ENGAGEMENT SHOOT FAQ’S
chicago engagement session
So excited to work with you for your engagement shoot :) This is a perfect opportunity to get to know one another more, and get comfortable creating together. And rest assured, as we spoke about, I will be guiding you every step of the way!
To fill you both in on some of the most FAQs, I decided to list them out here, and then if you have additional questions, just ask :)
We aren't sure what backdrop we want, do you have any suggestions?
-I am always happy to make suggestions. The first thing I always ask my couples is, what type of feel are you going for. Do you want city/rustic? do you want more nature? Once we have that nailed down, then Ill have lots of great suggestions for you!
We actually love a VERY specific area for shooting...do you allow us to choose the location?
-ABSOLUTELY! Im always happy to shoot at new locations and having fresh eyes for a new backdrop. This is usually when my creativity soars!! So, no worries if Ive never shot at a requested location before, im super confident that Ill be able to capture great photos for you two :) If the location is 30 minutes (or more) one way, an extra travel fee would be due, depending on distance & travel time.
What time do we begin shooting?
-Since your engagement session is 1 hour, I typically love to shoot 1 hour prior to sunset. But I always keep an eye on weather the day of, to see what the cloud cover will be for your session. If its super overcast, then we begin about 1.5 hours prior to sunset, and if its clear skies, then we begin 1 hour prior. We usually we keep in touch throughout the morning of your shoot day to make this call.
Can we shoot during the weekend?
While, I completely understand work schedules can get in the way at times, I do book my engagement sessions on weekdays, since I am shooting Weddings on the weekends. In the winter months (December to March) it can be a touch more flexible, but in the Spring, Summer & Fall, weekdays are when I schedule engagement shoots. The other thing I do like to note is that weekdays are usually best so that we aren't dealing with crowds and/or people in the background of your photos. Usually in areas that are more popular among photographers/bloggers/tourists, we would need to wait our turn/share the space with others. So, I like to note that as well, to create a realistic expectation for photos :)
Can we bring our dog(s) to the shoot?
-YESSSSS!! I love doggos! Heres a few suggestions I have if you're looking to incorporate your pup(s) into your session. I have done a whole lotta sessions with furry fam members, and this is what Ive found works best. The most ideal timing to capture you all, is right at the beginning of the shoot. This ensures we get some solid shots of you all together! This usually takes about 5-10 minutes or less to get some great shots. Then I always suggest having a friend or family member to come take them right away when we have gotten what we need in that 5 minutes. I dont suggest having your dog(s) and your friend/family member come along with us for the rest of the shoot. In my experience, having just the 3 of us only during the remaining parts of the shoot will ensure that I can capture you both with no distractions or uncomfortability of others being around/watching while we shoot. It also ensures that your dog doesn't cry for you, bark, get excited etc. Of course this greatly depends on the dog & I know all dogs are different. Regardless, this is the best scenario in my years of shooting. Let me know if you have questions or need clarification for this!
What should we wear?
-ohhh the options!! This part can be overwhelming for many & I totally understand. Its a lot of pressure to choose an outfit for such an important shoot. SO, being that Im a visual person, I have put together a PINTEREST BOARD with a mix of outfit ideas for couples, as well as individual mens and women's outfit ideas. I tried to cover a wide array of different tastes, but feel free to mix and match to suit your personality and body the best! The name of the game here is: if youre going to do colors, be sure to pick muted or jewel toned colors. Bright colors dont photograph as well and tend to take center stage in the photo, which is not always a good thing :) Also when it comes to patterns, the less abstract and "busy", the better. Please feel free to reach out to me with photos or questions about your outfit ideas 917-454-8008.
Can we change outfits?
-Im all for an extra outfit within the 1 hour session, but I always tell my clients that its up to them and their comfort level. If youre okay doing a quick change in semi-public, then sure, bring a change of clothes! Also, bring a blanket with you for this, for extra privacy, or I always have one in my car so just let me know if you forget! But if youre super shy and dont feel comfortable with this, then we would only be able to fit one outfit into the hour. With health/safety changes happening currently, bathrooms aren't always open to the public for use, so we may not be able to find a place for a private change. Since I like to walk around and shoot, we would be a ways from our cars, so, walking back to the car for an outfit change, would cut into our precious photography time. If youre shy about changing in public and are adamant about an extra outfit during your session, then we should talk about adding some time to your shoot to ensure that we can capture that for you!
Should we bring props?
-Im personally not a big prop user in my photoshoots, but if you have specific items youre hoping to incorporate, thats totally okay! I would just suggest only bringing a handful of things so you aren't lugging around a bag of tricks and working up a sweat for the shoot hah! A cute idea that my clients have done is pack a little picnic to have during the shoot. It ranges from fancy champagne and charcuterie board to beer and pizza...super unique to each person! Which makes it all the more fun. But of course, if that isn't you, theres no pressure to bring anything to your shoot. Just the two of you and your love is all I need to make some magic (aaaawwwwww!)
If I have missed anything, please let me know! Im happy to help answer all of your questions :)
Super excited to shoot together!
-Alax
