Engagement Photos At My Grandparents’ Home
All my sessions mean something to me. Every single one. Each one is a chance for new expression. Each one is a chance for continued expression. Each one is a chance to see others’ expression. But some sessions mean more than others, like this one with some engagement photos at my grandparents’ home.
This session meant a lot to me and was incredibly personal because it was shot at my grandparents’ home. They have both passed, and their home has been sitting empty for about a year. It’s the only home I have known them to have, and it’s so incredibly beautiful.
They hadn’t updated a single thing since they bought it in ‘86. There was so much wood, so much original detail. Even the things left behind had it. An old ashtray that still had old cigarettes from my grandpa. He loved to repair things, so there were many old TVs around. It was truly beautiful and a memory I won’t forget. It felt like I was bringing some life back into the house. So, I was glad to do these engagement photos at my grandparents’ home.
Ashley And Joel
Ashley and Joel met in Colorado in a bar. He is a bartender, and she is a hairstylist. They both live in Chicago now.
Natalie Gray styled them for the engagement photos at my grandparents’ home. It was important that they looked like they belonged in this place, in the time period it was from. It helped add to the editorial look we were going for.
The Engagement Photos At My Grandparents’ Home
It was important to add as little as possible to my grandparents’ home. To let it be the space it was to them so it could be the space it was for us. Ashley, Joel, and me. We added some florals and styling to make it editorial but nothing else.
Most of the time, we even shot with natural lighting. In a way, the light felt unchanged too, untouched and unshaped by bodies moving through it. Playing with those shapes gave us lots of fun and moody shots. Ashley standing behind an old curtain or sitting on the bathroom sink. Joel holding some flowers. The two of them sitting by a TV.
The wood helped with that too. Finished wood can feel bright, and it can feel moody depending on how it catches the light. When we turned on some bulbs or let in enough natural light, it shined and brightened everything around it. When we took away some light, it felt cold and dark. There was life and death in those vibes, and we played with both that day.
We also played with the average, shots that looked like we were peeking in on a couple at home. Enjoying their time together and being with each other.
It reminded me of my grandparents.
Final Thoughts
Taking what was my grandparents’ home and using it for something like this took what they’d given me and shared it back with them. Let them be a part of what I do. Now, with these photos, they always will be.
