engagement session guide
Lets get you two ready for your engagement session, shall we?! Remember, your session is meant to be a time to slow down, take a break, and really enjoying being present with one another. After the first couple of minutes you'll realize how much fun it is and you will be professionals by the wedding day.
This guide will give you tips, ideas, and how to's on styling, posing, and how those candid, raw, real moments are truly captured.
It's time to tell yours.
All love has a story,
movement
I'm not huge into posing, I give prompts. What that means is, I will give you an activity or something to do rather than telling you how to stand. But there are times I will give you a pose, and even within those poses, I am snapping away. Using movement within all poses and prompts are what creates those genuine, natural photographs. For example, if I say, "face each other and hold hands", move within that prompt. Maybe play with your partners hair, give them a kiss or hug, tell them something funny. Honestly, it is best if you just be. Pretend I'm not even there. Move as you normally would. If you are moving while I am shooting, each image will be different and create the best candid photographs!
be natural
Literally, it's that simple. I'm sure you're like: "but we are so awkward!" Did you know that 99.9% of my couples say that?! Yes, being in front of the camera can be awkward. But I promise you, awkward is my middle name and I will make all those feelings vanish within the first 5 minutes. This is why I send out that questionnaire. It gives me a chance to get to know you two, what you like, what love language you resinate with. I read all of those responses to create an even more comfortable environment. I use certain commands, prompts and games to get you two to interact with each other. So if I say, "wrap your arms around your partner", don't think about it, just do it as if you naturally would.
I may ask you to do something that sounds a little strange, or it may not feel the pose is "flattering" but just trust me. Go into the session with an artistic and open mind. I promise you the photographs will look amazing. Sometimes I even show you the back of the camera if I notice you feel umcomfortable, that way you get an idea of what I am seeing, and that totally helps ease your mind.
How to Get those natural photographs
Most importantly... Have fun! Don't be overwhelmed or nervous, the photographs are going to be beautiful! And remember, at any given moment, dancing it out is always the answer.
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BE OPEN
have fun!
tips for looking your best
Your outfits have a big impact on your photographs. You want to make sure your outfits flow, aren't distracting, and are complimenting the location you are getting your photos taken.
coordinating your outfits
Wearing jeans and a t-shirt is totally okay! Jeans are so comfortable and go with basically everything. Try playing with different colors, different shirt styles and layering multiple pieces.
Flowy maxi dresses and skirts, dress shoes, button down tops, statement accessories, are all great ways to dress up your session.
casual
DRESSED Up
Clothing to Avoid
LOGOS
TEXT
tons of color
busy print
Logos can be very distracting. When logos are in photographs, your eye tends to go directly to the logo on your clothing rather than you two.
Different colors are amazing, as you've seen above. But a lot of color can crowd a photograph and make it feel messy. Sticking to monochromatic or complimentary color schemes allows colors to pop rather than distract.
Same idea as the rest, busy print = busy eyes. You want the focal point of your photographs to be the two of you. Busy clothing will take away from that and distract the eye.
Text can tend to be even more distracting. Your eye automatically will go to whatever text is on your clothing rather than to the main subject.
When choosing your outfits, you want to avoid clothing that is going to be distracting. The main focus in your photoraphs are meant to be you two, so you want to make sure you are not choosing anything that may take away from you. Choosing an outfit that compliments not only each other, but your location, will definitely help you stand out in each photograph. Here are a few items you will want to avoid when making decisions:
Now you are ready!
If you have any questions, comments or concerns after reading over this, please feel free to reach out to me! I know all of this can be overwhelming if this is your first time getting photographed. But don't worry, that's where I come in. As a reminder, I do offer free styling consultations. If you are interested in scheduling a styling consultation, please shoot me over an email. I can't wait to see you two!
Cheers, Kristin