A little on celebrity designer Prashi Shah … she doesn’t exactly fit the Bedford stereotype. At 17, she left her hometown and moved to New York to study fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. From there, she worked in design and color development for the well-known designer Bill Blass, picking up enough confidence and experience to move back to Dallas and create her own label, Prashe. Shah’s big break came in 2002 when a high-end New York retailer, Henri Bendel, picked up her line of cosmetic bags. She now sells handbags, skirts, tanks, and knickknacks to big-name stores like Nordstrom, as well as to local hot spots such as Jean Connection, Charmed by Melissa, and Movida. Shah travels the world for inspiration but still calls Dallas her home. “There is so much opportunity here, and its a growing city.” she says. Thanks to her, it’s a stylish one, too.

Many thanks to Scott Hagar Photography for taking time out of his busy schedule to shoot these great pictures!

What location is best for engagement pictures?
First you have to decide if there is specific “look” you want your engagement pictures to have. Are you a nature person or do you prefer architecture and city streets? Where did you first meet? Your first date? Your first kiss? Where did your fiancé propose? Think of a location that is special to you as a couple. Think of hobbies that you and your fiancé enjoy doing together.  Places that are significant to you as a couple will be the best place for your engagement photos.

What to wear?
I suggest bringing two outfits, a dressy outfit and a more relaxed outfit that reflect your own personal style. Wear something that you would normally wear so that you don’t feel uncomfortable or out of place. Colorful clothes always look best in photos, and it’s not necessary for the couple to “match” as long as the color schemes don’t clash. Avoid wearing all white or all black. Where we take your photos may require walking so bring a pair of comfortable shoes to wear.

Posing
Your photographer should guide you into certain poses, but mostly this should reflect you as a couple. If the photographer asks you to cuddle up next to your honey there is no “right” or “wrong” way to do this so cuddle up next to him/her just like you would if you were in the comfort of your own home. Try to slip into your own world and act as if you and your fiancé were just enjoying an afternoon by yourselves. Talk, walk, laugh, snuggle, lay down in the grass, whatever you feel like doing with your significant other all while your photographer snaps away and records the interaction between you and your fiancé. This makes for photographs that look more natural and reflect the personalities of each couple in a unique way. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to show how much you love each other.

Note: It’s best to book your photographer 8-12 months in advance to make sure that you get the photographer that you want for your special day.

Meet Bianca and Adam. They have been dating a little over 2 years. They spotted each other at a local Sushi Restaurant and began dating shortly after they met, and the rest as they say is history.  Their photo session was shot at the Shops Legacy where the couple resides.  Bianca and Adam are so in love and they weren’t afraid to show it. They slipped into their own world and just had fun with it, and because they were so comfortable we got amazing results.

Celina Gomez
www.simplicityblog.net

Wedding photography taken in unusual places is one of the hottest rising trends in weddings. Many of these pictures are taken as engagement photos before the wedding, but they are nothing like the posed studio shots of old. Urban backgrounds are particularly popular, ranging from black and white photos set against a towering city skyline to gritty scenes in front of graffitied brick walls. For couples who do not live in a city, popular backgrounds include seasides, natural locations, and even places like carnivals and zoos. These settings are also gaining popularity for day-of-wedding photography; the contrast between the wild setting and the bride in her exquisite bridal gown, veil, and wedding jewelry makes for an interesting juxtaposition which gives the pictures an edgy quality.

Another trend in wedding photography is to make pictures a part of the event itself, rather than just something to look over weeks later. The rise in digital photography has made this possible. For instance, you might have the photographer use the photos he took during the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour to project as a slideshow onto a wall during the reception. Digital photo booths are finding popularity instead of traditional wedding favors. The guests can go into the booth and have their pictures taken as an instant keepsake of the day. Some of the photo booths will even have a monitor on the outside which will show all of the pictures taken during the reception as a slideshow for everyone to enjoy. An added bonus is that the newlyweds can get a copy of all of their guests’s pictures burned on a disc for them to have as a souvenir.

Pictured here: Gina Cristine Photography out of Chicago shared these photos of friends of hers. Carolyn and Pat knew each other in high school and re-met at the Chicago South Side Irish Parade. Their first date was bike riding at the spot were these engagement photos were taken. Pat asked Carolyn to marry him in front of Chicago’s Buckingham fountain and they celebrate with drinks and chocolate covered strawberries at The Drake Hotel in Chicago.