With Valentine’s Day approach, love is in the air. Though your wedding might not be for some time yet, you may well be amongst the growing number of couples who want to celebrate every step of the journey to the big day. What better way to celebrate your engagement with a photoshoot and what better day to celebrate than on the day of the Patron Saint of Love and Happy Marriages?
Whether you’re thinking of arranging a St. Valentine’s Day engagement shoot or you want to make plans for another day, you want to make sure you get it right. Though there are no (or perhaps few) wrong ways to celebrate your love, that doesn’t mean a little preparation won’t help. With these five tips, you can start planning for your creative engagement photoshoot in a way that allows you to be creative, to be romantic, and to end up with a lasting memory that you’re proud to display even after the wedding.
#1 — Dress for success
One of the best ways to show off your creativity is through your style. There are no rules as to what you wear during your shoot. You can choose to complement or contrast one another as much as you like. Whether you prefer the formal look to celebrate a momentous occasion or something more casual to really get comfortable with each other. You want to keep it fashionable to make sure you look your best for the shoot, but you should also choose clothes that best give a visual representation of the relationship, and where you want it to go.
No matter what you pick, make sure that you’re comfortable in it. Even if you’re planning on an outfit change part way through the shoot, you have to be ready for plenty of poses and snaps. Choosing something you can move around in and not feel overly restrained is important. For that reason, a good photographer will recommend choosing your favorite outfits, not just those that are best suited to the occasion. It’s much easier to get your affection and love for each other across if you can breathe in your clothes.
#2 — It’s a date! Mark your calendar
Of course, it’s also a lot easier for that love and affection to come through in the shots if you give yourself the time to feel it. Getting ready for the shoot and ensuring you’re presentable is important, but you shouldn’t be rushing into it. Book it in advance, give yourself time to prepare, and mark it down on the calendar. A shoot can be something to be nervous about or it can be an exhilarating, emotional experience. It’s all about how you build up to it.
That sense of anticipation and sentimentality can be built even further if you make a real date out of it. Give yourself time to relax and enjoy one another’s company before arriving at the shoot. You can have a quick bite to eat somewhere nice before having your photos taken or go out for an intimate celebratory drink together at one of your favorite spots after its done. Plan an activity for the day so that you’re both all loved up for the session, making it much easier to catch naturally romantic shots. The photos for the wedding are likely to be a little more structured and demanding, so now is the time to enjoy the time without reserve.
#3 — Get some professional help and advices
Confidence can be a game changer when it comes to having your photograph taken. Even if you’re no stranger to the selfie, it can feel like there’s a little extra pressure on when you have a professional behind the camera. What’s the best thing to counter a professional? Why, some professionals of your own, of course. For this point, we’re looking at the important role a hair and makeup artist can play when you’re getting ready for the photoshoot. It’s something of an extra investment, but it can be worth it to make sure that you stay as stress-free and cool as a cucumber on the day leading up to the shoot.
You don’t necessarily have to pull out all the stops, to present the immaculate image of yourself like you would on your wedding. You want to look natural and you want your hair and makeup to match the general vibe of what you’re wearing as well, which the keen eye of a pro can help with. What’s more, hair and makeup artists use professional grade products that are built to last. That means you’re likely to stay picture perfect with much less need to stop for a touch-up here and there. Your spouse-to-be can attest to the fact you wake up breathtaking, but the professional touch can ensure that the enhancements stick around during the shoot.
#4 — Plan your story for your Creative Engagement Photoshoot
If necessary, your photographer can help you find plenty of scenarios, settings, and visuals to help you take some excellent, well-thought, emotionally charged photos. However, if you really want to get creative, you can always bring ideas of your own along, as well. Couples are welcome to discussing and plan their itinerary for how the shoot goes. While you’re planning for it, think about the story you want to tell and how you want to tell it.
Location and timing are everything, and the two most powerful tools you can use to tell your story. It can involve important locations, such as where you first met, where you had your first date, and where the proposal happened. If you want a sunset, you had better plan for that in advance, too. Collaborate with your photographer and see what is and isn’t possible in the time you have together. The more of a storyboard you are able to put together, the greater the odds you will be able to achieve at least some, if not all, of it.
#5 — Be yourself
You may be effortless in looking like a professional, but you don’t have to, nor should you, act like one! The average creative engagement photoshoot is designed to shine a light on your relationship at its best as genuinely as possible. You don’t have to try getting into a whole host of different poses that don’t come naturally. When it comes to positioning and other ideas, your photographer will help pick out what works best and offer input that allows you to still be organic and expressive.
The intent here is to allow you to be at your most romantic. So, relax and be yourself. Enjoy the company of the love of your life. Show that personal connection and don’t shy away from displays of affectionate body language that come as natural to the two of you. Holding hands is very important in engagement photography. Feel free to chatter and joke amongst yourselves between and during shots. The more natural you get, the easier it is to focus on the genuine love in the relationship.
With the tips above, you should be ready to cement that creative engagement photoshoot, showing your fun, creative and, most importantly, romantic side. Yet, you can’t forget the role that the professional photographer has to play in the matter, either. Take a look at our portfolio, and get in touch if you’re ready to get your plans in motion.