First off, Happy Second Birthday to Sincerely Jaclynn Photography!!! We are officially entering our third year of business today!

What better way to celebrate than with our very first Sincerely The Seasons styled shoot post?! If you missed the memmo, SJP launched a fresh brand on the wa state photographer’s facebook community now known as “Sincerely The Seasons”.

“SINCERELY, THE SEASONS CONSISTS OF BEGINNER-NOVICE PHOTOGRAPHERS COMING TOGETHER AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN WASHINGTON STATE APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH BEFORE THE TURN OF A NEW SEASON. TOGETHER, WE HAVE OPEN DISCUSSIONS, Q&A, AND EPIC STYLED SHOOTS TO GIVE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE NEW TECHNIQUES, TRY OUT NEW GEAR, ENHANCE THEIR SEASONAL PORTFOLIO, WORK WITH LOCAL WEDDING VENDORS, AND LEARN IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.”

We conducted our first trial photo shoot on August 28, 2017. Word wasn’t out and just a small handful of local wedding vendors even know my name, much less want to donate their own talent for an styled event SJP is running. SO. I went to see what it would be like to get started with STS (Sincerely The Seasons). Styled Shoots are great for helping out local wedding vendors by giving them the opportunity to have up to date images of their service for their social media/marketing/website. BUT I think it’s often forgotten that this is a BONUS, not the goal. For me, styled shoots have always been about learning, teaching, getting creative and taking my time. Feeling safe to try a crazy new look, pose, new piece of equipment, or just try a fresh take on an old piece of gear.

I love showing prospective clients what happens when you give the photographer full control within SIMPLE parameters…For example “Do you want to travel somewhere remote”? “Are you shooting for simple or extravagant’? “Do you have a theme”? and then let your seasoned photographer take the reins. You will be surprised at how much less stressed you are, and how happy and creatively free your photographer will feel–prospective clients (of ANY photographer) TAKE NOTE. A HAPPY Photographer means BETTER images! FACT. Treat your photographer WELL. You did pick them after all. If you want photos that awkwardly semi resemble recreations of ones every one has already seen a million times on Pinterest, go ahead and micromanage the session. But don’t be surprised if your photographer out grows you as a result!

After seeing what happens with a seasonal styled shoot, when very few or no local vendors show up…I was SO SURPRISED and ready to launch right away!!! If this was the beginning, I was ready to get word out!

Before our VERY FIRST shoot date had even arrived, I had vendors reaching out to STS to donate cakes, flowers, and even plan shoots a year out! I love the idea of all local wedding vendors knowing where they can find a styled shoot FOUR TIMES a year where they can donate their services and have up to date and IN SEASON images within weeks rather than having to search around or send out semi-awkward messages to their email list in hopes of finding a great fit sometime in the near future. HERE WE ARE! Shoot me an email ;D.

Another reason I am CRAZY and a little nontraditional when it comes to styled shoots?? I want to—no. I CRAVE the opportunity to foster love and lasting memories in a marriage or soon-to-be marriage. I am a wedding photographer, ya’ll. I LOVE LOVE. I don’t just want my models to stand there and look pretty. I want to give them an EXPERIENCE. I want them to CELEBRATE! For this reason, all STS styled shoots will be limited on shooters and always include a LIVE experience just for our couple. Live First Look, Cake Cutting, First Dance, Vow Renewal, We all have SOMETHING that didn’t go quiet right on our wedding day, a reason to celebrate something new, or something you’re excited to give a trial run before the big day. Let us give that to you. A gift to you and a gift for our photographers who are dying for the opportunity to document something REAL amongst the creativity. I want to leave you with beautiful images documenting something real and special for you and your best friend.

For our Fall 2017 styled shoot, our models were Alease & Zach Fisher. They had recently been married and as I watched photos pop up on my facebook feed (I don’t even know how Alease and I became facebook friends but it was meant to be I think!) I noticed none of the photos were professional quality–and that her dress was SO COOL. I sent her a message just a few weeks later after still not seeing any professional images and asked her if they would like to model for a styled shoot! I told her how much I loved her blue and white formal skirt she wore and how happy I would be to have them! She told me how they didn’t have the opportunity to have professional photos taken at their wedding and how happy she would be for a re-do!

Initially, we were going to have her wear what she wore on her wedding day. A beautiful formal skirt and top. HOWEVER, I soon discovered she had another dress in her closet. A wedding dress. A traditional gown Zach had never seen. She had decided her wedding venue was too casual for the gown and went with something a little more comfortable for her wedding day. But what better opportunity to pull out the original dress?? When she arrived and I learned Zach had never seen the dress before there were instant sparks. FIRST LOOK!!!!

Needless to say, Zach LOVED the dress. “Why didn’t you wear this one???!” hahaha

She looked STUNNING and Zach was a major trooper for photos. I would even say he enjoyed himself too. ♥

After the first look we went straight into a live action cake cutting! We had a beautiful spread designed by SJP.

Cake by QFC Bakery.

Flowers by QFC Flowers.

Dress from David’s Bridal.

Hair & Makeup done DIY by Alease!

Chocolates & Honey Sticks by Spooners Farm in Puyallup, WA.

Additional Flowers, wooden chest, and venue by Wild Hearts Farm in Tacoma, WA.

From there we went in to a formal bridal photo session and each photographer took turns posing Zach & Alease. We played until the sun went down and I was so excited seeing our photographer’s post their images. Without further a-do, here are a few favorites by SJP!