Engagement Shoots ~ Tips and Ideas

22. Feb, 2012

With Spring just around the corner (Yay) couples getting married are starting to prepare for their weddings and one of the first things they do is set up their engagement shoots. We have talked with numerous professional photographers over the years and have been given some great advice that we would like to share with you in regards to engagement shoots.

One of the biggest pieces of advice we can give to brides is to listen to their photographer. If your photographer is good they have been around the block many times and have shot hundreds if not thousands of weddings. They know what works and what doesn’t. So many times a photographer will give advice to a bride and the bride will still want it done her way and they she will complain when the pictures didn’t turn out as she had hoped. If you have an experienced photographer we promise you that their advice will give you the best shots you are hoping for.

When should you schedule your engagement shoot~ It is important to schedule your engagement shoot at least 3 weeks prior to the date you want to mail out your announcements to prevent rush charges & stress.

Photo Courtesy of Tiny Comet Photography

Hair~ Before you make a drastic change such as a new color or new haircut make sure you give yourself enough time to make the changes necessary in case you aren’t particularly fond of it. Also when deciding how to do your hair think about how you normally wear it. Often times brides wish they would have done something different with their hair as they don’t think they look like themselves when they have a new hair style that they normally wouldn’t wear. For example if you normally wear your hair down you may not feel like you look like yourself. Hiring a professional for your hair & make up is always recommended. Hire someone you trust & be sure to do a test run prior to your wedding or photo session to be sure you are both on the same page & loving your look.

Photo Courtesy of Soup Films Photography

Let your photographer know what you like & what you don’t like~ Communicating with your photographer is extremely important. Everyone is unique & likes different things. Some couples prefer more traditional, posed shots and others like a creative approach with different angles, fish eye shots, candid shots & special effects. If you have a preference or want something specific let your photographer know. The shoot is about you & what it is you want. A good photographer will be able to do what it is you ask & can shoot various styles. If you see something you like or want to recreate let your photographer know & show them what you want.

Photo Courtesy of Robert Wood Photography

Bad Weather~ While I am sure you think highly of your photographer, they can’t control the weather. We have heard over and over from photographers how couples blame them if the weather is bad. While I am sure they wish they could control the weather (probably lots of money to be made if they could) they have no control over the elements. Keep in mind that if you choose to keep a scheduled shoot during inclement weather your pictures will have rain or snow in them and that your hair may go frizzy or flat & you could have rain spots on your clothing. There could be snow spots on the camera & some locations may not be as beautiful. Make sure to open up a few dates just in case the weather is bad. Remember that your photographer does have other clients so be flexible.

Photo Courtesy of Paramount Photography

Editing & turn around times~ Turn around times vary depending on the season, Intense editing such as removal of objects from an image takes time and a very skilled editor. If you are in need of quick turn around times for your pictures be courteous of the photographers time and understand that some things can’t be done immediately.

Photo Courtesy of Opie Foto

Locations & Times~ Listen to your photographer about the best locations & times for your shoot. If you have a specific place in mind let them know about it & get their opinion. Having good lighting and a variety of scenery will make a huge difference in having your images turn out the way you like them. It is ultimately up to you on where you want to go but keep in mind any good photographer will want to have good lighting & scenery to make the images turn out fantastic.

Photo Courtesy of Swensen Photography

What to wear~ This is such a personal choice as it is important for you to choose clothing that you are comfortable in & that reflects your style & personality. Here are just a few simple tips to keep in mind: Cap sleeves & baby doll shirts typically aren’t flattering. Depending on the location, the color red can wash people out. Stay away from heavy patterns as they can become distracting. Many couples also bring outfit changes with different looks as well.

Photo Courtesy of Robert Wood Photography

There are some amazing photographers in this market who are masters of their craft and are dedicated solely to making your wedding amazing. We couldn’t recommend more hiring a professional as some times the worlds best editor still can’t fix a bad photo. Check out some of Utah’s Best Photographers Here. You can also see more engagement photo ideas in our Engagement Photo Gallery Here.

We also encourage you to read our blog about engagement session locations.