Engagement Shoot Reflections

I prepared for my engagement shoot the way I prepare for just about everything else. I conducted very informal research. I also daydreamed of cotton candy and corny dogs.

In a rush of nervous excitement I asked my beautiful model friend, Kait, for tips the day before our engagement shoot. I questioned, “How can I photograph better?” Her tips? 1. Wear powder.  2. If you don’t get good sleep, use a YSL pen. 3. Avoid prints. She said dewy faces are pretty in real life, but not in pictures, YSL pens make you look bright eyed, and prints are distracting.

Our photographer’s, Jeremy and Kristin, directed us to their blog where they posted their tips on e-session preparation (photographer talk for engagement shoots).  I strongly agree with their advice to “coordinate, but don’t match.” On the other hand, I pointed my photographers to my Pinterest profile where I had pinned a collection of engagement photos I liked. I think it is important that everyone involved has an idea of what to expect from the session.

Anthony and I did not have any difficulty coming up with the location for our shoot.  We chose the State Fair of Texas, where we met. Our location was deeply sentimental and represented the beginning of our love story.

After we split up with our photographers, we passed a kissing booth, a photo op I wish we would not have missed! But more than kicking myself for walking past a kissing booth without noticing, I wish I would have thought to ask our photographers to take a few individual shots. It would be nice to have a professional photo of Anthony to keep on my nightstand after we marry. Or I could use a miniature print for a locket. Maybe he would like a photo of me in his wallet. Or even a new profile picture for social media sites.

For added fun, I stashed some simple props in a bag, like an ampersand and a chalkboard. I also grabbed a squeeze bottle of mustard out of the fridge, to write our wedding date on corndogs. I highly doubted my ability to write 4-27-13 with a giant pump. I have seen other adorable engagement photos using balloons and umbrellas as props.

About three weeks after our shoot, our photographers posted a selection of our photos on their blog. It was strange to see our photos for the first time at the same time as the rest of the world. It also felt funny looking at these pictures without Anthony, as he lives three hours away. About a week later, a link to the rest of our photos hit our inboxes. Though the anticipation nearly drove me crazy, Anthony and I decided that we would wait until we were together to view the rest of our images. It was very special to me to look at them with Anthony. It was a great moment to share together.

R.I.P. Big Tex

All photographs were taken by Jeremy & Kristin Photography.

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