CT Candid Engagement Photographer

Candid and Fun Couples Photo Session in CT

Getting together for an engagement photo session with my wedding day couples is always so fun. I love to take this time to get to know each other even more face to face. My couples get a feel for what it is like to be in front of my camera. They are able to get out some of their nervousness when they see that it really is just a fun time loving on each other while I capture it all. I will guide my couples into natural poses and give simples prompts when needed. Much of the time I love to see how they interact with each other naturally before I jump in with poses and prompts.

We work together to pick a session location that is perfect for them. We can head to a park or forest, an open field covering in wild flowers, or head to the beach to walk in the waves. I also love to photography couples in their own home. Cozy on the couch with a cup of tea, or in the yard with their fur babies.

Are you recently engaged and looking for a fun and candid Connecticut Wedding photographer to document your wedding day? Rebecca Lynne Photography specializes in candid and natural wedding photography throughout all of Connecticut.

East Rock Park, New Haven Connecticut Engagement and Wedding Photographer | Julie & Alex

An engagement session at East Rock Park in New Haven Connecticut with Julie and Alex with their Corgi dog.

Litchfield Connecticut Engagement Photographer | Danielle & Andrew

An early fall engagement photography session at Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield, CT

Danielle reached out to me interested in having me photograph her and her fiancé Andrew’s wedding at Saint Clements Castle in Portland, Connecticut. We talked details and ideas and Danielle shared her vision for her perfect wedding day and I shared my wedding photography style and it was a perfect match. Come to find out her fiancé Andrew and I actually knew each other from childhood when we attended the same church together with our families for many years. Such a fun discovery to make!

When it was time to plan their engagement session Danielle mentioned the special place in their hearts that Topsmead State Forest held, from hiking together, and bird watching dates, to the spot where Andrew proposed, we just knew it would be the perfect location for their engagement photos.

We could not have landed a more beautiful Fall evening than we did.

Connecticut engagement and wedding photographer Rebecca Lynne photographs with a candid and natural photography style. Using natural poses and organic moments to capture your love story how it naturally unfolds. Living in Middletown, Connecticut and photographing weddings throughout all of CT, Rebecca strives to tell your true love story through honest photography.

Intimate Private Residence Wedding Day in Connecticut | Emily & Jim

An intimate wedding day at a private residence in Storrs Mansfield CT.

Emily and Jim spent the morning of their wedding getting ready together in the home they share together. The morning was calm and familiar and the perfect setting before heading to the ceremony and reception location on their friend’s private property.

Their wedding ceremony took place under a thick rustic wooden arbor in front of a pond that was surrounded by trees whos leaves were just beginning to change color from the crisp early Fall evenings. Their friends and family sat in the warm Autumn sun witnessing Emily and Jim’s marriage become official.

I love the earthy vibe of the gifts for their wedding guests. Small plants in mini terracotta pots for their wedding guests to take home after the reception.

The wedding day florals including the bouquets and centerpieces on the tables in the reception space were homegrown. What a lovely personal touch. The colors were vibrant yellows and oranges mixed with deep maroon, a perfect combination for Fall wedding florals.

Makeup-PBBeauty Studio https://pbbeautystudio.com/

Hair-Sarah Kene   https://www.facebook.com/Tress-Salon-LLC-195969571156592/

Spice Catering- check out their insta, it's more up to date https://www.spicecateringgroup.com/

JH Events LLC- check out her insta https://jheventsllc.com/

Florist- Bouquets and centerpieces were made by the Bride and Groom and their loved ones and grown in their own gardens

Rebecca Lynne Photography, Connecticut wedding photographer photographs weddings in a fun, candid, natural style. Capturing the big details of your wedding day and also the small moments you may miss while you’re enjoying your wedding. Capturing your truth during your wedding day and who you are as a couple is Rebecca’s goal.

How Much Should the Groom’s Parents Contribute to Your CT Wedding?

Hey there, lovely couples and curious minds! We’re diving into a topic that often swirls in the whirlwind of wedding planning: how much should the groom’s parents contribute to the big day? It’s a dance of tradition, expectations, and sometimes, a bit of a guessing game. So, let’s unravel this with the same authenticity we bring to capturing your candid wedding moments.

The Dance of Wedding Contributions

Weddings are like a symphony, each note played by different contributors—the couple, the in-laws, and maybe even that quirky aunt who insists on bringing her accordion. Now, the groom’s parents, they have a role too, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Let’s explore how you can navigate this dance without stepping on any toes.

The Quirky Reality of Wedding Budgets

First things first, let’s address the elephant in the room: wedding budgets. They’re like snowflakes—no two are exactly alike. Your wedding is as unique as your love story, and that means your budget should reflect that. It’s not about the dollar signs; it’s about creating an experience that resonates with your vibe, your quirks, and your fierceness.

Tradition Meets Modernity

Traditionally, the groom’s parents might contribute to specific elements like the rehearsal dinner or the honeymoon. However, in this era of modern love, those lines are blurring faster than a Polaroid picture snapped in the summer sun. The key? Communication. Have an open, honest chat about expectations, desires, and what feels right for everyone involved.

The Candid Truth: It’s Personal

In the realm of wedding planning, one size doesn’t fit all, and that’s a good thing. Your wedding should be an organic reflection of you—imperfectly perfect, just like real love. The contribution from the groom’s parents is as unique as their relationship with the couple. It’s not about meeting expectations; it’s about embracing the authenticity of your celebration.

Our Role: Capturing the Realness

Just as we capture the genuine, unfiltered moments of your wedding day, let the contributions be a reflection of your family’s authentic dynamics. Whether it’s a grand gesture or a small, heartfelt contribution, it’s the realness that matters. Your love story isn’t staged; it’s candid, filled with laughter, tears, and unexpected moments—just like your wedding budget.

The Connecticut Twist: A Local Flavor

Here in Connecticut, where charm meets shoreline, weddings have a unique flavor. Your CT wedding photography journey should be an extension of that charm. So, when considering contributions, think about how you can infuse a bit of that local magic into your celebration. Maybe it’s a coastal engagement session or a rustic barn wedding—let Connecticut’s beauty shine through.

Wrapping It Up: Let Love Lead

In the grand tapestry of wedding planning, financial discussions are just one thread. The groom’s parents’ contribution, whether grand or subtle, is a gesture of love. It’s not about the dollars; it’s about celebrating love in all its quirky, imperfect glory. So, let’s embrace the dance, let love lead, and create a wedding celebration that’s as authentic as the candid moments we freeze in time through our lens.

Remember, it’s your love story—bold, imperfect, and uniquely yours.

Let’s capture it authentically, one candid moment at a time.

Questions To Ask Your Wedding Photographer Before Booking

Choosing the right photographer for your Connecticut wedding will make all the difference in whether or not you love your wedding photos.

You are recently engaged and looking through social media accounts and websites of Connecticut wedding photographers. You’re met with different styles, various price points, and different personalities. It is so important that you love the photography style of your wedding photographer and also that you mesh with their personality, after all they will be with you for your entire wedding day. After narrowing your choices down to a handful of favorite Connecticut photographers, it is time to contact them and check their availability for your wedding day. It is also important to gather lots of other information about them and their photography business.

Below you can find some important questions to ask your wedding photographer during your consultation through email, over the phone, or in person.

Availability

After falling in love with a photographer’s style and contacting them, it is first important to know if they are available for your wedding date.

Will you have an assistant with you on our wedding day?
This is also a great time to ask them if they will have an assistant with them on the day of your wedding. Either a second photographer or someone they bring along with them on the day of help with carrying gear or setting up lighting during the wedding reception. This could add to the vendor list for you to provide a meal so it is important to know

How many other weddings will you photograph on the same weekend?

Photography Style

How would you describe your photography style?
How does their photography style align with how you envision your wedding photos looking when they are hanging on your wall or looking through your wedding album 10 years down the road? Are their colors bold and moody? Do they photograph in a fun candid style that matches your fun laid back personality?

What is your style on the day of?
Do you prefer a wedding photographer that blends in with guests and captures lots of candids, do you want lots of direction, or a good balance of both?

Background

How long have you been photographing weddings?

How many weddings have you photographed?

This information can help you know how experienced your wedding photographer is. Photographing a wedding is much more than just simply showing up on the wedding day and taking photos. Wedding photographers often help plan timelines making sure your day runs smoothly. Wedding photographers help organize groups of friends and family for formal portraits. They need to be organized and on time making sure they are available at all of the big moments during the ceremony and reception and other parts of your wedding day.

What kind of equipment do you use?

Pricing and Packages

Do you offer different packages? What do they include?

Are retouching, color adjustment, or other corrective services included in the charge?

Do you have a travel free that you charge?

Logistics

How much of a deposit do you require? When is it due?

Do you offer payment plans?

Do you have liability insurance?

Can we give you a list of specific shots we would like to have?

Do you bring extra camera equipment in case something happens to your camera?
An experienced photographer will bring at least one back up camera and extra lenses to photograph weddings. Should something happen to their camera, they have back ups right on hand so that it doesn’t disrupt the wedding day or cause the loss of important photos of the event. They will also have plenty of batteries fully charged and SD cards.

Your wedding photographer is one of your most important vendors on your wedding day. They work with you while planning your wedding details, they are with you during your whole wedding day, and they capture your memories to look back on through photographs for years to come. Choosing the right Connecticut wedding photographer for your wedding day may feel like a large task, but getting answers to these important questions to ask your wedding photographer will help you choose the photographer who is right for you on your wedding day.

Connecticut Surprise Proposal and Engagement Photographer

Connecticut Surprise Proposal & Engagement Photographer

Planning a surprise proposal at the beach in Waterford, CT.

Planning the proposal

In late fall Daniel contacted me to photograph the perfect surprise wedding proposal to his girlfriend, Megan. He knew the date and he had a location in mind, so we worked together to plan all of the details.

The perfect proposal location

Picking the location of where you are going to get down on one knee and propose to your loved one typically involves a location that has meaning to your relationship together. Harkness Memorial Park in Waterford, Connecticut was the perfect location for Daniel and Megan and it was a location I am very familiar with.

I ventured to Harkness about a week before the photography session date and I sent Daniel some photos of the area on the beach I though would work perfectly. I showed him where I will be hiding out with my camera gear ready to go and also where I felt would be a good place for him to stand to be sure to capture both his and her reactions from the side as the proposal took place.

I kept the time of day that worked for Daniel and the lighting from the sun during that time in mind when choosing the location and position for them to stand in and it came together beautifully.

Ironing out the engagement details

On the day of the surprise engagement I had Daniel send me a text message of what clothing they are wearing and also let him know what I was wearing, making it easier for us both to spot each other but not obvious to his girlfriend. Daniel and I decided just a slight head nod was a good clue for him to give me that he was about to get down on one knee and propose to his girlfriend. I knew where I wanted to stand so that I could see them approaching the beach and turn my back to them slightly so I appeared as just another beach goer enjoying the ocean on the mild late Fall day in New England, but so that I could also keep an eye on where they were walking. Now that the details were planned out, we were ready to.

The surprise proposal

I arrived at Harkness Memorial Park about 10 minutes before they were set to arrive. I headed to the location of the proposal on the beach and got my cameras set up for the current lighting situation. I had a long zoom camera lens on me so that I could keep some good distance between us as to not make myself obvious to Megan. As Daniel and Megan walking across the boardwalk and approached the sand I was ready to go.

Daniel lead Megan to towards to water to look for shell and sea glass, as Megan was facing the ocean Daniel gave me a quick nod and I knew it was go time. Megan turned around just as Daniel got down on one knee and took the ring out of his pocket. It was absolutely perfect, everything he envisioned.

After he placed the ring on her finger I have them a few moments to embrace before approaching them. As soon as Megan saw me she jumped up and down in excitement. “Yes! all I wanted was a photographer when he proposed! yes!” She was so thrilled that her special moment was captured.

After the proposal

We spent the next hour exploring the beach and gardens on Harkness Memorial park capturing the excitement of just getting engaged. Megan couldn’t wait to get on the phone and tell her loved ones.

After we parted ways I headed home to edited a handful of photos to give to Daniel and Megan so that they could share the excitement of their recent engagement with their friends and family.

Planning the perfect surprise proposal has a lot of steps to think about, but when it comes down to it, your love for each other is all that matters.

Are you in Connecticut and planning a surprise proposal for your girlfriend and looking to hire a photographer to capture it all? Reach out to Rebecca Lynne today to photograph your proposal and engagement session.

The Difference Between Copyright and Print Release

Copyright? Print release? What is the difference?

So, you are researching photographers for your wedding day and are noticing the phrases “print release” and “copyright” being tossed around but it isn’t clear what that means and what the difference is between them. Let me help out.

When a copyright is purchased for images, that means the photographer no longer owns any right to those images. The photographer can not reproduce the image in any way, they can not display that image on their website or on their social media, among a list of other things.

Most professional wedding photographers will have wording in their contract that allows them to retain the copyright of the images, but allow their clients a print release for those images. Photographers retain the copyright to prevent clients from editing our work, using the images for advertising, selling our images for profit, and other uses that are non-personal. Images that are used for personal reasons are inherently less expensive because they are not meant to turn a profit for another person.

With each of my clients, I offer a print release.

A print release is actually what most people mean when they ask for copyright of their photographs. They want to be sure that they will have access to their digital images after their session or wedding day to download them and print them for their own personal use or to place images on their social media to share with friends and family. A print release will give the client the ability to have the images for personal use while the photographer retains the copyright.

However, some people do actually want a copyright versus print release. Those people are typically celebrities or other wise among the rich or famous. They want to be able to sell the images for publication, or don’t want the photographer building their brand off of images of them. Those clients expect a quote that is close to four or five times the price of a wedding quote with a just a simple print release.