Image In Love Photography Presents
MY TEN SECRETS
for a successful engagement session
a guide for my lovely couples
ABOUT MY ENGAGEMENT SESSION
An engagement session is a couple’s portrait photography session celebrating this very special time in your life! Typically, engagement sessions are casual and give us a chance to get to know one another without all the pressure of the wedding day. They usually take about 30 minutes up to 2 hours and can be a lot of fun! Where we shoot is entirely up to you. Sometimes couples choose locations where they proposed, others a favorite bar or outdoor spot.
Since the engagement session will be your first time in front of my camera, I want to help you feel relaxed and as prepared as possible. As a result, I’ve created this little guide to help you get ready for our time together. It includes answers to my clients’ top 10 most frequently asked questions about their engagement sessions and will hopefully give you an overview of what to expect! I’m always here to help with recommendations or ideas if you need them, too.
What to wear
I always emphasize how important it is for their outfits to be comfortable. If we have a quick 30 minute session 1 outfit is going to be ideal but if we have 1 or 2 hours then 2-3 outfits are good to bring. A casual outfit and a dressy one too. A outfit with a pop of color like red or yellow look really good in photos. You don’t want to match colors but compliment them. Depending on our location can be a factor in what you wear too. If it is a dark location than wearing lighter clothing would be ideal. Accessorizing is fun, looks amazing on camera, and highly encouraged. Ladies – go for it! Hats, belts, scarves, necklaces, hair scarves, earrings, rings – bring it on! For the guys, try to avoid technology accessories but don’t be afraid to try some fun socks or fun shoes. If you have trouble with this, let’s go over it more to make sure we are good to go on the day of.
Hair and makeup
Definitely have hair and make up done. It doesn’t have to be over the top. Something comfortable. Natural tones look great on camera.
Style collaboration
We have our own style that makes us stand out from other photographers. If you have had a chance to see our website and our latest Instagram photos, you can get a good idea of how our photos look. We bring this style and look to all our photo shoots. If there is some photos that you just must have or if there are some photos you are really not interested in then please let us know whats on your mind. We can tweak things for you to make it your own. If there are angles you love or not like so much please let us know that too. We will be sure to pay attention while getting your photos. Feel free to send us your inspiration photos that you have seen on Pinterest or Instagram- text us at 760 845 1983 or email us at toby@imageinlove.com
Long Flowy = Romantic
If you’re looking for a dreamy, romantic look in your images, I highly suggest choosing an outfit that’s long and flowy. Look for long, romantic dresses or flowy skirts in gauzy fabric that catch the breeze and the light. High heels and delicate, sparkly jewelry add a finishing touch!
Just be you
Everyone has their own unique style, and it’s OK to choose an outfit that expresses who you are! You don’t have to try to look a certain way or match what your friends did for their engagement sessions or what you’ve seen on Pinterest. Just be yourself! You being you is going to make you feel more relaxed and your photos will look much better.
Relax
Some clients get worried about whether they need to know how to pose, find the right backdrop, turn into the light a certain way. Those things are all my job! All you have to do is show up looking fabulous. We know its not like you get in front of a camera all the time for professional photos or maybe you do, but trust that we have a process and let us lead you a little bit, it will be fun and easy and in turn your photos will look great.
Time of day
Good lighting is key! Although anytime of day can work, it is ideal to get photos when the sun is low during the first few hours of the morning light or the last few hours before the sun sets. If we are in an area that has shade to protect us from harsh sun that can be good for us to photograph your session more around mid day. If it is overcast we can get away with some mid day photos too. End of day or morning you cant go wrong though.
Sign in book
Consider having us turn your engagement session photos into a sign in book for your wedding. We can make you a beautiful book of all your best images from the day. Bring it to your wedding day and have all your guests sign and leave messages for you it when they arrive.
Props
If you have any props you want to bring this can be really fun and good to mix up the session too. If you want to bring a chalk board and write somethign like your date on it, we can also use the sand at the beach to do this. If you wan to bring a frame to play around with. You could have some funny t shirts or somethign that is an inside joke for you both. Bring your pet or even your cool car, we can incorporate those into the session.
Last but not least
This engagement session is about the both of you. Its about your love. Its about the both of you coming together to spend the rest of your lives together! As the photographer I am looking to capture you both and tell your love story through photos. I completely understand that its kinda awkward. Rest assure that it will go away fairly quick (like 5 -10 min) and our photo session is going to be fun, easy and light. You will feel good, your photos will look great and If I am photographing your wedding, we are going to be all warmed up when that day comes.
See our WEDDING DAY PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
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Image In Love photography offers services for Wedding Photography, Engagement Sessions, Maternity Photography and all other Family Photography at all locations in San Diego including but not limited to Imperial Beach, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Balboa Park, Mission Trails, Point Loma, Sunset Cliffs, La Jolla, Del Mar, Torrey Pines, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Temecula, San Clemente, Oceanside, Fallbrook plus also servicing the Hawaiian Island including Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu. Also inquire about Wedding Photography for Destination Weddings.
