A QUICK GUIDE
Is an Engagement shoot for you?
First off, Congratulations! You’re engaged, how exciting! I hope the planning is going well and you guys are looking forward to your big day.
Now down to business. A lot of people are apprehensive when it comes to getting in front of the camera, never mind an engagement shoot. It’s not for everyone and thats ok! I had to get on the other side of the camera the other day for some headshots and honestly I think I forgot how to smile for a second. The trick is to not get caught up in it being a “photo shoot”. It’s about genuine, authentic and fun moments not forced poses. Remember this is meant to be FUN! So wether you are engaged, happily married or just looking for some amazing shots, a shoot like this could be for you.
For those of you who are worried about getting you photos done on your wedding day, an engagement shoot is a great practice run. It gives you a good idea of what to expect on your wedding day. It also gives you a little time to get to know your photographer and get comfortable with them.
Picking your engagement shoot location
Choosing your location is very personal to you. Do you want to be in the city or in the countryside? Do you have a particular place thats important to you? Maybe you’d like to be at home with your cat or dog? A helpful tip is to think about where your wedding is going to be and go from there. If you are getting married in the city, maybe you would like to get outdoors for your engagement shoot, or vice versa. If you are unsure, your photographer will have loads of ideas to help you out. You can also go to my blog and get some ideas from some of the engagement shoots on there.
We had the best time with Dzifa. It was so chilled and fun, she really put us at easy. Not only did we have a laugh, but now we have amazing photos to show off at our wedding! We may even be back for more on our one year anniversary!
Kate and John
When
Next up is figuring out when you want to have your shoot. Do you want it to be in the summer, with its long evening or in winter with its dramatic colours. This is totally up to you, have a look at Pinterest to see the difference the seasons can make. If you want them for your wedding day, I recommend you book your engagement shoot at least 2 months before the day, to give your photographer time to edit and deliver your gallery.
When you have you time of year picked you can then think about the time of day for your shoot. As I mentioned above, summer has the bonus of longer evenings. However you will want to avoid the harsh light of the midday sun. So in the summer I always suggest going out later in the day where you might catch a bit of that glorious golden hour or if you’re lucky a sunset. Where as if you had your engagement shoot in the depths of winter you would need to be aware of when it gets dark, so earlier in the day works best. It’s a good idea to talk to your photographer about this. They have to think about light a lot so will be able to advise you exactly when is best for your time of year.
What to wear on your engagement shoot
This is an easy one… whatever you want! Glam? Chilled? The choice is yours. If you are up a mountain I would advise to have shoes that you can walk in. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style for comfort, you can check this June Bug Weddings blog on elopement shoes to give you some ideas for practical yet stylish footwear. Make sure you are warm and comfortable, but most of all make sure you can enjoy yourself. I have also put together a Pinterest board to help inspire you. If you are looking for Autumn/Winter ideas check out: Winter Outfit Inspo – Adventure Session board or if your are going for more Spring/Summer vibes then have a look at: Summer Outfit Inspo – Adventure session board. These are just some easy ideas to help you get started, there really is no wrong answer… you do you!
My approach to engagement shoots
Depending on what you guys are looking for I offer from 1 hour to 4 hours. Don’t worry that wouldn’t be 4 hours with a camera in your face. Thats more 4 hours of on an adventure. So if you are only looking for something small at home or in one spot, an hour might do. But if you are looking to go on a real adventure you might need more to get it all in. (it takes a little time to get to the top of a mountain!)
Basically, we go for a stroll, have some fun and get some breathtaking photos at the same time. It’s super chilled out, no cheese, no awkward posing, just you guys together. From this experience you’ll leave with real amazing memories and the photos to match!
We were both really nervous about getting our photo taken, and it was something we were dreading for our wedding. Going on an engagement shoot with Dzifa really put our minds at ease! It was super fun and we LOVE our photos. Now we are looking forward to getting more at our wedding.
Sophie and Dave
After the shoot is done, I will edit and send you out a sneak peek. You get all your images in high res so you can print and share to your hearts content!
So thats engagement shoots… Not so scary after all, are they? If you want to give it a go, check out my stuff here and let’s chat!
