Bride Tip: Preparing for your engagement session

Every time I schedule an engagement session, I try to think of useful advice to give to the couple I am working with to maximize both their experience at the engagement session and the quality of the resulting photos. After all, these are often the first professional portraits that these couples have had taken in their lives, not counting their high school senior portraits, of course. To avoid repeating myself and to help out anyone who is anxious about their upcoming engagement session, I've decided to memorialize my general thoughts and advice here.

Scheduling
The great thing about engagement sessions (and one that differentiates them from wedding photography) is the flexibility that the couple and the photographer have with setting the day and time for the photo session. While many, if not most, weddings are scheduled for weekends, an engagement session can (and if possible, should) be scheduled on a weekday, when there are fewer people outside that can get in your shots. Engagement sessions can also be scheduled when the light is best, usually in the afternoon, an hour to an hour an a half before sundown. This time is called the "golden hour" and it's when the light is warmest and most complimentary to portraits. It's also when you can experiment with fun sunset images, like the one below.



Think Strategically About Your Wardrobe
The goal is not to match but to coordinate your clothing. Choose colors that complement each other and avoid patterns that clash. Below is a great example of coordinating, but not matching outfits.



If you wear black and white, I can work with that. If you wear bright colors that pop or interesting patterns, we're going to have a blast! Outfits that you bought because you thought they would look really cool (maybe even like something out of a magazine) but never had the occasion to wear--this is the time. Outfits that are thematic (think retro) are great, especially if we can find a location to match the theme. As you are thinking about bright and fun clothes, do avoid clothing that has busy logos or designs--those can detract from your facial expressions.



Be careful to balance comfort with style. You don't want to be so fashionable that you can barely move because the 5 inch stilettos and the skin-tight leather pants that you've got on for the shoot are not your everyday wear. On the other hand, your most comfy sweats and a tank top may not do you justice either. Always bring a few alternative outfits to change into during the session just in case. You can use them if your first choice outfit doesn't work out or if you want to add a little diversity to your session.

Accessorize
In continuation of the prior topic, you may consider having an accent piece of clothing or an accessory, such as shoes in a bright color or a purse that stands out. Accents that are unique to you will make your photos more special to you and more interesting. Even if an accessory is not special to you on its own, but you think it will complement your wardrobe or the location of the photo shoot, it's worth to bring it just in case. Before your engagement session, think of items you could bring that could serve as accents and give your photographer something interesting to work with. What about a fun umbrella (especially if it's overcast and threatening to rain)? If you and your fiance are kids at heart, maybe bring a bouquet of brightly-colored balloons or even cotton candy to your photo session. If you are incorrigible romantics--a bouquet of your favorite flowers. If you love your pet bulldog, bring him for a few shots of your whole "family." Are you a musician? Let's see those instruments! If the accessories don't work, the photographer will tell you so (please don't be offended), but chances are, they will work and they will make you appreciate your photos even more. As we all know, the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. So don't flake on preparing for your photo session!



Have Some Fun and Show Your Personality
Your engagement photos are meant to capture your personalities as individuals and as a couple. Find a way to show that in your setting, activities, or expressions. Are you both complete goofballs? Pose with your eyes crossed and tongues sticking out. Are you avid surfers? Ask your photographer to schedule your session for the beach. To get the most out of your photos, you need to interact with each other while the photographer snaps away. So, kissing, laughing, hugging and tickling are all encouraged. Don't be shy in front of the camera. Any time the photographer is not directing you, try to forget that she is there and just have fun with one another. One piece of advice that I inevitably give couples is, you should always be touching one another, even if it's in some small way, even if all he is doing is holding on to her pinkie as they are looking out at the expanse of the ocean. That's what's going to differentiate romantic "engagement" images from just pretty but emotion-less photos. :-)



Until next time!
www.alicesokoloffphotography.com