Spring is upon us, which means it's the perfect time for engagement season. As wedding photographers gear up for the busy fall season, it's important to focus on capturing the best engagement photos possible.
Coming to you from John Branch IV Photography, this informative video provides valuable tips for ensuring your engagement sessions run smoothly and produce stunning results. Branch emphasizes the importance of setting a clear session length, recommending 2-4 hours to allow for outfit and location changes, as well as ample time for the couple and photographer to warm up to each other. He advises against the common 1-hour session, arguing that it's just enough time for everyone to start feeling comfortable, but not enough to fully capture the couple's dynamic.
Branch also stresses the significance of planning locations with your couples, suggesting a mix of meaningful spots like their home or where they first met, along with visually appealing settings such as gardens or parks. He encourages photographers to create an "engagement session tip page" on their website, offering guidance on outfit choices and other helpful advice. This not only improves the client experience but also helps with SEO.
Throughout the engagement session, Branch reminds photographers to have fun with their couples and create a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. He recommends using smaller cameras and lenses to avoid intimidating the couple and to stay close to the action. Finally, Branch introduces the concept of hybrid shooting, which involves capturing both photos and videos during the engagement session. This approach allows photographers to offer additional value to their clients and potentially upsell their services. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Branch.
Nice video as usual JB4. Would love to see your perspective on Hybrid shooting. Hope your business is picking up.