What You Need To Plan Your Vancouver Engagement
Are you planning your engagement in vancouver ?
Recently Engaged or been engaged for a while engagement sessions are a great way to know what it feels like being in front of the camera and to feel comfortable with 'posing'. It's also a good way for us to get to know one another, while making beautiful images! I know planning for your engagement session may feel like a daunting process, so I've put together a guide to help you plan out the best engagement session for you lovebirds!
Now I want to make it clear that this is just a guideline and not something that has to be followed step by step. The end goal is to have your engagement session focus on your love, not about the location and what you're wearing. But for the sake of this guideline, lets talk about choosing a location that speaks to you as a couple and some outfits that will make you feel like a rockstar!
Make sure to fill out contact form out to book your engagement session win Vancouver or wherever you are!
First thing to consider when booking the engagement into the calendar, is what time of year are you looking for. Some of our couples want an aesthetic for their engagement session that is the complete opposite to that of their wedding day. Maybe that’s the opposite season or simply just a location that you won’t be able to find on wedding day. If you have a favourite season and want to take advantage of that for your engagement session let us know. If that favourite season happens to be the spring or fall then make sure you tell us early so we can get you in the calendar right away. We book up quickly, especially on weekends, so the earlier we get you in the more flexibility we will have. Don’t overlook the potential for a weekday evening - many locations are less busy and it’s something to look forward to in the middle of your work week and the perfect excuse to celebrate Date Night.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Secondly, consider the location. You’ve probably guessed it, but theres a lot of options so if you need help finding the perfect area to explore for your engagement session just ask because I have compiled a long list of favourite areas to compliment the perfect session. Locations with views of mountains, trees, fields, lakes or the ocean. Whatever your heart desires of the pacific northwest we can help you find it.
I love shooting in the great outdoors, and the farther we can get away from the general public the better (this is our subtle way of telling you we should stay away from Stanley Park). On the flip side if you’re looking for a more urban vibe, I also love running around the city as well. If you’re a step ahead and have already been considering locations to explore for your session I want to know about it!
Do you have a location outside of Vancouver or even Canada ? Let’s explore a new country to get your once in a lifetime engagement photos in. I love travelling and why should we limit the location to just Vancouver ? You have a bucket list country to visit lets go together and capture your love story in Paris , Italy , London wherever your heart desires.
Vancouver BC Engagement Locations
Unlock the full potential of your Vancouver engagement shoot with our Ultimate Guide to Downtown Locations. Elevate your special moments by carefully considering these essential factors:
Iconic Landmarks for Grandeur: Choose from Vancouver's iconic landmarks like Stanley Park, Canada Place, Granville Island, or the historic Gastown to add a touch of grandeur and timeless beauty to your engagement session or proposal. These renowned sites provide a majestic backdrop that perfectly frames the significance of your love story.
Breathtaking Natural Beauty: Immerse yourselves in the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Vancouver by selecting waterfront locations such as English Bay Beach or False Creek. Let the tranquil waters and stunning landscapes effortlessly enhance the charm of your engagement photos, creating timeless memories against the backdrop of the city's breathtaking vistas.
Trendy Urban Vibes: Capture the vibrant and trendy ambiance of downtown Vancouver by exploring streets like Robson, Main, or Commercial Drive. These urban locales exude a contemporary charm, making them ideal choices for couples who seek a modern setting for their engagement shoot. Revel in the energy of the city as you weave your love story through these bustling and stylish streets.
Whether you prefer the iconic landmarks, natural serenity, or urban chic, Downtown Vancouver offers a plethora of choices to make your engagement session truly unforgettable. Let these carefully curated locations be the canvas for your love story's perfect visual narrative.
Incorporate an Activity Together
Adding an activity to your engagement shoot can create natural and candid moments, showcasing your personalities and relationship. Here are a few ideas:
Picnicking
Set up a romantic picnic with a cozy blanket, a basket of your favorite snacks, and a bottle of wine. This activity can produce intimate and relaxed photos.
Coffee Date/ Pub
Visit a local café and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea together. This can be especially charming if the café has a unique or vintage aesthetic.
Hiking / Sports
If you both love the outdoors, consider a short hike. Vancouver’s numerous trails offer stunning views and serene spots for photos.
Cooking Together
For a more personalized shoot, cook a meal together in your home or a rented space with a beautiful kitchen. This activity can capture your teamwork and shared passion for food.
What to Wear
Choose outfits that complement each other and fit the overall theme of your shoot. Solid colors and simple patterns work best. Avoid overly bright colors or logos that can distract from your faces. Consider bringing a change of clothes for a variety of looks.
Tips:
Coordinate, don’t match: Choose complementary colors rather than identical outfits.
Be comfortable: Wear clothes that you can move in easily and that reflect your personal style.
Consider the location: Match your outfit to the setting. For example, formal wear might look out of place on a beach.
Colors and Patterns
Neutral and Soft Tones: Colors like beige, ivory, blush, and soft pastels are universally flattering and complement most backgrounds.
Solid Colors: Solid colors tend to photograph well and keep the focus on you and your partner. Avoid overly bright colors that might cast unwanted reflections.
Subtle Patterns: If you prefer patterns, go for subtle, small prints that won’t dominate the photo. Avoid logos and large graphics.
HAIR + MAKEUP TRIALS - THE PERFECT EXCUSE TO GET GLAMMED UP
If you’re planning on a hair and make up trial before your wedding now is the time to schedule that! The engagement session is the perfect way to test out your beauty team before the big day! We can help you coordinate what time to schedule them and depending on your desired bridal look, we usually suggest asking your beauty squad to tone down your look, as sometimes a full blown bridal style doesn’t match the theme or outfits chosen for an engagement session. If you’re planning on wearing your hair tied up on wedding day, opt to wear it down and more casual for your engagement.
DATE + TIME
ow that we’ve figured out the date, location and what you’re wearing, it’s time to figure out what time to shoot! In most occasions we love to shoot in the evening around sunset or even during sunrise if you are an early riser like me. We usually try to start 1-2 hours before sunset to make sure we can get some good light before we catch the desired golden hour glow. If you are wanting sunrise I would recommend about 30 minutes before sunrise . This timing will greatly depend on what location we’ve all settled on. Leave the timing of the session to us and we will make sure we have you in front of our cameras at the best possible time of day because everybody looks their best under the setting sun!
I WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU
Most importantly, your engagement session is the best opportunity for us all to hang out, spend some time together and get to know one another. It’s a great ‘trial run’ for the wedding day and you get to see how well we work together and understand how we work when we are shooting. The more comfortable you get the more authentic your photos become.
RELAX AND LET YOUR WALLS DOWN
Engagement sessions can be intimidating, but our best advice is to try and be yourself and to not worry. We know photoshoots are the most awkward thing in the world, but our goal is that at the end of the session you feel a little less awkward about getting your photo taken, and more importantly we hope you have a lot of fun with us!
LAST MINUTE TIPS
Have at least two looks! I recommend a semi formal and a casual look.
Bring options for your outfits! It's not because I don't trust you to pick something nice, it's always best to have a few options to pull from!
Iron your clothing! Don't let those wrinkles be a distraction.
Moisturize! Summer and Winter days can leave your skin dehydrated, make sure to moisturize those hands and lips for close ups!
Get your nails done! Make sure your nails are ready for all the close detailed shots.
Bring drinks and snacks! Make sure to keep yourself well fed and hydrated during the session!
Guys - If you're looking to do a formal look and don't have a suit available, look into renting a suit rather than buying!
Avoid logos or branded clothing.
Choose outfits that you can easily move around in.
If you have questions regarding your shoot, feel free to email me!
HOW TO GET IN FRONT OF MY CAMERA
Send me a note
Step one is to fill out the contact form with as much info as possible, so I can make sure we're a perfect fit
Initial call
You'll get a link to schedule a call in my response email, so we can talk on the phone about all your vision and day
Youve Got Mail
I will send you an email back with all of the info on packages and pricing that you'll need to go over with your partner.
Make it Official
Once you decide to book with me you'll sign a contract and put down a retainer. This is the last step before the good stuff starts.
Are You Ready? Let’s Do It.
If you’re ready to make it official, use the inquiry form below to get started (or email me directly at desireserhan@gmail.com), and I’ll make sure it’s smooth sailing for you from here on out. Share as little or as much with me as you like! Short and sweet, or tell me the whole romance novel.