May 20, 2019 /
5 Engagement Session Prep Don'ts
Hello, hello, friends!
(PS – before we even get started, we should say that this has nothing to do with Keri and Sam. They absolutely ROCKED their engagement session! This is just a piece that we’ve wanted to share with you for a while now. 🙂 )
Can we tell you something? We LOVE engagement sessions. Like, LOVE them. And we’re always so glad that most of our couples want to use the session in their wedding collection. We also love that prior to their engagement session, most of our couples have never had photos taken together.
Why?
It means they won’t be influenced by any other photographer’s bad habits or ideas. That we can go in with a clean slate, and no expectations on either side of what we’re going to create. On the flip side, it also means that most of our couples, especially our grooms, are a little nervous. They’re not 100% sure what to expect, aren’t the biggest fans of having their photos taken, don’t think they’re photogenic, and aren’t sure what to do with their hands.
None of that is ever anything our couples need to worry about because we guide them through everything once we’re together so we have the most successful session possible. But before we’re all together? That’s completely out of our hands. And trust us when we say that over the years we’ve heard all kinds of crazy stories about how couples prepare for their engagement session. Everything from a spray tan that morning to a 2 hour stop at the bar, it’s been done.
So today, instead of just rambling on about love (which you know we can do), we thought we would share a few tips with you about prepping for your engagement session.
5 Engagement Session Prep Don’ts
1. Don’t practice smiling in the mirror
We promise, you have a BEAUTIFUL smile. And you’re much more photogenic than you think you are. But why shouldn’t you practice your smile? Easy. Come session day, you don’t want your smile to feel forced. Because we guarantee that if you feel like you’re forcing your smile, it’s going to look like a forced smile. And nobody likes a forced smile in pictures. Instead, trust your photographer as they give you prompts and guidance to loosen you up. Let your real laugh and smile out. This way when you look back at your photos? You won’t see the forced, stressed out version of you, but instead the real, true, relaxed and happy version of you. 🙂
2. Don’t get a spray tan
But for real. We get that you don’t want to be pasty for pictures. But do you really want to look like you rolled around in Dorito dust? If you’re going to get a spray tan, get it several days before your engagement session (or wedding for that matter) that way you’ve got some time to let everything blend into your skin. Because yes, while your photographer can “Photoshop that tan line,” they’ll be so much happier with you if you look natural. And not like a giant Cheeto.
3. Don’t Get schwasted
Boy, oh boy, have we heard some stories. And we understand that engagement session day can be so stressful. And for a lot of people the best way to relax a little bit is to have a drink. (That’s how we unwind after a long day too.) And we’re all on board for that. In fact, we even recommend it from time to time (as long as we’re not driving anywhere). But don’t overdo it. Don’t show up to your session completely sloshed and not able to stand up right or keep your eyes open. No amount of Photoshop can fix that. And we’re pretty sure your partner won’t be super happy with you either.
4. Don’t memorize Pinterest poses
You know, we love Pinterest too. In fact we use it with our couples to mood-board before their engagement session to help pick locations and to get an idea of how much lovey-dovey-touchy-feely they are. BUT. The reason you’re hiring a professional photographer to take your picture is so you don’t have to do the work. Part of that “work” is figuring out how to “pose” yourself. We know that you’re not 100% sure what to do (See #1), but that’s what we’re here for.
We can’t speak for other photographers, but we can speak for ourselves when we say that we always give our couples something to do with their bodies/hands during their whole session. They all even get a walkthrough of our tips & tricks before we get started. But we don’t ever expect them to know how to pose themselves. (Plus, practiced poses look really forced and stiff, which isn’t how 99% of couples want their photos to turn out).
5. Don’t try out a new skincare routine
Two days before your engagement session is not the right time to start a new skincare routine. Or get a facial. Or forget the sunscreen. What should you do instead? Drink all the water. Use all the sunscreen. Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and sugar to prevent breakouts. Because while yes, photographers can Photoshop your skin to “fix it,” it’s not nearly as natural as having beautiful, glowing skin with no Photoshop magic.
Now that we’ve gone through all of that, let’s get to the good stuff. Keri and Sam. And their GORGEOUS engagement session at a family home earlier this spring. It was such a beautiful night, and we had so much fun with these two. We’re so excited to share their images!! So here you go, Keri and Sam. Your engagement session in a nutshell. 🙂
Keri & Sam’s Engagement Session
Engagement Picture Location | Family Home
Keri and Sam – thank you both so much for letting us create your engagement pictures! We had an absolute blast with you both, and are so stinking excited for your wedding next February!! Not to mention all of the fun stuff we’ll get to do together between now and then! 🙂
