When it comes to your engagement session, I spend a lot of time getting to know you as a couple beforehand to build a storytelling-focused engagement session that you'll be able to look back on and remember vividly who you were as a couple at the time. Storytelling couple sessions are built around your story. They are about creating an emotionally-rich, romanticized moment of your lives together.
Why would I want "storytelling" in my photos?
You know that old saying, "A photo is worth a thousand words." It's cliche, I know, but there's a reason for that. Photographs evoke such an emotional and beautiful response in our brains. We can remember a taste, a smell, a colour or a feeling, just by looking at an image. It's incredible. Now imagine in 30 years from now, looking back on 100 photos of you and your partner, doing something you love, in a time when you felt so in love. How amazing would that rush of emotions be?!
Storytelling photography focuses on capturing real emotion, natural interactions and authentic connection between two people rather than your traditional posed portraits (but don't worry, we'll still incorporate a few of those too)! Storytelling focuses on documenting what is there, rather than forcing perfection. The goal is to create a gallery which paints a fuller picture of who you are and what your love looks like, making it uniquely YOU! So capturing moments that encompass what your relationship feels like, not only looks like, is key!
What if we aren't that interesting?
Now, you might be looking at this thinking, "how do we do that?" or "our story is kinda boring though."
Lies. Absolute lies. I'm serious, I could write a romcom about at least one story you two have together. Storytelling in photography doesn't have to mean I'm photographing you acting out Pride and Prejudice or The Notebook. No, no, no. It can be as simple as "we like to cook together," or "we like to try new breweries," or even "we're kids at heart."
Because from those simple ideas, I can think of fun ways to create a session around it. For example: like to cook together? Then let's do an in-home session where you make your favourite meal and dance in your kitchen. Love breweries? Then let's hit the town and find a brewery that is open to us taking photos there. Kids at heart? Perfect, let's go be kids at a park, roll down the hills and play on the playground.
It's that easy.
Engagement sessions can be so much more than photos taken in a field at sunset.
Why storytelling is great for those feeling awkward in front of the camera
Just like your favourite movies, storytelling sessions are really action-based. Think of the last rom-com you watched (for me it was the 3rd season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, um HELLO PEACH SCENE?!), many of the main characters are doing something together. Rarely are they sitting and posing. The romantic-ness is in the actions. The subtle brush of the cheek, the loud dance on the table, the wiping of the peach juice off the face (sorry, again with the Peach Scene).
To make your engagement session perfect for you, I send a couple's questionnaire to get to know you on a deeper level. This helps me build around the story of who you two are together and start getting ideas!
Now, if I had a nickel for every time someone told me “I’m so awkward in front of the camera” I’d be a rich lady. Feeling apprehensive about the idea of a camera following you around for a couple of hours while you and your partner get touchy-feely is completely normal! Having an action to do in front of the camera will help you feel more normal. Think of swinging on a swingset, that's easy enough to do.
All I ask is that you and your partner show up with the best intentions, not because you have to, but because you want to. Show up with your whole self, and trust the process. Throw your expectations out the window and be open to the possibilities.
Tips for couples considering a storytelling session
Lean into your personalities
As mentioned, I'm going to be sending you a giant questionnaire to get to know you both better. Then I get to craft some stories and locations I think would reflect you best. I'll make sure to have the session be perfect for you, whether you're more introverted or more extroverted. All you need to do is show up with your full self and an open mind.
Focus on each other, not "perfect posing"
If I hear about a "soft smile" one more time, I might scream. I want to see your big laughs, your soft sighs. Real is always better than posed. Emotion is always better than perfection. So the best thing to do is 5 min before the session, I want you to look at each other and just bring yourself into the moment. Remember the love, the joy and warm feelings you have for each other.
Choose elements that feel meaningful to you
Think about your location and the story you want to tell in your photos. Plan your outfits around what you know about the conditions at the location we’ll be shooting at. You’ll want to be warm enough (or cool enough!), have pain-free feet, and look relatively native to your environment. The idea is to authentically capture you wherever you are. Think through your clothing choices logically based on location, vibe, and comfort level. If you need help with this, just shoot me a message. Pick outfits that you can move comfortably in. You won't have to do gymnastics (unless that's the vibe we're going for HAHA) but you'll want to be able to spin, run, jump, be picked up, etc comfortably.
In your Photographer we Trust
Your story is beautiful. Trust me. I see a lot of love stories and each one surprises and delights me. I take care in holding those stories for a moment in time and creating something magical from it. It's why I love what I do.
What to Expect in Our Storytelling Session
You can expect to have a wonderful, silly and enjoyable time. Remember what all of this is about in the first place – it’s not the Instagram post, it’s not the glam outfits, and it’s not for anyone else except you. It’s a great excuse to clock some proper quality time together, invest in your relationship, and be present for this uniquely special time in your lives.
My goal is for you to feel as authentic and comfortable in front of my lens as you can and to capture memories that you’ll cherish forever. We’ll dance, chat, walk, and laugh, and you’ll be so busy enjoying yourselves that you’ll forget that you’re having your photos taken.
Rest easy knowing that this is what I do. I will take care of you, and all you have to do is show up and watch the magic happen!
