How to Choose the Perfect Engagement Session Location
Engaged and looking forward to your engagement photo session but not sure how to choose the perfect location?
Well here is a step-by-step guide on just how to choose the perfect location which will not only fit your personality but guarantee you amazing images!
Location Tip #1
Start by choosing the style of environment that fits you best!
When you think of an environment that fits your personality, do you think about more manicured gardens that you could see yourselves strolling through amid great conversation? Or are you more of the adventuresome couple who prefer traipsing off into fields without paths? Or maybe are you the kind of people who enjoy the shops and cafes of the city while sipping on delicious coffee drinks?
Choosing the style of environment that fits your personality will allow you to automatically feel more relaxed and at home at the very start of your session, giving you more natural and candid images!
Location Tip #2
Once you choose the style of environment you are most interested in, ask your photographer if they have any favorite spots that fit!
Don’t feel like you have to find your specific location all on your own! You are hiring a professional for a reason, and it’s not just to take beautiful photos of you. Especially if your photographer is more experienced, they should have lots of choices for you no matter what the type of environment you decided was the best for you.
Once you have a list of locations that fit your environment you’ve chosen, it can be difficult to picture how your engagement images will look just by looking up the park or natural area your photographer suggests on the internet. With my Kate Holt Photography Couples, once they are ready for me to suggest some specific locations I not only send them the name of the locations, but also an example session so they can see what their images might look like there!
So ask for examples of images your photographer has done at each location in addition to suggestions for specific places to have your session at. Then you and your partner can snuggle up one evening with a warm drink or glass of wine and go through the example images to help you decide which spot is perfect for you!
Location Tip #3
Consider choosing a location which compliments your chosen wedding venue!
Many couples choose to use their engagement session images for their Save the Date cards or Invitations, thus choosing a location which compliments the theme of your wedding will bring that theme through to your guests when they receive these items!
Are you planning a rooftop wedding at a boutique hotel? Consider an urban setting for an engagement session which compliments your wedding!
Going a little more rustic with a barn or lodge style venue? Consider a park that has off-trail accessibility or even a natural area which doesn’t have defined pathways and lots of opportunity to just be in the middle of nature!
Are you considering a vineyard wedding? Compliment that with a engagement session at your local winery where you can get some cute candid images of the two of you enjoying a glass of your favorite red!
Location Tip #4
Don’t forget to consider the season in which you are planning your engagement session!
Living in the Pacific Northwest we have the luxury of having the seasons give various locations completely different looks simply based on the weather of that time of year!
If you are planning a summer engagement session consider a manicured garden that will be filled with fresh blooms and lots of color!
If an autumn session is in your future, thinking about choosing a location based on where the best fall colors will be might be a great way to narrow down your location choices.
Planning a winter engagement? Remember that leaf trees will be a bit bare in winter, so consider a more urban setting which might be decorated in gorgeous holiday decor and lights.
Is it springtime when you are planning your engagement session? If you choose a location with a blooming cherry tree you can have fun shaking the tree so some of the blossoms flutter down on top of a sweet kiss you and your love share!
Location Tip #5
Consider crowds and how you might respond to others being in the space you’ve chosen.
Some locations are more busy than others so the final thing to think about when making your choice on which location will be best for you is to consider how you might respond to others being around you during your session.
Are you a pretty easy-going couple who can be yourselves around others? Then you won’t need to worry too much about choosing a more private location.
Does posing in front of strangers make you feel kind of sick to your stomach? If this is the case you might want to make sure your final choice for an engagement session is much more private and doesn’t draw a lot of crowds.
Be honest with yourselves about your comfort level around others who might be enjoying the park, garden or vineyard you’ve chosen and tell your photographer as well! Knowing that you might be a bit more shy, they can choose locations or areas within a certain location which might be more private for you, that way you avoid any introversion which might come from having a lot of people around.
If you end up falling in love with a location that does tend to draw crowds, a great way to avoid having so many people is to plan for a sunrise session. Even in some of the more popular locations, at sunrise places are usually deserted! Plus, sunrise light is just as fantastic as the more popular “golden hour” just before sunset, so this is a great option for more privacy!
Following the above tips I’m sure you’ll end up with a location that is just a perfect mix of a beautiful setting for your images and a location that fits your personality and overall wedding vision!
Still looking for a photographer that is perfect for your engagement session?
I’d love to set up a time to chat and see if we are a great fit!
