An Save the Date or engagement photoshoot is a great opportunity for you and your future partner to get in front of the camera, especially if you’ve never done this before and you are a bit shy or feel like you won’t know what to do. It’s good practice to plan this a few months before your wedding, so you don’t add to yourself the pressure and nervousness of being photographed professionally for the first time on your wedding day.

How to get ready for it?

Discuss with your wedding photographer if they offer this option.
Getting engaged is an exciting experience and you might be tempted to book a photoshoot straight away to tell everyone the news. However, if you already know that you will start planning your wedding soon after, it might be worth holding off until you’ve decided to book your photographer for the big day.
There are two reasons why:
1.They will probably offer you a better deal for booking both services with them.
2.You will have a chance to interact with them in advance so you will know what to expect when you’re getting married. On the other hand, if you are still deciding between several wedding photographers, you could arrange for several couple shoots to give you a good comparison before your wedding day. But remember that is always important to be honest to anyone you plan on booking for a trial session.

Create a mood board

This is my favorite part - the planning - because this is where I start dreaming and envisioning different scenarios. Go on your favorite websites or social media profiles and save the photos that inspire you. It can be anything from location, posing, outfits etc. Whatever speaks to you, add it to the board. This will help you visualize yourself in the scene and get excited for the day. Show this to your photographer so they know how to bring your story to life.

Pick a location that is meaningful to you

You are the stars of the photoshoot. You don’t have to play the royal family at the castle if that’s not your style. Great photographers can take amazing pictures in your backyard. Choose a location that has a special place in your heart or one where you feel most comfortable. This can be as simple as your own home, the woods where you usually go for a walk, your favorite café or the beach

Your outfits are really important

And I don’t mean that you must go running around the shops for new clothes, but that it’s best to dress in what you feel is your style. Choose an outfit that represents you and that speaks about your personality.

You don’t need to know color theory, but your photographer will mostly likely do. It’s important to get their advice before the photoshoot. Discuss the color combinations and what would work best with the environment. They can advice about clothing shapes, patterns and how to match your outfits to fit the same story.

Bring props if they are relevant
Props are items we use in photography to shape the mood and atmosphere. They can truly enhance a photoshoot if they are chosen properly.
Maybe your partner proposed during a pic-nick in the park and you want to recreate that day. Or you are both avid readers, so you could bring your favorite books that you usually discuss over dinner. Who knows, maybe you are actually scuba divers and want a photoshoot on the lake all geared up. Take a moment to reflect on your relationships and the things that bring you together, no matter how big or small.
Always seek your photographer’s advice before the day.
The more the merrier
I did say you are the stars of the photoshoot, but it doesn’t mean you have to come alone. If there are special people or animals in your life, you could bring them along. You could be using this time to play with your dog, take your children on an adventure or get your closest friends together for a barbeque.
Engagement photoshoots don’t have to be boring or stressful. They can be just like any other day of your life, except there’s a photographer there to capture all the emotions.

Relax and have fun

One of the first things I hear at the start of every photoshoot is: I don’t know how to pose. Will the photos still turn out right? I say to everyone whole heartedly that unless you do modelling for a living, it’s absolutely not your job to know that! There is no need for you to worry about how to pose to get her or what to do with your hands. Your photographer is there to guide you. All you have to do is have a good time.

During our engagement photoshoots we like to combine posed moments with candid shots. We often use prompts to invite a couple to think about certain moments or direct them towards certain actions. These will naturally generate fun moments where our couples are showing a range of emotions without having to act.

One of our core beliefs is that a photographer must be adaptable. Therefore, not all engagement shoots look the same. Some couples might prefer quiet observation of their interactions while others seem to have teleported straight from the red carpet in front out our camera.

We like to chat with each couple and learn a bit about themselves before we start the photoshoot. This way, we know our photos will stay true to your real you.