How to Plan for Your Engagement Shoot
Follow along with Carolina based hair and makeup team Alter-Image Inc. as they go into detail about the in’s and out’s of an engagement session. Learn the perks of engagement sessions as well as when to plan them, how to prepare, what to wear, and more.
Tips for Planning a Smooth Engagement Session
First comes the proposal, then comes the planning process! We’ve all seen the gorgeous engagement photos that have been shared on our timelines, but how do people make it seems so effortless? Like with most things, it’s important to really sit down and strategize to make the most of your engagement session. It can be tough figuring out where to start, but fortunately, we won’t make you find all of the answers on your own! Once you’ve got these tips in the bag, you and your honey will be more ready than ever to capture your love.
When + Why you Should Have Your Engagement Session
When planning your engagement photo session, there are some key things to keep in mind. Of course, you’ll want to know when the best time is to have them taken, but it’s also essential to know the why behind doing something. Engagement sessions are amazing for a multitude of reasons— for starters, it’s a great way to get to know your photographer before your big day. Getting over those awkward, in front of the camera + “What do I do with my hands?” vibes pre-wedding day is crucial!
Not only will you be more comfortable working with your photographer, but it’s a great way for everyone to get to know each other; having a good relationship with your photographer = them capturing the best moments of you and your partner because they know you! These sessions are also a great opportunity to plan in conjunction with a Bridal Trial, so the same can happen with your Glam Squad. As far as planning when to take your Engagement photos is concerned, it’s a good idea to plan them as early in the wedding planning process as possible. Ideally, try to shoot for 1-2 months before the real planning begins to avoid any stress!
How to Prepare for Your Engagement Session
Preparation is everything! When it comes to prepping for your engagement session, keep it simple. It’s a good idea to bring along a few outfits so that if you’re feeling a little stuck, you’ll have some options. Not only that, but it helps in case the weather ends up changing; you’ll be thankful you brought that other dress when it’s a little warmer than expected! Try to keep things light— having your photos taken can be awkward enough, no need to add any stress or negativity to it!
Talking things over with your honey and getting inspired is a great way to prepare you and give some ideas for what you’d like your results to be similar to. Lastly, location location location! Choose a spot for your engagement photos that’s meaningful and special for you + your honey. The familiarity of the location can help to ease any stress, and you’ll have gorgeous photos to remember it by forever!
What Should We Wear for Our Engagement Session?
Choosing an outfit on the regular can already be quite the task, so it’s key to think about the outfits you choose for your session. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing said outfits: location, time of year, weather, and comfortability. These are all things that can greatly affect your shoot and the end results, you’ll want to keep an eye on the weather as the date approaches so you can make any necessary outfit changes beforehand; trying to coordinate a new set of outfits the day of will simply stress you out, so save yourself the frustration!
It’s pertinent you and your partner both wear something that makes you feel like yourselves, whether that’s dressing to impress or opting for something more cozy or casual. It might be easier to start off deciding what type of color scheme you’re going for, you definitely want to communicate so that your outfits complement each other. This helps to avoid any clashing between style, color, pattern, etc. Again, you want to complement each other but you don’t have to match. Take the season into consideration, and have fun with it!
Engagement Session Do’s and Don’ts
You’re just about ready to go! There a few things forementioned and that we’ll get into that can make or break your photos. The biggest don’t for your engagement session is overthinking! Overthinking can put a ton of stress (no matter how seemingly necessary) on you, and that stress + discomfort will convey through your photos. You can never go wrong with being your true, authentic self and letting go— so be natural, let loose and use the remaining Do’s and Don’ts as a guide to your best photos yet!
Do: Choose comfortable clothes and bring options! Mentioned earlier, this will ultimately make you feel the most comfortable and helps boost your confidence when having your photos taken.
Don’t: Bring the whole closet! It’s difficult enough to choose between two, at most three, outfits; adding more clothes into the mix will only breed confusion and stress. Plan ahead, and keep it simple!
Do: Be prepared! Bring any makeup you may need for touchups, mini hairspray— an Engagement Shoot emergency pack if you will. Should you get caught up in the moment and get a little misty-eyed or if the southern heat + humidity calls for an oil blot sheet, you’re ready.
Don’t: Overdo it with your hair and makeup. This, of course, depends on what the feel of your session is, but generally, it’s not a bad idea to stay on the side of a softer look. This can help make the makeup touchup process easier, but it’s also nice as you can use these photos for save the dates!
Do: Go easy on the accessories, and wear colors that complement each other but aren’t too matchy.
Don’t: Get a new hairstyle!!! As with anything, the last thing you want to do before such a special moment to be captured is take a chance with a new hairstyle. If you’re wanting something new/fresh, try to do so at least two weeks prior to avoid being stuck with an unwanted hairstyle or hair color.
Engagement Sessions are an opportunity to get into the swing of things before your wedding day. Not only will you be a pro when it comes to working it in front of the camera, but you can never go wrong creating those bonds with your photographer (+ Glam Squad!) prior. It takes a village to get things done, and when you’ve got a vision it’s important to make sure that everyone is on the same page! Remember to keep an eye on the date of your scheduled session, with these tips you’ll be ready for whatever may come your way. If you’re a Bride to Be or know someone that is, be sure to click the link below to grab your free Wedding Day guide!
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3 essentials every bride need in her beauty touch up bag!
Your wedding day will be your most photographed day of your life and we have 3 must have that you need to have in your bridal beauty touch up kit. Heard from Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist Jasmine Jones , Owner of the Carolina Bridal Team Alter-Image as she shares with you the 3 things she believes every bride needs to have in you beauty bag the day of your wedding.
Must have beauty items for your wedding day!
Here are 3 must have beauty items every brides needs to have in her bridal touch up bag!
Hey Beautiful!! Lets chat about a few essentials that you will be needing on your wedding day makeup bag. Your wedding day will be the most joyous day ever and you will have a lot of emotions that you will be feeling that day. Excitement, anxious, nervous but over all super excited to finally tie the knot with your best friend that you love so much.
Jasmine has been a special event hair and makeup artist in Charleston for over 7 years and she knows what you will need to make sure you stay picture perfect all day!
The number on thing you will need in your bridal beauty bag…
Bobbi Pins
Bobbi Pins are a must have in your touch-up kit. The Hair and Makeup Artist on our Carolina Beauty like to insure that your hair will not move a single muscle once every thing is all hair sprayed away. But just in case you get a little too crazy on the dance floor and a curl comes out of place we love to give a complimentary cluster of Bobbi Pins for any mishaps that may occur.
This may seem small but it makes a huge difference. Can you imagine removing your veil after the ceremony an a few hairs come out of place and you stylist didn’t show someone how to fix it.
We know how important your wedding photos will be so we always shows the mother or the maid of honor how to safely remove the veil without messing with your hairstyle. Jasmine like to overly prepare each bride to make sure that even without her their that your look amazing all night!
The absolute must have item you need in your wedding beauty bag
Lip Stick
If nothing else a touch up Lip stick or Gloss is extremely needed as a back up on your wedding day. You’re going to be kissing, drink and don’t forget to eat through out the night and your makeup needs to stay fresh for photos!. After all of our bridal makeup services we like to complimentary gift our bride with a small touch up kit with the lip stick shade that they will wear that night so you can do touch ups when needed.
3rd most important item you need in your bridal touch up kit
Blotting Papers
You may think this tip is a bit old school but blotting sheets are my jam and a complete life saver. The Carolina has its own version of heat and it can be a steamy day regardless of what season we are in so this is a item you do not want to skip out on.
Blotting Sheets are good all year round in my opinion. All you have to do Is take a thin sheet lay it over the area that is shiny and boom the oil is toned down. If you wanted to take an extra step you can add a light layer of press powder on top for extra control and boom no one would ever know.
Blotting sheets are my favorite over press powder because they are tiny, thin sheets that don’t take up a ton of room because most likely you will have a tiny clutch to put your products in and not a huge beauty bag so the smaller the better.
These are some of the many tips that we like to give our Carolina brides prior to their wedding day so that they can be fully prepared for any and everything on such an important and most photographed day of your life. For more helpful tips to help you prepare for your wedding day or just to learn about fun beauty hacks make sure to join our beauty news letter below!
Blog Mentions
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Hair and Makeup Alter-Image