How To Prep For Your Engagement Shoot

I love sticking to certain principles but approaching each shoot differently. Every couple is different in how they interact and their level of comfort in front of a camera. That’s why I love engagement shoots, especially when I’ll be photographing our wedding as it gives me time to get to know you and see what type of posing works best for you. Engagement shoots also allow us a bit of time to chat and connect, making the wedding day go by just a bit smoother!

“Should I get my hair & makeup done?“

Yes! This will help bring your photos to the next level! This is also a great time to do your hair and makeup trial for the wedding. If you haven’t booked anyone yet, I can offer some suggested vendors!

“What happens if the weather is bad?”

I try hard to keep an eye out for bad weather but sometimes mother nature has other plans. I can only make the call the day before of whether or not to reschedule. 90% of my shoots in the summer of 2021 should have been cancelled due to weather, but we stuck it out and the weather was perfect for every single one of them. Sometimes we just need to adjust the timing a bit on the day of the shoot. If rescheduling isn’t an option due to our limited availabilities, we can aim to shoot at some indoor locations like cafe’s, the AGO, studios etc.

“Can we drink ahead of time to calm our nerves?”

Heck yea! But please don’t get wasted, it’ll show in the photos - trust me!

“What should we wear?”

Steer clear from intense patterns, strong logos or really bright colours as you want the focus to be on you and not domineering clothing or accessories. Wear something you’re comfortable in that represents your personal style (think - something you’d wear on a nice date night out!). If dresses are your thing, flowy dresses with slits are my favourite to photograph! Please iron or steam out any wrinkles, as editing includes colors and contrast and not photoshopping as it’s extremely time consuming (plus getting everything right “in camera” always looks the best!).

Outfit changes are fantastic but also time consuming, for a one hour shoot we can work in 1 outfit change. For a 2 hour shoot, 2-3 looks is ideal. Even throwing on a jacket or changing shoes can completely change a look! If you’re going for multiple looks, aim for two different styles such as casual & fancy. Please be mindful of how much stuff you’ll be lugging around though!

“Help! I need location ideas!”

Don’t worry, I got you! I recommend choosing areas that are significant to you or just let me know the vibe you’d like to go for and I’ll plan some fun locations that don’t need permits. Here’s a guide on some of my favourite spots in Toronto {click here}

“When’s the best time to shoot?”

It all depends on the time of year, but I like to shoot 1.5hrs before sunset for outdoor shoots and before 2pm for all indoor shoots.

“I’m so nervous! I hate having my photo taken!”

I think 99% of the people I photograph tell me this, then later on tell me that they actually had fun! It’s my job to make you feel comfortable and at ease. I’m silly gigantic photo nerd and I love photographing real people and real love. Don’t worry about perfection, it’s boring anyways!

“What about if we’re running late?”

I can’t stress enough how important it is to be on time, I often schedule multiple shoots in one day and according to the lighting on that specific day. Our shoot time begins at the scheduled time so if you’re late, you’ll be cutting into your shoot time.

“Do you bring any props?”

I don’t bring any props to shoots as my style is more candid and photojournalistic and I prefer not to carry anything other than my camera gear. However if there’s something important to you, feel free to bring it along!

“Can I bring my dog/cat/iguana?”

Dogs, heck yes! I love when doggos are included. This is also where a friend can lend a hand as we’ll also need to grab some shots without the dog. Also can we all agree that cats are just assholes? (I would know, I’ve got three!). If we schedule our shoot in your home, we can include all the animals big and small.

“Can my friend come?”

For sure! It can be nice having an extra pair of hands and eyes for touch ups. Just make sure it’s someone you’ll feel completely comfortable with (PDA-level friend!). I just ask that they take more of an observing role as to not interrupt our flow!

Make a day out of it!

Start your day with a boozy brunch or coffee at your favourite spot, so you’ve got plenty of time to relax before the shoot and not be stressing about getting out the door on time. Starting your day with this mindset helps you feel more connected and romantic as you head into our session. We’re going to have a blast together, so might as well keep the fun going afterwards!

I can’t wait to photograph you <3