Santa Barbara Wedding Photography, Boudoir and Newborn Photography, Timeless, Classic, Melissa Musgrove » Santa Barbara Wedding photographer, Melissa Musgrove captures and creates , timeless photographs with a fresh and modern approach to classic wedding photography.

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  • Welcome to my Blog!

    Hi! I'm Melissa, a Santa Barbara based Wedding and Portrait Photographer.
    As incredible as it is to capture spontaneous moments, I equally enjoy giving posing direction, and styling instruction, to create images you'll cherish for a lifetime.

    I bring that joy and enthusiasm to each of my photo shoots, be it wedding, portrait or pet.

    I hope you enjoy the photos and stories I've posted. Browse around, and then I'd love to hear from you.

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Save the Date Engagement Session in Downtown Santa Barbara

Chanel and Kevin flew in from Chicago for their engagement session. Chanel has fond memories with her family at many of the iconic Santa Barbara locations. So we decided why just go to one location?  They knew they wanted to make a “save the date” with one or more of the images. They came prepared with a couple of different “date” signs. So we used them in a few different ways. Which is your favorite?

We started in the courtyard of the Wine Cask and El Paseo Restaurant. Then worked our way downtown, stopping at Paseo Nuevo, Stearns Wharf and the beach. It’s fun looking at the photos now to see them relax and get into it as we move along. I love the moment when I witness the anxiety melt away into trust. We had a great afternoon getting to know each other, and creating some fabulous memories they can incorporate into their wedding plans.

Camarillo Church Wedding ~ Elegant Vintage Barn Reception

Holly and Rob had the most beautiful wedding and reception.  I fell in love with this couple and their families. Colette and Kaitlin of LaFete Weddings brought their vintage glamour wedding to life with the design transformation of the Camarillo Ranch House. Laura of Cody Floral Design outdid herself with the gorgeous florals. See more on Style Me Pretty. 

Wildflower Engagement Session at Santa Barbara Courthouse and Douglas Preserve

Ashley and Ross contacted me to do their engagement session. I’d told Ross that I include engagement sessions with most of my wedding photography packages. But as it turned out, I was already booked for his date. As much as I wanted to photograph their engagement session, I advised him that if he were to choose his wedding photographer he could probably save a few dollars as many photographers do include engagement sessions in their package pricing. He and Ashley decided to go forward with Dmitry and I to photograph them, and they would find their wedding photographer at a later date. Wouldn’t you know, we loved photographing them, and they loved the photos. We worked it out. Dmitry will photograph their wedding. So we get to stay connected. Yippeee!

Engagement Photos for Save the Date

Save the date cards are the perfect place to show your personalities. Have fun with them. Kyle and Jen did. Kyle, Jen and I did their engagement session around downtown Santa Barbara. Their good friend and groomsmen, Jon Stone, created these two Save the Date postcards from our shoot. I love the concept and art. Definitely attention getters.

Tips for Planning your Engagement Photography Session.

Destination Wedding Photographer

When planning your engagement session there are a few things to consider.

This session is about the two of you. The first thing we’ll want to know is;

Who are you?

It helps us to know what you do you do for work, fun, play and relaxation? Do you have any hobbies? Our goal is to reflect your personalities in the images we create.

From the photographer’s stand point, the engagement session is a great way for us to get to know you. We can gauge your comfort level in front of the camera. And make adjustments to our approach as needed. Personally, I can tell within minutes how much direction I will  need to give to you.  I’ll quickly be able to tell if you need more or less direction.

How will you be using the photos?

 Save the date? Guest Book at the wedding? Framed as part of the decor of the reception? Gifts? All of the above?

Are we branding, or matching this photo shoot with your wedding design?

 If so, we’ll need to know your wedding vision. Elegant, casual, vintage, modern, classic, etc…? What are your colors? Do we want to use props?

What to wear?

Unless we’re doing some kind of theme, keep clothing simple and unfussy. Dress “photo worthy” from head to toe, so your photographer isn’t limited to head shots. Coordinate your colors. You don’t have to be “matchy, match” with each other, but do wear colors that are complimentary. If one of you is wearing a bold pattern, it’s typically better if the other wears solid. Casual dress is most popular, but you may prefer to be more formal and that’s just fine too. If you are having your make up professionally done for your wedding, now is a good time for your trial make up session.

Where do we want to do the engagement session?

Indoor or outdoor? Beach, Park, Architectural, Historic, Studio? Or, your secret place. Knowing the answer to this question will determine the best time of day for the shoot. Your photographer will be able to advise you that.

Most important, have fun with it. 

 This is the perfect time to relax and be playful amidst all the planning for your wedding. If you’re feeling slightly overwhelmed, leave it to the photographer to make suggestions for you.

I’d be delighted to help you with it. Please give us a call at 805-563-5050, if you have any questions or would like to schedule a photo shoot.

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~Melissa Mugrove, Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer