So you’ve booked your photographer and on your way to planning the wedding of your dreams. By now you’ve picked your date and location and are narrowing down your list of vendors, themes, guests, details, clothing, bridesmaids…. This is the perfect time to take a break from your wedding planning and take advantage of your engagement session! Several factors go into ensuring your session is as flawless as possible.
Picking an ideal date
Let’s be real, summer in D.C. can be absolutely miserable in the 95+ degree humid heat. Winters are unpredictable as well (three feet of snow anyone?). But all is not lost, don’t you worry! A simple solution is to plan your engagement shoot when it is the coolest, for example Engagement Session in July in a 100+ degree heat wave? Try to schedule the shoot for early in the morning or right before the sun goes down. It is usually 15-20% cooler at this time of day and with much less humidity. It is also the ideal time for the perfect “golden hour” of photographick light so take advantage of the beautiful light and stay cool in the process!
Usually planning the engagement session takes anywhere from two weeks to a month so make sure you have ample of time to plan or let your photographers rock it out.
Purpose
You cannot plan your engagement session without a purpose! We want to set the stage for the style you want to convey in your photos and this starts with how your new artwork is going to be utilized. Consider save-the-dates cards, guest signature books, engagement session slideshow at your cocktail hour, framed fine art or gorgeous canvas collections. By determining the purpose of the artwork it becomes much easier to begin brainstorming the various style and location options of your shoot. If the overall purpose for these images is FACEBOOK! Make sure that the images are unique and stand apart..we got tips, don’t you worry, keep reading!
Style
What style are you aiming to portray? Your love and playfulness, your passions, love of extreme sports or other fun hobbies? Or are you aiming for images that are a bit more posed and dramatic such as an old Hollywood or a high glamour fashion shoot perhaps? Determining what your style is will help set the mood and will allow us to better determine the location of your session! Remember, props can help make your shoot more unique and playful whether it is tandem biking down C&O canal or a food fight in Georgetown!
Location
During your Photographick engagement session you have two hours for your session and can shoot at unlimited locations. Check with your photographer to ensure multiple location options. Two locations allow for two completely different shoots so for example if one concept is black tie James Bond and the other is casual fun at the beach; photographing both is not a problem!
Choosing a favorite spot such as the place where you got engaged, a museum, park, location of your first date or local hang out helps make your photos unique and all about your relationship. Please be aware that some locations require permits, so be sure to plan ahead and request a permit with ample time to secure the location.
Additional lighting, props and assistance may be necessary based on the style and location of your shoot so finalizing this information well in advance of your session is crucial in the planning process and will allow for the best pictures.
Hair & Make Up
We absolutely cannot emphasize the importance of getting your hair and makeup done! Keep in mind what your images will be utilized for. More likely than not your wedding guests will view your images on your wedding website, guest signature book and save the date cards. You want to look your best!
For additional engagement session tips, such as what not to wear, check out the tips section of our website!