Last Updated on May 21, 2017 by christinabtv
Planning a wedding is either the best time or a case of stress and Starbucks-induced insomnia. I stand somewhere in the middle. One of my favorite things thus-far has been working with my photographer and completing our engagement photos. I think they came out amazing and I can’t wait for the beautiful moments captured on our special day.
I thought it would be helpful for me to share how to have the “perfect” photo shoot. Obviously, nothing is perfect but let’s aim for a feeling of amazement when you receive your photos and they are better than you could have ever imagined.
“My love for you is a journey, starting at forever and ending at never.”- Anonymous
Get comfortable: Shyness is normal, especially if you have never been in front of a camera. Use the first fifteen minutes with your photographer as a trial period. Meaning, listen to their direction, be open-minded, and take a deep breath. Most engagement sessions last 1-2 hours so the first fifteen minutes doesn’t need to be perfect. Fun tip: Bring a bottle of champagne to help loosen up and it also makes for a glamorous photo.
Location, Location, Location: This is the time to pick the venue of your dreams. I am having an indoor wedding so I wanted my engagement photos outdoors. This way I will be able to frame photos that show-case different scenery. Many locations are free but some places such as museums and hotels will charge a photography fee.
The outfit: Choose an outfit that goes with your theme. This would also be a great time to hone in on the vibe of your wedding because most of these photographs are used for your save the dates and wedding website. I am having a black tie wedding so I wanted at least one outfit to feel glamorous. Having a barn wedding? Incorporate plaid. Afternoon wedding? Try a cocktail dress. Fall wedding? Can’t go wrong with over-the-knee boots. You get the idea.
Hair & Makeup: This is a fantastic time for a trial period for your wedding hair stylist and makeup artist. You don’t have to do the exact hair style as your wedding day but you can see if you actually like their technique and the final results.
Background: My photographer brought up an interesting and useful point when we were collaborating on ideas for the engagement shoot. She asked me the colors of the decor inside my house. I thought this was a bit unusual until she explained. If the main color of your home is white and you pick a destination with a bright blue background you may not like how the picture looks blown-up and hanging on your wall. I took this idea into consideration and decided to have our engagement shoot outside surrounded by water, greenery, and a neutral colored mansion that is now a museum.
Have Fun: Most importantly have fun! Whisper sweet words to your fiance during the photo shoot to make them smile. Tell them a joke to make them laugh. Having your love portrayed in the photo is the most special part.
I hope these tips helped! You can check out more detailed pictures on one of my engagement outfits here. Also, check out my youtube video (posted below) where I talk all about my engagement session!
Outfit details: Gown (similar)| Louboutins| Self-Portrait| Valentino
With Love,
Christina
Photographer Credit: Hazel Rodriguez
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