What’s considered a successful engagement session? For us, it means you’re having fun, we’re having fun, and we’re getting to know each other in the process.
If all of those things are taking place, great photos will always be the result. Our focus is on capturing real emotions, and that’s so much more possible when you and your significant other are relaxed and comfortable. These tips will help you get to that point so you can count on having a successful engagement session.
Know that the first few minutes feel awkward for everyone.
We’ve definitely been on a video chat before your engagement session and have hopefully gotten coffee together once or twice. Yep, we’re still essentially strangers. The biggest reason we push for every couple to have an engagement session is because this is the time for us to become not strangers. And the first few minutes can be awkward. Joe and I are both weirdos and we truly hope you are, too. Don’t feel like it’s out of the ordinary if you’re not comfortable right away. We’ll spend some time just chatting and setting up our gear before we start snapping away, but we promise everyone will loosen up once we’ve been hanging out for a few minutes.
Communicate your concerns ahead of time.
Everyone has concerns about having a successful engagement session (not even Beyoncé looks good 100% of the time). Maybe you’re not a fan of getting romantic in front of large groups of people or maybe you hate your arms. If you don’t tell me, I won’t know. And if I don’t know, I can’t take steps to work around your worries. It’s not always the easiest to talk about this type of thing in person, so don’t be afraid to shoot me a text or email to let me know ahead of time if there is anything specific you’d like me to watch out for.
Dress confidently.
A great outfit will instantly boost your confidence, which will shine through your engagement photos. When you book your wedding and engagement session with us, you get our carefully put-together guide on what to expect and how to prepare. In that guide are style tips that we live by when helping clients pick out their outfits. We chose to outline colors and textures that will photograph perfectly during an engagement session, but deciding on colors is only half the battle. You’ll also want something that fits well and feels like “you.” Take some time to go on a date in the clothes you plan to wear and if you feel confident and comfortable at the end of the night, it will make a successful engagement session outfit.
Keep moving (slowly).
Our approach to photography is very candid, but even the most photogenic couples require some guidance on what to do with their bodies. When we direct you to stand a certain way, don’t feel stuck there! We want you to keep moving. Feel free to talk to each other while you’re being photographed, or better yet, make each other laugh. Kiss each other, make fart sounds in each other’s ears, and sway back and forth. The best thing you can do is relax. You’re never glued in place.
Overall, our engagement sessions are about us as photographers getting to know you as a couple. Have fun, relax, and come with as much confidence as you can. If nothing else seems to help, a shot of whiskey might do it. Only kidding. Sorta.
