Just this past weekend I had an engagement session that in all honestly I was super stoked about! The couple was sweeter than the banana cream pie I made the previous week. When it came time to decided where to shoot, they left it up to me. As I have stated in previous blog post, I LOVE downtown St. Paul; it is my go to location.
For those who go to photo sessions with anxiety of the unknown, here are a couple of things that help me scout out for sesssions.
Go head of time: I'm by nature someone who needs a plan. For a lot of my shoots if possible I always walk around at the same time of day that I will be shooting at. It is normally within the same week or a week away from the session but this helps me understand the kind of lighting I will be working with. Where I want my couple and it helps me visualize my shoot even before it takes place. If this is not an option, try getting there before 15 - 30 minutes before the session.
Plan a head of time: going into a session with a plan and taking control of the session with confidence really does help your client trust you. It will reassure them that you have control so all they need to do is relax and enjoy the session together. I try to take advantage by creating a map in my mind of where to go and established how long it takes to get to each spot.
Choose spots for everyone's style: One of favorite wedding photographer's rule I try to follow is 10% for me 90% for my couple. Sounds like something out of the Hitch movie, right? Shooting any session, I want to have photos that will stretch my photography for the better, but I also have to remember I am shooting for my couples and need to represent who they are as a couple. If you try shooting just 100% for your couple you will start to burn out and not love your work. If you don't love your work, who would you expect you couple to? One thing I that really works for me is finding at least one spot in the location that I am really excited about.
Check the Weather: you need to think is it has a chance of rain, do I have my umbrella, do I have a cloth to have them sit on, if the weather is particularly horrible what's plan B.
In case of really hot weather, do I have water so everyone stays hydrated. All that good stuff.
Choose a variety: depending on the location you may be limited where you can shoot, but having a good variety of area backgrounds will give your couples more to choose from. I know this sounds basic , but having a variety will also boost your portfolio.
Leave the floor open to suggestions: remember that 90% thing I was talking about? When I am shooting location with my couples, always I try to let them have the option of giving their ideas. I have heard from a photographer friend of mine that his favorite photo he took in 2015 was one where the groom just asked "can I pick her up and spin her around? " The photo turned out golden , so give the floor to your couples you might love the results!! And it also makes them feel like they are being heard and involved in the session.
Admit when something doesn't work: lastly, it is OK to let your couple know when something is not working. When I try something new (because in my mind it looks amazing) , I communicate that to my couple. I let them know my vision and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't . It helps me grow with my knowledge of what works and what doesn't and i feel it helps my couples know I am willing to try different things to get the photo.
I know this is a little bit of a longer post , so thank you for staying with me! I hope these are some things that you can takeaway for your own sessions!
