Preparing for Your Engagement Session | Blacksburg Engagement Photographer
So you are planning an engagement session! This is such an exciting time in your lives! Your session should be just as exciting!
The first step is to decide upon a location. Many clients of mine will ask me for suggestions and the first thing I always ask is what they are envisioning. Do you see your session in the mountains? On a grassy field? In front of a barn? Or do you like the idea of an urban feel? Would you like backgrounds like city alleys and cool brick walls? Maybe some graffiti painted backdrops? Is there a place that has special meaning to you like the location you first met or where the proposal happened? Maybe your university or favorite lunch spot? You can get really creative with an engagement session. It can happen inside a restaurant, in a classroom, or on the edge of cliff overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains! So many options!
After you have selected your location it is time to consider your outfits. Two outfit changes is a common number. It is fun to have one that is a little more fancy than the others. That’s usually a good one to start with. I always love it when a client wears an outfit they can move around in. Being able to sit on the ground for some poses really helps to break up the posing options. I also love a dress or skirt that flows! Outfits that can show movement are always fun to play with during a session! Jeans are great too! Oh! And accessories! Remember to bring scarves, hats, jewelry.. those things can change up an outfit without having to do too much more. Guys can also bring a shirt to put on over a t-shirt for a dressy vs casual look. It doesn’t have to be a huge change to make your photographs look a little different!
Ultimately you just need to remember that your style and what you like is how you should prepare yourself. If you don’t like getting all dressed up then don’t! If you love a chance to make props then do it! No matter what, this is about the two of you!
Are you considering props? Once Pinterest became popular, prop ideas just exploded! There are so many amazing ideas out there that it can even be a little overwhelming to decide what to do! If you are excited about props and want to go all out in planning that go for it! If props are just overwhelming you at the mere thought of them, then don’t! It really is up to you! If you do choose to bring some props just remember to go with the flow. If it is windy you might struggle with signs that will shift in the wind. Also, if you are making a sign for a save the date or announcement, remember that contrast is the key. In a photograph the greater the contrast of the lettering to the background the better it will show up on a photograph. Test out your prop with your iPhone and see how it looks. Make any adjustments before your session so it’s good to go once you want to use it!
Remember to talk to your photographer (ME!) if you have any ideas or want any help! I always love it when my clients plan their sessions with me! It gets me even more excited for their session!
