The Trick To Engagement Shoots

Every couple is different, how can you make each of their e-sessions spectacular?

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!

E-Sessions normally take a while; remember, the future bride normally brings a change of clothes, and the Shooting Location might be gigantic.

With that being said, you might also be able to deduct that the amount of pictures you will be taking are unimaginable. So, it's SUPER important to go into the E-Session very prepared: extra battery packs, SD cards, Charger cables, backup camera (If you have one), and most importantly, the day before the session, don't forget to charge your camera!

When you go prepared, you can focus on making your clients pictures beautiful.

Scout the Location

This category technically falls under the preparation, but it is also super necessary.

The last thing you want is to arrive at the location and not know where you want to take the couples pictures. It's very embarrassing because you seem unprepared, and unprofessional, but it also wastes valuable shooting time.

If it is impossible for you to go beforehand to the location to scout it, then google it and look at all the surrounding areas. Also, search up photoshoots done in the location, so you know which areas you're allowed to photograph in, and you can also get some ideas.

When you know exactly where you want to take the pictures, it makes the work 10x easier and more enjoyable.

Make The Couple Feel Comfortable

Not everyone can stand in front of a camera and just start posing, everyone is different! Not only that, but sometimes there's poses that may work on one couple, but just won't look right with the other.

One thing I recommend is to get to working with the couple; for example, creating a Pinterest board with the couple to search up their favorite Engagement Sessions. Not only do you get an idea for your clients tastes, but also they have time to start trying to memorize some of those poses, and feel more comfortable doing them.

I also always recommend that you take a few tester shots right at the beginning of the shoot, this gives the couple a chance to get a little into their comfort zone, and it also gives you the chance to have them practice the more difficult poses that need some more time to perfect.

Capture Them At a Distance, and Close Up

Sometimes that picture that you take far away, looks even better up close. You never know, so you have to take as many as you can from different distances, and different angles.

During an E-Session, you will be taking a lot of pictures, so go into already knowing that you will probably be taking the same picture seven times just to get that one perfect one, so try them out at different angles and distances, and you might be in for a nice surprise!

NOTE: Detail shots are just as important as the other shots, so make sure you get a good amount of those pictures, as well! A good time to focus on these photos are near the end of the shoot, when the couple is tired and the sweat messes up the makeup a bit.

Choosing The Right Time

This actually depends on what your client prefers. There are some couples that prefer the sunset light, others that prefer the afternoon light, and others who love getting that morning light just before the sun gets too bright.

What I will say is look for shade, when you're on location you may not have all the right equipment with you, especially if you're just starting out; therefore, find shadier areas. This is because it is very difficult to edit out unwanted shadows on your clients face.

When I started out, I did a couples shoot between trees in mid afternoon, the pictures thankfully came out great, but the couple did have a few shadows because of the sun going through the trees, which was unfortunate, so I cant stress enough to warn the couples about the possibility of the pictures having shadows because of the later time.

Always communicate your concerns with those specific decisions that are out of your control, but don't make the couple feel bad for what they want.

Most of the time, the couple asks for recommendations, so ask them questions regarding the setting of the shoot, and you can begin to make them a list of your recommendations.

Communication is KEY when it comes to E-Sessions.

Always Compliment The Couple Throughout the Shoot

Doing this will turn your good E-Session into a great one. Why? Well, when you receive a compliment, your mood is instantly changed for the better. Normally the couple has to wake up earlier to get ready, and it can honestly be tiring posing in front of a camera for a few hours, so when you compliment them, it makes the experience much happier, and creates a better environment.

And not only that, but the more you compliment the couple, the more you notice that they start to get more natural in their poses, and that's because they feel more confident and comfortable.

Always compliment, your pictures will thank you later!

I hope this blog posts helps you a bit for your next Engagement Session, and thank you very much for reading these tips that have helped me a lot.

Have a great E-Session!