How to have a truly memorable engagement shoot with Emily Black Photography

Ariana gardens essex 12

Hello again lovely readers and I hope you’re having the most wonderful day. With another Bank Holiday just around the corner (yay!), have you got fab things planned?

If you’re using the long weekend to get together with your photographer for an engagement shoot or if you’re planning your pre-wedding session at the moment then you absolutely mustn’t miss this feature. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome the incredible Emily of Emily Black Photography to Love My Dress to tell us how to make sure you have a truly memorable engagement shoot…

So, all of us here at Love My Dress – we love engagement shoots. Not only do you get gorgeous images of you both that celebrate a really special time in your lives, you also get to spend some time in front of the camera before your wedding. This, as Emily explains, is invaluable:

“Engagement shoots are not only a great chance to get to know your photographer and how they work plus they also really help couples feel at ease in front of the camera. Most of my couples really hate having their photo taken and feel a bit uneasy about the prospect of couple shots during their wedding.”

7 Engagement Shoot by Emily Black Photography

“But, what’s great about having a pre-wedding shoot is that you find how just how natural it can be. You can find out what works for you when it comes to poses and we have the luxury of time so I can guide couples on what looks great. Then, when it comes to your big day, you naturally fall into the poses that suit you best.”

So, we know that pre-wedding shoots are an excellent idea but how do you make sure that yours is really special? What do you really need to know and how do you plan the perfect shoot? Well, let’s start at the beginning and choose the right location. Here’s Emily’s advice:

“I want to capture the beautiful connection between couples and feel the best way to achieve this is shooting at a meaningful location to them so there’s no point going to a beach, if you hate the beach! I would normally have a chat with the couple and ask them a few questions about their interests, if they have a favourite spot in mind, or want help suggesting a location they would like.”

3 Engagement Shoot by Emily Black Photography

“If I had to choose, then woodlands make beautiful pictures. They suit the outdoor, adventurous kind of couple and are great for giving that deep-toned look to a photo. It really does depend on the couple though as any location in theory can work – it’s just about getting creative with the surroundings. If you’re both city people and want a more edgy kind of feel to your engagement shoot, then having one on the city streets can look super cool!”

What else do you need for a fab shoot? Props? An entirely new outfit?

“Well, I don’t tend to use props, as I like the focus to be on the couples and sometimes I find props can be a little bit distracting. Saying that, small props like bubbles can be fun and you’re always guaranteed to get a few giggles! If you love your dogs and want to bring them along, then bring them. Anything that will help you feel relaxed is always a good idea!”

5 Engagement Shoot by Emily Black Photography

“I would always say – don’t leave the engagement shoot too close to your wedding date as it’s nice to spread things out a little so you’ve got time to process everything that happens. Plus, the closer to your wedding date the busier you will be and having a shoot on top of that may feel like a hindrance. Around 6 months before your wedding date is a good time, this way it’ll feel fairly fresh to remember the poses.”

Now, I know that all this might feel like a lot to take in so what are the most important points to remember? Here’s Emily with the essential info:

“Firstly, try and feel relaxed about the shoot – it’s going to be fun and you’re going to become so much more confident in front of the camera. Ask your photographer for suggestions for poses and don’t be afraid to try out new things.”

13 Engagement Shoot by Emily Black Photography

“Secondly, choose a location that works for you as a couple. You’ll instantly feel more relaxed here and it’s much easier to be yourself when you’re in a comfortable place.”

“When you’re choosing your outfit, keep your location in mind. So, if you’re having your engagement shoot in a woodland then you would want to avoid wearing green! Try to also avoid really bright colours but the main thing is to wear something you feel comfortable in, even if that’s jeans and a T-shirt!”

And, when it comes to the date of the shoot itself, when works best? Do you go for a date that’s close to your wedding so that you can remember those poses or should you book for any time that you like?

9 Engagement Shoot by Emily Black Photography

“Lastly, think about the seasons too. If you’re having a summer wedding, it might be nice to have photos with a different vibe so an autumn or winter shoot would be a great idea.”

Emily, we really can’t thank you enough for sharing all that excellent advice – here’s to truly memorable engagement shoots for you all!

To find out more about Emily Black Photography, including wedding photography and engagement shoots, just take a look at Emily’s lovely website for all the information and inspiration you could want.

Love,
Tamryn x

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