Now that you are Engaged: Engagement Series: Incorporating your hobbies into your e-session
Incorporating Hobbies
Things to remember when trying to come up with a ‘theme’ for your engagement session:
Clothing – If you are super into sports, you can dress up in your favorite team’s jerseys or other team swag.
Props – Bringing props is going to be the easiest way to incorporate your hobbies into your session.
Location – Another way that you can incorporate your interests is to think about locations that have significance to you.
Now that you are Engaged: Save the Date!
Now that you are Engaged: Let Us Capture Your Proposal!
Proposal Photo Services Available
Did you know that SmartShot Photography offers proposal photo services? That’s right! We will come to your proposal and photograph the whole event for you! Don’t worry, we’ll be discreet – she’ll never even know we are there until after she says yes and you tell her we are there. You may not know this, but photographers are also trained in the art of being spies.
Now that you are Engaged: 5 Tips for Hott Engagement Photos
How to Get Hott Engagement Photos
Getting ready for your engagement session? If you need some extra tips, check out this list we created just for you!
1. Dress for the season. Think about the season as you prepare for your e-session. If it’s summer, make sure to dress appropriately so you and your fiancé aren’t getting sweat stains and red faces during the session. If it’s in winter, wear bright colors so you don’t blend into the snow. Just be aware of these things so you are comfortable and your photos will look the best they can be.
2. Choosing the best session time. In the morning and later in the evening are the best times for a session because of the amazing ‘golden hour’ lighting. If you have a session at noon, there is going to be harsh lighting and your photos will ultimately suffer.
3. Be prepared. Make a list of everything you need for your session – brush, lipstick, extra clothes, accessories, etc. Put them in the car and be ready to go. Along with that, get directions and a GPS, or your handy dandy smart phone, and program in the address of the session. You don’t want to get lost and cause unnecessary stress. Leave with plenty of time to spare.
4. Be excited. This is also part of being prepared. If you’re excited, it can’t help but rub off on your fiancé. He or she loves you and gets excited when you’re excited. Your significant other can’t help but get excited, too. So build up the hype and let him or her know how important this is to you and how fun it will be.
5. Relax. Do not, I repeat, do not, stress out about this. This is supposed to be fun. I know you're worried about what you're going to look like, if the weather is going to cooperate, etc., but the more you stress, the more likely you’ll read stiff or uncomfortable on camera. The more relaxed you are, the better your photos will be. Do what you can to prepare for the session and leave the rest up to me. That’s what I’m here for, so just take a breath and relax. Hey, maybe this is a prime excuse to spring for that massage?
Now that you are Engaged: How to coordinate outfits to get the best look in your photos
How to Coordinate Outfits for Your Engagement Session
Not sure what to wear to your engagement session? We’re here to help! You should bring two to three outfits to your session so we can get a variety of different looks for you. We suggest the following:
Bring a ‘Dressy’ Outfit
It’s not every day you get to get all dressed up with your sweetheart and take photos together. Use this session as an excuse to really go all out and get fancied up! I’m not saying you have to wear a gown and tux (unless you want to), but maybe a dress or skirt for you, and a suit or nice slacks and a button up shirt for your fiancé. This outfit will be great for save the date cards, or the announcement in your local newspaper.
Go Casual
We also suggest you bring a more casual outfit. This outfit is ideal for your more fun, relaxed photos. Tailored jeans and a nice shirt are always a great choice, especially if we are going to be walking around in nature a lot. Make sure to bring shoes specifically for this outfit, too.
Coordination is Key
The most important thing to remember is to coordinate. You don’t want to be matchy-matchy, but you want to coordinate. Choose similar colors and styles that photograph well together. For example, you don’t want to wear jeans if your fiancé is wearing a suit and tie in the same photo. Also remember to dress for the location. For example, if you are doing a natural, rustic or vintage session, you’ll want to stay away from bright colors and opt for neutrals instead.
Things to Avoid
- Logos, unless we’re doing a sports session and you’re wearing jerseys, etc.
- Patterns – Try to stick with solid colors or minimal patterns. Plaid shirts are fine as long as your fiancé isn’t wearing stripes or polka dots. It’s a good rule of thumb to only have one partner wearing a pattern at a time.
- Fluorescent colors – These don’t photograph well and also can cast bright color tones on your skin.
If you have any further questions or want to discuss your outfits, you can contact us at smartshot757@gmail.com
Now that you are Engaged: Finding Your Engagement Session Style
How to Find Your Engagement Style
This is one of those things you really don’t need to be stressed about. The key is to look inward and to consider your current life habits, hobbies and interests. From there, you’ll be able to find your engagement session style and incorporate it into your photographs seamlessly.
Think about your respective, and shared, hobbies and passions. For example, do you both love music? Or is cooking every night something you always do together? Maybe you love to go swing dancing.
Your respective professions can definitely contribute to your e-session style. Is he a firefighter? A scientist? A farmer? Is she a chef? A kindergarten teacher? A geologist? Whatever the case may be, incorporate your professional lives into your photographs. Maybe it’s as simple as a chalkboard, a hay bale, or a chef’s hat.
Are you into sports? Show some team spirit in your photographs with jerseys, sports equipment or something similar.
What’s your favorite kind of music? Are you both country lovers? Maybe you’re more into the classical music scene. Don’t be afraid to dress the part.
Where do you feel like you’re really in your element? Is it outdoors at your favorite park? In the museum perusing the art? Or maybe you love the buzz of a colorful city.
What always makes you two laugh or have fun? Maybe it’s a board game, or a visit to the fair or circus.
Now that you are Engaged: The Importance of Timing your Engagement Session
Perfect Timing for Your Engagement Session
When planning your engagement session, you want to get the timing just right and there are many factors to consider during this process. We’re here to help! Here’s a list of things you need to take into consideration when picking a session date:
If you are going to display your engagement photos at your wedding, and you are doing outside portraits, try to plan your engagement session in the season that you are having your wedding. This way, it matches your wedding décor.
Keep in mind that whenever you are planning your portraits is probably a busy season for photographers. Be sure to book early so you can get a good spot. You also need to remember that if you’re doing outdoor photos, you have to cater to the weather. Sometimes the weather is crazy and we have to reschedule. We’ve had clients have to reschedule four times before due to rain, etc. Be sure to book a backup date in case your first one gets rained out.
Remember that you and/or your fiancé may need to take some time off of work for the session. We may not have any availability when you’re available because, even though we try to be accommodating, we don’t shoot every day or may already be booked on your day off.
Book early enough to use your photos for Save the Date cards, etc. Don’t forget about editing, printing, and mailing times. Allow enough time for the whole process and still have them to your guests on time.
If you’re doing a slideshow at your wedding and want to use your engagement photos in it, don’t wait until a month before your wedding to take your engagement photos and then stress and worry as you try to hurry to get them back and into the presentation. You have to allow editing time in your schedule.
