The nitty gritty details in planning for your session. I wrote this guide to help you think about what to wear, how to pick a location and best prepare for our upcoming session. I hope you find it helpful! -t
My approach is laid back and candid. The aim is to have fun! We can go wherever you like: spend the town, in the woods, or by the beach. Whatever scenario suits you best. It’s a fantastic chance for me to really get to know who you are as a couple so I can capture the essence of your relationship and get photos that are authentically yours. My favorite thing about being a wedding photographer is meeting new people and hearing their stories. The connection I have with my couples is so important and I develop some really special bonds.
If you’re my wedding clients, this is a great opportunity for me to see how you guys work together and discover your personalities so I’ll be ready to capture all those raw, real, in-between moments that will ensure the photos of your big day are ones you’ll treasure forever. An engagement session is a great warm-up for both of you and a chance to shake off any nerves in front of the camera.
It’s worth noting that after you receive photos of your engagement session I am open to suggestions for anything you may wish to change for your wedding portraits. Some couples prefer more fun photos, or particular angles – others prefer more serious shots. It is all about getting it perfect for you.
When to Book
My schedule is most free during the week with occasional Friday and Sunday, depending on where we are in the world. I understand work is a normal conflict and I try to be as flexible as possible on dates to suit your schedule.
For the best light, we shoot either at sunrise or two hours before sunset. Mornings are amazing as the streets are empty, the world is quiet and the sun is just starting to break through the clouds. It can feel early but the magic of this time of day makes it absolutely worth it. Many of my couples have work from home options and we use the morning time to start the day off right. Naps are great too, right?
Also, think about what season you want to shoot in. Fall lends itself to cozy sweaters, warm beverages, bonfires and the fiery blaze of the changing leaves. Summer embraces ice cream cones, flowy dresses, bicycle rides along the pier, and evening strolls by the beach. There are endless possibilities.
Big Day Deadlines: It’s standard to send your ‘Save the Dates’ four-six months in advance. I typically take two weeks to edit photos and deliver your gallery online. You’ll then be able to download your images with a protected password. If I am also capturing your wedding day too I will be creating a 10×10, 20 page layflat welcome book for your wedding day. I design this page by page, leaving lots of extra space for guests to write well wishes. You get to pick the cover color and it arrives with me on your big day!
Location, Location
You are unique and your location should be unique too. It should be somewhere special, that has meaning to you as a couple. Think about places that inspire you, or places you feel comfortable. Is there is a specific place that you enjoy being? Or a place you’ve always wanted to visit? I’ve had couples pick places they were engaged, had favorite dates, or even places they’ve never been to but always dreamed of. Anything is game. Think sailing on a boat, exploring a historic location, planning a champagne picnic on top of a mountain, a hot air balloon ride at sunset, dancing down city streets, or horseback riding through the woods. You name it, let’s make it happen. No experience is too wild.
