6 Engagement shoot top tips

how to be effortlessly romantic on your engagement shoot

It’s coming into engagement season and I’m super excited to meet some of my new lovely couples. Engagement shoots are the perfect way for us to meet each other face to face before your wedding. They are also a lovely way for you both to spend some quality time together whilst having some effortlessly romantic photos taken. For couples who are really worried about being in front of the camera all day – there’s a way to reduce that anxiety and stress. Have an engagement session! Helping to calm your nerves and ironing out any worries you might have at the thought of having your photo taken. Here are 6 of my top engagement tips:

1) HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR OUTFITS

What’s most important is to wear something you feel comfortable in and makes you feel beautiful and confident.

First of all think about the environment we are shooting in and dress appropriately, you don’t want to be trekking up hills in heels but I’m sure you know that. It’s totally up to you how casual or formal you want to be.

Think of colours that work well together and do not clash. Neutral tones or pastel palettes work well together, giving a timeless and sophisticated look. Avoiding bold and very bright colours as they are more over powering and can be very distracting to the eye in the photos. Along with logs and bold patterns as they can date quickly. Keep it simple and stick to 2 or 3 colours that compliment each other you really can’t go wrong.

2) Location, location, location

Try to choose a location on a weekday and avoid weekends. It’s easy to go on a weekend and not have to used a day of annual leave but it will work in your favour to somewhere on a quieter week day. Some locations are busy tourist spots especially in peek season and you might feel like you have an audience which can become overwhelming. You will feel less tense if there are less people around you. Or if you prefer to keep the location simple, consider woodlands, fields or gardens. Sometimes your wedding venue might even let you do the shoot on their grounds, it’s always worth an ask.

3) When to have your engagement shoot

I tend to book my couples engagement shoots around spring or autumn time and avoid peek wedding season due to my availability. Nature becomes much prettier during these seasons and the natural day light can be a little softer. On that note it’s important to try choose the best light to shoot, either early morning, late afternoon or golden hour. Avoiding midday when the sun is at its highest point creating harsh contrasty light.

4) Try to relax

I understand how daunting the thought of having a photo shoot must be. I will give you lots of direction so try to relax and have fun with it. The more you have fun the more the photos will look genuine and enjoyable. If you are feeling uncomfortable it comes through in the photos. I won’t even ask you to look at the camera and I will keep it very natural. They are designed to help make your wedding day photo’s less stressful and giving you an idea of how I work and what to expect on the day. We can be more creative and more relaxed than on your wedding day as there’s no schedule and no guests around to distract you. We can take things slower or shoot for longer. You want to drive somewhere unusual? Let’s do it! Engagement sessions also often give me a chance to challenge myself creatively too.

5) It’s all about you

The shoot is about you both, so have fun with it be silly, be giggly, have a joke and remember to be affectionate towards each other. Don’t be shy to give each other kisses and show your romantic side, it's an engagement shoot after all. It’s nice to finally have a photograph of the two of you that isn’t another phone selfie. Even bring your dog along, after all they are part of you too! Treat yourselves and turn the whole day into a date and go for a romantic dinner afterwards to celebrate.

6) Pamper yourself

It might be an idea to treat yourself getting your nails done, I always love to get a close up shot of your beautiful engagement ring. One tip tho lay off the fake tan!

Depending on when you schedule your engagement session, you could end up using these photographs for your invites, your wedding website, your registry and any other wedding-related stationery you might have. Not to mention updating your social media accounts.

You can add your engagement shoot as an optional extra, I understand it’s not for everyone so I don’t include them in my packages. You’ll feel the benefit of them on your wedding day, knowing how to relax in front of the camera and feel more confident in the short time we get for portraits. I always notice the difference with couples who have had one. Also, it’s nice to not be strangers on one of the most important days of your lives.

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