photoshoot – Courtney Noel Studio

man and woman posing dramatically together in a studio setting

Engagement Photoshoot, Photography Tutorials, Photoshoot

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March 10, 2024

Creating Dramatic Portraits on Location

I recently had the pleasure of photographing my wonderful friend's engagement photos. Their wedding will be next month, but these are the photos were we have all the time in the world to create some beautiful, posed portraits. She was open to any concept, so I made the executive choice to go dramatic. I had in my mind photos that could blown up huge and hung over her mantle. In my vision, she also lived in a castle with a very dramatic fireplace, so even though she doesn't, I still wanted i[...]

couple together leaning on a classic car

Engagement Photoshoot, Photoshoot

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September 5, 2023

Classic Car Couple Photoshoot

When I photographed Tiffany and Mike's wedding back in the spring, I happened to spy something in their garage. A pretty blue classic car! I'd always wanted to have a photoshoot featuring a classic car, and luckily, they were game for it. The car was a classic Volvo that Mike has had for 20 years. He's spent a lot of time lovingly restoring this car to the beauty it is today.[...]

Engagement Photoshoot

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August 7, 2023

Why You Should Do an Engagement Shoot

Did you just get engaged? Congratulations! You're in such an exciting time of your life! Enjoy the thrill of it, maybe even throw a party to celebrate, and get ready to plan out your big day. One aspect of planning your big day is going to be picking your wedding photographer. There are TONS of photographers to choose from. Throw a stone any direction, and you'll hit a photographer. 1. You'll Get to Know Your Photographer Picking a photographer for your wedding day is an impo[...]

Photography Tutorials

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July 11, 2023

Why Would a Photographer Do a Styled Shoot?

Last fall, I participated in my first styled shoot. It took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, and I got a lot of great images out of it. A styled shoot is a a photoshoot that you are paying to participate in. The organizer finds a scenic location, dresses, models, makeup artists, florist, and anything else needed to make a perfect scene for a photographer to shoot. Fun fact: Many of the photos in bridal magazines are styled shoots. After the shoot, the organizer or photographer submit[...]

newly engaged couple posing with their horse and dog

Engagement Photoshoot, Photoshoot

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August 9, 2022

Engagement Shoot on a Horse Farm in Middleburg Va

It's always an honor to be chosen to document special moments in people's lives. I was thrilled to be asked to photograph my good friend and her fiancé, along with their horse, lovely OTTB, King, and fluffy white poof dog, Leo. Animals are our family too, so it's important to include them! After "the formals" we went right into the horse pasture to take advantage of the huge field. The beautiful grass created lovely texture and dimension. The sunset made for perfect light[...]