If you’re like most people, an engagement shoot will probably your first official session together as a couple, and that can be a lot of pressure. While some couples are over the moon at the idea of FINALLY getting some good photos with their partners, there are always a few couples who seem hesitant to get in front of the camera, for fear that they’d feel awkward getting their photo taken. And while I TOTALLY understand, I promise you, that once the hour is up, you’re going to be saying ‘oh, it’s over already!?’. If you are on the fence about getting engagement photos done, I’m here to tell you 5 reasons why you should ABSOLUTELY do an engagement shoot.
1. Spend some time in front of the camera.
This one might be the most important. An engagement shoot is kind of like a trail run for your big day. Think you’re going to feel weird getting your photo taken for an hour? Well, come the big day, you’re getting your photo taken for multiple hours - yikes. Doing a simple, one hour engagement shoot gets you ready to have a camera pointed at you. And in the bigger picture, once you feel comfortable in front of the camera, you can use your engagement photos as a baseline to see which poses and shots you like best for wedding day formals – helping the photographer deliver to your expectations.
2. Get to know your wedding photographer.
Taking engagement photos is a great opportunity to work with your wedding photographer for the first time and get comfortable with their style of shooting. A personal relationship with your photographer is more important than just about any other vendor (besides maybe your wedding planner) on a wedding day. It’s not a huge issue if you don’t vibe with your florist or the person who made your dress, but your photographer is your team mate; someone who is with you during each step of your day. You’ll feel MUCH more relaxed going into your wedding day knowing and trusting the person on the other side of the camera.
3. Document your life, in the here and now.
Okay, so, you know how we mentioned you may not have great photos with your other half? Engagement shoots are the perfect chance to het professional photos of the two of you without your wedding attire – just as you are in the here and now. Your wedding photos are obviously so important, but having engagement photos of the two of you will probably feel more like the real, everyday you, and will be timeless photos to look back on again and again.
4. It is basically just a fun, date night.
Yes, I said FUN!!! Consider your engagement photos as a date, except with someone following you around with a camera. We can go hike in the woods, hang out at a winery, walk the dogs, or even eat ice cream. Whatever you choose to do at the engagement session is up to you! Many couples even pop champagne to celebrate their engagement and take photos of the bubbly explosion in the process. During the process, there will be lots of cuddling, lots of kissing, and a ton of loving on each other – if that’s what you’re into. We are here to capture YOUR unique love story.
5. You can use the photos for SO MANY THINGS.
Name it, you can use the photos for it. Most couples will use their engagement photos for custom ‘Save the Dates’, but there are other things you can do with these photos as well. Post it as your profile picture, print them as gifts for your parents or grandparents, or create a photo ‘guestbook’ for people to sign on your wedding day. It’s not just limited to getting the photos taken, it’s what you do with them. And since you’ll have the full gallery with the print release, you have full control over which photos you use!
7 Tips to the Perfect Engagement Session
Tip # 1: HAVE FUN! The pressure is off, I promise. Yes, you can FOR SURE get your hair and make-up done IF YOU WANT TO, but the goal of our session is to have fun. That being said, if you are planning on doing a make-up trail, pair it up with your engagement session to see how the look translates on camera.
Tip #2: Steam and iron your clothing. While you don’t have to be perfect, we do suggest steaming and ironing your clothing and hanging it in the back of the car for your shoot. We can prepare for wrinkles pre-session, but we can’t edit them out once the photos are taken.
Tip #3: Bring 1 casual outfit and 1 dressy outfit that you feel comfortable in. Basically, wear what you’d wear for a casual date together and what you would wear for an anniversary date night. Once you’ve chosen your outfits, make sure you feel comfortable in them and that they don’t clash with one another.
Tip #4: Choose a location that screams YOU. If you don’t jive with the location, the photos won’t mean as much to you. If you two always hike together, go on a hike. If you hang out in Pittsburgh, try the city. Work with the photographer to help you choose a location that best fits you and your relationship.
Tip #5: Ask the photographer about the best time of day for the light. We typically know what to do when it comes to light – but the time of day we start shooting depends on the time of year. Sometimes, it may be best to choose a weekend or request a day off of work to get the perfect time for some yummy golden light.
Tip #6: Choose outfits that match the color pallet of your home for hanging photos. House full of yellows or blues? Try to incorporate those colors into your outfits. When you print your photos and hang them in the house, they’ll already match your décor! Genius!
Tip #7: Commit to being a team on engagement session day. Yes, of course it’s important to plan for your session, but try to relax. You are with your person because they are your other half, and they bring you peace and love. Let your nerves fly out the window and sit with the raw, natural love you two have for each other.
What do you think? Did I miss anything? If so, leave a comment below with your tips!