Engagement Sessions
What is an engagement session?
An engagement session is quite simply a portrait session of you and your soon to be husband/wife. You may choose to have an engagement session to fulfill a specific purpose, or just for fun. Engagement session photos are great for example for Save the date cards, to create a beautiful wedding website, or to be displayed at your reception. Additionally, it just an awesome opportunity to get dressed up, and have an fun experience taking beautiful pictures together. It always wonderful to have wonderful professional pictures to document this unique stage in your relationship. Your engagement is a lovely period in your lives, what better way to commemorate than with stunning imagery of you both together.
Why its important?
After your engagement session, you will have beautiful images do with, what your heart desires. However, that is not the only benefit. An engagement session is also an awesome opportunity to “practice’ for the big day. Most of us are not models, its not everyday you have your photo taken by a professional photographer. Your portrait session together allows you to get comfortable with your photographer so that on the day of your wedding, you’re practically models and know exactly what to do.
Once you see your engagement images and get excited about them, you’ll have more confidence in yourselves and in your photographer. When the time comes to tie the knot, you’ll look forward to having your pictures taken, instead of dreading the thought of having a camera pointed at you all day.
1- You’re Able To Get To Know Your Photographer
2- You’re Able To Become Comfortable In Front Of The Camera
3- Your Session Can Serve As A Hair and Make-Up Trial
How do we pick a location?
A benefit of your engagement session, is that your are not limited by location, as you will be on the day of your wedding. This allows you to get creative with your photos. You may choose to have your engagement photos taken at a location that’s important or that has some meaning to the two of you. This could be the place you got engaged or where you had your first date, or it could be a place you both like to spend time or where you go to enjoy a shared interest. Some locations to consider: hometowns, the college where you met, a favorite restaurant or bar, the zoo, a movie theater, or even your home. You may choose instead a local point of interest that you just simply love. For example a cool museum, or iconic building. I encourage couples to use Pinterest as a resource when contemplating location and style of photos.
If you’re not sure where you’d like to shoot, don’t worry! I’d be thrilled to offer up some suggestions. Just ask!
What do we wear?
First and foremost, we want you to be comfortable! If you’re a jeans and t shirt kind of couple, your photos should reflect your style. Don’t feel like you have to dress up. Most importantly is that you feel and look god in what you choose, and it is representative of who you are.
With that being said, we do encourage couples to dress up! We really love “formal” engagement sessions. They really add that wow factor! A casual fun session can be equally awesome. Whatever that mean to YOU! Whatever you chose to wear should fit will, and look good on you. We recommend staying away from bright whites ( save that for the wedding day ), very visible logos or brand names, and crazy busy patterns. Additionally, “matching” with your partner is so 90’s, don’t you think? We encourage, if you’d like, perhaps coordinating instead.
Your engagement session is a great time to have your wedding day hair and make up trail. If you are just in town for the shoot, or would like to use a different artist, I am happy to recommend a hair and/or make up artist for you. While professional hair and make up is definitely not a must, it is definitely encouraged. If you are looking, and feeling beautiful, it will certainly boost your confidence and it will reflect in your photos.
Additionally, consider you location when considering your wardrobe. If we are shooting in an urban scene, perhaps a cocktail dress or fitted trousers and jacket would be very fitting. Likewise if we are shooting at a park, or the university you met, perhaps more casual outfits would be more suited. Or perhaps you’d like to deliberately mis match your wardrobe and your location to contrast the environment. There are no rules, this is your engagement shoot!
What days and times can our session take place?
Because most weddings occur on weekends, we typically do not shoot engagement sessions on weekends. If you can only do your engagement session on a weekend, we perhaps can work something out if we have th availability within two months of the desired date. We also like to shoot on weekdays because locations are typically less crowded.
Engagement Session FAQs
What does an engagement session consist of?
- 1-2 Hour Session
- 1-2 Outfit Changes
- 1-2 Locations
- Up to 75 Final Images
- Online Gallery
When can we expect to our engagement session photos? Can we have them in time to display at our wedding?
Because many couples love to display their recent engagement session photos on the day of the wedding for friends and family to see, they are given extra priority to be ready in time for the wedding. You can expect your engagement session photos to be fully edited and ready for display within 4-6 weeks after shoot.
When should we do our engagement session?
Your engagement session can be organized up to 5 weeks before the wedding. If you prefer a “Just Married” or “Trash The Dress” shoot after the wedding, this option is also available to you.
How many pictures do we get from our engagement session?
After your engagement session, you will typically receive 50-75 final images.