, people, projects and links for making merry this fall” says founding editor Victoria. You can view it online {perfect for viewing on your iPad} or you can purchase it in print!

Beautiful Cover Photograph By: JACKIE WONDERS

I always love working with Alli, the lovely writer of Hooray Design, because I always feel like we work in sync. Even though we’ve only met in person a few times, we can talk or be perfectly silent & it’s not awkward or intimidating. She is such a creative soul & I love how her thrifty ideas always inspire me! It’s easy to photograph her tables & DIY projects because I always feel so connected & excited about what I’m shooting.

These bottles are covered with scraps from an Anthropologie magazine… I love the colors & textures.

I want to throw a harvest party like this with ombre fruits & vegetables dressing up my table!

Thanks for letting me share your creative & beautiful ideas Alli! See her post on Hooray Blog about this fall party here.

If you haven’t already, grab a pumpkin latte & check out Styled. this weekend!
Don’t forget to sneak in some time to browse Victoria’s blog, A Subtle Revelry.
She has a way of infusing original ideas on her posts, you’ll love her clever DIY projects! ♥

2 comments

Michelle March - September 15, 2011 - 6:49 am

Congrats!! Beautiful shots!

Eden - October 26, 2011 - 2:03 pm

I like your shot of the bottles from above. Very clever!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Miami University | Oxford, Ohio Wedding Photography

Posted in Military, Vintage, Wedding

Hello world!

Here is a preview from Chris & Stephani’s Miami University wedding in Oxford, Ohio. They are both officers in the Air Force & currently stationed across the globe from each other. It was an honor to photograph the story of two extraordinary people & the celebration of being reunited with their families & each other…

Congratulations Chris & Stephani! ♥

no comments

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Seven Years Has Gone So Fast

Posted in Personal Stories

I keep starting this post over.

There should be some pretty way to eloquently sum up the fascination of marriage & love, but my allergies have left my mind at a loss for a single polished thought.

This week was full of huge milestones for me.
I turned 28.
I had my 7th wedding anniversary.
This baby blog turned 2.

To quote one of my very first posts, “The kindest thing I ever did to myself was get married the day after my birthday.” The ~~closer I get to thirty~~ older I get, the more I appreciate that the focus isn’t on how many candles are on my cake (or where to find so many), but the years Rocky & I have been so fortunate to share together. The life we’ve built. The boys we’ve created. We were always two old souls & even though we married young, it suited us.

My only regret is that I didn’t realize the last seven years would slip by so quickly.

The last two have been especially brief.

When this blog was created, I was an apron clad wife baking elaborate dinners & decorating pretty cakes in my free time. As I became more fluent in the art of photography, that apron began collecting dust. Perhaps I can work on balancing it all a little better this year, especially for the sake of my dear husband {who has become quite adept at cooking for us}. He is a patient man. He definitely deserves a hot meal every once in a while.

This diary started as a way of sharing my images & stories with my friends & family. When I look back I feel a mixture of pride & sympathy toward my earlier work. I wear my posts like tattoos, that are public for the viewing & judging. I include my pictures and hope they mean something to the people I take them for. This little online journal is home to sweet stories & sometimes very honest confessions. It always waits patiently for me to come back & allows me a canvas to hang my art.

Thanks for being such a very big part of it. ♥

Now it’s time for me to work on my emails. This week has not been my finest hour, thanks for your patience!

*Yes, I love Green Day. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” has particular sentiment since Rocky left for a deployment in September of 08.

**Tonight though, my new favorite song is Willie Nelson’s cover of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” from the new Chipotle ad.
You can listen to the whole version on Spotify for free!

***My first tattoo was a “safe” one, I’d love to do something classic but more ambitious for the next round. I am in love with the look of painterly tattoos.
You can see all my inspiration on my Pinterest board.

3 comments