What you should know about...Engagement Photo Session

For more and more couples Engagement Photo Sessions is a part of standard wedding preparations. Why? It is just perfect opportunity to see your wedding photographer in action and also help you to get use to being in the front of camera. Engagement photo session can help you to know your photographer long before your wedding day and it helps a photographer to know you, your preferences, your personalities, and your style.

Engagement photos are perfect for “Save a date” cards, newspaper wedding announcement, wedding websites and custom wedding guest books. Your favorite photo from the session can be displayed during wedding reception or on the wedding program.

Why pay for Engagement Photo Session?



Try your photographer (before your wedding day).Engagement photo session is the perfect opportunity to test your photographer and preview his/her work. How well the photographer works with you, how easily communicate with you? Do you and your fiancé feel good about this experience? How is the quality of images and post production process?

• Get to know your photographer and let your photographer to know you. Engagement photo session will give you a chance to get know your photographer’s work style and personality long before your wedding day. Your photographer will know you too (your sense of humor, how you behave in front of camera, what camera angle is good for your face or body shape, what kind of light gives the best skin tone).
• Work with your fiancé. The Engagement Photo Session is a perfect opportunity to learn how to work together and what to expect from your fiancé in front of camera. Who is camera shy, how to loosen up, how to pose together, how to find you comfort zone?



How to prepare for Engagement Photo Session?



• Choose location. For your Engagement Photo Session choose a spot meaningful to you and your fiancé. If you don’t have this kind of place - think about spots with interesting elements which suits your style: the beach, an open field, a farm, a park, a train station, an interesting architectural structure, an industrial area, a garden store etc. Ask your photographer about multiple locations photo shoot. It will cost you a little more but it will give you different sets of photos with different feel and looks.

• Choose your outfits. You should be comfortable and able to move around easily but express your style. Plan your outfits to be appropriate for the location (park, farm - casual jeans plus strong color shirts; beach – light dress, cotton pants etc.) You can never be wrong with pair of jeans or a flowing dress. Some couples bring second sets of clothes to give them some options and variety in the shots on location. You should avoid WHITE color, strong patterns and T-shits with print messages (white washes you out unless you have quite dark skin, patterns and prints distract from your face). Darker, saturated color photographs best. Men should wear long pants (no shorts) and shirts rather than T-shirts. Ladies can definitely go for some sexy blouses, dresses and shoes but have comfortable flip-flops in your bag. Also be sure to avoid extra baggy or too- tight clothes. Keep your jewelry ultra simple to avoid flashy distractions in your photos. Wear only simple earrings with a matching necklace or bracelet and engagement ring.

• Choose props and themes. To add some fun to your engagement session think about some props you can use for your photos (hats, sunglasses, flowers, instruments, colorful balls, big lollipops). If you are looking for more natural, candid images think about something that represents your style, something you love to do together (picnic, travel, sandcastles on the beach, sport).

• Make-up, beauty and grooming. You will be photographed from head to toe and please be sure your hair, nails, toes and eyebrows are in the way you like it. Get a haircut a week before the session. If you can, schedule a wedding hair and make-up trial appointment for the same day as your engagement session. If this option is not possible, style your own hair and do your make-up, but remember less is better, don’t overdo it.

• Be yourself. Don’t stress out! This session is all about you. Get good rest the night before your session. Plan some extra time for travel to your photo shot spot. Have fun, laugh a lot. Have a good time! There's absolutely no pressure. Just be yourself.