Getting over camera shyness with an engagement shoot
If the prospect of being photographed at your wedding gives you cold shivers and sends you running for the nearest exit, an engagement shoot can really help you get past your camera shyness.
You might be struggling with that concept right now but much of the anxiety we feel is about not knowing what to expect and what will be expected of us.
Looking at it objectively – what can a photographer do to you?
Not much really. All the same, I understand why you feel this way, you probably don’t know your photographer. Or if you’ve met them, most likely it was when they were photographing someone else’s wedding but they’ve never photographed you before. Other than for those group photos that everyone hates posing for.
Of course, an engagement shoot is an entirely optional part of the wedding-planning process so very easy to avoid if you suffer from camera shyness. But if you’re inclined to be camera shy that’s why you shouldn’t avoid it.
An engagement shoot is an ideal way to get comfortable in front of a camera and your photographer before you tie the knot. Having engagement photos also helps you prepare for those all-important newlywed portraits. It gives you and your wedding photographer the chance to find out which poses suit you and come naturally – yes, naturally. You’ll be surprised.
Choosing an outdoor location can really help with camera shyness
I’ve found that choosing an outdoor location for your engagement shoot can really help with camera shyness, probably because it’s a lot less threatening that a studio enviroment.
A weekday evening is usually the best time to organise an engagement shoot, ideally around sunset; that’s when you’ll get the best light and the most romantic engagement photos. Of course, you might have to rearrange a few times in order to actually get a sunset – this is England, after all – so prepare to be flexible.
April to mid-May, and mid-September to the end of October are the best months for capturing engagement photos on location. Not too late for a sunset and not too cold for being outside.
And did I say, you can still have an engagement shoot even if you’re already engaged? Just call it a pre-wedding shoot.
A few ideas for using your engagement photos
When it comes to using those photos, the obvious channel is probably social media but one of my favourite ideas for engagement photos is to select your favourite and create a signing board for guests to write messages on your wedding day. The example below is a Loxley design.
After the big day, you can frame it and hang it on the wall or place it on top of a piece of furniture. A framed signing board costs less than you think, keeps everyone’s well-wishes in one place and will last longer than traditional greeting cards.
If you’ve got anyone using multi-media as part of their wedding speech or you want a slide show running in the background for your first dance, engagement photos are perfect for this too.
They’re also handy for save-the-date cards, website headers or general announcements to do with your wedding. You could even surprise your partner with a photobook of your engagement. These are just some of the many creative ways to include your engagement photos in all aspects of your special day!
How about a real engagement shoot in Oxfordshire
Here’s a small selection of engagement photos I took earlier this year at Wittenham Clumps in Oxfordshire with Katherine and Paul.
If you know Oxfordshire, you’ll know how famous it is for stunning countryside, and that’s where you’ll find Wittenham Clumps – one of the most visited local landmarks in the county with far-reaching views of Oxford city centre and surrounding towns.
Paul proposed to Katherine during the 2020 lockdown and they decided that Wittenham Clumps would be the perfect location for their engagement shoot.
The decision to do an engagement shoot at Wittenham Clumps was a fairly easy one for Katherine; she has fond memories of going there with her family as a child.
Wittenham Clumps is actually a pair of wooded hills close to Wallingford in Oxfordshire; I believe the highest of the two hills has an elevation of 120 metres. The hills are believed to have served as a fort during the Bronze age and later formed part of a Roman village settlement.
The second, smaller clump was made famous by J. R. R. Tolkien when he lived in nearby Northmoor Road in North Oxford between 1925 and 1939; he named the clumps ‘Honey Pots’ in his stories featuring Faramir and Denethor.
The relaxing atmosphere of Wittenham Clumps made it easy to get some fab photos and both Katherine and Paul commented on how much they enjoyed our session.
If you’re thinking of having a pre-wedding shoot, here are a few tips for getting the best engagement photos
How to prepare for an engagement shoot
For many couples, an engagement shoot is their first experience in front of a professional photographer. My advice to couples is always come with an open mind and a view to having fun.
Try to think of it as an interview for the photographer; they need to impress you, not the other way round. I usually do a few walking-talking, looking-away-from-the-camera shots to get couples warmed up and help getting over that initial camera shyness most of us feel about being photographed. Those are never the best engagement photos but it usually helps to put people at ease and show that it’s not going to be that scary.
What to wear to your engagement shoot
What you wear for your engagement photos depends on a couple of factors, including where your photos will be taken and your personal style. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and your outfits don’t clash.
For an engagement session with me, you can never be overdressed. If you pitch up in a ballgown and DJ, I’d love it and I’d knock my socks off to give you my most elegant editorial style engagement photos.
But equally, if jeans are more your style, I’d take your lead and go for some more relaxed photography, as I did for Katherine and Paul.
If you can find a few examples of couple photos you like, all the better; create a folder and send them to your photographer. Personally, I’m always up for themed shoots as well. I can’t speak for other photographers but you’d need to provide the outfits for a themed shoot with me.
Will I have to pose for my engagement photos?
The short answer is yes, but your photographer should give you all the direction you could ever need on what do with your body and where to look. I’ll also do my best to make it fun and help you feel relaxed to keep that camera shyness at bay.
Take a look at my post on How to feel good about the way you look in photos for some general tips.
Engagement shoots can really hep to get over any camera shyness you may be feeling about being photographed at your wedding.
They also provide a unique opportunity for both you and your partner to get used to posing for pictures together and working as part of an effective team.
By allowing yourself plenty of time on shoot day you’ll also have chance to discuss ideas about the kind of photos that best reflect your personalities and relationship. Taking each other’s input into account will help bring out more genuine expressions, making for better shots overall.
A typical engagement shoot with me is about two to three hours long.
Visit my wedding photos gallery to see more examples of my work.