He asked, you said `YES!` and now time has come to shoot your engagement pictures – but `YIKES!` you have no idea what to wear!
When couples ask me what to wear to their engagement session, I always advise them to wear comfortable outfits. Like, we all have our `no no!`s (Try making me wear a mini skirt paired with a sleeveless blouse, and I’ll run away as fast as I can!), and I believe we shouldn’t stretch our comfort zone as it is already going to feel weird to cuddle and kiss while I’m taking your pictures (I promise, the weird feeling will go away in around 15-20 minutes and you’ll start feeling like you’ve been a Vogue model for over ten years!) But it’s a truth that there’s no better opportunity to wear that edgy dress you bought a decade ago but didn’t know where to wear it! If you feel comfortable, go for the `WOW!` look! 🙂
(Almost a total of 5 hours mix&match, `Oh, this would go so good with this – naaah, that one will look better!` later… I now adore all those fashion bloggers out there! How on earth do you manage to collage all those stuff every week or day!? Eeek!)
Now that you have tips on what to wear let’s get to that point where it feels awkward to pose to a camera controlled by a photographer you just met. 🙂
We’ve all been there! Despite the almost 10 (in total 9!) years of the photography business, I’ve been earning my life with – even I’ll panic and look like dear in headlights when my picture is taken. Please don’t get me started with the live television show I once attended and needed a big bowl of tequila after it was over!
But no, I’m just teasing you right now. You don’t have to get your nerves all jumpy.
Rule 1 – Consider your session time, whether it’s an engagement, family, or senior session – as a fun time. If you take it too seriously – there’s no running from you looking too serious in the pictures too!
Rule 2 – Make sure you like your photographer! Even though we’re all hired to help, we witness the most intimate moments of your life, allowing you to treasure them for a lifetime! When you click with your photographer, it will not seem like a `must-do save the date session,` Instead, it will start feeling like you’re just mingling with your fiancee while a friend is taking your pictures. If you’re one chatty person – that’s even better! Talking with my clients during the session helps them feel comfortable!
and finally,
Rule 3 – When you pose, stop thinking, `Oh, I put my arm around Aaron now, but wonder what my fingers look like… Hm… Maybe if I give the right angle to my hand, it will look better? Damn, I wish that photographer would say something!!` Stop it right there. When you overthink how your features look, you’re more likely to look awkward in pictures. If you’re seated on some stairs, but your legs feel… `weird`?.. They probably look weird! Find your comfort zone, and sit as you would any other time. When working with couples and families, I try to distract them from the idea `Very Important Photo Session` as much as possible and get them laughing – AKA being their-self.
Life is too short to be `too` serious – enjoy your session, and comment if this guide helped you!
Well, until next time, may the love be with you!
T*
