This month I am focusing on tips for engagement session.  Last week I talked about why it is important to have an engagement session with your wedding photographer.  This week I am giving tips on how to choose an engagement session location.

Cohesive or Contrasting

Do you want your engagement session to go with the theme of your wedding or to contrast your wedding?  You will cherish the pictures that you take both for your engagement session and on your wedding day.  These pictures will be on your social media, framed in your house, and possibly used for your save the dates and guest book.  Either way can work out great, it is really what ever you would prefer.  Here are some examples below:

• Cohesive – You are having a winter themed wedding in December and you have your engagement session in the snowy mountains.
• Contrasting – You are getting married outdoors in the pine-trees and your have your engagement session in the desert.

Distance

How far do you want to travel and is your photographer willing to travel?  Your photographer may charge a travel fee for destination locations.  For example, here in Phoenix a photographer may charge a travel fee for engagement sessions in Sedona or Flagstaff.  There are plenty of locations within your area to have your engagement session as well.  Once you determine how far you are able to travel, you can put a perimeter around your search for a location.

Sentimental Areas

Photographers love to photograph engagement sessions in locations that are sentimental for the couple.  Can you think of anywhere that is special to your as a couple?  Here are some examples from my past clients:

• The mountain range they hike together at.
• The lake they spend most weekends fishing at.
• The garden they have an annual pass to because they love it so much.

Some other ideas may be where you got engaged, a local coffee shop where you had your first date, or your home that you renovated together.

Current Festivals and Events

Are there any annual festivals or events taking place during the time you will be doing your engagement session?  These could add for some fun variety that embraces annual traditions for you.  If it is a large festival or something similar that will attract a large crowd, consider doing a sunrise or early morning engagement session so that the crowds don’t affect your images.  Here are some examples:

• Pumpkin Patches in the fall
• Apple Orchards during bloom or harvest
• State Fairs
• Renaissance Festivals/Fairs
• Hot Air Balloon Festivals

 

Ask Your Photographer

Still stumped or unsure of a location?  Ask your photographer!  They will be able to help guide you through the processes of choosing the best location for your session. They may also have some hidden gem locations that they keep tucked under their hat!

 

Check back in next Tuesday for tips on picking outfits for your engagement session.

Want more tips for creating an amazing wedding day?  Click here for more Wedding Tips!