do we really need these?
it’s a question we get all the time. do you need them? no, of course not. but should you want them? absolutely. and for a whole host of reasons. chief among them is that you are newly engaged and floating on cloud 9, so now is the perfect time to capture the excitement of planning a wedding, the love you feel for one another and to celebrate your lives together. what’s more, engagement sessions are relaxed, informal and free from the distractions that are unavoidable on your wedding day. they serve as the perfect opportunity to embrace your individuality as a couple, demonstrate your love for each other and capture some stunning portraits of you two as future mr. and mrs.
but, there are other reasons, too ...
// learning & unlearning //
first and foremost, engagement sessions offer us an opportunity to get know each other on a personal level and how to work with one another on a photographic level. consider this: we’ll only get one shot at your wedding to nail the photos. so we don’t really want that to be the first time we work together, do we? on that day, you won’t see anyone else as much as you see us. from start to finish, we’ll be glued to your hips. engagements sessions provide us the chance to build a solid rapport months ahead of time. we’ll know better how to put you at ease and you’ll be far more relaxed on the big day if you’re familiar with the guys aiming their cameras at you. and that will absolutely show in your photos.
equally as important is unlearning old habits and developing a new understanding of how to act in front of the lens. unless you’re models and comfortable around a camera and able to take direction well, being in front of a camera is not easy for most. and it’s even more difficult when you have to pose with someone else. for many, the natural inclination is to simply stand and smile; it’s too stiff, too stale and seen far too often. it doesn’t look good and it doesn’t feel good. consider this a dress rehearsal for your wedding. the portraits on that day will benefit greatly.
what to expect ...
// it’s about you two //
as obvious as this may be, there’s much more to this statement. how you two engage with each other will ultimately drive this photo session more than the location, weather, colors, etc. ever can or will. your chemistry and the resulting reactions are what will really take these photos from ‘meh’ to ‘holy $h!†’. we’ll achieve this by working in a way that is both natural and comfortable. you’ll be asked to get close to one another. to touch. to interact. to embrace the moment. feed off of one another and the magic will happen.
forget about the camera. the experience is a far more candid one than people realize. by letting you two be yourselves in the moment, we’ll be able to capture genuine and unforced portraits. those are the ones that really capture the truest essence of your relationship.
// taking things slowly //
for obvious reasons, many couples avoid engagement sessions. the idea of being in front of a camera is terrifying for many, especially as people walk by and look on. or trying to sit still as you wait to hear the shutter snap makes many couples impatient. and with the added uncertainty of how to position yourself, it’s no wonder people feel that engagement sessions are awkward and unnecessary. and those reasons are totally understandable.
but that’s not how they should be. and that’s not how it will be with us. we’ll slow things down and work very deliberately to make certain that you’re at ease and enjoying the process. and with explicit directions and posing cues, you won’t feel stiff or awkward. you won't be asked to “say ‘cheese’” or “smile” (hell, you don't even need to look at the camera!), so you won’t feel like you’re performing. the camera will be snapping the whole time, catching those magical “in between” moments.
planning your session ...
if you have an idea or concept in mind for your session that strays from the traditional approach that you’d like to execute, don’t hold back. new and unique ideas are always exciting and only add to the impact of the final product. it’s more likely than not going to be a really rad idea.
take the photo below, for instance: they wanted to kayak to a local island for their session. in their bathing suits. so, we did.
// scouting //
this is the one decision that is entirely and 100% up to you. it’s best to choose a spot that is important to you both. choosing a spot simply because it’s a pretty backdrop or because it’s insta-popular is fine, but choosing a spot that has sentimental or emotional value will better tell your the story of your love and make you far more comfortable.
// dressing //
again, this is really up to you, but it’s what's most important is that you dress comfortably, casually, in something that reflects your personality and makes you feel confident. the camera will pick up on this. don’t feel the need to get all dolled up; save that for your wedding day. and wear something that fits you well. so, avoid overly baggy or unnecessarily tight clothing.
neutral colors and/or complementary tones are best. resist the temptation of getting all matchy-matchy. this can result in the your bodies melding together, often making it difficult to differentiate one body from the other. do, however, add pops of color where you see fit. this can positively impact and influence the photos we capture. maybe it’s a scarf, or a pair of flashy shoes, or a necktie; anything to help you stand out. just don't go overboard. less is always more in this case.
one thing to note: to maximize time together and to make the most of our time, it’s suggested that you avoid outfit changes. if you’re really torn between two and want to change once, that’s totally fine. but just know it tends to really stall momentum and can impact how many photos we’re able to create.
lastly, pack light. plan on keeping your pockets empty; wallets, keys, phones, etc. can go in our camera bag. and try to avoid wearing any large or distracting jewelry; bracelets, watches, large necklaces, large earrings, etc.
remember, confidence and comfort is everything in pictures. the more confident and comfortable you are, the more that will shine through in your photos.
// scheduling //
the session will typically last about 90ish minutes; longer if we’re really vibing or shorter if you’ve had enough. and ideally, we’ll get together midweek and later in the afternoon; around 2 hours before sunset. this way, we’re getting that fantastic golden hour sun and more likely to avoid the crowds on sidewalks, in parks and at other desirable locations.
having said that, the decision is ultimately up to you. it’s most important that this session accurately reflects your personalities and relationship. so don’t let “ideal light” affect your decision making. sunrise? cool, let’s do it. in the midst of a busy downtown during the lunch time rush? cool, let’s do it. under a star lit sky? cool, let’s do it.
one last consideration: if you plan on using your engagement photos for your “save the date”, it’s best if we schedule at least 4 months in advance to allow sufficient time for the photos to be processed, submitted to your card manufacturer and returned back to you in time to get them out to your guests.