Your engagement photos capture that special time in your life when you are newly in love. These are photos that you will look at again and again and will be passed down for generations. Choosing the best backdrop for these portraits is the first step in ensuring that your engagement photos are amazing. Before you settle on a location, consider these essential issues.
What’s Your Style?
The first matter to consider when choosing a backdrop for your engagement photos is the personal style of you and your fiancée. Some couples enjoy the look of a staged background in a photography studio. Others prefer the natural look of an outdoor setting. Some couples want a fantasy shoot in the forest and others want a city shoot with lots of props. No matter what sort of shoot you land on, sorting out what you both are interested in can help you narrow down your style and choose the perfect location for your dream shoot. Speaking with your photographer about your preferred style can help set you in the right direction.
Choose a Meaningful Backdrop
We talked with Memoire Studio who added, “Your engagement photographs should represent who you are as a couple. When you think about the perfect location for your engagement session, consider a place that carries sentimental value for you. A location that has meaning will bring an added value to your portraits and give you a story to share with others.” Some great places to have as a backdrop for your shoot are the place you first met, the location of your first date, the spot where the proposal took place or just a restaurant you regularly go to for dates.
Season is Important
The time of year and the typical climate for your region could make all the difference in the ultimate location you choose. If your shoot is scheduled for a season that is typically cold, you may want to consider an indoor setting. A warm time of year may be the perfect opportunity to do an engagement shoot with a beach or garden as the backdrop.
Choose a Location That Makes You Comfortable
A great photographer can only do so much to make you look amazing. Your engagement portraits will turn out the best if you are both comfortable. Choosing a location that puts you at ease is essential to having a final product that looks as good as possible. Be sure that you communicate with each other and your photographer about the location well beforehand. For instance, if one half of the couple is uncomfortable with public displays of affection, a secluded location may be the best choice.
Time of Day
Libby Peterson of Wedding and Portrait Photographers International warns that time of day can make or break a shoot. Most photographers prefer to use natural lighting even with indoor backdrops. Scheduling your shoot for the time of day when the light is perfect will ensure that you and your fiancée look your best and the backdrop you have chosen appears in the best possible light.
Trust Your Photographer
When you hire a professional photographer, you are not only paying for their superior camera skills and editing achievements, you are also paying for the immense knowledge of lighting, posing and what makes a great backdrop. According to the Professional Photographers Association, a professional photographer will be intimately familiar with the best lighting and posing options for any backdrop. If your photographer lets you know that there may be a problem with your chosen location, it is in your best interest to pay attention and seek their advice.
When you choose the perfect backdrop, you will find that every other aspect of your engagement shoot falls into place.
