Engagement sessions are an opportunity for me to spend some time with you and your fiance, capturing some great images of just the two of you, to show off your personality and your relationship and to become more comfortable in front of the camera.
I am forever chasing light and find it gives an amazing warmth to the images that will capture your love story. The best light can typically be found when the shadows are long and the sunlight is that lovely golden color. This can be found in the first couple hours of the morning and the last few before the sun goes down. This time should be considered when scheduling your engagement session and your ceremony and portrait times.
Location
- When possible, your location should be about you. Think about places that are significant to you and your relationship. If you enjoy hiking, consider a place you enjoy hiking for your session, if you enjoy summers by the lake then something by the water might be appropriate. I will always provide locations but choosing a place that represents your personalities will make you feel more comfortable at the actual session and will leave you with photos that mean more to you than if they were taken at a random location. Not only do I spend time learning about my couples, I also use an engagement questionnaire. This provides me with great information about you and your fiance. It helps me to better plan your engagement session with you and choose a location that fits you and your relationship.
Be you.
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You and your fiancé are the subject matter, so you want to wear something that reflects who you are and what you love.
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If you love pink and it’s your trademark color – wear that.
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The details are fun and make the pictures about you…consider jewelry that reflects you.
Color is beautiful.
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Dark colors are slimming
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I love light, neutral colors and they always look great in photos.
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Coordinate, but don’t be matchy-matchy
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It’s all about you so loosen up and have fun!
More helpful tips.
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Ladies: Tops or outfits with sleeves are always flattering to arms and a good pair of boots can make any girl’s legs look great. If you love to wear heels and your guy is super tall then wear heels, they are very slimming to your legs and add that extra height you desire.
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Gentlemen: a button down with a nice pair of jeans and dress shoes are a great go-to outfit. And please avoid loud or busy patterns or words on your shirts.
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It is always best to bring a few different outfits. Our couples typically bring 2 – 3 outfits depending on the location and how much time we have.
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Your ring will most certainly be a focus in many photos. Make sure you get your nails done and/or the nails are clean and trimmed. Guys…this means you too. Please make sure your nails are clean and trimmed. We’ll be featuring your hands too.
Props.
I don’t work too often with props as I want your love for one another to shine through your photos. I will however consider them if you have something you just can’t dream of not having in your photos.
Some fun props that look great in photos are:
– A “Save the Date” sign for personalized save the date cards.
– A cool couch or chair
– Anything else that makes your relationship unique or that is special to you.
Trust me. Often time I will take many photos of the same pose but from different angles. Your session is a time for you to relax and enjoy your partner’s love. The most important thing to remember is your engagement photos are about you and this short but exciting time in your lives. The proposal story is always so romantic and I love to hear how it happened! We need to feel comfortable around one another and this way you can be silly as those are the best photos. Focus every bit of energy on the person who is right next to you … the one you are committing your life to, not me as I’m clicking away. Flirt with each other. Look deep in each other’s eyes, smile or simply rest your head on his shoulder. These are the moments – the moments you want to freeze in an image that tells the story of your love.
Is it really necessary to have an engagement session?
ABSOLUTELY! Wedding planning can be very stressful. Take some time for the two of you and enjoy these fleeting moments together before you become husband and wife. This is the last time you will be just the two of you as two separate people. After your wedding you will be one. Enjoy this time, soak it in and let me capture it for you to enjoy forever. Memories are so important and they vanish in your mind faster than you think. Photographs, printed photographs helps you to hang onto those memories and enjoy them for years to come. At Liz Courtney Photography I believe that your engagement session is important for several reasons. First, it allows you to get comfortable being in front of the camera and to get comfortable with me as your photographer. Next, you get to showcase your personalities and create fun images for wall portraits in your home, your wedding guest book and for thank you cards. If shot early enough you can also use them for Save the Date cards and invitations if you wish. Best of all, you get to enjoy each other and take a pause from wedding planning to focus on the love that you share.
Make sure to talk to each other about any concerns that you have about the session and what you want your photos to reveal about your relationship. Being on the same page is a big part of making sure your photos come out natural and not forced.
If you’re a bit nervous about being photographed or have specific concerns, the engagement session is a good time to discuss these.
Couples that take the time to do an engagement session have a much easier time getting into the flow of the portraits on the wedding day.
Beyond that, this a really good excuse to pamper yourselves and have a fabulous date night when the session is done.
Before the session consider getting your hair and makeup done (a great excuse for a trial hair or make-up run).
With the stress of wedding planning it’s a good idea to remember what being a couple was like before you got caught up in the whirlwind of the wedding day itself.
The goal of the engagement session is to create beautiful images that capture the essence of you as a couple!
Also think about what you want to do with the photos. Are you looking to use them for Save the Date cards, wall art, or a sign-in book for your wedding day? I personally recommend canvas galleries as they can easily be added onto with your wedding photos later.
Final Tips.
Your photos will be retouched for skin imperfections, so don’t worry if you have a break out. However, if you are very sunburned or have very visible tan lines, please reschedule your session.
Please leave your purse at home or locked away securely in the car. Guys, please remove wallets or cell phones from your pockets as well as sunglasses.
I’m happy to carry keys, cell phones and anything needed for touch ups for you during the session.
If I am going to pose you, I will always tell you before so that you are aware of what I am doing. I will also occasionally ask you to mirror a pose I am doing. I find that showing clients is a great way for you to see how to pose. Once posed I will also usually ask you to relax into the pose, loosen it up a bit. I might ask your fiance to say a joke or do something funny. This gets everyone laughing and really shows personality over a stiff pose. I will also discuss that some tips and poses will be incorporated into your wedding day so you can be prepared to recreate these poses and actions on your big day.
Most important of all is to not worry. I will capture your love in the most flattering light and even if you feel awkward you are doing GREAT!
