How to rock your engagement shoot

We love engagement shoots, but we understand not all newly engaged couples do. Some may see them as just an added cost or additional photos they don't need. But we're here to show you why you should ask your photographer about an engagement shoot and how to rock it! We are using the gorgeous Matt & Emma’s shoot as a bit of a case study today.

Matt approached us last spring wanting a photographer for his October wedding. Like many other couples Matt’s first words were “Oh, we aren’t great in front of the camera!” (If we could have a pound for every time a couple said this.) Honestly do not worry about it, very rarely are a couple super confident in front of the camera. We’ll let you into something, You know those cute giggly photos you always see, it’s usually from the couple laughing at how awkward they think they are being.

The best way to view an engagement shoot is as a “trial wedding shoot”. It’s getting you used to being the centre of attention and reacting to the camera. And honestly, 9 times out of 10 couples find out it isn't half as bad as you think it’s going to be.

Not all photographers shoot the same way, so during an engagement shoot you’ll pick up how your photographer will direct you and the kind of poses they may ask you to do. Also, lets quickly talk about the word ‘poses’. This sometimes can scare couples off, ‘We really don't want posey shots’ is what we hear a lot. Have a look at your photographers work, if you can’t see ‘posey’ shots in there, then don't worry they wont be making you do it. Posing just means direction, the beautiful natural intimate couple shots you see usually will be directed, rarely do couples jump into that pose without being told to.

It’s also great to think about how you may use the photos, some couples like to add them onto their wedding website, or as part of the decoration during the reception. They are also a great option for ‘save the date’ cards.

Now we get onto location. Have a chat with your photographer about what you’re looking for, after all it’s your shoot! Do you want something urban, something rural, maybe a specific location that is special to you? Also be realistic about the time of year. A lot of couples imagine having a nice summers weekend shoot but usually this is unlikely to be an option, your busy photographer will be most likely be photographing someone else’s big day then. Most photographers will state this, or may only give you evening weekday off season options. Don't panic. (You know that gorgeous orangey light- you get that mostly in Autumn and winter anyway!) And if you’re having a summer wedding already, you’ll have beautiful summery couple shots, why not go for a shoot with autumn leaves, or frost on the ground. Don’t be worried about asking your photographer for something different, maybe a sunrise shoot, or an early morning urban shoot before the commuters hit the road. The sky is your limit, but be realistic, you may have made that incredible Pinterest board of ideas but unless your willing to get in a lake, climb a mountain or get up at the crack of dawn then don't expect the photos to look like that.

Going back to Matt & Emma, on the day they were both absolutely brilliant, and totally relaxed into the shoot. This actually helped enormously on the wedding day as the timings had run over so we had less then 10 minutes for the couple shoot and it had just started to rain….But look at the photos you would never have known!