How to pick a Location for your Engagement Session.
In a previous post we discussed your engagement session’s style. The whats of your session, if you will. What you’ll be wearing. What you want to bring with you. What you’ve been looking at on Pinterest and what you’re expecting out of your photographs. But along with the what comes the where. That’s where your location comes in.
Engagement sessions are an ideal way for you to see how well you and your photographer will work together. They are also great for you and your soon-to-be spouse to practice perfecting your poses for your wedding day portraits. But where should you schedule your engagement session? While you can ask your photographer for some insight on where they suggest consider these tips to help you choose a location that has significance and meaning to you and your significant other.
1. Choose a Place That Fits You as a Couple
Do you have a favorite coffee shop? Go there. Spend most of your evenings dueling it out over scrabble? Set up a session at home. The location of your engagement shoot should be one you two are comfortable in. You don’t have to go all out and glamorous if you both are more the laid back and casual. Nor do you have to search for an open field to shoot in if you’d rather shoot in front of a street mural. The location can be any place that will allow you two to act naturally and can have a story behind it.
2. Take the Sun and Time of Day Into Consideration.
If you are choosing a location because of the sunset or sunrise you’ll have to schedule your session accordingly. You’ll also want to take into consideration the season as well where the sunset starts later or earlier. If you are shooting at multiple locations for your engagement session don’t forget to account for travel time. If you’re going for a sunset or sunrise backdrop you may want to keep your locations closer together to give you more time.
3. Focus on the Visuals and Background
Whether you are going for a rustic or urban look, brainstorm some locations that have interesting backgrounds. Find some interesting architecture or brick walls for an urban feel or fields and trails for a more urban and country feel. Try not to choose a location that has too much foot traffic since this can result in your images getting photo bombed by a passerby.
So, make sure to put as much thought and effort into the where as you put into the what and you’ll be much happier with the outcome of your session. Your chosen photographer can make beautiful pictures wherever you are, but some thought put into your location(s) will make those memories that much more special!
