3 REASONS TO BOOK A pre-wedding/engagement SHOOT

A pre-wedding/engagement shoot is an essential in your wedding time-line. It’s my biggest regret that I didn’t invest in one before my wedding day. I know…that sounds pretty melodramatic right? The problem was that I didn’t understand the value of an engagement shoot, so I want to share with you 3 reasons why an engagement shoot is a great investment.

  1. Feel Comfortable In Front of the Camera

  2. A Day of Pampering

  3. Capture this Moment in Time

REASON ONE

Feel Comfortable in Front of the Camera

Your wedding day is a celebration and everyone is there for you. Depending on your personality, the idea of being centre-stage for 12 hours may be thrilling, anxiety inducing or a bit of both.

I know how nerve-racking it can be to be the centre of attention all day, let alone having each moment photographed! I remember my own wedding day and whilst I trusted my photographer to take amazing photographs, I wondered…Are we going to be relaxed enough so that the images of our day are natural and effortless?

I want you to feel at ease in front of the camera so let’s break the ice over a drink (negroni or dirty martini?) and go for a walk before sunset. A little practice goes a long way and you’ll be surprised at how natural it feels once we get get on our way.

During our session, we’ll walk through some of my favourite portraits locations and I’ll ask if that you focus on each other. I will try to melt into the walls and let you both just be yourselves, finding your natural poses. If needed, I will provide some pointers but I have to say, most of my couples find their groove pretty quickly and say they love it. With a session under your belt, by the time your wedding day comes around, you will have shaken off any nerves and have the confidence to relax in front of the camera.

REASON 2

Day of Pampering FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTNER

Take the day off, book in time with your make-up artist to do a trial that’s put to good use. Get your hair and nails done and book lunch or dinner with your love for after our shoot. Making a fun day of it will mean you remain in the present as well as creating some beautiful memories together.

REASON 3

Capture this moment in time

You will come away with some beautiful photos that you can use for your save the date cards, invitations or guest book as well as an opportunity to test your make-up artist’s handiwork on camera.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where do you suggest we shoot the Engagement Shoot?

I have a number of locations in Melbourne that I like to shoot at. These sites are in and around the CBD and serve as beautiful backdrop for your engagement portraits.

What time of day is best and how long is the shoot?

My favourite time to shoot is at golden hour which is about 30 minutes before sunset. I recommend we catch up for a drink or two and then make our way to the portrait locations in time for the start of golden hour.

How far out from our wedding day should we plan our Engagement Shoot?

I recommend to plan your engagement shoot around six months prior to your wedding day. By this stage, all your key vendors are booked in and your planning has a nice ‘hum’ to it, as things are starting to come together.

How do we know your availability?

I schedule engagement/pre-wedding shoots during the week between Tuesday to Thursday. Reach out to me here to schedule a date.

Do you include Engagement Shoots in your packages?

Yes, I can include an Engagement Shoot into a custom wedding package for you. In the early days of wedding planning, I appreciate that it might not be on your list of essentials so you can also add an Engagement Shoot at any stage pre-wedding.

Do you offer Engagement Shoots if I haven’t booked you for our wedding?

I would be honoured to shoot your engagement but as I only shoot a limited number of wedding each year I reserve the time for my couples.

Melbourne Weather (enough said right?). Do you have a contingency plan for rain, hail or shine?

Yes, always! As a Melburnian, I’m prepared for four seasons in one day!

What do I wear to an Engagement Shoot?

Classy neutrals always stand the test of time but that’s not to say you shouldn’t bring your personality into your outfit. Lighter colours such as whites, creams, beiges, rose colours always pop and you can play with texture such as feathers, sequins or cut-outs as well as your accessories. I don’t you will ever regret dressing up, so put on your sparkly shoes and red lipstick. Sustainable hire options are more available than ever, so you can get dressed up without flexing your budget.

Take the time to get your hair done; The Blow in the CBD is a great option for a freshen up. Ask your make up artist if you can do a trial that day of your bridal look. You’ll see how it wears after a few hours and whether it’s the look you were dreaming of. Otherwise, the team at Mecca offer makeup sessions with your investment value redeemable in products. Could a girl even ask for more?

Lei Lei Clavey

Hi, my name is Lei Lei. I am a wedding and editorial photographer.

https://www.leileiclavey.com
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