Should You Have A Pre-Wedding Shoot?
Engagement photo shoot ideas |
Engagement photo shoot photographer Sussex
So many of my couples tell me they are worried about their engagement shoot, whether it’s nerves or worrying about what outfit to wear, what location is best, it’s totally normal to feel this way! I thought it was time I put some top tips together on how to make the most of your engagement shoot.
Practice makes perfect (and calms those nerves!)
An engagement session is the perfect excuse to get together before your big day, get excited about your plans and also get an idea of how it feels to have your portraits taken ahead of the wedding.
With my approach to photography, I use gentle and natural prompts rather than 'poses', it’s my job to guide you here. This can be anything from simply holding hands and walking and talking, to getting close and whispering silly things to each other, these little gestures will bring out the most natural emotions and reactions from you.
I love engagement sessions as most couples will say how nervous they were beforehand, but that they actually ended up really enjoying it.
'I'm not scared anymore' is one of my favourite things to hear after the first few minutes.
What to wear to your session
Most of my couples ask me before the day 'what shall we wear?!', and I think engagement shoots are the perfect excuse to wear something that makes you feel great, dress up a little if you want to. For example, wear something you would wear on a special date together or family occasion. You don't have to go over the top, but wearing a dress or shirt that makes you feel good always helps to relax you so you look good too.
Also, take into consideration the location of your shoot too, what colours or style might work best to really bring the best out of your photographs?
I do have a few suggestions on what not to wear, purely so your clothing doesn’t distract from you both and to elevate your photos.
For example, big huge logos on t-shirts, be wary of patterns and clashing colours between your outfits. Don’t forget footwear too, the same rules apply here as your feet will be just as much in the photos as your faces at times.
Pinterest boards are also great fun - I can help craft one for your shoot if you like. Wear something you love that makes you feel comfortable but a bit special. If you feel good, you look good!
Choose a location to set the tone
What are you like as a couple? Do you like weekend walks in nature or do you prefer to snuggle up in a coffee shop? Choose a location that you love!
Think about places that might be special to you, somewhere you like to go on weekends to spend time together. There are so many options for great locations in East Sussex and surrounding areas, we are so spoiled.
Think about what tone you want from your session and how it reflects you both - do you want a carefree walk along the beach at Camber Sands or a stylish session in a Brighton coffee shop? Maybe the austere and quiet atmosphere at Dungeness? Or cosy and cuddled up in the woods?
All about the light
Wherever you choose, we will plan your session around the best light. Why is light so important?
Well, different light brings different atmosphere, the sky and landscape around you changes colour, and also affects how shadows and highlights appear on your faces.
The middle of the day when the sun is at its highest and brightest (especially in summer) usually brings dark shadows compared to stark bright highlights which can bring a stark contrast to your photographs. The most gorgeous light tends to be found towards sunrise and sunset, the light is softer, colours and tones are golden and pastel, turning red and blue as the evening draws in.
Also - don't fear if there's not much sun around; lovely and even light can be found on even dark overcast days.
Celebrate and enjoy each other
The last and most important thing to do, relax! As much as it's great to connect with your photographer before your day, the engagement shoot really is all about you as a couple. Make the most of your session, bring a picnic or a bottle of prosecco and toast the occasion. Use your session as the perfect excuse to celebrate your upcoming wedding, and as a special time together.
Above all, celebrate your upcoming vows, relax and have fun together.
Your Questions from Instagram @katierogersphotography
1 - How do you handle the shoot if we/one of us is really shy?
Most people are shy in front of the camera and don’t feel they’re naturals at having their picture taken (myself included!).
The way I guide your session is a key part to making you feel comfortable. I think a lot of couples think an engagement session will consist of forced, stiff poses of looking at the camera, with me it doesn't.
I will start your session with as little pressure as possible, chatting away and starting with prompts which are as simple as 'ok start at this point, hold hands and walk towards me. chat about your day so far to each other'.
If just one of you is shy, I will start the session focusing on your partner to ease you in and show you that you're in a safe space to be yourself and enjoy it! It really is as simple as that.
2 - What questions do you ask to gauge your couples personalities?
Before your engagement session, we will have an initial consultation about your wedding. This not only gives me an opportunity to learn about your day, but also about you and vice versa. This means when we get to your engagement session I already know you a bit, and you know me too.
I like to ask what you do for work, and what you really like to do when you aren’t at work, what you like about each other, and what gets on your nerves! Every couple is different so we can go for relaxed and calm at Camber Sands, or fun and energetic on Brighton Pier!
3 - TW: weight loss/body image
I’ve put on weight and I am just worried about not looking like my usual self.
Oh my loves, I really can relate to this, the old pandemic and my age has not been kind to my waistline lol! From my recent experience of my own brand shoot with Rebecca Carpenter Photography, let me tell you how I managed my own feelings about weight…
Aside from the new dress and Spanx I treated myself to, the most important thing was handling my mind-set. Mind set is EVERYTHING. I knew if I went into the shoot telling myself I was anything but fabulous, it would cloud the experience, I wouldn’t look happy and my photos would not represent who I truly am. You honestly need to TELL yourself you look great, that you feel great - focus on the experience of having a great time together and you worries will soon fall away. If you do have specific concerns about how you look, please talk to me before your shoot, I do truly understand a pair of Spanx isn’t always the answer (though it helped me for sure!).
I want you to sit yourself down with a face-mask or whatever self care makes you feel good and tell yourself “I deserve to feel good, I deserve to feel special, and me and my boo deserve to have a fun and romantic experience together, we deserve to celebrate our love”.
4 - We want to really dress-up and do something different, are you down?
I am DOWN for whatever is going to make you enjoy this experience! Especially if you are celebrating your engagement, or perhaps an anniversary, you can 100000% use this shoot as an excuse to be a luxurious as you want.
