My top 5 tips to make the most out of your shoot

Most couples don’t see the point in having an engagement photoshoot. They want to save their pennies for the big day and picking the photographer for the actual wedding takes top priority. However, some say engagement photography is just as essential to the couple's success as the wedding photography is. That is why I have decided to compile my top five tips to make the most out of your shoot. This will hopefully help my couples who are about to have an engagement shoot be prepared and persuade those of you who are sceptical to book one in.

Number one: Have you chosen the right person for the job?

You’re planning your wedding and have rounded down your selection of photographers to two, one photographer has a unique style, a fresh flawless, crystal white film to the pictures. The other photographer’s style is punchy and full of colour, the images draw out the earthy tones, perfect for a Boho Wedding Fest. You’ve chosen your photographer but how do you know if that style really suits you as a couple. That is why an engagement shoot is essential, it is that time for the photographer to really get to know you as a couple, learn the angles which suit you, the tableaux you want capturing. Away from the madness of the wedding day. Only after that will you know if they’re the right person to capture your big day.

Number two: Relish in that time of being in love.

The love of your life has just proposed to you. Relish in that, take the time to really make something of that. I personally love being engaged, I feel no rush to fast forward to the wedding. I enjoy having and being a fiancé. An engagement shoot is a time capture that loves and the anticipation of being wed. Give yourselves the opportunity to relish in your love.

Number three: Capturing history.

What were you like before the wedding, capturing that moment of love and again anticipation to be wed is special? So, when you’re old and grey sitting together with the albums. As well as going, this was us on our wedding day. You can go, this is us before we were married. When you first proposed to me. It is special because it is capturing a moment in your lives that you’ll never have again. Capturing history.

Number four: During the shoot.

This next bit of advice is for during the shoot. There is a stigma when it comes to engagement shoots. That they’re cliche, cheesy or outdated. This doesn’t have to be the case. I like my engagement shoots to really capture the personality of that couple. I did a wonderful shoot last year with Peter & Elizabeth in a woodland setting, it was a gorgeous day of celebrating their love and connection. The photos are raw and simple, they’re not staged. It’s just images of them together in a beautiful place. My advice would be once on the shoot, just relax. Be yourselves, be how you would be if I wasn’t there. The more relaxed the couple is, the more natural and stunning the images will be.

Number five: Enjoy it.

My final piece of advice, which probably sounds obvious but is the most important thing to remember. Like I mentioned in my last article, So You Just Got Engaged. What Now? Something I notice with many of the couples I work with. They are so fixated on the idea of planning the perfect wedding that they don’t enjoy the process of planning their wedding. Enjoy being engaged, enjoy the engagement shoot. Do not fear whether you will look perfect in the photos, just concentrate on enjoying being present with your partner at that moment and the images will be perfect.

Love, Darren x

To find out more information, visit the link here: https://www.darrengrittonphotography.com/engagement-and-proposals or email me at info@darrengrittonphotography.com