Getting Ready for an Engagement Shoot!
Congratulations on your upcoming engagement shoot! This session is a wonderful opportunity to capture the essence of your love story before the big day. To ensure you get the most out of this special experience, here are some tips to help you prepare:
- Embrace all things you.
The most important thing I can tell anyone stepping in front of any camera is this.. The pressure we are taught to feel when having any sort of photos taken, to look a certain way, or fit a certain norm, is entirely made up. It is cliche, but really embracing the things that make you, you, is 99 percent of what it takes to get photos you enjoy. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the moment. Forget about the camera and focus on each other. Your photographer will guide you through poses, but the magic often happens in the candid, unscripted moments.
Remember, your engagement shoot is a celebration of your unique love story and everything else is secondary. So, if you take one thing away from this blog, let it be that! (More tips can’t hurt though, right?)
What to wear?
This is the question I get the most and the best answer I can give is wear what makes you feel the best. Your comfort will translate on camera and if you are wearing something that doesn’t feel like you, it will show. This leads into my second best answer I can give, take some time to really think about what makes you feel good. Spend an afternoon trying outfits with your partner, make a Pinterest board, do the things! It’s not often we get to celebrate ourselves and dress up, so spend some time treating yourself!
Moving into some more specific thoughts… Choose outfits that complement each other without being too matchy-matchy. Think about the location and season when selecting colors and styles. Solid colors, subtle patterns, and avoiding overly bright hues are always great choices and help focus on you, but don’t be afraid to be bold! Remember, comfort is key, so wear something that makes you feel confident and at ease. You got it!
Location!
For the sentimentalist…. Pick a location that holds sentimental value for both of you or reflects your interests as a couple. Whether it's where you had your first date, a favorite park, or the city where you first met, a meaningful location adds a personal touch to your engagement photos. Consult with your photographer for suggestions based on your preferences.
Getting more specific from a photographers stand point, I would lean towards a location that is open and well lit. If you are in nature, I always find that spaces with lots of variation in lighting and scenery lead to a balanced gallery with plenty of options for a client to pick from. The same applies when in a more urban setting, but with urban locations, you should be sure to be conscious of crowds, and and regulations around photography in whatever area you choose. Your photographer should know the ropes, but it isn’t a bad idea to be up to date yourselves!
Extra tips!
- Treat yourself!
This might be a bit extra, but treat yourselves ahead of time! This could involve getting a fresh haircut, a manicure, or even scheduling a professional makeup artist, or even just taking time to sit and enjoy a calm morning before a shoot can help get you feeling like your most confident self. None of this is necessary, of course, just do what makes you feel the best!
- Timing matters.. to a degree
While a competent photographer can make any time of day work, not all daylight is made equal! Consider the time of day and lighting conditions for your shoot. The "golden hour," which occurs just after sunrise or before sunset, provides soft, warm lighting that can enhance the romantic atmosphere of your photos. Discuss with your photographer to schedule the session at the optimal time for the desired lighting effects!
All right, those are my not so quick, quick tips on prepping for your engagement shoot! Above all else, your personal
comfort and love for each other a the most important things of the day. Keep that at the forefront and everything else will fall into place. Congrats on this exciting next step!
-T
