Planning your Engagement Photo Shoot
- selectwedfilms
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 14
What to expect in a nutshell: We plan for a nice day, I'd meet you and your fiancé at a local park or scenic location (I'm glad to suggest some), you show up dressed nicely and we walk around for 30-60 minutes getting awesome shots. During the session, I’ll guide you through a mix of posed and candid moments. Easy peasy!
More detailed info and considerations:
Location
The location of your engagement session sets the tone for your photos. Whether you prefer a scenic outdoor setting, an urban downtown backdrop, think about places that are meaningful to your relationship. If you're not sure, I'm glad to suggest some or scope out locations in the area. Some popular options include:
Nature Spots: Beaches, parks, botanical gardens, or lake landscapes.
City Vibes: Downtown streets, rooftops, coffee shops, or historic buildings.
Personal Favorites: The place where you had your first date, your favorite hiking trail etc.
Time of Day
Lighting plays a crucial role in photography. Soft, flattering light is best. My preferred times for shooting are either during golden hour— 1-1.5 Hours after sunrise or 1-1.5 Hours before sunset, or a mid-morning session- 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Plan Your Outfits (important!)
Your outfits should reflect your personality and complement each other without being too matchy. Here are some tips:
Stick to Neutral or Soft Colors: Earthy tones, pastels, and muted hues tend to photograph beautifully.
Avoid Distracting Patterns: Solid colors or subtle prints work best to keep the focus on you.
Consider the Location: Dress appropriately for the setting—formal attire for an elegant shoot or casual wear for a relaxed outdoor session.
Another option if there's time- Bring an Extra Outfit! If you’re unsure, a second look gives variety to your photos.
Bring A Meaningful Prop
Adding personal elements to your shoot can make your photos more unique. Some ideas include:
A pet, if they’re part of your love story.
A copy of your wedding invite (if you have them).
Something else?
5. Relax and Have Fun!
I’ll do my best to provide direction to make sure you both feel comfortable and look great! The best engagement photos happen when you’re simply enjoying each other’s company. Don’t stress about posing—just be yourselves, and I’ll do my best to guide you through natural movements and moments.
What to Expect After the Session
I’ll try to provide a sneak peek of a few edited images within a week. Following your shoot, I cull and edit within 3-4 weeks and send you a link to an online gallery to download full resolution images (suitable for print), as well as lower resolution versions of a few of my faves for online/ social media sharing with a small logo/ watermark at the bottom.
How many images to expect: This is tough to say but what's typical is: Mini sessions (30–45 minutes): 20–40 images delivered. Standard sessions (1–2 hours): 50–100 images delivered.
Note: Weather & Backup Plan: Since we’ll be outdoors, I’ll keep an eye on the forecast. If the weather isn’t ideal, we can discuss rescheduling or an alternative location.
Ready to Book Your Engagement Session?
If you’re excited to capture this special time in your life, let’s start planning your perfect engagement shoot! Contact me today to schedule your session! I'm looking forward to it!
Sincerely,
-Kirk
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