Why are engagement sessions invaluable to your photography experience? Here is a little engagement session advice to show you why I love them so much and to help make the most of your engagement session.
So, what is an engagement session?
An engagement session is, quite simply, a portrait shoot of the two of yourtogether during the ‘engagement period’ before the big day.
Why is it so valuable?
As a couple who likely has never been photographed professionally before, the engagement session is one of the greatest services you can take advantage of prior to your wedding.
Establishing a relationship with your photographer before your wedding will make a huge difference to the outcome of your wedding images. Spending a few hours getting to know me, chatting with me, having fun and getting photographed all at the same time, will make the wedding day photographs feel like a breeze. It is simply a chance to practice being photographed together as a couple by me and in my style, and you will soon realise that being photographed by me is not only so much easier than you may have thought, but is also a lot of fun. Moreover I will take note of how you interact with each other, your individual personalities and even your quirks. These mental notes will help me to capture the moments on the wedding day that are unique to just the two of you.
How does it work?
Location – You can choose the location of our shoot or I can suggest a location based on the things you enjoy as a couple, the places you might like to visit and your lifestyle. We can have the shoot anywhere; from pretty country gardens, rolling hills, wild landscapes or even sipping coffee in streets of the city. I want to create a set of images that capture who you are as a couple in an authentic and beautiful way.
Any retrictions? – Engagement session bookings are available throughout the week, both day and evening. My photography package includes any engagement sessions within a 30 mile radius of Mansfield but I am happy to travel. All I ask is a modest travel allowance and I’m yours! Anyway you fancy, Paris, Milan, Skegness 😉
What happens after the shoot?
After the session I will go away to edit and process your images. In a couple of weeks I will upload your beautiful collection onto your own private online gallery. You can share the gallery with friends and family. As part of you package I will professionally print and frame your favourite image from the collection and you can also order any additional prints and buy the digital downloads from the gallery. Nothing beats the way photographs look when they are printed well and my couples will usually budget to spend about £100 on engagement shoot prints or files.
Can we book a stand-alone engagement session?
Absolutely! Many couples book a stand-alone portrait session; you don’t need to have booked a wedding package. My stand-alone engagement sessions cost £250. Just drop me a line to find out more.
A bit of advice
Clothing – Most importantly wear something that you feel comfortable and yourself in. However there are a few things to think about that will really elevate your engagement photographs.
I advise couples to wear lighter, brighter colours in favour of black it is more flattering on the skin tones and creates fresher images. During the colder months try to avoid wearing a heavy, dark coloured coat as this hides the body shape and makes for quite flat pictures; instead go for interesting layers, maybe a small jacket over a woolly jumper with scarves /hats/ wellies to add dimension. There is no reason why a winter shoot can’t be as visually exciting as a summer shoot, and layering textures and colours can help this along (wellies are a great visual prop as well as keeping you warm and dry).
Bold colours and strong patterns don’t tend to photograph well, keeping your clothing light and soft will help to create photographs in my signature fine art style – light, fresh and bright.
How long do we need? – We will spend a good few hours on your engagement shoot, some of it chatting about the wedding and getting to know each other and some of it shooting. We will most definitely spend longer shooting on your engagement shoot than your portrait section of the wedding, a) because we have more time and b) because we are spending the time to work out how you both interact together and breaking down the barriers that may make you nervous in front of the camera. We will come away we a selection of lovely photographs of the two of you, one of which you can have printed for the day and the rest which are available to purchase afterwards.
I’m nervous about having my picture taken! – this is what almost everyone says! Your shoot isn’t supposed to be scary or intimidating; it is about having some time together before the big day. Just be your selves and relax and I will do the rest, we will chat and walk around and generally just spend a few hours getting to know each other and snapping some lovely moments.
Most importantly, have fun!
Your engagement session should be fun! Remember these are the photos that basically announce to the world that you’re getting married. Unlike the wedding, you’re not rushing, there’s no deadline, and you can focus on simply being in the moment.
So relax, enjoy, and have fun.