If you're reading this, you probably have some questions about engagement shoot - what's next after booking your wedding photographer? Well, let me help you plan your engagement shoot using this guide below:

Planning the Shoot

Timing

The timing of your shoot is completely up to you! Most people opt for a few months before their actual wedding date (ie. fall weddings with spring engagement shoots, summer weddings with fall engagement shoots the year before). It depends mostly on what you'd like to use the photos for! Some of the factors that influence your decision could be as follows:

  • Save the date cards
  • Wedding websites
  • Signage for bridal showers, engagement parties, etc.
  • Just to have and share your special moment!

Be sure to book your shoot earlier rather than later! Photographers tend to fill up, especially on weekends on wedding season. Many photographers don't shoot engagements on weekends so be sure to have some flexibility for us - we appreciate it dearly!

Location

This section deserves its own blog post. Click through that link to help choose your perfect engagement shoot location! Remember, this is just a guide and there are so many locations you can work with and ideas that can be explored.


First steps would be to choose the vibe and feel of your engagement shoot. Here are some examples:

  • Cityscapes
  • Beach and waterfront
  • Nature and golden light
  • Rustic, vintage, charming

This helps us narrow down a few locations. Next would be the general region of where you'd like the shoot (GTA or beyond).

Permits

There are several beautiful locations that require permits listed in the guide. There are several benefits to having a permit, one being that it limits the amount of people that are allowed to shoot there. This helps immensely for ensuring you get the right shoots for your engagement shoot! However, they can definitely be expensive. My opinion is that if you really want to shoot somewhere and feel strongly about a specific location, a permit is a small barrier and price to pay.

Hair & Makeup


We recommend this to all our clients - try to schedule your hair and makeup trial on the same day as your engagement shoot! It has a couple benefits:

  1. You can see how your hair and makeup photographs and make any adjustments if needed
  2. Gives you opportunity to try more than one style, or have multiple styles for your engagement and wedding day
  3. You don't need to worry too much about hair and makeup the day of

Prepping for the Shoot

Before the shoot

Now that you've booked your shoot, you can relax (for the most part)! If you want, you can always send me inspiration for shots, poses, etc. that you like so that we can ensure to capture it the day of. I always love to hear your ideas if you have them and, if you don't, don't worry - I've got you covered and I'll take care of the direction.

Day of the shoot

  1. Wear something you're comfortable in!  You want to be able to move freely in your clothing, and also feel as natural as possible! The last thing you want to worry about is trying to adjust your clothes or not feeling comfortable in your own skin.
  2. Feel free to select complimentary outfits. If you don't want to pick between two of your favourites, feel free to select two outfits that capture different moods/styles, depending on what suits you best.
  3. When in doubt, kiss!  Sometimes you might feel unnatural with someone pointing a camera at you at all times. If you're stuck in a worry of what you look like. A great way to just reset and feel comfortable again is to give your partner a kiss and your connection will always bring back that comfort level in the photos.
  4. Bring a prop if you'd like. Some couples like to bring a nice cozy blanket to share if it's cold out, or an umbrella if it might rain! Some of my favourite ideas are: picnic blankets, bouquets of flowers, blankets, umbrellas.
  5. Make a date out of it!  The process is meant to be fun, so during the shoot if you feel like grabbing a hot chocolate, checking out one of the stores, or having a seat somewhere, absolutely do that. Do what makes you comfortable and enjoy! 
  6. My biggest advice for couples is that you get back the energy you put into your shoot - so don't stress, try your best to have fun, and be who you are. You're a unique and special couple, and just let your love shine. Happiness photographs the most beautifully, and I want you to enjoy the process.