Included in my 'Big One' package the engagement shoot is an ideal opportunity to get to know how I work and shake off the expectations of what having your photograph taken is like. Most people's experience of being in front of the camera is standing in a white room with a big flash going off in your face or even worse - the school photo!
The Where and the When?
This is probably the most flexible part of the whole process because the answer is, as Shakira once put it, 'whenever, wherever'.
Usually it's nice to get some contrast to what your wedding photographs will be (ie an autumn wedding with spring engagement shoot or a Manor House wedding with a city centre engagement shoot). Most places that are publicly accessible can be used for the photographs.
If there's somewhere special for you both then let's absolutely use that!
What to wear
I'm not one of those photographers who's looking for an aesthetic or a sad, beige instagram colour palette so wear whatever you're going to be comfortable in.
If we're going for a country walk chuck on those walking boots, if we're in a city then put on your fave comfy shoes (I'm a Chelsea boot guy). If you're comfortable, relaxed and feeling good it will read in the photographs.
What's going to happen?
We meet up somewhere lovely (it seems a bit weird meeting a relative stranger in a car park but I promise I'm harmless! Or maybe I listen to too many true crime podcasts) and then go for a walk. We'll stop in a few places for lovely portraits but mostly we'll be having a walk, a chat and just a generally lovely time.
I will be walking backwards a lot so just let me know if I'm going to fall over something or potentially land in a pond.
Trust the process
The main point of the engagement shoot is getting a look into my brain. The short answer is I get ideas, usually make some kind of 'ooo' noise and don't always have a speedy enough brain to explain so just trust the process.
I promise I'm not going to make you look like a dick.
Can we bring the dog?
The short answer is - YES!
The long answer is - YES! Be prepared for me to be distracted.
The longer answer is - YES! Be prepare or me to be distracted and just let me know to look for somewhere dog friendly for the shoot.
What do we do when we get the photos?
They're yours to do with as you wish. I've had couples use them for wedding websites, save the dates and even wedding decor.
Top tip - if there's a Christmas, birthday or Mothers/Fathers Day between your shoot and the wedding a framed print will ALWAYS go down well.
