How To Choose Your Engagement Session Location | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer | MW Photography

Choosing a location for your engagement Session!

How to choose your engagement session photography location is one of the questions I get asked the most. I totally get it! You want your engagement photography to look AMAZING! I want to help, but instead of giving you 20 locations that you know nothing about here are a couple of things I want YOU to consider that will help you narrow down your search for the perfect engagement session location that is authentically you! Engagement Photography can be SO MUCH MORE than just standing and smiling directly at the camera. It can be a date night that shows who you are as a couple and how you like to have fun! This is possible and here are a couple of things to consider to help bring your engagement photos to life!

Choose an aesthetic you love. City, woodsy, forest, waterfalls, small town, favorite ice cream place. If you are not outdoorsy choose a favorite location in your city. If you are an introvert choose a simple, intimate session in your home. If you love the Minnesota State Fair go grab some cotton candy and cheese curds! Choose something that is you. It will make you more comfortable and enjoy your session that much more just being true to yourself!

The question to ask yourself: What is my style?

Choose a location that means something to you. First place you kissed. place you first met. Place where he popped the question. I tell this to all my brides! How much more meaningful will your photos be shooting at a location you already have in the history of your relationship! It is a beautiful reminder of the love that already bloomed there. It can be your favorite walking trail, your favorite restaurant, or just your back yard around the fire pit. This is something where you can dig deep and remember your favorite moments in your relationship together and relive by having your engagement photos taken there.

The question to ask yourself: Is there already an existing place that is special to my relationship?

Choose an activity you love. Choosing to do activity that you both love will narrow down locations in a big way. Do you love canoeing and want to have that in your photos? Awesome! Choose somewhere that has water. Love having your dog unleashed with you on your evening walks? Choose an outdoor off leach dog park! Do you love sampling local beers in your area, choose your favorite brewery to cuddle up together and try some new flavors with your photographer!

The question to ask yourself: What do I (we) love to do as a couple?

Choose a location based off your passion. Check and write a list of things are are really passionate about and how you can incorporate those things in your engagement session. Are you passionate about art? Look into the local art museum. Are you passionate about music and dancing?

The question to ask yourself: What am I most passionate about and how are ways I can incorporate that into my photos?

Choose a new adventure. This is where you can choose an adventure you have always wanted to do in the back of your mind. It is taking the idea of a date night and really making it your own.

The question to ask yourself: What is something I wanted to do with my fiancé for a long time that might be a fun date night for our engagement session.

Choose your dream location. Has travel always been on your heart or one of your favorite things. Don’t let the limits of your small town or city hold you back. Travel to you dream engagement session location will reflect something uniquely you and just another chance to love on your fiancé and have your photographer tag along to capture your unique dream!

The question to ask yourself: Do I want to have a dream vacation with the love of my life and have gorgeous photos of our trip?!

Meerci Picnics | Date Night Ideas in Minneapolis | Minneapolis Engagement Photographer

A Date Night Idea in Minneapolis with Meerci Picnics

My girlfriends and I wanted to do something a little different for our monthly date night! So last summer we went out on a limb and rented a picnic with Painting option from Meerci Picnics! I could not get over HOW CUTE this whole setup was. This expanding company will come set everything up for you based off your choices. Once you are done, they come back and tare it all down for you! Easy Peasy!!

I thought this would be so great for a couple or friends looking for a fun summer activity/date night!!

5 Tips for Choosing Engagement Photo Location

One of the most freuquently asked question I get from my brides is "where should we go for our engagament photos?" What a GREAT question! I know it can seem stressful trying to nail down all those details but here are a couple of tips to help you choose.

#1

Choose a location that is special to you! This is the most important one in my opinion. Yeah, we can make anywhere and still come out with some pretty awesome photos, but doing some where special to you just adds another layer to your photos. Looking back at them you can say "oh that's where we had out first date" or "we frequently go there to celebrate!" 

#2

Choose somewhere you're comfortable being you.  Who you are, what you normally wear, what you normally like to do. I know this sounds a little weird but if sitting by the fireplace in your backyard is a place you are most relaxed then choose that! Are you the most comfortable at home cooking dinner with your France DO THAT! You're thinking that's not that glamorous but those photos will turn out amazing because you are both comfortable. (And bonus your photographer gets a taste test ...you know just in case ...) 

#3

Choose a Location that is higher up if sunset photos are your favorites. I always try to book our session together around the time the sunsets. Those are be far some of my favorite photos I take. To get those having a location where the sun is setting around you but also having it in a deep valley we have to adjust where the sun is going to be. This is something I think about all the time.

#4

Make sure your Location is Photo friendly. There are some location where the location itself limits photography on their site or requires a permit with payment. Look into places that don't have restrictions or find out the restrictions ahead of time. I have found that majority of the time I call ahead they are really friendly and willing to work with us to get your beautiful photos. But when I haven't called ahead of time and we just show up, it can get a little hostel! Trust me it is not that fun to have to run away from people in this way. 

#5

If you want to bring your furbaby, check ahead of time that the location allows it or if they have any restrictions. Following the rules makes for a much happier session I promise!  I LOVE shooting with you with your pets. I believe they are a big part of your family ( I have two cats of my own that I love and sing to often.)  Just double checking they are allowed or looking for a location that doesn't have a pet restricting is key!