The little moments and pre-shoot vibes
There are many reasons why I love engagement sessions and pre-wedding shoots. Maybe it’s the calmness of it all, or the quirkiness of some of the locations, or maybe when it comes down to it, it’s because this is the perfect opportunity to get to know each other better, you, me and the camera.
My aim is to tell your story of your love and your individuality. I love to hear your ideas, of how your story will unfold, where it will start, where you want to go and the moments we will capture. The best part is everyone’s story starts differently and where it starts is entirely up to you.
Picking your location should be personal choice, it should reflect you both and be somewhere you enjoy being, or means something special to you both. Just because you’ve seen a location that someone used before, or if there is a perfect pond nearby doesn’t mean it’s perfect for you.
It’s important that you’re comfortable in your surroundings, as you’ll straight away feel more relaxed and at ease. So, if love embracing the outdoors and surrounding countryside, pick a location that represents this. If your adventurous head off the beaten path, look for woodland trials or beautiful vistas high in the Peak District.
It doesn’t always have to be stunning views, or blossoming flowers. Subtle locations provide just as much variety and often mean so much more. Did you meet at the station, stolen glances as the train pulled in to the platform? Was your first date at a coffee shop, or a picnic in the park, or perhaps he proposed as you strolled down the canal as people stopped and smiled…I’m sure you get the picture.
But don’t worry if your location doesn’t come to you straight away, I’m always happy to give pointers, to help you find the right place for you both. Just make sure wherever you decide to go, is personal to you.
Once you’ve decided on your location, you’ll need to decide when to go.
Ideally, we don’t want any rain, but that goes without saying. And the light is best when the sun is starting to drop from the sky as it creates a warmness and a subtle glow, so late afternoon onwards. In summer I would recommend around 7:15pm depending on the sunset, which I will always check closer to the day. In spring it’s always earlier, especially as the nights draw in a bit sooner, so this all depends on the month we go.
Alternatively, we can head out early in the morning, before the sun starts to stretch and rise from it’s slumber. You’ll have to be early rises though, often meeting about 5:30am in the summer, as this allows us to capture the best light and at times if we’re lucky a haze that pops out on your photos to life. I always suggest these times, as not only does it provide the best light, but the crowds will have gone, or not yet arrived and we’ll be free to roam making the most of the session.
That all sounds great, but what do I wear?
Wherever you’ve decided on going you’re going to need some comfortable footwear. If we’re rambling through fields and woodlands, I’d advise against heels. That’s not to say you can’t bring them, as I can always carry them by tying them to my bag. I always like to vary the photos as much as we can. That often means walking from one location to another, it won’t be an all-day hike but it certainly won’t be in one spot.
Always try and wear something that represents you both, mainly casual smart is the best way to go. Do you prefer flowing summer dresses and pumps, or are you more of a jeans and boots kind of girl? I always recommend staying away from transparent clothing, these never look good on photos and avoid loose baggy tops which often have the tendency to fall off the shoulder, leaving exposed straps.
If the style of shirts, blazers and long dresses appeals, then by all means go for it, but make sure its fitting to your location choice. These are best suited to urban areas or country manors where parking is close to the location of the shoot. They’re not suited to t trekking along woodland trails, or into the countryside as you’ll soon become hot, uncomfortable and at times a little muddy.
For guys shirts, plain t-shits and jeans are safe options, as long as the shirt doesn’t have any crazy designs, I always like photos with no logos as they’re more timeless. You also don’t need to carry any phones or wallets in your pockets or in your bags, they’re simply not needed for the photos, so you can leave them in the boot of your car. If you really need your phone, don’t worry as you can always put it in my bag, just in case if you’re expecting that urgent call.
So, when it comes down to it, the session is about you, the celebration of your love, your individuality and of course the love you share.
After all, that is all that matters here.
