Friday, August 15, 2014

Engagement Session - Style Guide + Helpful Tips


When you book your wedding photography coverage, shortly after, you need to schedule and plan for your engagement session. This is going to be a fun and exciting photo shoot that displays the love and interaction between you and your significant other. You will most likely use these photos for your wedding website, save-the-dates, social media profiles, and what ever else you can think of. So lets plan to make it a fabulous experience highlighting you and your boo at your best!

SCHEDULING YOUR DATE
NO TO WEEKENDS:
While you may think that a nice Saturday afternoon for your session is perfect, the truth is that it's not, and here's why. Saturdays are busy days. Everyone wants to get out on Saturdays. Which means your sweet shoot in the park will become littered with families having picnics, people playing catch,  tourist site seeing, and children riding bikes. Also, most venues have events on the weekends and do not allow photos.

YES TO WEEK DAYS:
Weekday evenings are great! About one hour before sunset. This will allow perfect lighting, less pedestrians, and cooler weather that won't melt your makeup away. Also, your salon is less likely to be crowded on a weekday afternoon!! So please take this into consideration just in case you need to make arrangements around your busy work schedule.


PLAN YOUR OUTFITS
Don't pull something out the closet the day of your shoot and decide that it will work. Pull several outfits for the both of you, at least a week before your shoot and coordinate. Try your outfits on, make sure they fit and that you are comfortable with the way you look in your clothing while sitting, and standing. Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free, and please do not wear matching outfits.....please. 

Coordinate, but don't match. I want you guys to look as if your attending the same event, for example, if he's wearing a football jersey, then you shouldn't be wearing a cocktail dress! Compliment each other by selecting a complimentary colors.

























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You will be allowed two outfits for your shoot and you want them to look great. Plan for something casual, and something formal & sexy!! Heels are girls best friend in photos, they make us look longer, leaner, taller, flirty and overall hot! As for men, you can never go wrong with a tailored suit for one of your looks.

Accessorize and complete the look with a bold necklace, a fancy watch, a belt, bracelets, a tie, a headpiece, etc. You get the picture! Don't wear all at once, these are just a few suggestions. Select a few pieces and if you're not sure, bring them all and switch them out.

Check for wardrobe malfunctions. While we will do our best to make sure your clothes are in place, please make sure your undergarments aren't showing, your buttons aren't bulging, your dress isn't  riding up. Please wear something well fitting, and flattering for your body type. Hide what you don't want my camera to see and flaunt your assets.



HAIR + MAKEUP (YES please!)
Cameras bring out more than you can see with the naked wow, and close-ups will be taken. With that said, I can not stress enough how important it is to add a touch of makeup and do something extra with your hair. Have you EVER seen a photo shoot without hair and makeup on set?? Well this isn't any different girl!! It's totally your time to shine and work the camera!



HAIR:
However you wear your hair, today is the day to spray a little extra holding spray to  keep curls intact, keep frizzes down, and to prevent fly aways. Wind is your enemy so make sure your hair has a standing chance!
Bring a comb or a brush for retouching and keeping those hairs in place.  
I have big frizzy curly hair, and most days I wear it just as it is. But when ever I wanna keep it in place, I switch up a few products and spray on a little more holding spray than usual.

MAKEUP:
If you've already booked your wedding day makeup artist, go ahead and let them know that you've booked your engagement session and you want a nice look for your photo shoot. You already trust them with your look for your wedding, go ahead and book them for your engagement session too!

Shaped eyebrows make a world of differences. You'd be surprised to see how freshly shaped eyebrows can brighten your face and enhance your features. Get them done a day or two before your shoot.

You may also want to bring with you some blot powder, and lip gloss to reapply after all that posing and kissing.

You will always thank yourself for taking the extra step to apply makeup. If you are a natural girl, and you don't wear makeup, I still suggest getting a little something done to conceal blemishes and look extra fresh to enhance your natural beauty.

HANDS + NAILS
Your hands, nails and sometimes toes will be in your photos and should be groomed. I love taking photos of interlocking hands and closeups of the ring, so be prepared.  You should also clean your rings. Lotions, creams and other debris get trapped in rings over time, and make your rings look dull. Ask your jeweler to clean them for you, it's quick and usually free.

LOCATIONS
The location of your engagement session plays a big role in the look and feel of your engagement photos. 

You are responsible for booking and securing the venue for you shoot. 


Regardless of your location there are a few rules:
- Most locations have fees, permits, and contracts that must be BOOKED, PAID and CONTRACT SIGNED before hand. It is your duty to make sure that these things have been taken care of before your engagement session.

- Make sure you know the open and closing hours for the venue so that we have enough time for our shoot.

HAVE FUN
The most important part of your engagement session is your attitude! Be open minded, and have fun. Pictures say a thousand words and when your relaxed, in a good mood, and enjoying your shoot, it shows in your photos. 






TIME
Arrive on time.
Arrive on time.
Arrive on time.

We have a start time and an end time specifically scheduled around sunset hours. We want to take full advantage of our time.

Your shoot WILL NOT BE EXTENDED if you show up late, unless you request a time extension. You will be invoiced for that additional time.

Arrive dressed.
Change quickly for your second outfit.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR THE DAY OF YOUR SHOOT
Please eat something light before your shoot.
Bring bottled water, snacks, trail mix, etc. Hunger is a huge distraction.
Bring flats to walk around in.
Be prepared to pay for parking in certain locations


As always, I welcome all suggestions that you may have to create the best experience for you, so call me or email me with your ideas, outfit questions or whatever else, and let's make the best of it.

See ya soon!

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