Wedding Photography: The Engagement Session

I love Engagement sessions, this is the part where you get to know your clients and just have a fun day at a park or their favorite venue. For me, the engagement shoot is more about relationship than the photography itself. This is the first time that the couple will get to be photographed by you.

Have you ever noticed that when a camera is pointed at you, either you stiffen up, get your usual smile from your bag or do crazy things in front of the camera? The reason being, a lot of people are camera shy and they don't feel comfortable being photographed.

A goal of the photographer is to ease this tension and let them relax and get to know you. So what I do during the first half hour is just to take candid shots, I go further back, becoming almost invisible and just let the couples talk and have fun. This would break the ice and slowly I ease them into a more portrait or editorial session (posed but un-posed photos, I know its confusing. It's basically posing the couple so that it looks natural in the photo, as if it's candid). So go have fun and be creative.

As Bambi Cantrell said "Emotion Instead of Perfection".

Tips: For the Photographer

- I usually schedule the engagement shoot, if possible, two months before the wedding, since I create a slideshow for them to view at their reception. This is great for both the bride and the photographer. The couple gets to see their images for the first time and for the photographer, this is a good marketing opportunity as well to the future brides that might be in the audience. So it really is a win-win situation.

- Don't rush to take photos before you meet the couple, talk to them a bit, get to know them more. They will respond better if they feel comfortable with you and trust you.

- This is a good opportunity to study their angles, what pose works for them and study how lighting affects it. You don't have the pressure of time unlike the ceremony, so do your mental notes now and the wedding day would be so much easier.

- Bring a telephoto lens with you, this would let you be far away from the couple and be invisible to them. Telephotos are great portraits lenses as well. My favorite is Canon 70-200 2.8 IS and the Canon 135 2.0 f2.


Tips: For the Bride

- If you can, flow with your photographer and let him pose you or set you up in an environment for a good picture. Your photographer needs to have his creative juice going, so go with it (unless he wants you to dangle off a cliff or something :) ).

- Wear plain clothes with light colors and if you can with no pattern. This makes you the center of attention and not your yellow polka dot blouse :)

- Set up an appointment later in the day if possible to get the best quality of light available if shooting outdoors.

- Pick a venue where there would be a lot of different environments to shoot. A lake with a bridge for example or a place where there is a lot of nice architecture or even a graffiti wall.

- and most important HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE DAY!!!

Next Topic: Wedding Preparation