It’s spring and for Arbor Lane Studios that means lots and lots of engagement sessions on the Eastern Shore of Maryland! We love doing them for so many reasons. It gives couples and their wedding photographer a chance to work together and build trust between one another before the big day. We have found that couples are less stressed about how to pose and being in front of the lens if they have done an engagement shoot, as opposed to not having done one prior to their wedding day. There are several other advantages as well. In this blog I have outlined a few ways to maximize your engagement session experience.

1. think about What to do with your photos?

Besides digitals for save the dates and wedding websites, we encourage couples to think about other more tangible ways to preserve their photos in order to be able to see and enjoy them on a daily basis. It’s inevitable that time in again you and your significant other will get into an argument, but it will be hard to stay mad at one another if you have wall art displayed in your home that depict such love and devotion you have for each other. You can also use the pieces for display on either a table or floor easel at your wedding in a number of places, but typically near the guest sign in table. Guest sign in albums can also be created from your engagement session photos. Arbor Lane Legacy Albums are built to last forever so you wont have to worry about them warping or fading for a very long time. Guests can write personal notes using a permanent marker on the pages of the book.

2. Same day hair and makeup trial

By doing a makeup and or hair trial on the day of your scheduled shoot, you can see if you and your makeup/ hair artist’s personalities jive. While wedding photographers are with you for most of your day, makeup and hair artists are with you for at least a few hours at the start of the day so make sure you get along well with them.

Another reason for this is to test your makeup to see if you will like it on your wedding day. It is much better to discover that you don’t care for the look before one of the most important days of your life. Sometimes you may like your makeup until you see it in the photos so if at all possible, schedule your makeup trial for the same day as your Ocean City photo shoot.

Most makeup and hair artists will give good deals for trials so if you plan to hire a muah for your wedding, take the opportunity to schedule a trial before your engagement shoot. Ask your wedding photographer for recommendations for makeup artists in Ocean City and surrounding areas. Many times they have worked with them quite a bit in the past and can guide in a good direction.

3. Create a vision board

Prior to your session, do some research using Google images, Pinterest and Instagram by searching Engagement Photography. This will offer you some inspiration on poses and outfits. While you’re at it, make and share your Pinterest board with your photographer. This allows you both to be on the same page as far as the type of photos you are hoping to capture. You should have a good idea of the style of photography to expect from your wedding or portrait photographer, however they may customize your experience to suite your specific wishes. For instance, at Arbor Lane we will do multiple poses and specialize in lifestyle/candid type photos. However, if I know the bride is looking for more lifestyle than anything else, we will shoot that style more heavily.

4. Select a Location Special to You

Where did you you and your fiance get engaged? Where do you like to like to hang out the most together? If your answer is the Ocean City boardwalk or lounging on the beaches of Assateague, move those places to the top of your list of possible locations to do your engagement shoot. Take this time to make it all about the two of you and really personalize your photos. Even if you think this location is not the most photogenic, mention it to your wedding photographer. If they are very experienced and have mad lighting skills, it is incredible what they can produce from an otherwise unexciting backdrop. Many times I will suggest starting at that personal spot, grabbing a few shots and then go to an entirely different location if near to one another. This may mean sometimes exceeding a half hour, but we do whatever it takes to get you the most amazing photos that you will treasure for a lifetime.

5. Bring Babies, pups & Props

Personalize your session with signs, champagne, a cozy blanket, even your furry friends! We always encourage couples to include their kids in their engagement sessions. After all, it’s a monumental time in their lives too! Feel free to run any ideas you have past us. No ideas are bad ones and we are down for just about anything!

5. Consider Doing a Themed Shoot

What are some things that remind you of your fiance and what you enjoy doing together? Engagment sessions don’t have to all be the same . Personalize it by doing a themed shoot. Do you like to camp? How about doing a session in the woods in a tent or with a vintage camper surrounded by string lights? If you have the idea, I will bring your vision to life! Themed sessions are so fun and really highlight what it is that you both enjoy doing together.

6. Just have fun with it!

With an experienced wedding photographer, you’ll be put at ease and be able to relax and be yourselves. This should be a memorable evening so don’t forget to enjoy yourself and have fun with it!