Sarah and I always get the strangest looks whenever we shoot portrait photography on location – if I could put it to words, the looks would say 'overkill much?'  For even the simplest of shoots, we carry at least two cameras, eight lenses, five speedlights, softboxes, beauty dishes, light stands and gigantic studio strobes with battery packs, which Sarah pushes in this giant metal cart, like we're some kind of high tech hobo bag people.

While we'd probably get by with a big reflector and some patience, there's just something I love about the crisp 'snap' of studio level lighting and I've always loved how it enables us to employ shooting methods that wouldn't otherwise be possible.

We shot this engagement photography session at Calico Basin with a beautiful couple getting married next year in Boston and I loved their interaction – it's everything an engagement session should be; cheerful, romantic and loving.  Victoria's blue shirt and curly locks REALLY lifted the two of them out of the background and actually complimented her beau's chocolate coloured sweater, binding the two of them with complimentary but not overpowering colours.

A good rule of thumb when you're shooting in autumn nature is to wear something on the opposite colour spectrum from your background. When shooting in the morning, pastel blues look great, pink looks great, white with blue jeans works and a bright (not olive) green looks wonderful as well.  In the afternoon/late evening, the right shade of red adds a pop of colour. 

I loved this shoot though – autumn is such a good time for outdoor photography!!