Engagement Photography

‘Gogga, how about you and me go down to the beach for a smooch and a bit of a gefoefel?’ Your boyfriend thinks its Christmas. Until you add: ‘Oh, and our wedding photographer is going to join us.’ Suddenly your boyfriend has a million other things to do. So you drag him away from your scrap-booking stuff (which he’s taken a very sudden interest in) and head for the door. 30 minutes later you’re on the beach, photographer in tow. Your boyfriend forces a completely unconvincing smile as you threaten to withold any and all privileges until he starts making an effort akin to that male model on the front cover of his latest fitness mag.

 

 

Yup, an engagement shoot can be a traumatic experience indeed - especially if your photographer is making you bite each other’s noses (in addition to some other really cheesy lovey-dovey, shwarmy-marmy stuff). So let’s set the record straight once and for all. It doesn’t have to be like that! And if you’ve selected your photographer carefully, it certainly won’t be a mamby-pamby affair at all. In fact, once you’ve finished, you’ll be raving about it and want to do it all over again.

So quite honestly, if you’ve got the chance to have an engagement shoot – do it! It gives you a chance to spend a good hour or so with your photographer before your wedding day and allows you to get to know him or her. I offer all my couples an engagement shoot as part of all of my packages. And I encourage them to go for it! During the shoot, they get to know how I operate and this I can tell you, they bank. On wedding day, their minds go straight back to the engagement shoot and they relax immediately.
So whether it’s that big kiss at the altar or their incredibly convincing Samba routine (as ‘Stofpad’ van Heerden blows out the strains of their first dance on the saxophone), they’re a-okay with having me there and their photographs taken. In fact, in most instances, they play up to the camera and that’s often how, where and why the real magic happens. An engagement shoot gives you a chance to practise in front of the camera; it gives you a chance to shed any preconceived ideas or nerves you have regarding having your photographs taken; it gives you a selection of awesome photographs with just you and your partner (and believe me, you’ll treasure these in years to come). And very, very, very importantly – it gives your photographer a chance to check out your personalities as well as understand what you like and what you don’t like. The end result, beautiful people, is that you’re going to end up with bloody fine photographs on your wedding day.

Now. where on earth do you have your engagement photographs taken? I say make it interesting. If you guys met at some dodgy roadhouse somewhere – go there! Live on the edge! The photographs will be a cool, crazy, veritable trip down memory lane now and in years to come!
Of course, you don’t have to do the roadhouse or the scrapyard thing. You can go the opposite route and choose an upmarket coffee shop or bistro. Or pop down to the farm. Or the beach cottage. Whatever floats your boat really. But whatever you do, make it personal and with the right photographer it’s going to be a terrific experience. As for your clothes – be yourself. Takkies, jeans, t-shirts, jackets, sunglasses are all good items to wear. Bring a change or two of pants and tops – just in case. Then fall into the more than capable hands of your photographer and enjoy the ride!

Warren Williams is a specialist wedding and portrait photographer. Click here to see his work.

 

 

 

Engagement Photography | Wedding Articles