By Simona Janek and Seva Mozhaev
There’s nothing more special than watching two people commit to a lifetime together. For many couples, that journey begins at an engagement shoot.
In an effort to get the ‘perfect pictures’, the bride-to-be may spend a large amount of time researching photos of other couples, and while finding some nice examples is great, it can also get a little overwhelming, especially when there are so many things to consider such as theme, concept and location, to name a few.
To help ease the problem, here are a number of things to consider when planning an engagement shoot:
Your Story
The most important thing to keep in mind is your love story. How did you and your fiancé meet? What adventures did the two of you share? Do you have inside jokes that would make you and a few friends giggle?
Engagement photoshoots are meant to showcase the undeniable chemistry you and your fiancé have. Your love story will be the utmost important factor in deciding how the theme and concept will play out.
So, it’s important brides don’t put too much pressure on themselves to re-create a great picture they saw. Focusing on your story will give you the best result.
Research is Important
Before scheduling an appointment with your photographer, it is good to keep in mind any poses you’d love to recreate with your fiancé.
Have a think about any theme you’d love to use and what props you would like to see on the day of the photoshoot.
Brides who have done their photoshoots suggest creating mood boards. Having a clear vision on what you’d like to see come to life will help make things easier. Photographers will also be more than happy with your initiative.
When creating mood boards, Pinterest and blog sites are great places for inspiration. But again, as we said earlier on, the shoot is about you and your fiancé so while getting ideas is great, make it about you your story.
Arrange the Schedule
Choosing the right day for your engagement shoot may seem like a walk in the park. Unfortunately, not everything is in our control and details such as the weather forecast should certainly be a consideration. Another thought to keep in mind is the activity in the location of choice. If the engagement shoot location is known to be jam packed with people at certain times, make sure you factor that in. If it’s a location you can book and ensure minimal interruptions, it is recommended to book them weeks in advance.
If your preferred venue cannot accommodate your booking, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and search for unique locations via wedding blogs or magazines.
Trust The Professionals
Fun fact – not every person is comfortable in front of a camera, the reason why photos at times may come out a little different than what was expected. It’s ok to be shy and a little awkward. That said, the goal is no doubt to produce photos you are happy with.
It is extremely likely your photographer has many past experiences with this so the best thing to do is simply talk to them. Don’t be afraid to express your feelings such as not being sure how to pose. Photographers know what poses look best and as professionals it is also part of their job to make their clients comfortable.
Makeup artists may also play an important part in your engagement shoot. If you are looking to get your makeup done, instead of having to rely on your own skills, it would be better to relax and be pampered. Having a professional take care of that for you will save you a lot of time and effort and will ensure you are perfectly ready for the shoot.
Now that everything is set, all that is left to do is finalise details with your photographer. Be sure to enjoy each moment with your fiancé as the photographer captures your story. After all, the most important details in the engagement shoot are you and your loved one.
Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.