Engagement photography sessions
Engagement Sessions - Susan Stripling Photography
What is an engagement session?
An engagement session is, quite simply, a portrait session of you and your future spouse.
Some clients opt for an engagement session to fulfill a specific purpose.
Sometimes it's for Save the Date cards, to be displayed at your wedding reception, or to be incorporated into your wedding website.
Sometimes it's just a wonderful opportunity to have professional photographs taken of you two together during this time in your lives.
The engagement period is a very sweet time in your relationship, and it's lovely to commemorate that with pictures of you both together.
How does an engagement shoot work?
The first thing that we do together is choosing a location.
Then, we set a time for the shoot.
On the day of the shoot itself, we will meet at our pre-determined location and get started! Instead of just walking from landmark to landmark and working through a set of pre-chosen poses, we'll take a walk and stop to shoot along the way. I'm looking for beautiful light, incredible backgrounds, and interesting compositional scenarios that we can use for your portraits.
While I will set you in "poses", they're more gentle guides to interaction. I want to see how you are together, and how you're comfortable. If you're less inclined towards public displays of affection, rest assured that I won't have you do anything that doesn't feel natural to you. If you're exuberant and outgoing, I won't set you into poses that are reserved and hands-off.
The "poses" that we'll work with are really just designed to get you interacting together.
For example, I might have you take a walk down a long, tree-lined patch. I might instruct you to talk to each other the entire time and not look at me. What I'm looking for here is how you make each other laugh, your reactions to what the other says, and the natural cadence of how you interact.
Or I might have you stand close together with the simple instruction of "Hold each other!" I want to see how you naturally put your arms around each other, how you get close to each other, and how excellent your chemistry is.
The reason why many clients remark on the believability of my engagement images is that they are real moments. They're not staged interactions.
While we do choose a location, set up a scenario, and put you in beautiful places for your portraits, your emotions and interactions are entirely your own.
How do we pick a location for our engagement session?
If you have a location in mind, I'd love to hear about it! Many clients know precisely where they'd like to shoot because they have a location that is important to them.
Maybe it's your parents' backyard, maybe it's your childhood neighborhood, maybe it's the street that you live on now, and maybe it's the park you went to for your first date. Choosing a location that's meaningful to you will give your engagement pictures even more impact.
I recommend staying away from "must shoot" locations that you have read about on blogs or seen on Pinterest unless they're important to you.
If you're not sure where you'd like to shoot, don't worry! I'd be glad to offer up some suggestions.
If you're looking for a Manhattan or Brooklyn location, I have a great list of New York area spaces that are wonderful for engagement sessions.
If you're trying to choose a Philadelphia spot for your engagement pictures, I also have a great list for you! If you are looking to have your portraits done in New Jersey, or anywhere other than New York or Philly, just drop me an email and we can talk. I travel often for engagement sessions and would love to hear about your plans.
What days and times can our session take place?
Timing for the session depends on two things: location and time of year. If you're wanting to shoot in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or downtown Philly, we may need to adjust our start time because of the buildings.
What do I mean by that? In the city, the sun goes behind the buildings before it goes below the horizon, so you lose the light in the city before the sun has actually set. Generally, as a rule of thumb, I recommend starting engagement sessions in the warmer months around 6:00 pm, and around 3:00 pm in the winter.
Engagement sessions are available Tuesdays through Thursdays, with occasional Friday availability. Due to a very heavy wedding schedule, engagement sessions are not available on the weekends.
What should we wear for our engagement session?
First and foremost, you need to feel like yourself! If you're a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of human, will you feel comfortable in a cocktail dress during your engagement shoot? If you love wearing flats, will you feel like yourself in a pair of towering heels? Don't feel like you have to dress in a certain way. The most important thing is that you're comfortable, that you feel natural, and that you're wearing something that's representative of who you are.
Don't feel that your outfit needs to match that of your future spouse. Coordination is okay, but I don't encourage matching. Look for colors that complement each other, or are in the same color family.
If you're working with a hair and makeup artist for your wedding day, now might be a great time for a trial.
If you're just in town for the shoot, I can recommend some wonderful artists for you. While professional hair and makeup are not a must, it can help boost your confidence and ease the getting-ready process on the day of the shoot.
As far as clothing goes, I recommend staying away from bright whites, heavily visible logos, or crazy mismatched patterns. While trends heavily lean towards things-that-look-like-they-would-clash-but-they-don't pattern mixing, be careful that you don't go overboard. You don't want your outfits to pull attention from your face!
Consider your location as well when you're preparing your engagement shoot outfits. If we're shooting in a peaceful field or secluded park, consider a casual dress or jeans and a vintage top. If we'll be in downtown Manhattan, what about a cocktail dress or sleekly tailored trench? Another thing that can be very effective is deliberately not matching your outfit to your location. A flowing evening gown in a field is against the norm, and its contrast to the scene can be very compelling.
What else should we bring with us to our session?
If we're shooting in the city and you won't have easy access to your car, bring a bag to carry your extra items. If you have a change of shoes, your phones, car keys, etc., try to consolidate them into one bag to make transporting it easier. If you want to change up your look without changing clothes, consider an additional layer or a few changes of jewelry or shoes. Try to get everything into that one bag! Trust me, you'll be glad to not have to drag around more than you need to!
Can we bring our dog? Our kids? What about props?
If you have pets or kids, please feel free to include them in your session. However, I strongly suggest limiting their involvement.
If you're going to bring pets or kids, you're also going to need to bring someone else to handle them. The best thing is to include them at the beginning of the session, for a brief time, and then have a trusted friend or family member take them home.
If you don't, we'll spend valuable session time wrangling them. You won't be able to relax and be together if you've got kids running around that you need to keep an eye on, and it's difficult to cuddle up when you're trying to hold your dog's leash in your free hand!
When it comes to props, I gently discourage them. The point of the engagement session is to create beautiful portraits of you two together, and the addition of props is just a distraction.
I know that there are many websites that will encourage you to bring vintage items, huge bunches of balloons, signs to hold, and so forth, but then the entire engagement shoot becomes all about those props and less about you two together. If you have always dreamed of running across the Brooklyn Bridge together holding a huge cluster of balloons, then let's do it….but let's open the session with that and then put the balloons away.
Likewise, if you have a Thank You sign or a Save The Date sign, let's shoot those quickly and then tuck them in your bag.
I want to create a shoot that fully brings to life your vision for engagement pictures, but I also want to focus on you!
We are super nervous in front of the camera and take terrible, terrible pictures. Can you help us learn to pose?
I know it's easier said than done, but please don't worry about being "bad" in front of the camera! I've been photographing weddings and engagements since 2001, and have documented hundreds of couples. I can honestly tell you that not a single one of those couples, no matter how much they swore up and down that they would be "terrible" in their pictures! Awkward, sure. Uncomfortable, yes. But getting you to feel less awkward and uncomfortable is my job, and I promise that I'm good at it. I promise to do everything in my power to make you feel at ease and comfortable during your engagement session.
You're having your engagement pictures taken to document the love that you have for your future spouse. If you concentrate on that, relish in that, and focus on your upcoming marriage, you're going to be just fine.
I promise!
What if it looks like rain? Or the weather is going to be terrible and cloudy?
Trust me, I watch the weather apps on my phone like a hawk in the days leading up to your session. If it looks like rain, we'll connect a few days in advance to discuss a game plan. 99% of the time that involves picking a new date and moving the session to that new date. Sometimes clients would rather wait until the morning of the session to see if it really will rain. I'm totally fine with doing that but bear in mind that if we start the session and it gets rained out, there will be a fee to reschedule.
In my years of experience, reschedule right away when it looks like rain. That way we can lock in a new date ASAP!
New York (NYC) Photographer
Susan Stripling Photography
58 2nd Ave #5804
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(917)209-8425
[text or email preferred]
[email protected]
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Copyright © 2023
Planning for your engagement photography session by Luke & Ashley
by engagement photographers Luke & Ashley.
First… What is an engagement session?
Most people know what an engagement session is. It is the portrait session taken place before the wedding that captures the newly engaged couple during this new and exciting time in their lives. An Engagement Photography Session is usually scheduled shortly after finding the wedding photographer and most wedding photographers include one in their packages. Planning your engagement session is part of the wedding planning process and usually is something for the bride and groom to check off their wedding planning checklist. Engagement photography is extremely popular right now and has been for a while.
However, why is an engagement photo session so important?
As engagement photographers, we ALWAYS encourage our couples to take advantage of the engagement sessions. Not only do our couples receive beautiful and unique engagement photos, but they also receive a time to get to know their wedding photographers.
On the wedding day, your photographer will spend the whole day with you, mostly by your side or at least close proximity. After years of experience as wedding and engagement photographers, we have come to realize how important it is to build a relationship with our couples.
Our couples are more than a transaction to us.
When we arrive on the wedding day, our first priority is making sure that the bride and groom are comfortable and as stress-free as possible. Luke and I want to ensure them that they can trust us to look out for them as well as capture their story as it unfolds. Wedding days can be stressful. Being in front of a camera all day can be stressful. Can you imagine a stranger showing up to the wedding with a camera? That sounds stressful! This is why we encourage the engagement session. It is a time for our couples to get to know us and for us to get to know them. We don’t have to walk away being best friends, but I do want to walk away with them being comfortable and confident in our presence.
Now that we understand what an Engagement Photography Session is and why it is important for not only the couple but also the photographer, I want to share some quick tips!
Engagement Session TipsOutfit Selection
Deciding on which outfit to wear every day is already a lot of work for me! Deciding on which outfit to wear in front of a camera has made me stress for weeks! However, when choosing what to wear for your photo session doesn’t have to be complicated. When selecting, choose clothes that you feel confident in. Clothes that accentuate your best qualities and hide that which you might not be too comfortable about. We say bring 2-3 outfit choices. One that is dressier and classy. Something you might not wear on a normal occasion. This gives you an excuse to dress up and feel fabulous. The other outfits can be more casual, something fun and best represents you as a couple.
* On a side note be sure to dress for the weather.
The main thing is to be comfortable. You don’t want to be in a little dress freezing in February!
I love Abbey & Dillon’s outfit choices. She wore a beautiful deep blue jumper with a sweater. The sweater kept her warm in the fall air and was a great layering accessory. Paired with Dillon’s maroon shirt, they looked amazing! Remember to compliment colors. Don’t try to match perfectly.
Keep reading to get ideas while you are planning for your engagement photography session !
Jared & Shayna went for a more casual look for their couple’s session and it worked! I love how comfortable and confident they look in these engagement pictures. They totally rocked this session!
Next up is Location
Living in this area we are pretty lucky. The Hampton Roads area has so many beautiful locations to shoot at. From the beach, gorgeous parks, and historical areas, we lucked out when it comes to engagement photography locations.
Sometimes our couples will pick locations that are meaningful to them.
Below Mark & Caroline chose William & Mary. This is where they went to school, where they met, and where he asked her to be his wife. The campus was the best choice for them because it had so much meaning and I love that Mark took us to the bench where he proposed.
What if you’re just not sure on location?That is okay. That is why you have hired us! We have done the research, sought out the best spots and have made a list compiling our favorites! As I mentioned before we live in a great area that doesn’t lack in locations! From the Botanical Gardens to DC and everything in between I am sure you will find a site that is the perfect spot for your engagement session!
Hair & Makeup
We get asked a lot by our brides if they should book hair & makeup for the engagement session. I will say yes every time. The reason being is that when you get your hair and makeup done by a professional who you trust then you will feel at your best.
Being confident in this will help you relax in front of our cameras. We are lucky to have gorgeous brides who really don’t need any help at all! However, we have taken notice that when a bride opts for hair and makeup for their portraits then there is a different dynamic and the confidence overflows. We have worked with some amazing artists and have a list on who we can refer you to. Just ask us!
Have Fun
We had to include this as a tip for your engagement photography because sometimes we just forget. This session isn’t meant to be something that you check off your list. Your engagement photo session is meant to document this incredible love story that you are beginning. This session is to break the ice and get comfortable with your photographer. The bonus is gorgeous pictures! Enjoy the ride and have as much fun as you can together through this wedding planning process.
By choosing the right photographer and following the tips above, you can ensure to walk away with unique engagement photos that capture your love story and the beginning of this journey.
Now, what???
You might be wondering what do you next with all these amazing pictures from your engagement shoot! We recommend first making some prints. Get them off the computer and into your home to show them off! Depending on how far out you planned your portraits, you can order some save the dates. Engagement pictures also make great gifts for parents and grandparents for birthdays and Christmas! These pictures are also great to use on your personal wedding website for all your guests to see.
We hope this guide has helped you in the planning for your engagement photography session process. This is an exciting time and we hope we can ease some of the stress that goes into all this planning!
We hope this extensive guide puts you at ease as you plan for your wedding and engagement photography session. If you are newly engaged and would love to learn more about us, head on over to our contact page and tell us all about your wedding day plans!
To see more awesome engagement sessions click below!
Tim & Mary
Jacob & Brielle
Virginia Wedding Photographer + Destination Wedding Photographer | Luke & Ashley Photography | Hampton Roads Virginia Wedding Photographer | Hampton Roads Virginia Wedding Photographer | Hampton Roads Virginia Portrait Photographer |Hampton Virginia, Yorktown Virginia, Newport News Virginia, Williamsburg Virginia, Norfolk Virginia, Virginia Beach Virginia, Portsmouth Virginia, Chesapeake Virginia, Suffolk Virginia, Smithfield Virginia, Richmond Virginia, Washinton, DC, Destination Wedding Photography, Williamsburg VA Wedding Photographers
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on a finger, in a box, etc.
An engagement is no less important event in a relationship than the wedding itself. I want to tell everyone and everyone that you have decided to legalize your relationship. Calling friends and relatives is a so-so idea. It is much easier to take an original photo of engagement rings and post it on social networks. And the effect will not be long in coming - numerous congratulations are provided to you. By the way, celebrities often choose this way to announce an imminent marriage. Engagement rings of stars now and then appear in the social. networks. nine0003
The Svadbagolik.ru portal invites you to approach this issue creatively and abandon banal photos. After all, you won’t surprise anyone with a snapshot of an engagement ring in a beautiful box. Your attention - the freshest and most original ideas.
Not in a box! Best Ideas for a Photo of an Engagement Ring
Nothing speaks so eloquently about the fact that you will soon try on a wedding dress like an engagement ring on your hand.
A photo with him is a great way to say that changes are coming soon in your personal life. How to make it unusual and original? nine0003
You + Me = We
If your relationship is not a secret to anyone, it would be better if you are in the picture together. True, for this it is not necessary to take a standard photo in which a young man puts an engagement ring on your ring finger. For such an important moment in your life, you can choose angles and more interesting.
Ideas for taking pictures together:
- You and your fiancé are holding each other's hands.
- The hand, on which the engagement ring shines, is around his neck. nine0018
- Ring in the foreground against the background of a kiss.
- You are doing something together, while only your hands are visible (for example, playing the guitar, leafing through a book, etc.).
- The ring is in the foreground, the groom is in the background.
He can just stand, or he can fool around - jump, grimace, do whatever he wants.
Pets
Photos with dogs, cats and other pets are especially touching. Engagement rings can be put on their face or paw.
Inscriptions
Another option to present the changes in your personal life in an original way is a photo of the engagement ring, “supported” by the appropriate inscription. “I said “yes”, “Will you marry me?”, “Be my wife” ... Words can be written with chalk on the pavement, laid out from flowers, drawn on the sand and photographed engagement rings against the background of these phrases. Photos are even more romantic. nine0003
An unusual angle
Thanks to him, even the simplest things can be opened from the other side. Try experimenting.
Unusual photo options:
- With food, for example, strawberries and cream, next to a beautiful dish, etc.
- In the book, creating a beautiful shadow. You can arrange the number so that it will create a beautiful shadow in the form of a heart.
Symbolic, isn't it?! - nine0017 With wedding accessories, for example, against the backdrop of shoes, veils or other thematic attributes hinting at the format of the holiday.
Engagement ring photos: how to take pictures correctly?
When preparing a "photo shoot" for an engagement ring, it is important not only to come up with an original idea for the picture, but also to take into account other important nuances. With the right lighting, a well-chosen angle, even the simplest piece of jewelry can compete in beauty with famous brands of wedding rings. nine0003
Tips on how to take beautiful pictures of your engagement ring:
- The first and most important rule is don't forget your manicure. No matter how beautiful the engagement ring is, it will not look good in the photo if you have unkempt hands.
If the groom took you by surprise with his proposal, do not rush to immediately take a picture. Well, if marriage is unbearable, then try to make it from such an angle so that your nails are not visible. - Lighting also plays an important role. The more natural light, the more beautiful the engagement ring will look on your hand. If you are taking a picture indoors, get as close to a window as possible. If the photo session takes place outdoors, choose an open space. nine0018
- Inspect the ring from all sides. Visually choose the angle in which it looks the most advantageous. And only then pick up a camera or phone. Remember, if the ring is decorated with a stone, it is better not to use a flash.
- It is important and correct to "place" the hand. You should not clamp it into a fist, and in the frame it is better to hold it at an angle, and not straight. Beautiful pictures are obtained if you take something in your hand - a glass, an apple, a flower.
nine0018 - Don't forget about emotions. If the picture is taken right at the moment of the engagement and the guy puts the ring on your hand under the camera flashes, feel free to be surprised, happy, cry or even yell at him. Such photos are especially touching and cute.
In this article we told you how to inform all your relatives and friends about your imminent marriage in a beautiful and original way. By the way, these tips will also be relevant if you decide to take a picture of a set of engagement and wedding rings after the wedding, according to the wedding portal www.svadbagolik.ru. nine0003
Fashion wedding rings in 2023
Looking at the photos of wedding rings in 2023, every couple will find something for themselves. After all, both classic and ultra-modern designs are in fashion this season: wavy bands, stones of various shapes, etc.
Connecting wedding rings
Connecting elements can make ordinary gold wedding rings more interesting and personalized.
Such paired jewelry will be the highlight of your couple.
Engagement ring design - types and trends. Photos and videos of engagement rings LA VIVION
#engagementring
Here's how to choose the perfect engagement ring that will take her to delight!
This ring will keep memories of one of the most important events of your life!
This is what you need to keep in mind when starting difficult, at first glance, choice. We at LA VIVION understand your excitement and that You, most likely, have never had to face the task of choosing a ring with diamond. nine0109
What kind of engagement rings are there?
There are a lot of ring designs, but we will focus on the three most popular and popular in Russia and the world.
Classic design
When it comes to engagement ring, for many of you, the image of a classic ring with one diamond.
This is a win-win option, every girl's dream. nine0003
Usually in classic design diamond ring is held by 4 or 6 legs (they are called prong).
The setting tapers at the top of the ring to highlight diamond and emphasize its size.
Andrew
Director at LA VIVION
No matter how much prongs - 4 or 6 hold the diamond, it will hold equally securely in the ring. If you If you want a small diamond to look big, then 6 paws will create just that effect, while four prongs will allow the stone to open in all its glory. nine0109
In the photos below - Top 3 popular with girls' designs of the classic engagement ring from LA VIVION.
What to look for when choosing a classic design ring?
1. Ring proportions. Task frames - to reveal the beauty of the diamond and visually increase its size. If the frame designed and manufactured incorrectly, the diamond will be lost. nine0003
Even if you prefer a wide ring without narrowing towards the top, the proportions must still be observed, and the visual beauty of a diamond can be emphasized by the design of the diamond setting. Pay attention to the thickness of the paws (prongs) holding the diamond: they should be enough thin and do not cover the diamond, but at the same time strong enough to hold the stone. nine0003
2. Convenience of the ring. Ring for engagements is one of those pieces of jewelry that is worn almost every day, and, of course, it should be comfortable.
Comfort is determined by several factors: thickness at the point of convergence of fingers - the ring should not be thick; ring profile - it should be with rounded edges, then It is pleasant to put on the ring and there is no discomfort when wearing. The narrowing of the profile at the top of the ring is not only visually enlarges the diamond, but also adds lightness to the setting. nine0003
3. Diamond setting. Almost all modern types of setting provide reliable fastening of a diamond in a setting. Mounting the central diamond in the ring is a particularly important moment in the manufacture of the ring.
How flat, high, or low the diamond is set will affect how it looks rings.
It will depend on whether the paws stick out above the surface of the diamond, whether it is scratched ring or not.
nine0109 The qualification of the jeweler-setter also determines how securely a rock. In the photo below - rings from different manufacturers, made under a microscope.
All diamonds in LA VIVION rings fixed under a microscope, all decorations undergo double quality control, we allow selling only perfectly fixed stones.
Another important point: quality setting allows you to quickly find and easily read the number of the diamond. This is especially important when you give the ring to the jeweler for cleaning or any work after which you you can easily check if your diamond has been replaced. nine0003
ALWAYS ASK FOR SELLER AND JEWELER SHOW THE NUMBER OF THE DIAMOND AND COMPARE IT WITH THE NUMBER IN THE CERTIFICATE !!!
Olga
Expert in LA VIVION
There are many more nuances that need to be take into account when choosing.
Come visit us at LA VIVION - we will show you different ring options,
we will explain subtleties and help with the choice! nine0003
Side diamond rings
What to look for when choosing a classic design ring?
The main feature of the rings with side diamonds - this is even more sparkle of diamonds!
Choosing such a ring as engagement, we must remember that the color and clarity of side diamonds should not differ much from characteristics of the central diamond, otherwise it will be noticeable to the naked eye. nine0003
Task side stones - to create as much brilliance as possible, and the quality of the cut is responsible for this.
B In LA VIVION rings, we use side diamonds with a characteristic of 3/3, cut Excellent.
LA VIVION engagement ring with side diamonds
In the center is a diamond weighing 1.13 carats, characteristic 2/3 (E/VVS2), triple excellent cut quality, GIA certified, sides diamonds with a characteristic of 3/3. nine0003
Similar to classic it is necessary to pay attention to the proportions of the frame, its convenience and quality setting of the central diamond.
In addition to , please note that rings with side stones it is much more difficult to change the size if necessary. This is due to the fact that a change in the geometry of the ring will most likely also affect the prongs holding the side stones, in As a result, the fastening of diamonds will weaken.
nine0109
The photos below show the 3 most popular girls' designs of the classic side diamond engagement ring by LA VIVION.
Maria
Expert in LA VIVION
Photos and videos cannot be fully to convey the beauty of a piece of jewelry, and, of course, it is extremely difficult to understand how your ring will look live. Here you can compare different ring designs, many of which are not shown on the website. nine0003
Diamond Rings - Halo
If you want to make it look bigger size of the central diamond, then a Halo style ring is the perfect option.
Bezel made of diamonds, as close as possible to the central stone, provides even more shine.
A special type of setting for small diamonds allows them to be positioned as far as possible close to each other, as a result of which the metal of the frame is almost invisible.
nine0003
For rings in LA VIVION's Halo style uses 3/3 side diamonds.
In the photo below - 3 of the most popular LA rings VIVION in Halo style.
Veronica
Expert at LA VIVION
Halo is my favorite design regardless from the size of the central diamond, whether it be 0.30 carats or 2 carats, the ring looks fantastic. nine0109 Come visit us at LA VIVION and compare different rings for yourself design!
We told about three main types of engagement ring designs, we hope that now you have a little more knowledge about features of each type and it will be a little easier for you to choose the perfect ring.
How do you know which ring she likes?
1) Think about her style closest.
nine0003
2) Ask her friends and her mother, they will gladly help!
3) Ask her friends to show them the Instagrams saved in her bookmarks Jewelry.
4) Show her the photos of the stars you proposed to, she definitely pay attention to the ring.
5) "Accidentally" go to the jewelry shop.
or just ask her directly :)
The perfect match - her and the engagement ring from LA VIVION
The video shows different types of engagement rings rings and jewelry LA VIVION
And in conclusion - a few photos from Clients LA VIVION
Need help choosing?
Contact us! Professionally we will advise, visually show the difference, offer a BIG selection from the availability and treat coffee! nine0003
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nine0002 Clarity of the diamondAbout inclusions, cracks and impact on value
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Pro size that matters!
GIA Certified
How to read a diamond certificate correctly
Brand LA VIVION
Information about us and our history nine0003
47 years warranty
Pro Extended Warranty LA VIVION
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