Engagement shoots have been around for a big while and they are so important for so many reasons in the run up to your wedding.
They are a great way to spend some quality time together before the big day; they help you and your photographer get to know each other and talk about the final plans for your wedding; they allow you to get some stunning images of you both as a couple saying goodbye to one stage of your relationship before embarking on a brand new chapter of your lives; but most importantly they allow you to practice in front of the camera before your big day and allow you to be comfortable getting photographed and be comfortable working with your photographer.
This is number one question we got asked “Where should we do our engagement photos?”
In Washington DC (and Virginia/Maryland) area, the most popular locations are probably National Mall, The Memorials, Georgetown and Old town but we would strongly encourage you to think beyond that. These locations are very nice and provide great backdrops but it is also great to think about locations that are meaningful to you as a couple. How about the bar where you first met or the place that you frequently visit when you started dating or a place that the proposal was made?
It is a good idea also to think seasonally, if your shoot is in the autumn why not take advantage of the beautiful foliage, winter could you do your shoot in the snow, spring with the cherry blossoms or, in the summer, escape the heat into the museums?
If you do have beautiful home (or your parents do), we would encourage you to consider shooting at your place too!
Also think about lifestyle-based / activity-based locations. We love capturing our clients doing their favorite things from sailing in the inner harbor, biking on Mt Vernon trail, strolling with fluffy friends in the Clarendon, kayaking in the Potomac, doing yoga at the waterfront or simply walking around in your neighborhood and etc.. We really love capturing your lifestyles and really do thing these are great ways to do engagement photos.
In DC area, we have to keep in mind that there are a lot of places that we will need to obtain a permit to be able to take photographs commercially. Please consult us about your location choices, we will be able to provide more information. You can also check this page to get some ideas of permit fee at various locations around DC area.
You might ask “but I ‘ve seen my friends did the shoot at ___ and they didn’t have to apply for permit nor did they pay the fee.” A lot of couples and their photographer go to those places without applying for permits but there are some risks involve in getting asked to leave. We can plan to go to those places without applying for permit but we will need a “Plan B” should we are asked to leave.
We have actually compiled a list of interesting locations around DC area and map them out for you! I hope you will find this map helpful. (Be sure to log into your Google account so that you will be able to click on each pin and see sample images — if you don’t log in, you won’t be able to). Click the link below!
> > > Portrait Location map < < <
Typically, our clients spend anywhere between 1 to 2 hours for each session. We believe that 2 hours is the ideal amount of time. For us, we can definitely go longer than 2 hours and we have done as long as 6 hours continuously for an engagement session (because our clients wanted a variety of backdrops and had more than a few attires)
It can be tempting to try to go to multiple locations but we would encourage to stick with one or two locations or increase the length of the session to maximize the photography time and minimize traveling time.
We recommend sticking to one or two locations to maximize photography time and minimize traveling time for a typical 1-hour or 2-hour session.
If you are planning to hit multiple locations (especially where parking are difficult to find), we highly recommend that you get a designated driver for all of us so that he/she can drop us off at multiple locations and picked us up so that we don’t waste time finding parking and walking.
The most important thing is to be your comfortable selves and be confident in yourselves. Don’t be afraid to do something silly or goofy! In the end, if you don’t like certain photos, you don’t have to keep them, right?
For us, we can capture photographs candidly as well as editorial style. Often, we do a combination of both approaches and you decide how much do you want to do each.
We like to ask you to think as if you are going on a date: take a stroll, talk with each other, hold hands, interact with each other and keep the chemistry going! Be creative, spontaneous and don’t be afraid of the cameras! It helps us to capture you guys naturally without much direction. We like to give some directions but don’t worry too much if you don’t hear anything from us sometime during the shoot, you are probably doing just fine already. We can also shoot a bit more editorial style and help you direct and compose a bit for some photos that you want to incorporate more dramatic elements.
Actions and interactions are great for photos! We love capturing our couples hugging, holding hands, spinning, dancing, twirling, running, piggybacking or just being goofy at each other.. We love spontaneous moments!
Incorporating hobbies/activities is another way to make your shoot personal to you as a couple. (We had couples bringing various things from guitars, violins, tennis racquets to skydiving equipments) They give you something fun and natural to do while making the shoot individual and interesting especially if they are something that uniquely definite you as a couple.
If you have pets, this is something we could incorporate too they are after all part of your little family. Bringing your dog along will be sure to make it a fun experience!
This really depends to you and your personalities. Of course, most of our clients are not models and haven’t worked with professional photographers before but there is no harm in striking a pose and have fun with it! Don’t be afraid to try something, if you don’t like it, it’s just a photo that you can choose to do nothing with.
For us, we can definitely suggest certain poses and help direct you guys during the session. It actually does help to practice your pose in front of the mirror before coming to the session if you would like to perfect them to see if the poses are good for you. Want some ideas? Look here.
You really want look and feel your very best on your engagement shoot. If you are a bit of a makeup / hair novice why not arrange to have them done professionally. Pop into your local salon or head to a blow dry bar. You could even arrange your wedding hair and / or make up trials for the morning of your shoot, right?
If you’re doing your hair and make up yourself take a little extra time, perhaps buy some new items to make you feel great and remember to wear a little more makeup than usual while still keeping it fairly natural as makeup doesn’t show up as much on the photos. Lin and Jirsa had great tips about engagement makeup here
Choose colors that go well together and keep the same color palette as this will unify you together in the shots. Think about where we are shooting and choose appropriate clothes for the weather.
If we are going to an appropriate location why not dress up a bit, a dress and heels looks fabulous or jeans, a shirt and suit jacket for the guys you will feel amazing and in turn look amazing.
Show off your best assets, show off your shoes, add some jewelries, show off your assets, coordinate with your partners, don’t be afraid to stand out and have fun with it!
For outdoor shoot, we strongly recommend either at sunrise time or 60-90 minutes before sunset. Those are when we can get the most flattering natural light. The advantage of the morning session is that it’s more intimate as they are less people around you (especially if you are planning to go to touristy locations like Lincoln or Jefferson Memorials). For late afternoon session, it’s usually more crowded but we can get those beautiful nighttime photos with creative lighting. For us we like to shoot until about 30-60 minutes after sunset — that’s when the sky turns dark blue but not completely dark yet and that’s great time to do some creative lighting.
For indoor shoot, it can be pretty much anytime but if you want natural light through the windows, make sure it’s during the day.
At the peak of summer, the late afternoon session may not be practical as it maybe too hot and humid but the morning session is always doable.
We don’t provide props for you guys but we do encourage you to bring props especially if you believe that they are going to help make the session creative and if they help define you two as a couple.
Some couples like to bring some props to help create “Save the Date” photos like a blackboard or a sign. See some examples here.
Think about the kind of props that might go with the shoot you have chosen. Perhaps you have decided on a picnic in which case you could bring a beautiful picnic blanket, hamper, pretty plates, and great-looking food like strawberries, cupcakes, olives. You could bring a beautiful tea pot or a posh bottle of wine and sexy-looking glasses.
If you do decide to bring props make them stylish, sandwiches in a carrier bag do not a picnic make!
This is a popular question lately as it has been unusually stormy here in DC/Virginia/Maryland area! Don’t sweat, we still encourage that you keep the session if it’s going to be just drizzle or even light showers. If it’s going to be down-pouring rain, we recommend rescheduling. (But we are always up for it if you really want to shoot amidst of the storm — we can actually make really cool photos, we just don’t have many takers!). Bring some great-looking umbrellas that go well with your dresses and even rain boots / coats!
You might want to consider changing locations if there is a chance of rain. Head somewhere indoor or semi-indoor or stay in the city where you can quickly escape into cafes / shops when it’s raining.
© 2024 Nat Wongsaroj Photography
