Engagement Sessions
Getting to know my couples before the big day is something that I really love doing.
Sometimes it’s a chance to talk about the fine details of their wedding and help with suggestions and discuss timings - on other occassions it’s the opportunity to calm any pre-wedding photo nerves and help get the couple settled in front of the camera.
But one thing it never turns out to be, is a waste of time.
Engagement sessions have always been something I’ve enjoyed taking the opportunity to do, getting to meet and understand my couples is really important to me and I feel like it really helps them to get a better understanding of what to expect on their wedding day.
For most couples, getting in front of the camera is a scary prospect - sure, in the world of social media we’re all posting photos of ourselves and sharing moments with friends and family, but for most people having a camera pointed at them isn’t something everyone looks forward to. Having time in front of the camera before your wedding can be so beneficial, helping settle the worries and on most occasions, really good fun too!
It can be a great way to get out and do something different - I usually like to take a walk somewhere, woodland being my own personal preference, but I’ve worked at all kinds of locations and I’ve got some exciting ones coming up. It can be as much getting to know your clients and what they like as it can be getting great photos; some clients have even made some requests including wine tasting at a vineyard (which I’m excited about) - so the time can be used to suit your couples too.
As a couple, you’ll learn a lot about your photographer, about them as a person as well as how they work. I’ve been lucky enough to make some wonderful friends from this job and that’s not all down to the photographs I’ve taken - for some couples I’ve gone on to cover other family events and watch them and their families grow, and being asked to come back once the confetti has all been cleared is a true honour.
I’ve never had a client regret having this time and as well as building confidence, it provides clients with images of them together - something most couples won’t have done before. Some couples use the images for save-the-date cards, frame them at home or have them on display for the wedding day. Being able to give images that people treasure is so rewarding and it doesn’t have to just be wedding day memories that are captured.
Top tips
Go into it with an open mind - try and relax and make the most of your time together, the best shots are always the ones where a couple is laughing and smiling.
Trust your photographer - they are trying to help you and they want to capture the best images possible, there might be a few strange prompts which creates some silliness, but its all about snapping the reactions and fun. I’ve heard the term ‘embrace the awkwardness’ and it can be 100% true - it will feel weird and strange at times, but most couples have never done this before, so why would you expect it to be any different?
Engage with each other - for 99% of these sessions you just need to be with your partner and the more you can connect together, the better the images will look - it’s rare that I get my couples to look into the camera, I want it to be as if I’ve just been around them and just paused time for a second.
Wear what makes you comfortable - sure, neutrals and pastel colours can work well, but ultimately you need to be able to relax and move and not worry about a dress being too short or trousers splitting when you jump.
Location, Location, Location - if you have somewhere you’d love to go to, then just mention it! Most photographers will know of areas and spots that make for good backdrops - but if you are planning a trip out or want to go somewhere that is special to you, then tell your photographer.
Solid gold images - for the best results, photographers usually try for the ‘golden hour’ - it’s the last hour or so before sunset (or after sunrise) and gives the most flattering light. If it’s the summer and your session is late in the evening this could well be why, but the results can be amazing. In the middle of a warm sunny day might seem good to be out in, but it does create the most harsh sunlight and can be far less flattering.
Don’t rush - it can be hard to find time to do these sessions, especially in the run-up to a wedding day, but the last thing you want is to be thinking about is being late for another event or appointment. Allow a couple of hours and try and switch off from the everyday, your photographer wants to get the best images for you and if you are worried about running late it will show.
Don’t worry about things you can’t control - the weather is the main one, so unless it’s dangerous I’d always encourage couples to go for it - sometimes the wild, windy and rainy sessions can be so much more dramatic and powerful than the lazy sunny ones - and if things change mid-session, just go for it!
