Where should we have our engagement session?

Engagement Photo-Shoot Advice

Engagement sessions are an ideal way for you and your photographer to meet up before your wedding day and get to know each other a bit more, which certainly helps on the day itself. They are also great for you and your soon-to-be spouse to practise perfecting your poses for your wedding day portraits. That’s why Jon offers one to every couple. But where should you have your engagement session? While you can ask your photographer for some insight on where they suggest – and Jon can certainly offer some great recommendations in and around Derbyshire – consider these tips to help you choose a location that has significance and meaning to you and your other half.

1. Choose a Place That Fits You as a Couple

Everyone and every couple is different. Do you have a favourite coffee shop or bar? You could 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 that the two of you are comfortable in. You don’t have to go all out and glamorous if you are both more the laid back and casual type. Nor do you have to search for an open field to shoot in if you’d rather opt for a more urban feel in front of a street mural. The location can be anywhere that will allow you two to act naturally and can have a story behind it.

2. Take the Sun Into Consideration.

If you are choosing a location because of the sunset or sunrise you’ll obviously have to schedule your session accordingly. Jon will usually Google sunrise or sunset times on a specific date and then plan around that, allowing an hour before for sunset and maybe 15 minutes before sunrise. 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. Consider 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.

It’s always worth having a look at a few photos from your photographer’s portfolio. I’ve included some of Jon’s Derbyshire engagement photos below and if you’d like more inspiration, check out some engagement shoot blog posts here.