Prepping for your engagement session!
You’re engaged! You said yes! (Or if you haven’t yet and you’re planning ahead Check out the best Engagement rings!) Now you started hiring your wedding vendors and you hire a photographer that fits your style but now it’s time for your engagement session. You most likely have never been in front of a camera for a shoot before and you have NO IDEA what comes next. That’s why you hired an experienced wedding photographer, We are here to make this whole process simple, fun, and most of all relaxed. It’s your session to get comfortable in front of the camera before your big day!
“We have no idea what location(s) to choose!!!” My suggestion always to couples is find a location you have an emotional connection to. You’re probably wondering why? Well, you tend to feel more comfortable in a location you have been to or that you enjoy going to on your weekly bike rides. With that same thought in mind. If you aren’t a beach person don’t select a beach. Don’t feel you have to do a location because it’s been suggested to you. Some of the most uncomfortable couples are those that settled for a location because they felt they had to do their session at a location because of friends and family suggestions. If you don’t like the sand or the salt water during any normal day then you aren’t going to like it on the day of your engagement session.
“I have no idea what to wear. Do I wear a formal dress? shorts and shirt?” Most of our couples choose to do one additional outfit change. So, if you really want something fancy but don’t want to wear it the entire time you have the ability to change out into something more “you”. Wear clothes that you are comfortable in. If you aren’t a show your legs kind of girl don’t wear a short dress you won’t be comfortable and more likely to be overly self conscience no matter how great you look. Guys, the same rule applies. If it isn’t something you are comfortable in you will look at the images later and say how you don’t look like that in “real life”. No busy patterns! The focus of the session and your family and friends that see the photos should always be on you and not what you are wearing. We want the attention to be drawn to you not the busy pattern of your outfit. This doesn’t mean everything has to be solid but if your own eyes dart around at all that’s going on with your outfit it will be the same for those viewing it. Your friends and family want to see the love and happiness being exchanged in the photos. Shoes! If you don’t wear heals but want to for your session bring a pair of sandals or slip ons that way if there is walking involved in your location you aren’t in pain before the photos even start. Comfort in all aspects is key at your engagement session.
We are located in Florida and Spring and Summer means afternoon rain. Some couples absolutely do not want to be holding clear umbrellas during their engagement session but as you can see in this elopement photo they actually work pretty well and you can have some fun with light rain too. Be prepared to potentially have to reschedule your engagement session or know a location that you really like for indoors. Some locations require prior permission to get in their door and start shooting where other businesses are happy to just let you in on a whim. Here, In Florida, a lot of couples want beach sessions and the summer and spring can be tricky in timing. Be prepared to be flexible on your times or be flexible on your dates. If you are far out enough before the wedding plan for back up dates and times. Unlike your wedding day you can reschedule. You can have a unique look by keeping the session, but I have had couples that absolutely do not want an umbrella clear or not to be in their photos.
Ultimately, our goal is for you to be comfortable in front of the camera but also show the love between you both. Although we pose you in a manor that is flattering towards all figures we also want you to interact with each other. Our most genuine smiles come from us allowing you to both interact with each other. Sure posing is great but we also want you to remember the reason you are smiling in the shots that stood out most to you. This is the first step in your wedding photography, we want it to be a great start to the vision for your entire wedding!