How to Plan Your Engagement Session for the Perfect Save The Dates

AS SEEN ON BRIDAL MUSINGS

As a wedding photographer myself, I have a bit of expertise on how to capture that perfect, electric Save The Date photo worthy of framing (or at least worth a long life on your friends & family members’ refrigerators!)

Creating stunning Save The Dates has never been so easy thanks to sites like Minted. Offering unique designs sourced from a community of independent artists, Minted always has fresh designs for an always changing wedding world. Pick from luxurious papers, custom monogram designs, hand illustrations – the customizations are seemingly endless and right at your fingertips, online!

But first, you need the perfect photo to feature. With these eight expert wedding photographer tips (from yours truly) you’ll master the flawless engagement session. Next, you’ll be creating your own perfect Minted Save The Date. We think this Aisle Society styled shoot is basically the “dream sesh” and guess what, it’s totally achievable by you, your love and your own engagement photographer by following these steps.

1. Book Your Dream Photographer

Is your dream wedding photographer out-of-reach (or already booked) for your big day? Guess what – they may be available, and a bit more in-budget for your engagement session! What a fabulous way to snag some timeless portraits of you and your love in this special moment in your lives.

Whether you get to keep your dream photographer for your wedding-day coverage or just splurge on a couple session, without a doubt the best way to guarantee dream Save The Date photos is booking the best of the best. Don’t hesitate to contact photographers you think may be too expensive, already booked, or live too far away – engagement sessions are often much easier to book, cheaper in price and most photographers love to travel.

2. Shoot Your Engagement Session at Golden Hour (& Pick Alternate Dates)

We hope by now in the wedding planning phase you’ve learned about “golden hour” but if not here’s the secret: every photo looks better at sunrise and sunset. Whether you’re an early riser (good for you!) or like sunset walks with your honey, your photographer will thank you for choosing such a pretty time of day.

Why does everything look better at these times? Softer light means no harsh shadows (smoother light means less wrinkles!) and the gold-hued rays are just so dreamy in portraits.

Also, be sure to have back-up dates planned for inclement weather, if your engagement session can be easily rescheduled from a gloomy day to sunset rays you’ll be endlessly grateful when you see the results!

3. Choose Neutral Backgrounds

Beachy sand dunes, desert scenes, white-walled lofts and gallery spaces instantly come to mind when I’m planning portrait sessions. Dreamy, creamy, neutral tones not only lend well to all skin tones in photos but they allow you and your love to pop and take center stage in photos. Cluttered & busy backgrounds can be fun but will detract from the most important subject: you two.

Brainstorm places with your photographer that feature plenty of negative space and creamy colors like whites, nudes, peaches and light blues.

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