How to Pick Your Engagement Session Location

Aug 6

THE LOCATION

OF YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION WILL DEFINE THE MOOD OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

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As a photographer I am always down to help my clients find the perfect location for their session, especially if they’re coming in from out of town and don’t know the area. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect spot for your own photographs and you’re feeling a little lost, I have some guidelines that I have found helpful and wanted to share 9 tips to help you find your perfect engagement session location.

Nine Tips to Help You Choose Your Location

01. CHOOSE A LOCATION THAT SUITS YOU

The goal of the engagement session is to get to know your photographer, get comfortable in front of the camera and learn from each other what will help things fall into place on the wedding day. AND of course to capture photos that personify the love you have for each other.

Think about what works for you as a couple, are you an outdoorsy couple who loves hiking on the weekends and discovering amazing places to enjoy the outdoors? Are you a city lover who loves finding hidden gems wherever you visit? Maybe you like to enjoy new coffee spots on the weekend, take your session to a local coffee shop you love, bring a cozy blanket and snuggle up near a window. Or perhaps you both spend your weekends at an old bookstore finding new favorites to read, take your engagement session to the places that resemble your relationship and your personalities.

02. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Make sure to take the sun into consideration when planning your location.

If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest looking at engagement photos and you’re loving that beautiful golden light, asking to meet your photographer at 2pm is never going to get you golden light. Keep in mind when planning your engagement session that for most locations that golden light happens at sunset, or maybe if you’re willing to catch the first light of the day like the photo above you can shoot during sunrise. However, mid day will rarely get you the dreamy light you’re looking for.

Also keep in mind that if you’re shooting at multiple locations you’ll need to travel between the too and extra time for the commute, so starting before golden hour and you may miss part of that great light while traveling. Lighting is everything so don’t underestimate how it will affect the location you choose.

03. HIDDEN GEM

Unique locations with a really cool backdrop make all the difference

Whether you’re choosing an epic hiking location with mountains in the backdrop or an urban spot with a cool city scape or amazing brick walls. Choose a location with a with an interesting background that can be used for photos. Also keep in mind finding a place that doesn’t have a lot of food traffic that could interfere with your photos.

04. PICK YOUR SEASON

Time of year makes all the difference in highlighting the beauty of your location.

A location that looks amazing in the summer may have lost all it’s leaves by winter. Or maybe you’ve seen a beautiful orchard in one season but go back and the leaves are completely dead leaving very little to appease the eye.

Consider what you’d like to wear for your session, cozy clothes and beanies? Search for a location that looks amazing in winter. Are you hoping for amazing fall leaves? Or bold green colors. Make sure you choose spot in the highlight of its season.

05. INSPIRATION

What does the location mean to you?

Pick a location that means something to you as a couple. Where did your fiancé propose? Would it mean something special to go back there? Maybe you went to college together and want to take photos on the college campus. Or you went on your first date to a county fair and would like to relive that moment when you started falling for each other. Finding a location that means something to you as couple can create photos that are inspired by your love and will highlight the beauty of your relationship.

The most important this is that you have fun with your location!

- Happy Location Scouting! xo