brianrickey

1st steps

Location is pretty important. Home is a great place to start, especially if you have young kids. We can also change locations as well.

Consider if you want rural/nature or urban/city feel to your shoot. Looking
through my engagement portfolio can also give you some ideas as well. Feel free
to ask me about any of the locations you see there. If you are not sure then the BEST way to choose a location is to tell me if you want rural/nature or urban/city and I will pick a spot.

Some locations aren't so good. Like the Botanical Gardens, any museum (although it is possible to sneak some shots inside the St. Louis Art Museum), or the library because they have restrictions on photography.

Weather. Don’t stress over a forecast of rain. I don’t postpone shoots because of a forecast of rain. If I did, given St. Louis forecast, I would hardly shoot at all in the spring and other times of the year. It it's an all out rain on the day of the shoot then we will reschedule.

In the fall and winter it gets cold. I shoot outside. So if your outfits should designed
for that! Comfort over fashion, unless you can do both!

1st steps

What to wear....style

Let's not over or under think this.

Remember those images from old portraits where everyone is matching or wearing different shades of the same color. Yea, we're not doing that any more. Contrasting outfits look much more natural & pleasing in pictures. So, don't try to match too much.

You can have as many outfits as you want, but generally 2 - 3 work really well. If you are having trouble or want to know if what you've picked out works just snap some shots on your phone of your outfits and text them over to me & I will give you some feedback

Seniors, same goes for you , especially the girls. Feel free to pick outfits and bring extra stuff along. We can style on the spot!

Avoid these things: cell phones in pockets (I cannot emphasize this enough. LEAVE them in the car) - shorts - khakis with dress shirts tucked in - tanning (no, no, no) - wrinkly clothes (hang things up if they wrinkle) - uncomfortable shoes (if we are shooting urban, I like to walk, so if you have heels for an outfit that's cool, but bring other shoes too)

For online inspiration, other than my portfolio, Pinterest is a great source for inspiration. I do searches like: Urban engagement shoot, Pacific Northwest family shoot, Grunge engagement photos, etc.

Below is my saved board for some inspiration:

https://www.pinterest.com/brianrickeyphotographer/_saved/

1st steps

setting & light

Light is everything. If you look through my pictures, you will see that most everything is shot in low light. Which means I like to start shoots around 1.5 hours before sunset.

I can work in all types of settings. When I am shooting in a home all kids of things can work. An space next to a window, a front porch, a backyard etc. Don't worry about what your place looks like, it's home & that's what counts!

When we are out & about, whether in the city or nature, I like to explore So we will probably walk a bit. It's the random spots that sometimes pay off with some really cool shots. Also, that's a good way to make something original!

Also, lets do something cool. Make pancakes with the kids, go out for ice cream, walking through the park or a fair. Maybe you play an instrument, like to skateboard, etc. These are all great ways to get some neat snaps!

1st steps

what to expect

I totally get it — being in front of a camera can feel kinda... weird. That’s why I keep things relaxed and real. I’m all about the little in-between moments — the laughs, the quiet looks, the real stuff that actually tells your story. No need to pose or fake anything — just be you. I’ve got the rest.

all love stories are welcome here

I’m a photographer who celebrates every kind of person. Whether you’re gay, straight, introverted, extroverted, disabled, or just beautifully unique—I’m here to capture you. every story is worth telling

create

explore

drink instant coffee

do more

practice strong kung fu

don't panic

& most importantly

never leave home without your towel

thanks for hanging out. message me > here

brianrickey

1st steps

1st steps

Location is pretty important. Home is a great place to start, especially if you have young kids. We can also change locations as well.

Some locations aren't so good. Like the Botanical Gardens, any museum (although it is possible to sneak some shots inside the St. Louis Art Museum), or the library because they have restrictions on photography.

Weather. Don’t stress over a forecast of rain. I don’t postpone shoots because of a forecast of rain. If I did, given St. Louis forecast, I would hardly shoot at all in the spring and other times of the year. It it's an all out rain on the day of the shoot then we will reschedule.

In the fall and winter it gets cold. I shoot outside. So if your outfits should designedfor that! Comfort over fashion, unless you can do both!

1st steps

What to wear....style

Let's not over or under think this.

Remember those images from old portraits where everyone is matching or wearing different shades of the same color. Yea, we're not doing that any more. Contrasting outfits look much more natural & pleasing in pictures. So, don't try to match too much.

You can have as many outfits as you want, but generally 2 - 3 work really well. If you are having trouble or want to know if what you've picked out works just snap some shots on your phone of your outfits and text them over to me & I will give you some feedback

Seniors, same goes for you , especially the girls. Feel free to pick outfits and bring extra stuff along. We can style on the spot!

For online inspiration, other than my portfolio, Pinterest is a great source for inspiration. I do searches like: Urban engagement shoot, Pacific Northwest family shoot, Grunge engagement photos, etc.

Below is my saved board for some inspiration:

https://www.pinterest.com/brianrickeyphotographer/_saved/

1st steps

setting & light

Light is everything. If you look through my pictures, you will see that most everything is shot in low light. Which means I like to start shoots around 1.5 hours before sunset.

I can work in all types of settings. When I am shooting in a home all kids of things can work. An space next to a window, a front porch, a backyard etc. Don't worry about what your place looks like, it's home & that's what counts!

When we are out & about, whether in the city or nature, I like to explore So we will probably walk a bit. It's the random spots that sometimes pay off with some really cool shots. Also, that's a good way to make something original!

Also, lets do something cool. Make pancakes with the kids, go out for ice cream, walking through the park or a fair. Maybe you play an instrument, like to skateboard, etc. These are all great ways to get some neat snaps!

1st steps

what to expect

all love stories are welcome here

thanks for hanging out. message me > here

In the fall and winter it gets cold. I shoot outside. So if your outfits should designed
for that! Comfort over fashion, unless you can do both!