Engagement Photography
I offer engagement photography services to all of my wedding couples. A pre-wedding portrait session gives us an ideal opportunity for us to get to know each other and provide a fun way to get some fantastic pictures of you both! Engagement photography gives you the chance to get to know your photographer and to relax in front of the camera. The engagement portrait session will take place at your chosen location, which may be a sentimental place for you and your fiancé. Your engagement photo session will last about 2 hours and usually take place outside. Selected images form your session can be used to craft a beautiful guestbook for your wedding or a single print may be mounted onto a signing board. Also available to non-wedding clients!
I will capture fantastic engagement photos with my own unique style that will bring back all those wonderful emotions when you open the photo album years later. With my unique and creative approach you can be assured that your engagement photography session will be in the hands of the best photographer in Chicago!
And there is no better reason to capture photos than to be reminded of why you fell in love with the person you are about to marry!
Take a look at my engagement photography page and call 630.550.7460 or email me for more details and to book your engagement session.
What can we do with the engagement images?
Many people have a book made for guests to sign on the wedding day or perhaps a photograph framed for signing. Others have used a framed print as gifts for parents or had a mounted print for their home.
When should we schedule our engagement session?
We can answer that question based on what you will be using the engagement pictures for!
For ”Save the Date” cards, you should schedule your session at least 6 months before your wedding day. Save the dates are actually a pre-invitation to your wedding. The fine details may not be in place yet, but you want your guests to block that day off. It takes a couple of weeks to process/edit your images and then a couple more weeks to create custom design and print the cards.
For Wedding sign in book, you should schedule the session no later than 7 weeks before your wedding day. This way, I have enough time to edit the pictures and design the pages of your guest sign in book. Scheduling the engagement session earlier, it ensures that there is also enough time for printing and binding the guest sign in book.
If you have your save the dates and guest book covered (or aren’t doing them at all), then you can schedule your engagement session whenever you are ready. Remember, it’s never too early to schedule your engagement session. I just want you to be ready and excited for it.
Where will the session take place?
Pre-wedding/engagement sessions can take place in any outdoor location of your choice. Places with lots of textures (such as local park, beach) work well for more traditional portraiture. If you would like a more edgy look, I am happy to suggest some urban settings which would work well. As a Chicago engagement and wedding photographer, I’ve photographed engagement photo sessions all over Chicago and the suburbs and I still discover new places and come up with new ideas. Nearly any background you can imagine can be found in and around Chicago that would be a great place for an engagement portrait session. Beaches, architecture both modern and historical, parks, quiet as well as busy streets, established as well as new neighborhoods, and one-of-a-kind venues like the Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile, and Lincoln Park are also great for an engagement photography session.
What should we wear?
The important thing to note is that what you wear should help enhance your best features, and make the focus be about you. You don’t want to wear anything too distracting.
Dos:
- Make this session special! Go for casual chic or even an evening wear look. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable, so please wear something that fits your personality—but dress it up a bit or make it more interesting by adding layers to your outfit.
- Coordinating outfits are great, but avoid getting too “matchy”. You can, instead, choose accessories that compliment each other.
- Wear colors that work well on you. Nothing that might wash out your complexion.
- Wear solids or simple patters.
- Wear shoes that are comfortable! Or, at least bring them with you.
- Outfit change? Sure! We can usually fit one outfit change into a session (as long as you’re comfortable getting dressed in the back of the car.
Things to avoid:
- Busy prints, big logos, and shiny fabric.
- Bright white matching shirts and Khakis.
- Wearing something you wouldn’t normally wear.
Other ideas:
Another way to make your engagement session fun and unique is to bring props. For example:
- A “Thank You” or “Save the Date” sign on a poster-board for personalized thank you and save the date cards. Remember: it’s always great to get your engagement photos out there for everyone to see!
- Instruments you play
- Balloons (or one big balloon!)
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Anything else that makes your relationship unique or that is special to you.
More questions? Feel free to email or call me and I’ll be happy to help you plan and make your engagement session even more special!