Prepping For Your Engagement Session!
It’s always a little intimidating to have your picture taken…even if it’s just a photo on your phone taken by a friend. This may be the first time you’ve had professional photos taken since your senior photos! We still want to look nice, make sure nothing is in our teeth and that our hair is behaving. That’s what I’m here for, to ease your nerves, make you look amazing and get to know you! You’ll have the chance to get to know me as well, experience how I shoot and how I handle posing and lighting.
This session will make a HUGE impact on how the wedding day flows. I’ll arrive on your wedding day already knowing how you two interact, what your best poses are and how to photograph you in a genuine way. What I will learn about you during your engagement session is invaluable! You will feel like such a pro on your big day, because of the great practice you had during your engagement session, and that’s how it should be!
It’s always a little intimidating to have your picture taken…even if it’s just a photo on your phone taken by a friend. We still want to look nice, make sure nothing is in our teeth and that our hair is behaving. That’s what I’m here for, to ease your nerves, make you look amazing and get to know you! You’ll have the chance to get to know me as well, experience how I shoot and how I handle posing and lighting.
This session will make a HUGE impact on how the wedding day flows. I’ll arrive on your wedding day already knowing how you two interact, what your best poses are and how to photograph you in a genuine way. What I will learn about you during your engagement session is invaluable! You will feel like such a pro on your big day, because of the great practice you had during your engagement session, and that’s how it should be!
When should I schedule my e-shoot? Your engagement session can be scheduled anytime before your wedding day. I normally suggest booking it at least 3-6 months in advance to avoid stress. I shoot engagements on weekday evenings or some weekends, normally from 5-7pm depending on the light and time of the year. In the winter months, 3-5 pm is the normal time frame for an e-shoot!
Where should we go? As you start to plan for your engagement shoot, we will need to start brainstorming location ideas. I LOVE it when couples pick a location that is special or sentimental to them in some way! If you can’t think of anywhere specific that you would like to shoot, I can help you decide on a location. As long as the light is great, I can make any location look awesome! I shoot at farms, campuses, downtown alleys and even laundry mats! I’m serious! Do not shy away from crazy ideas; the more creative, the better!
I realize that preparing for your engagement session can be a little overwhelming, so here are some tips that will make the e-shoot prep a little more manageable!
- Don’t try to MATCH…try to pick outfits and accessories that coordinate instead!
- Don’t be afraid to be BOLD! Accessorize and make your outfits your own. Scarves, bold necklaces and fun shoes are always welcomed! I don’t recommend hats, unless for just a few photos!
- Most patterns are actually OK…however, graphics are not favorable for portraits. If you’re wearing a pattern, make sure it’s not overwhelming and distracting.
- If you’re worried about your hair and makeup, make an appointment to primp beforehand! This is always a nice addition and makes you feel even more confident.
- Empty your pockets! Literally! You don’t want to have key chains, phones or anything else in your pockets (This is for the guys especially!)
- Most often, couples like to have one casual, every day outfit and then one outfit that is dressier. This will give your shoot two totally different looks. I recommend beginning with the dressy outfit first depending on our location.
- Make sure you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing. And ladies, if the top is super low cut, that will limit the amount of angles I can shoot from, so keep that in mind as well.
- Make this a date night type of event. I don’t recommend bringing friends or family with you. Let this be like a date night for just you two! Having others there can be distracting and take you out of the moment.
- Feel free to bring your dog! If you would like to bring your dog with you for a few photos, I would more than happily oblige.
- Clean the ring! I love to shoot a few ring shots while you change outfits. The cleaner the better!
- Relax. I’m going to help you along the way and it’s going to be a blast! Enjoy this time together, and make a fun time out of it. Plan dinner afterwards and celebrate another check mark done off the list of things to do!
I hope that this has helped ease your mind and bit and if you have any questions please let me know. I’d be happy to answer anything!
It’s your love story. Brag a little.™
Bethany Melvin Photography is a Sioux Falls, SD wedding photographer who specializes in capturing love stories. Bethany Melvin Photography is based in the Midwest, but is available nationwide and for destination weddings. Have a question or want more information on booking? Contact Bethany today at hello@bethanymelvin.com or visit bethanymelvin.com
