7 things to consider when booking your engagement photos in Yorkshire
Yorkshire offer some of the best location for photoshoots. If your wondering where you should go or what to wear to your photoshoot, this article will answer those questions and more. I’ve put together 7 top tips to consider when booking an engagement photo session.
What’s the best time of year to have a photoshoot?
After booking your wedding photographer your next communication will likely be about your engagement session (if they offer one) You should think ahead and book in good time if you plan to use the photos for invites or save the dates. Remember these will be going out to your wedding guests around 6 months before your wedding so you want enough time to receive the gallery from your photographer and design the save the dates. Seasons can be important too. If snuggling up in wholly jumper for a colourful autumnal session sounds perfect or you want to capture spring flowers, you will need to plan ahead and get booked in at the right time of year.
Should you include the kids in your engagement photos?
It’s a no brainer that as a parent, you will want to include your children in the photoshoot. It’s a sweet thing to involve them and it’s a great way for them (as well as yourself) to get to know the wedding photographer. The photographer won’t feel so much like a stranger when interacting and pointing a camera at them on the wedding day. Do be aware that children can be unpredictable, so they may not behave as you wished in front of the camera. If your children are young, it’s a great idea to bring a family member along to be on hand if needed. You can then get a few couples portraits on your own too. It is completely up to you if you want to bring the kids to your engagement photoshoot. As a wedding AND family photographer, I completely welcome it and have lots of experience with photographing children of all ages. Having said that if you want some child free time, there’s no judgement here.
What the best time of day to take photos?
Golden hour, golden hour, golden hour. You have probably heard of golden hour photography. This is when the light is at its most magical. It’s super soft and has a gorgeous orange glow. If you want a golden hour photoshoot, Yorkshire has the best landscapes to enhance the magic too. If you wish to book in a golden hour photoshoot, you need to be available 1 hour before sunset and be a bit more flexible to change the date if the weather doesn’t play ball. Of course this isn’t suitable for all couples, so I can help plan in the best time for you depending on the time of year and your chosen engagement location.
Where should you have your engagement photoshoot?
The location of your engagement photoshoot is an important point that deserves its own article. Choosing a meaningful location is a way to add a personal touch and being a Yorkshire family and wedding photographer, I have lots of great location suggestions. See what location to choose for your engagement photoshoot in Yorkshire
11 engagement location ideas
What Should you wear for engagement photos?
The most important thing is to wear what you are comfortable in and what suits your chosen location. It isn’t a great idea to wear your favourite heels if we’re trekking up Malham Cove (obviously), but if we’re going for a little wander around your wedding venue, don’t be afraid to glam up. Despite selfies being the new go to photo option, couples don’t often have photos together so it’s a great opportunity to get some lovely professional photos together and can be used as Save the Date invites or displayed at your wedding venue, so you want to look comfortable, and yourself. Your best self.
Can I bring my pets on a photoshoot?
Hell Yes. Including your animals in the photos can be very important. If you want to bring along your furry friends, do plan ahead and bring treats, toys, bags that may be needed. An open area, away from popular attractions is often best. As a dog portrait photographer, I love couples that bring along their dogs for photoshoot, it can help take the attention away from nervous couples as I can focus on the pet too.
How should I act?
Whether you decide on a quaint Yorkshire village or a popular landmark, it’s likely there will be other people around. Be realistic and don’t expect Pinterest perfect photos if you’re at a tourist attraction in the middle of the day, as other people will be very difficult to avoid. Embrace what you get on the day and be yourself. If your partner hasn’t been too involved in the wedding photography process, make sure you show them your wedding photographer’s work. I have an engagement photography section on my website and tons of picture on Instagram to give couples an idea or what I do and my approach. Perhaps consider following your photographer on social media, this will help you feel more connected and lead to feeling more comfortable with them. My biggest aim is to make my couple's feel comfortable and have fun. I promise, great photos will follow.
I hope these engagement tips have been helpful and please feel free to add anything below that you think needs to be considered when booking an engagement photoshoot.
You many also enjoy this blog on choosing your Yorkshire engagement photo shoot location