The Portrait Manual

Welcome!

Thank you for choosing Chellise Michael Photography to document your wedding day.

As you know by now, we give every couple we work with the gift of a portrait session before the wedding.

This has been invaluable for us and our couplesso that we may have a better understanding of one anotherso that we may have a better understanding of one another

before the big day...

We like to treat our engagement sessions like a classic portrait session.

No props, no jumping photos, nothing forced. We only want to capture you as you are.

With this manual, we hope to guide you on what to expect, when to schedule, what to wear,

what to do with your hands (we get asked every time), what to do with your hands (we get asked every time), and how to work with us to create great images together.

We love to start shooting in your home if possible and within reasonable travel time.

It's the one place that you share as a couple and it tells us a lot about your personalities.

Most of us New Yorkers have tiny, cramped apartments, jam packed with charm.

You will always remember the apartment you lived in when you got married, You will always remember the apartment you lived in when you got married, so why not showcase that to your future selves,

and celebrate it for what it is.

After spending time in your home, we can then venture out into the surrounding neighborhood.

We get excited about where you hang out, the walls you overlook on your daily walk to the subway,

your coffee shop, etc.  However,

if you have a certain place in mind that is special to the both of you, if you have a certain place in mind that is special to the both of you, then we would love to include it because of its meaning to you.

Just let us know what you're thinking!

As well, we eagerly welcome going outside of the city. We LOVE quiet, wide open, desolate places!!! There are great spots within city limits too,

like the beaches and random fields surrounding them. If you have a car, let's go!

The shoot is between 1-2 hours long depending on where we go and what the weather decides. We like to shoot during the final 2-3 hours of the day

when the sunlight is at it's prime. Our weekends are reserved for weddings,

so these portrait sessions are scheduled Monday-Friday.

Typically, we shoot when the weather is nice, however we are so down for a 100% indoor shoot during the winter and the unpredictability of Spring.

Also, think of friends you may have that own cool bars/restaurants that would give us access to indoor spaces.

We are also cool with shooting during warmer nights using the ambient lighting that the city offers.

We're up for anything guys, again, not the typical engagement shoot.

When it comes to clothes, we want you to feel confident and comfortable, so dress like yourself and if you want to dress up,

then please feel free to! If you would like to do another outfit, all good, just keep it under 2 looks for the sake of time.

Also, try not to wear really bright red, orange, or fluorescent colored shirts!Also, try not to wear really bright red, orange, or fluorescent colored shirts!

Brides, this shoot is also a great opportunity to do your make up trial, so think about scheduling that alongside our session together.

We have a list of great make up artists that would come to your home if that's something you're interested in.

Why do we always wonder what to do with our hands in pictures? We don't think about it

when we're in conversation with others or when we're alone. Let them dangle free, hide in your pockets, fall into your lap, or hold the hand of your love.

Your hands have a mind of their own so just let them do their thing!

The beginning of the shoot is always a little awkward. It's ok, we're warming up too :)

After a few snaps you'll get the hang of it and start loosening up. When shooting, we are looking for shadows, textures, minimalism, and lines.

We then place you within that frame, and may give you suggestions on where to look and so on. But the emotion and intimacy level is up to you. But the emotion and intimacy level is up to you. You guys know how to hold on to each other.  And if you don't kiss in public, then don't. 

We wont make you do anything that feels cheesy or forced. Total group effort.

What we all get from this session is a more intimate understanding of each other.

You will be more relaxed in front of the camera on your wedding day with no need to warm up

because the ice has already been broken. In return, we find out what your vibe is as a couple and can better understand

how to work with you on your wedding day to make the best images possible.how to work with you on your wedding day to make the best images possible.

From this session we edit the selects and send them to you in a watermarked gallery within 4 weeks.

Then you select your absolute favorite and we send you a digital file of it, as well as a print (Any size up to 11x14).

Any additional images you want are available in the shopping cart within the gallery and there's a discounted price if you want them all,

which comes with a fancy coffee table book of your chosen favorites. which comes with a fancy coffee table book of your chosen favorites.

We want this to be a great experience and a collaboration on making some beautiful art together. So just be you, let us handle the picture taking, and we’ll create some fantastic memories.

Looking forward to spending some time together.

See you soon.