I’ve heard from a few couples out there getting ready to schedule engagement sessions for the early spring. I’ve fielded a lot of questions about these sessions in the past, so I thought I’d put out a little advice for those of you who haven’t gone through the process yet.
Location: This is often a hard one for couples. The photos I am taking are intended to reflect who you are together, and what you enjoy. That said, think about locations that mean something to you (where you first met, had an important date, got engaged), or somewhere you like to go together often. While Forest Park is a beautiful location, if it doesn’t have meaning to you the photos won’t be quite as special. I never like to shoot at a location just because “everyone goes there.” How boring! You should have shots that are unique to you and your personalities. If you are having a hard time thinking of the perfect spot, just ask. I have a lot of ideas for places I’d love to shoot that might inspire you.
What to wear: Dress for the season. I’ve had clients wearing outfits that were far to warm in the summer, and far too cold in the winter. Try to wear something that fits the weather so that you are comfortable. Also keep in mind that we will likely be walking quite a bit, and I’ll probably ask you to climb around or sit on something odd. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that you won’t stress about getting dirty (ie white pants usually don’t work well.) If you are doing an extended engagement session and have a change of clothes, pick one outfit that is casual and one that is a little more dressy, just so you have options. And don’t worry about coordinating too much – wearing colors in the same family is close enough, you don’t need to be twins!
Timing: To my knowledge, there isn’t any set time before the wedding when you “should” take engagement photos. However, if you plan to use the images as Save The Date cards or as part of your wedding decor, you’ll want to plan accordingly. The images are usually on the website within a few days of your session, and you can expect to receive a DVD within 7-10 days if you choose to order one.
Scheduling: If you are looking to take your photos on a weekend, it’s best to schedule early. My weekends fill up quickly once spring hits, so it’s a good idea to call a month or so in advance. But keep in mind that winter photos can be just as beautiful as spring photos – and you’ll probably have a much easier time scheduling. As far as time of day goes, the light is generally best before 11am or after 3pm.
What to expect: Chances are the two of you have never had professional photos taken together before. Not to worry – your part is easy! All you have to do is show up, be open minded (sometimes I ask for seemingly odd things, but they almost always turn out cool!), and have a good time. Relax, smile, smooch a little, and I’ll take care of the rest. Sessions take about 1 hour (closer to 3 if you are doing an extended session), and are a lot of fun.
Engagement sessions really are one of my favorite things to photograph. If you are planning to have engagement photos taken in the near future, give me a call so we can schedule something!
