Today’s blog post is for all of you brides and grooms-to-be out there! As the warmer weather approaches, we are quickly approaching wedding season and engagement session shooting. No more dead trees, grey skies, and red/runny noses. In regards to your engagement session, I am sure many of you are wondering “Where should we shot? What should I wear? Should I have a theme or style?”

Well have NO fear, I am here to help! The answer to these questions are VERY simple in fact…..JUST BE YOU! Embrace who you are as a person, as a couple, and run with it! It is easy to say, I want a pretty background so I want an open field, a winery, or the beach…and ALL of those locations ARE lovely….but ONLY if they are YOU! I have always thought engagement sessions shot in the wide open desert looked SO AMAZING and would love pictures to be taken there one day….but IS THE DESERT ME? Does it have anything to do with our love story, our interests….no.

Tip # 1: PICK A LOCATION THAT IS SO YOU!

I always am surprised by some of the locations my couples pick. Some pick the most UNASSUMING locations, but the wind up being my most favorite because they are soooo unique to them and their love story.

Chris and Christie LOVE to have fun together…they love bright colors and embracing their inner child. We knew a session up on the boardwalk would be perfect for them and their love story.

Susie and Steve chose to host their session 1 block from their house in downtown Collingswood. They stroll the streets of their town daily, grab dinner, go shopping, have coffee together….a taste of city living if you will. So for them…shooting in their hometown embracing a scene from their everyday love story was perfect!

Amanda and Chris….oh these two! We actually took her dads boat out behind their house…and shot here and on the beach. Taking their dads boat out is nothing new to this couple and fit perfectly with their “nautical love story.”

This was one of the coolest spots to shoot….INSIDE the Cape May Brewery!!! Jenna and Zach LOVE to go drink at breweries together and this spot is a frequented watering hole for not only them, but their families as well….its a taste of home and taste of tradition, so we shot a part of their engagement right there!
Alexa and Zach are the cutest! Alexa and her family own a local business here in Cape May and they are a “beach going” family to the core. With riding their cruisers in downtown Cape May….hitting the beach on days off….shooting their session in the town of their family business…incorporating a bike to represent their biking adventures…and a gorgeous sunset…it was “SO THEM.”

 

TIP # 2: Include Props to Tell Your Own Love Story

Though this tip can be tied into the first tip very easily ( cup of coffee, bike on beach, boat, beer glasses, etc)….this one takes it a step further. A lot of brides like to incorporate signs, banners, balloons, picnic/teepee set ups and more to have a more staged, engagement session. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with putting this much effort and planning into your session to make it as themed as you would like to 1) match your wedding 2) Tell a story not many get to see. Below are a few faves…..

This one below from Genny and Will’s Engagement session was amazing….they set this up in their living room. Will is watching football….while Genny is being a “bride” and planning away as Will just lets go of control and throws the money up in the air…THIS WAS AMAZING TO SHOOT!

This one from Devin and TJs session was WAY styled….but way presh! It mirrored their exact wedding day theme, decorations, and vibe….it was so amazing seeing all this come to life!

 

Banners are always a great prop….This banner also tied in the colors of the big day, their date and more of a fun/whimsical theme : )

Sara and Jason….man they stole my heart last year! They have one hell of a love story…but long story short…in involved rival football teams, a cheese head, and a bet! Part of their session we headed to the football field where they sported their custom “save the date” football Jerseys. LOVE!

 

TIP # 3: Consider weather, outfits and accessories

This is a very important list of things to consider that actually deserves its OWN blog post….so please tune in next week for PART 2. We will be showing off some of the most perfect outfits, accessories and making the most of the weather we are shooting in.

XOXO, Kaitlin Noel