ENGAGEMENT SESSION PRO TIPS | MONDAY MEMOS | MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

ENGAGEMENT SESSION PRO TIPS | MONDAY MEMOS | MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

If you’re one of my couples, you’ve already lucked out with a complimentary engagement session! Now that you’re wedding photography is booked, it’s time to think about what you want that shoot to be like. I am a believer in creating authentic images that truly represent who you are as a couple. I also want to ensure you feel your most confident during your session. Today I’m sharing some pro tips on maximizing the engagement shoot experience!

DATE NIGHT VIBES

When thinking about where our adventure will take place, I encourage couples to think about the things they do together. Inspiration can come from the place you met, where you had your first date, or where the proposal took place. Perhaps you both have a love for a particular sports team or the movies. Consider planning your session around a stadium or style a cute private screening in your back yard. Schedule your session around the local festival, take that bike ride around the historic district, or stop off at a pub for cocktails. Do things that YOU love with the one you love. These little details will not only represent you more genuinely, but will make you feel happy. Cue all the smiles!

BORROWED-NOT NEW

Figuring out what to wear can be overwhelming and stressful. I tell my clients that more is often less in high resolution. This simply encourages them to step up their own style a notch. Accessories, statement shoes, and well-thought out outfits can finesse the session. Wearing something you feel great in will also boost that confidence. WARNING: may cause you to radiate in your photos.

Many think that you need to buy something new for the session. Consider borrowing from a friend’s closet and mixing it up with your own favorite pieces. If you know you want to wear something new, but don’t want to commit to a price tag, Rent The Runway is also a great option! They will even send you two sizes of your rental for no additional charge (if requested) to ensure fit. This is a great option for those exploring a formal engagement option!

SPARKLE

The engagement ring is where it all began. It’s a symbol of the love that you share and represents this season in your life. No doubt we will be taking lots of photos of it! Be sure to stop by your local jeweler before your session. Most jewelers offer a free cleaning if you visit the boutique you purchased from. And speaking of amazing places to shop for bling–check out the inventory for Check out Blue Nile’s gorgeous engagement selection.

TRIAL RUN

I highly suggest connecting with your hair and make-up artist early in the planning process. A lot of beauty professionals will offer a trial make-up run before the wedding. Another pro-tip is to schedule your trial on the same day as your engagement session. This is helpful for so many reasons! For one, it allows you to feel flawless without the stress of application (and trying to get your own eyebrows to match… LOL). It will also, once again, encourage that brilliant confidence. Lastly, you get the chance to see how the look translates onto your photos to ensure you absolutely love the look.

Click here for a list of my preferred vendors.

FUN & GAMES

My last tip is for the actual session itself. When you arrive to work with me, it will be all fun and games. Whether it’s in the heat of Summer or the cold of Winter, it is always my goal to ensure that this too is a special moment for you. We will spend the time reliving memories from your relationship, playing games to allow you to connect further, and laughing… a lot. This is not only a great chance for us to get to know one another better, but also for me to see what prompts work best for each individual couple. Some prefer romantic cues while others want to pretend they just won the lottery. Through a series of games and poses, I am able to portray your personality. All you have to do is agree to have FUN with it!

P.S.

Every photographer is different, just like every couple is looking for something different in their photographer. I describe my style as joyful, vibrant, and romantic. My favorite things to capture are perfectly planned details, happy tears, laughter, and dancing. I believe that weddings are expression of who you are and your love. It is a great honor to be able to tell that story through photos. Your engagement session should feel like an extension of your “best day ever.” For my clients, it’s not just photography, it’s an experience.

Have you booked your wedding photographer, yet?