As Spring swings into full effect I’m scheduling a lot of engagement shoots and want to throw a little advice out there for any of you who may be heading to a shoot with your significant other (whether engaged or not). Couple sessions are so much fun and a great chance for you to get pictures of you and your loved one that doesn’t involve one of you holding out a phone at arms length and saying “cheeese!” So make the most of this shoot and come prepared!
1. Know what you want.
Or in other cliche words… do your homework! You picked your photographer because you like their previous work, them, or their style. But go ahead and look around. Pinterest is a great resource for a variety of poses and styles that you might not know you love. So make a board or just keep a list somewhere of the poses you love and most importantly, share them with your photographer! I met a great couple a few weeks ago in a consultation meeting and I’m so happy to be doing their engagement pictures this Spring and wedding this Fall. Cassie is absolutely gorgeous and one smart cookie, too! She followed me on Pinterest and started a board of all the pictures she loves. Now I just have to look through her board to figure out her style and know how to customize her engagement shoot to her so she’ll love her pictures that much more.
2. Bring what you need.
Speaking of Cassie, the girl loves engagement pictures taken on the ground. These pictures are absolutely adorable and I happen to love them too. But if you notice you’re leaning toward pictures that require a little something special (say a picnic blanket), then bring it! I’m a huge fan of props in engagement pictures because most couples will be using the pictures for invitations or save-the-dates. So bring those large wooden numbers that you can use to communicate your special date or a sign to add some words to your photo. For those couples already married or not in the engagement arena simple props like balloons or bikes can add a lot of energy to a shoot and create great, unique shots.
3. Options!
When I say options, I mean it. I’m talking outfit options- at least two, people. I’m always open to more because 1- I don’t want to limit you and 2- I’m a fashion junkie. To cover your bases I like to recommend one very casual outfit and one dressy option. I get a little resistance to the dressy option but it’s so important to get a little variety and people will love to see you dressed up. Girls- even if you don’t wear heels very often or feel like you can’t pull them off, try. Heels look great in pictures but even better, they make you look great in pictures. And hey, if they’re not working we can go barefoot or slip into something more comfortable (if you brought options). Guys- dressy doesn’t have to mean suit. A button up shirt, rolled up sleeves, a tie, and jeans will still make you look swag. I promise. I also recommend starting out in the dressy outfit so we can loosen up further into the shoot. Options also apply to locations. I have all my clients pick out their own shoot locations because I want even the setting to be a reflection of them. When picking out a location keep options in mind. If you’re picking out a park try to find one with a few different areas. A wooded area, a flower garden, an open area, and an old building is my definition of the perfect park. If you’re thinking more urban then pick a location that has quite a few different flavors within a few blocks.
4. Talk about it.
Talk to your significant other about the shoot before you get there. If you’ve done your homework, brought your props, and picked out all the outfits, but haven’t filled your other half in on what you want out of these pictures, you may fall flat. Show them your board or list of favorite pictures. They may even have some things to add to your list. Most importantly, just make sure they’re okay with all those crazy ideas you have in your head. If you like a lot of kissy photos but they’re not big on PDA, choose a more secluded location or compromise on the amount of kissing. Also discuss what these pictures will be used for. Are they going into invitations, save-the-dates, a guestbook for the wedding, a family holiday card, or just hanging on the wall in your bedroom? Your choices in poses or outfits may depend on the purpose of these pictures. So just talk it through first and make sure that you’re both going into the day with similar expectations.
Last but not least. It’s not very often you have a professional photographer taking your picture. This means you should enjoy the experience and not stress about it. Your photographer knows what they’re doing. So after doing the four steps above, turn the reins over to me. I now know your style and your loved one is here to help. So just spend an hour or two looking great, flirting, and just enjoying the day.
All of the above pictures are from Pinterest and are a great example of the wide range of images you can find on that amazing site (I cannot recommend it enough)! You can view my personal boards here. If this post speaks to you check out the “Couple Sessions” board or just explore- I have a board dedicated to baby animals that is particularly cute and time consuming. To schedule your own couple session with me or just to say hi, email me at kaylina@kaylinanorton.com today I’d love to talk to you!
Keep smiling!
Kaylina
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