Wedding photography is a million-dollar industry that’s growing every year. It has evolved to become something more than just the wedding day as more and more couple’s opt-in for engagement pictures as part of their photography services. Husband and wife team Brian and Allison Callaway, of the award-winning Callaway Gable, know that the engagement shoot that happens before the wedding that can really be magical, both for the couple and the photographers.
“It’s crazy to be a wedding photographer who doesn’t shoot engagement sessions,” said Allison during Callaway Gable’s CreativeLive Photo Week class Extraordinary Engagements, because there are so many benefits. Not only is at an additional way for your studio to make money, but it can also make the wedding shoot itself more relaxed and natural, because you, as a photographer, can get to know your clients better in more intimate and fun way. And that, says Allison and Brian, is the key to getting the engagement shot that couples will cherish forever.
For more engagement photo shoot tips and secrets for incredible engagement photography, check out Incredible Engagement Photography with Pye Jirsa.
For more engagement photo shoot tips and secrets for incredible engagement photography, check out Incredible Engagement Photography with Pye Jirsa.
Here are just some of Allison and Brian’s top tips to help capture better engagement sessions:
Take an improv class.
This may seem like a strange tip for better photos, but as Brian explains, many photographers are innately shy individuals, which can make it hard to really connect with clients in a certain way. “It’s a great tool,” says Brian, “If nothing else, the one thing you’ll walk away with is ‘yes, and.’ So if a client wants to do something, you get out of the habit of saying ‘no’ — you say ‘that sounds awesome, so let’s…’”
Put them in good hands.
Brian says that if you’re not feeling the shoot, they won’t feel it. “Shoot with confidence,” Brian advises. “Know that you will fail — everyone fails. I fail — but know that you’ll also get it right. Let them know that you’re working for them.” This is an exciting time for the couple and its important to radiate that feeling during the engagement session.
Practice chimping…
“I’m the queen of this,” says Allison, who always makes sure she’s showing the clients their photos from the LCD as her camera as they go. It helps them see how beautiful the shoot is, and how the instructions she’s giving them really are good ones. “The second they see that photo, it’s all gone. They’re buying it. They’re believing it.” It’s an easy way to show the client your photography skills are on point.
…And mirroring.
Clients can sometimes be skeptical of the instructions you give, or plainly not understand. To curb that, it’s a good idea to actively model the body language you’d like to see from them. “I’m constantly showing them what I want them to do,” Allison explains. Some photographers will try to make awkward jokes to loosen up their clients, but it’s more helpful to simply show them what to do to ensure the beautiful portraits they’re hoping for. Helping them find that body connection during the engagement session will help the final product.
Remember that some people are more into it than others.
“Not everybody’s going to really go for it, and that’s ok. We just want to capture who they are,” says Allison. Which means, if someone is clearly uncomfortable with an idea or a shoot, instead of trying to make them comfortable, you need to be flexible and find something that they are comfortable with. Or, you can always recommend they take a more drastic action. “Sometimes we recommend that people go get a drink. Seriously!” Brian added, “Sometimes it helps!”
Really be present.
“There’s small-talk constantly. You want to be in their same space,” Brian advises. “I’m always cracking jokes. You want to be talking with them, connecting with them,” Allison adds. Being friendly and comical can help evoke real emotion, and endear the clients to you. If that doesn’t help, ask the couple to bring along a family member or friend who’s presence will make them feel more at ease.
Get to know your clients as they are.
“We start by asking them straightforward: Who are you as a couple? How did you meet? What do you like to do together?” says Allison. Which seems obvious but Brian says, “you’d be surprised how many times someone tells us ‘you’re the first vendor who’s actually asked us about us.’”
Read between the questions.
“If a client has a million questions, that’s nerves. Don’t take that on. Tell them you’ll figure it out, but know that you’ll crack jokes and warm them up. It’s never about the questions. They’re nervous,” says Allison. If a client is fixating on a lot of details — engagement shoot outfits, props, accessories, weather — assure them that it’ll all work out, you can take care of it — but know that what they’re really asking for is reassurance.
Get there early.
Brian and Allison recommend you have a few “hometown heroes,” which are your go-to beautiful places which always yield great results. You don’t have to be in NYC on the popular Brooklyn Bridge to get the great engagement shot. But if your client has their heart set on another place, and especially if it’s somewhere you’ve never been, it’s your job to find the good in it. “It’s so important,” says Brian. “The client is going to pick the worst spot, so go to your hometown heroes. [If the client won’t listen], we scout. We show up early, we’ll walk around, we look for beautiful light.”
Whether your client uses these photos for their save the date cards or simply frames them in their home, engagement photography becomes an incredibly important keepsake for a couple.
For more engagement photo shoot tips and secrets for incredible engagement photography, check out Incredible Engagement Photography with Pye Jirsa.
