The Do’s and Don'ts for Your Engagement Photo Session

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One of my favorite services that I offer is the engagement session which i why I include an engagement shoot in all my wedding packages.  My couples love the engagement session as it makes the wedding seem that much more real and it gives them the opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera.  By the time you've gotten around to finding your photographer, more than likely you have pretty much finished all your wedding plans. By this point basically by this point all you can do is hurry up and wait anxiously for the wedding day. The engagement session gives you something fun to do while waiting for the big day and gets you even more excited for it.  You get to practice being photographed together which eases your nerves and helps you get to know me and my shooting style. Relaxed and stress free.

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I love the engagement shoot. It gives my couples a chance to get to know me and my style.  It allows them to be put at ease and calm their nerves about the day when it comes to being in front of the camera. It secures their heart that they hired the right photographer because they have fun, they love their photos and they get to know me as a friend, not just as their photographer, as we walk around our locations, laugh and have fun. We build trust.  I am known for bringing my humor and a calming personality.

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With any engagement shoot you get my personal favorite, the engagement session  guest book.  and no I don't use the same old template over and over.  I let your personalities and the photos guide me to create something trendy and clever for the guest book. . Filled with your engagement photos this is an adorable memento of your happy days combined.

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Tips for the session:

• When I meet you for the first time to talk about your wedding and present my services, I talk about the engagement session then and there as this is part of the wedding.. We talk about locations for your shoot and about the style. Are you earthy and natural or edgy and urban? 

• As soon as your deposit is received, we look at scheduling the e-shoot.

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Engagement shoots are such a rich, momentous and important part of your love and wedding memories. 

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Your engagement session is a very important part of your wedding process.  Here are a few tips to help you prepare for and make the most of this experience so your photos turn out as perfect as your relationship.

 

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Do’s

1. Do wear clothes you are comfortable in. Make sure you wear something you love and makes you feel confident and at ease, because if you aren’t  it will show in the pictures. You know your body type and what looks good on you. For example, if you don't like the way your upper arms look then wear something that covers them.

2. Do be true to yourself. Wear clothes that compliment your personal style and body type. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t in the photos.  These are photos you will keep forever and show your children and grandchildren. Let them see the real you.

3. Do bring a few outfits. Try to choose at least 2 or 3 outfits to bring with you to the shoot.  This will add a nice variety to the photos and allows you to change your mind if you decide you don't like a certain outfit.  A causal set such as jeans and coordinating shirts, and a more formal set that you might wear on a date night out on the town.  Have the clothes pressed and hung up ready to go when you arrive to the shoot.

4. Do choose colors wisely. Choose colors that are complimentary to both your and your fiancés complexion, eye color, and hair color.  For example, if you are a pale redhead then light green may not be the most flattering.

5. Do wear make-up ladies if and only if you plan on wearing some on your wedding day.  If you are planning on wearing it on your wedding day now is the time to do a test run with it to make sure you like the look. 

6. Do come prepared. Bring combs, brushes, make-up, hair bands to pull back your hair if it’s windy, a mirror, or anything else you may need for touch ups.  Guys, if you have a shaved head bring a towel to keep it wiped off so we can reduce the shine.

7. Do use props. Personal items make the best props such as gifts that have been exchanged between the two of you, love notes, instruments, and things that represent or resemble something about the two of you.  A Save the Date sign, chalkboard, ect.

8. Do save the date. This is the perfect opportunity to create your save the date cards or magnets.  There are many ways to include your wedding date in a photo and use that photo as the save the date to mail out before your invitations.

9. Do be active. Feel free to hang out and just have fun while the photographer shoots. Try to do as little “posing” as possible.  These are photos of a couple in love, so act in love, not like stiff manikins.

10. Do be YOU. Be yourselves.  Act like you normally would if there wasn’t a camera anywhere to be found.  Be carefree and cuddly.  Laugh and make goofy faces at each other.  You know- be those two people that fell in love.

11. Do be ready to get a little dirty.  Hey, get your mind out of the gutter as we aren't getting that kind of dirty today. Choose clothes that you won’t mind wearing while sitting on the ground for some shots on the grass or sand because your photographer is going to get down on the ground with their gear to get some awesome ground level shots.

12. Do think about your glasses.  If you wear glasses are you the type of person that wears them all the time?  If so stick with the glass instead of contacts and vice versa. If you are a contact wearer then stick with them or nothing for the engagement session.   With glasses I ask you to seriously consider having the lens removed for the wedding day because inside we are more likely to get glare.

13. Do bring a pet if you want.   Pets can be a fun addition to any engagement session but do make sure to bring someone else along to care for them when they are not in the photos.

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DON’TS

1. DON’T wear turtle necks. This kills me - because I do love me a cozy, classy turtle neck. But they do not photograph well. You lose your neck and like I said before, a little skin can be really flattering in photos. If you do find the perfect dress or top that is a turtle neck, maybe opt for a sleeveless option, so you are not completely hiding your beautiful self underneath the turtle neck!

2. DON’T wear crazy patterns or prints. I’m all for a good striped tee or sweater - but not for photos. Sometimes it’s not flattering, and instead distracting. Keep logos or brands very minimal, too!

3. DON’T over layer. A beautiful cami & cardigan is a great option - but any more layers than that will get bunchy & unflattering. Keep it simple!

4. DON’T over accessorize. This is not the time for huge statement earrings or a chunky necklace - keep it simple with dainty, delicate jewelry - so the focal point of the photos is still you & your fiancé!

5. DON’T wear over-sized or long tops. Normally, I am HERE for over-sized sweaters & tops, but not for engagement photos. You lose your shape - and it won’t look good from all angles. You can still rock the cozy look by trying to find blouses that sit right at your pant line - which will make your legs appear longer & slimmer!

• DON’T wear makeup or a hairstyle that you normally wouldn’t. You want to look like yourself so be yourself! Today is not the day to go for an up-do, or the bold, dramatic fake eyelashes, a smokey eye and red lipstick if that’s not the look you wear every day. Keep it real & true to yourself.