I wanted to share some incredible work by local photographer Thomas Beaman. No only is his work spectacular, but he also has a great blog and recently posted this article on engagement photo tips. Check out his website to see more!
Engagement Session Ideas & Tips
by Thomas Beaman
Doing an engagement session (E-session) is a fantastic way for you and your photographer to work together before your big wedding day. I love photographing them because I really get a sense of the couple’s personality and that helps me out a lot on the actual wedding day.
Living in PA, there are so many cities and towns that have amazing architecture. Having places like Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Hershey, Gettysburg, Baltimore, & Washington DC all within a short car trip make it really easy on a wedding and engagement photographer. The possibilities are endless!
Here are a few tips on planning and using your engagement session photos:
1) Pick your location and theme. I always ask the couple if there is a special place that they like to go. Maybe the location that you got engaged……..or a place you used to go on dates……….or on a walk…..the beach…..the bowling alley………..the coffee shop……etc. Maybe you are both into the outdoors……….maybe your dog is your baby……..bring him/her along and make the E-session unique. The engagement session is all about you , your love for eachother, and your personality…….make it 100% you (or 50% each).
2) What to wear? Your style and personality will decide this but a few tips I can offer are: Stay away from crazy patterns and logos. Solid colors usually work best. I also recommend coordinating a little. The look I really like is the guy in jeans/pants and a plain dark shirt………….the girl in jeans and a colored top….or a black top with a colored vest or scarf. Having that one color on the girl always adds a sense of style and fashion to the photo shoot. Jeans, white tops, and barefoot is always a great look too……..Kind of like a Calvin Klein vibe. But again……make this about you. This advice is only meant to help couples who want a few ideas. If you have a theme or an idea of your own……….tell your photographer and have fun with it.
I did an engagement session last year and the couple really loved the Philadelphia Eagles. They brought their jerseys and football and we got some great images in a local park. You can see their engagement session HERE
3) Now that you have done this really fun photo shoot, what do you do with the pictures? Here are a few ideas that couples love:
- Have your photographer design a guest book using the photos from your E-session. Having a book of these wonderful photos mixed with the writings of your friends and family will be something you cherish forever.
- Take your favorite photo from the engagement session and have it enlarged and matted. Have all of your guests sign it at the reception and then frame it. This is another idea that couples love
- Use your favorite photo as “Save the Date” cards. A fun way to do this is to have a few signs made saying “Save the Date” and another with the date “your wedding date” and actually hold them in the photo.
- Have a few photos from the engagement session framed and display them at the reception (usually near the table where people are placing gifts)
4) Have a great time! The engagement session is an opportunity to really show off your love for each other. Enjoy this wonderful experience.
