DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Engagement Photo Shoots...

Over the past couple of years engagement photo sessions have become increasingly popular among engaged couples. Part of the reason couples are getting more excited about these engagement sessions is because they no longer have to be the traditional posed studio sessions of the past. Today, there are no rules - engagement sessions can be as fun and creative as you want them to be.

Still not sure if an engagement photo session is for you? Below are some info and tips from professional photographers about why Engagement Sessions are so important:

Get to Know Your Photographer: Your engagement session will give you a chance to get to know your photographer's working style and personality before the wedding. It is a great opportunity to get acquainted and feel comfortable with one another, especially if you've only met once or twice before. The engagement session also allows a good photographer to capture the real you and learn what your specific needs as a couple might be. For example, experimenting during the engagement session gives the photographer a chance to understand any self consciousness you may have, learn your preferred angles or “good sides”…etc.

Getting Creative: Making your engagement session unique to you as a couple is a wonderful way to ensure that you'll love the photos. So, before making any creative decisions you should discuss, as a couple, what the ideal overall look and feel of the photos will be after all is said and done. Also, choosing different locations that have some type of connection to your relationship will help you to be much more genuine during your shoot and you're almost guaranteed to appreciate them more in the long run.

Some great places that could potentially make your list of locations are:

• Where you first met
• Where you had your first date
• A restaurant, coffee shop or any other location that you frequent as a couple
• A really cool looking landscape or skyline that's near by
• A location with lots or bright and vibrant colors
• A location that would be the last place that you would think of getting your engagement photos taken, like an abandoned warehouse or old junkyard

Finally, don't forget to discuss your vision for the session with your photographer as well! They are a great source of ideas and inspiration...and have most likely done this a few times in the past!

Try before You Buy: If you haven't selected a photographer for your wedding day yet, an engagement photo session can be the perfect opportunity to test the waters and get a sample of a potential candidate's work. After the session, discuss how you feel about the quality of the images and how well the photographer worked with you. You can then decide if you want to continue the relationship by choosing the photographer to shoot your wedding.

Learn to Work with Your Partner: An engagement session is an ideal time for you and your future spouse to get used to working together in front of the camera. You will not only learn what to expect from your photographer during the photo shoot, but from each other as well. If one of you is camera shy; what better time to practice how to loosen up?

Remember, whatever you decide to do, be sure to enjoy the entire process once it's time for you to take your photos. The more fun you have, the better your engagement photos and all of the memories that come along with them will be!