Pre-wedding photography in and around Hampshire… Why do couples choose to have a pre-wedding shoot as part of their package, and what can they expect from the experience? It’s certainly a popular option and so many of my couples have said to me on the wedding day what a difference having had a shoot has made to the experience.
Cameras are everywhere these days, but that doesn’t mean that you’ve spent any time in front of a professional lens and know how it feels (hint: it’s not as scary as you might think). One of the most immediately obvious benefits to my mind is that a shoot breaks through that barrier for you (especially if it’s something you’re a little apprehensive about – and if you are you’re in good company, probably about 90% of my couples start the shoot by explaining how they don’t really enjoy having their photo taken).
It’ll give you a really good chance to get a feel for the way that I work, and you’ll very quickly see that I’m not going to spend your wedding day ordering you around or posing you within an inch of your life. Sure, we’ll set up a few more composed images, but what I’m really after is to capture the essence of you as a couple; I want eye contact between the two of you, hugs, laughter… that’s where the real gold lies in a wedding photo for me. Be yourselves and just let me work around you – you’ll be surprised how quickly you get into it all.
Of course it works both ways; the pre-wedding shoot also gives me a great chance to get to know you both a little better and get a feel for what you like and don’t like (especially if you give me some feedback on the photos once you’ve seen them), and how you are as a couple. All of this means that come the day itself we already know where to pick things up when we get to the couple portraits – we can hit the ground running, basically.
My pre-wedding shoots usually last about an hour or so and combine various individual photos with plenty more of the two of you together. You can expect to get all sorts of different compositions, angles and backgrounds. In terms of locations, just let me know what takes your fancy. I’ve got stacks of wonderful spots up my sleeves all over the place, from popular and recognisable landmarks to some which are really off the beaten track. Very often however it’s the couple who come to me with their suggestions, particularly if there’s somewhere which really means something to them. I’ve revisited proposal spots and first date locations all over southern England.
Ultimately though, the big thing you’ll get from the whole pre-wedding shoot experience is another fab set of photos of the two of you. How often really have you gone out as a couple to make sure you get some really beautiful images of the two of you? Now’s your chance! A lot of couples like to take the opportunity to bring their pre-wedding shoot photos into the wedding itself in some way; signing boards – where guests can mark their presence at your day with a little comment written on the mount board around an enlarged photo – and signing books are a popular option, and I very often see my photos gracing centre pieces on tables during the wedding breakfast or hung up around the wedding venue.
You can choose a pre-wedding shoot as part of your photography package, or arrange it separately closer to the wedding date if it’s something you suddenly decide you might like. In fact you don’t even have to have booked me as a wedding photographer at all; why not start with an engagement shoot first and then see where it takes you…
Fancy it? Contact me today to check availability for your wedding photography, or to arrange a pre-wedding or engagement shoot. (Trash the Dress and Cherish the Dress shoots also available, but that’s a whole other blog post…)