Engagement Sessions
An engagement session is the perfect way to kickstart our relationship and for you to get a better understanding of how I work. Its great to get used to being in front of the camera, calm your nerves before the wedding day and get a feel for how things will flow.
I love to take my couples to new locations or little adventures where we can create something beautiful in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s also nice to have photos together when you’re not in your wedding gear.
How long do we need and what time is best? Usually my sessions are 1-2 hours long not including travel to the locations. Around sunset and the half an hour after it goes down which is called blue hour is always the dreamiest light but this will also depend on the location.
01.
Usually my sessions are 1.5-2 hours long. Depending on the time of year we usually start an hour before sunset and finish up 30min afterward. Your location will also determine your start time. Approximate times
Summer 7-9pm, Autumn 4-6pm, Spring 5.30-7.30pm, Winter 3-5pm
02.
This is a great time to have your hair and makeup trial so you can see how everything looks photographed. Just allow enough buffer time to get ready and drive to your location.
03.
You can totally bring your dog but please bring someone along with you who can take the pup away after about the first 30min, then we can carry on without any distractions. Dogs be crazy!!
04.
If you have some fun ideas please let me know as it's always great to do something a little different. Here's a few ideas to think about....
Roof top bar for a cocktail or a gin/whiskey at one of the lovely bars in New Regent St to ease the nerves.
You could get a takeaway pizza and beers and have it on top of your of car bonnet at the top of a carpark building.
Fish & Chips at the beach. Bottle of Champagne to drink and shake about. Wee bunch of flowers, always to have something to do with your hands. Sun glasses and hats and always nice wee props.
Locations
There are so many fabulous locations in Canterbury for your engagement session. If you have somewhere special you
would like to go, please let me know otherwise here is a wee list of ideas below.
Taylors Mistake
Spencer Park
Woodend Beach
Godley Heads
Mt Pleasant Point -Port Hill
Rapaki - Port Hills
Birdlings Flat - I have a few secret sunset spots
Botanical Gardens - Cunningham House
Band Rotunda - Manchester St
New Regent St Area (Bars & Ice-creams)
Heritage & Old Gov Building, Theatre, Art Centre (Older looking Buildings)
Carpark buildings for sunsets
Castle Hill Area
Gore Bay & Manuka Bay
Motunau
Nape Nape Beach
Camp Bay
Banks Peninsula Bays
Unless it's your vibe, its probably best to avoid big, loud, chunky, crazy patterns.
The smaller or more subtle, the better! If the pattern is too loud, it will distract from your faces. I usually try to avoid pairing too many patterns together because, you guessed it, it makes the photos feel a little hectic and distracting from your faces and the location. Also, be sure to iron your clothes before so there’s not huge wrinkles distracting from your faces either!
I often advise you to bring two outfits. Something you would normally wear, stuff that’s already in your clost that you love and feel yourselves in. An old band t-shirt and ripped jeans? Perfect. Also a nicer looking outfit, pretty dress etc go as lavish or low key as you like. Both works for me!!
As long as it represented what you guys are like right now, thats all that matters.
What to Wear?
Think about the conditions and locations we are going to be shooting in and plan around it. If we are going to be around the mountains, bring shoes with good grip and you won’t twist your ankles in. If we are shooting on a sandy beach, it would look weird if you’re wearing shoes (ps I would only recommend heels if we are shooting in the city and always bring a spare pair of flats just in case)
If it’s freezing cold outside, bring lots of layers and warm clothes. If it’s going to be hot, bring clothes that can breathe. Be as comfortable as you can be!
Also think about the enviroment we are shooting in, natural or earthy tones will compliment landscapes or big mountain views. Or if you want to strand out against those elements go bright.
