why should we take engagement photos

Are they absolutely necessary? What if we don't have time to schedule an engagement photo session?

These are all great questions that come up during most of my wedding consultations. The short answer is it's a great opportunity to work with your wedding photographer before your big day. We include complimentary engagement sessions with all of our wedding photography packages. We know how important your wedding day photos are. We also understand that not everyone is photogenic or even likes having photos taken of themselves. Think of this as our trial run - an opportunity to work on flattering angles and getting comfortable in front of a camera.

when is the right time to take engagement photos?

This all really depends on what you are planning on doing with the photos. It all comes down to your engagement and wedding timeline. There is no ideal time to take your engagement photos, the perfect time is what works best for you:

• The Proposal - consider photos taken during the proposal to remember the moment and celebrate your engagement.
• Engagement Announcement - if you missed the opportunity to capture the proposal (we will forgive you, there was probably enough going in your head during the moment) consider scheduling your engagement photo session early. These photos will be great for engagement announcements.
• Save The Dates - you set the date for your wedding and are now ready to create your wedding website and mail out your save-the-date announcements. Engagement photos are great to incorporate into your design. Just plan ahead so you have enough time to schedule your engagement session and leave a little room for printing.
• Choosing Your Photographer - we offer complimentary engagement sessions with all wedding photography packages. Think about this as a trial run when working with your photographer. You should be able to work well with your photographer and an engagement photo session is perfect for that.
• Hair and Makeup Trials - if you already set up your hair and makeup trial appointment, why not schedule your engagement session on the same day. You will already be looking your best. If you already had your engagement photos taken prior to your hair and makeup trial appointment, then why not consider a bridal portrait session. Capture a preview of your wedding day glam, dress and all!
• Up to one month before - Planning to feature your smiling faces on the wedding program or favors? Schedule pictures in plenty of time to see proofs, select your favorites and get everything you need printed .

how should we plan for our upcoming engagement session?

You should first decide on how you plan to use your engagement photos. This will help to guide your discussion on the style of photos you would like to have taken. Posed or candid? Formal or casual? In-studio or outdoors?

It all really depends on your personal taste and preference. Hawaiʻi is naturally beautiful, so outdoor photos are always a great idea. Just be cautious of the time of the year for weather and rain.

Do you have a specific location on the island that is meaningful to you or your fiance? If so, let's plan to have photographs taken there. Maybe at the coffee shop downtown where you first met, or at the restaurant where you had your first date. Recent locations for engagement photos include - a Kakaʻako brewery, a popular shave ice store, and even out surfing.

Plan to get close and intimate during your engagement photos. Show off your love for each other. Think cuddling, hand holding, hugging, and yes, even kissing. But if you are a little shy, we have a couple fun ways to get you comfortable and having fun.

what should we wear for our upcoming engagement session?

If you haven't yet read it, we put together a quick primer on clothing choices for portrait sessions. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but here are some quick guidelines:

• Solid colors are best - try to avoid bold patterns, they may clash with your fiance's clothing choice or the background.
• Coordinate colors instead of matching colors - think in palettes of colors like different shades of blues and greens. You don't want to disappear when standing next to your fiance.
• Represent yourself - stay true to your style, this way your engagement photos will be the best picture of who you are. So naturally avoid logo designs or branded clothing, you don't want your engagement photos to look like an advertisement for the latest fashion line
• The accessories - keep it simple. Remember the most important piece of jewelry in your engagement photo should be your engagement ring.