How to prepare for an engagement session? Is just one of the question we ask, when it’s time for the couple to take their engagement photos.
I am a strong believer that great photographs are the result of working together WITH a client, not only for the client.
Don’t get me wrong, we are not expecting our couple to show up, knowing how to pose or where to stand – this is our job to direct them.
But taking time to put together outfits for the session, or selecting a location that has some meaning to you, is not something we can do.
So dear couples, hopefully after reading all the prep steps we are ready to go.
I am a big fan of engagement sessions. The truth is I’d shoot them every other day if I could. I love the freedom we have to go anywhere we want for the session. I always shoot engagements during the “golden hour” around sunset for the most dreamy light, but that is the only “rule” regarding the session. We are free to go wherever, whenever.
1. Choose the location.
That would be our starting point and I and I challenge you to think outside the box regarding the session
to make it unique. We can shoot anywhere: from the comfort of your own condo or backyard to the canoe on a lake.
When thinking of the location for your session, I encourage you to go with one of those:
1. A place that is special to you. Maybe it’s the location where the proposal happened, maybe it’s your favourite little spot/neighbourhood in the city, where you hang out all time.
2. AWESOME/TOTALLY UNIQUE location, that is somehow represents who you are. For e.g, if you like being outdoors generally, for your engagement session you can find, let’s say, a little lake, surrounded by willow trees, and go boating/canoeing. Those photos would surely take the view’s breath away.I am there to help, suggest and advice! But let’s work on it together! 🙂
When thinking of the location for your session, I encourage you to go with one of those:
1. A place that is special to you. Maybe it’s the location where the proposal happened, maybe it’s your favourite little spot/neighbourhood in the city, where you hang out all time.
2. AWESOME/TOTALLY UNIQUE location, that is somehow represents who you are. For e.g, if you like being outdoors generally, for your engagement session you can find, let’s say, a little lake, surrounded by willow trees, and go boating/canoeing. Those photos would surely take the view’s breath away.I am there to help, suggest and advice! But let’s work on it together! 🙂
Feel free to check out some of the ideas I collected on my Pinterest board:
2. Plan outfits. Location will dictate your outfit in a way, but it doesn’t have to. You can rock gorgeous dress on a camping, or boating shoot, just as well as a plaid shirt. My advice would be to choose timeless, classy pieces, and think about your outfits together. Girls, If you are wearing a long dress, please, don’t let your fiancé show up in shorts. 🙂 Don’t go too matchy-matchy, but think about the way your clothing will look next to each other.
My couples usually prepare 2 outfits: one casual, one more dressy to have some variety of looks/styles.
To get inspiration going, check out the board on outfits
3. Think of props:
Giving your hands something to do/hold, is a great way to help you relax in front of the camera. Props can include (but not limited to) the following:
1. Hats
2. Flowers ( even a simplest bouquet would do)
3. Flower crown. If you can get that one, I’ll love you forever. I am in love with this new trend, and if you feel like it’s too bold to wear one of your wedding day, engagement session is certainly a place to play with it!
4. Vintage props. Anything vintage is awesome! 🙂
5. Bikes. If we are doing an outdoor session and you have vintage or just beautiful cruiser type bikes, might be a good idea to incorporate them.
6.Blanket. If it’s an outdoor session we are planning for blanket is a must-have!
7. Ballons.
8. Bubbles
9. Confetti
10. Champagne and glasees! (for you, of course 🙂
10. Champagne and glasees! (for you, of course 🙂
4. Get you hair make up and nails done professionally. Having you make up done is a must. Even if you don’t wear much make up in real life. Get it done, keep to to a minimum, if you want. It makes all the difference in the world. 😉
5. Have a good nigh sleep and get ready to have fun! We want you to relax, have a good time and enjoy the evening of the shoot.
We want to capture your relationships, interaction, and love for each other. We want you to be yourself. You don’t need to come with any poses or ides in mind. Bring lot’s of smiles and get ready to simply trust us.
We want to capture your relationships, interaction, and love for each other. We want you to be yourself. You don’t need to come with any poses or ides in mind. Bring lot’s of smiles and get ready to simply trust us.
Still not sure how to prepare for your engagement session?
Visit our website and get in touch about your engagement!
We are Toronto wedding photographers, who love creative and unique engagement sessions!
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