Get Ready for Your Pre-Wedding Shoot

You’re booked in for a pre-wedding session (I used to call them engagement sessions, but when you’ve been engaged for 6 years already it doesn’t really work) and you’re excited, nervous, and all/many of the other feelings. I know having your photo taken can be pretty nerve-wracking. Most of us don’t have a pro photographer pointing at us very often. I certainly don’t and I feel exactly the same.

No doubt you’ll have a few questions, and hopefully this will help to answer them, and get you ready for the fun!

Why I love pre-wedding shoots

While getting awesome professional quality photos of yourselves is great – you can print them and put them on the walls, you can use them as invitations or signs for your wedding, or you can just share the shit out of them on social media – a pre-wedding shoot is also about getting to meet each other, having a laugh and getting used to having your photo taken by me. It makes wedding day portraits quick and easy.

Before your session…

 There’s a few tips I like to give my couples before I meet them for a pre-wedding session to get the most out of the day.

Fill in your couple questionnaire

Here’s where the questionnaire I sent over when you booked comes in handy. Your answers mean I know a bit more about you and can help find places and watch for moments where your personalities shine through – that makes the best photo.

If you’ve not already filled it in, get it back to me asap.

No arguing

Easy to say, harder to do. Do your best to be civil and happy and caring with each other on the run up to your session. Even a small argument (e.g. about where to park) can affect your mood. If you’re not in the right frame of mind, let me know and we’ll look to reschedule or take 10 minutes to chill and grab a drink beforehand.

Eat

Make sure you eat enough before your session. You don’t want to feel hangry or distracted by stomach rumblings because you haven’t eaten. At the same time, don’t come to your session after a big meal, you’ll feel bloated and tired.

Make-up

There’s a few vicious rumours floating around that you need perfect make up to have the perfect photo. Well you didn’t book me for ‘perfect’, you booked me for my down-to-earth, genuine photography of REAL moments involving REAL people, so wear makeup you’d naturally wear!

Avoid fake tan

Digital cameras love to take orange and make it brighter and more saturated. While I know that us Brits tend not to get quite enough sun and have a bit of a pale, pasty skintone – I can work with that, orange tones, however, are difficult to edit.

What about the weather?

Contrary to popular belief, rain doesn’t cancel photography. I use professional grade equipment which is weather-proofed and, as a keen outdoorsy person, I have some waterproofs. That said a storm, blizzard, or harsh conditions can be a problem. Don’t worry, we’ll just reschedule or move indoors.

Locations & things to do

Where you have your session will depend upon your personality, but is generally only limited by creativity and consent. We’ll occasionally need permission to photograph on private land, particularly large estates (think National Trust, English Heritage, or anywhere you pay to enter) and that often comes at a cost if you’re not having your wedding there. Smaller businesses, particularly local ones, are often a lot more amenable. I’ve had engagement shoots in antiques warehouses, vintage clothing stores, breweries, coffee shops and bars, and of course in the streets, paths and forests.

Remember, we don’t need a grand vista as a background, so think about where you’d spend a day out and go from there. If you have a crazy idea, I’m all for it.

Where we have the session links to what we’re doing too. It can feel a bit artificial to wander around the streets and take photos and that can create a feeling of awkwardness. Instead, choose a spot, find something to do (drink a coffee, go bowling, eat fish n chips) and go from there. If there’s a story, however simple, it helps make the photos!

Posing

I don’t tend to work with professional models very often, so don’t worry if you have no idea about how to position yourself in front of the camera. One of the great things about a pre-wedding shoot is that it’ll help you figure out what works for you ready for your wedding photos.

Most of my work is documentary and candid. I interfere in a scene as little as possible. When it comes to portraits of couples I keep that in mind, but I recognise that people need a little direction to know what to do. Take a look at the tips below and watch out for me giving prompts on the day.

Standing, sitting, lying down

I’ll get onto clothing in a moment, but I highly recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dusty. Interesting unique photos mean switching it up in terms of your position. I’ll be looking for opportunities for you to stand and sit for your photos, which may even mean chilling on the kerb edge. There are also some great photos with you lying down next to each other. If you’re not up for that, let me know. Rest assured lying down when it’s muddy is not gonna happen – unless you ask for it.

Over-posing is a big no

Over-posing is a thing and not something I do. I’ll watch out for awkward hands and body positions, but I’ll not be fine-tuning what you’re doing to make ‘wooden doll’ images.

Move!

Don’t stand still! My best photographs come from people moving, whether it’s walking along, looking around, twirling, dancing or swinging arms. You can even move gently when you’re snuggling together, it all helps to prevent a stiff-looking photo.

Get close

While we’re on the topic of snuggling, remember to get close to each other. You’re getting married FFS. Hold hands, rest your heads together, whatever you do to feel comfort, grab your special person and hold on!

Serious, and LMFAO

At some point I’ll undoubtedly look for a hipster-pose shot. There’s normally a big-ass door somewhere and they work really well to create a photo where you look serious AF straight over my shoulders. This almost always leads to manic laughter. Run with it.

Where do I look?

“Look at the ducks” is a common phrase from me. Although I will get a photo of you looking into the lens, they aren’t exactly candid, so I’ll also ask you to look away together (at the ducks) and also at each other.

Couple: What do we do with our hands? — Me: Touch each other… — Result!

What do I do with my hands?

Even I can’t get this right when I’m having my photo taken. I have a go to position, hands in pockets. I talk with my hands, I swing my arms (a bit… not LOADS) when walking, rarely do I have my hands in my pockets, so while it’s ok for one or two photos, you don’t want it to be the place you put them in all of them. Holds hands, touch each other. Don’t worry if I ask you to do something with your hands – because it will happen.

Together or separate?

Have a think before your shoot if you want a few photos of you separately. They’re great for storytelling, but not for everyone. You do, however, get an exciting peak behind-the-scenes while your special person is getting photographed.

Clothing choices

Finally, the biggie – what do I wear to my engagement shoot?
I could probably write a whole page on this, but I’ll try to keep it limited to a few pointers.

Colour choice

Wear what you would wear normally. If you’re an all-black skater girl, that’s part of your identity and personality and should be in your photos, likewise if you’re all about the natural tones or pastels, wear them.

Matching?

I’m not a massive fan of matching outfits, unless you do that on a regular basis. It can look a bit cheesy if it’s not your usual thing. I’ll repeat, you do you.

How formal?

You shouldn’t over-dress, and bear in mind your location and what we’re doing. Walking clothes are great to go for a walk in and they reflect your outdoorsy nature, but would you wear them to go to a bar, for a coffee or an antiques warehouse? If you would, then go for it.

Don’t wear new shoes

I’m sure you already know this, but while those bright white Vans might be amazing for your shoot, make sure you’ve worn them in a little before you walk around for up to an hour in them.

Accessories

Bring sunglasses on a sunny day, pop a hat on or a scarf in winter. Accessories can level up an outfit.

Outfit changes

Outfit changes can be difficult if we’re walking. You don’t really want to be bringing along a large bag. Instead, think about layering, so you can remove a jacket and have a totally different look!

Finally, pockets…

I’m not boasting when I say I have one of the ‘Max’ iPhones. It’s a pain for photographs because it’s huge and hard to hide. Remember if you have all your loyalty cards in your wallet it’s going to be a huge bulge in your pocket. Bring only what you need and be prepared to empty everything out if it’s likely to be visible in your photos.

Have fun!

Remember to have fun. I’ll do my best to make your session fun, we might end up having a pint/gin/coffee and chatting about your wedding plans, or buying a vinyl from the local record shop. The most important thing is to enjoy it and get some great photos at the same time.

I do pre-wedding shoots mainly in and around Sheffield, but I’m happy to travel further afield. If you’d like to book me for a pre-wedding shoot (they’re included in my all-day package) then get in touch!