Couples Photography | Engagement photography session | Pre-wedding photography in Melbourne
A guide to plan your couple photography session in Melbourne
Let’s have a bet? How many photos do you have of both of you looking cute?(selfies don’t actually count)? Let’s have a session? You don’t need a special occasion like a wedding to schedule a couples shoot, these are a great opportunity for a romantic timeout to celebrate a milestone or an anniversary and it’s also a great way to create memories for both of you. Through this guide I hope to show you the ins and outs of a couple’s photography session.
Planning your wedding day?
Of you are planning your wedding day then the start is your budget. Here is a template to get you started.
Why do people have couple photo sessions?
If you think that couples photoshoot are only for Americans then think again! More and more couples are jumping in front of the camera and here is why.
Engagement Shoot
Finding it hard to convince your partner to be part of an engagement photoshoot? Then this post is for you! Here is how to prepare for your shoot and have fun in the process.
What do I need to know before considering a couple photography session?
So you have landed here and you are probably one of my favourite humans right now! If you are considering having a couples photography session then the best step would be to start brainstorming your session. If you don’t have any ides on where to start then maybe start by making a list of the activities and the places that are meaningful to you: are you a couple that loves nature and the outdoors and you are rather adventurous? Are you rather an urban couple that loves city life and vibrant places? Make a list of the places you love and the activities you enjoy doing together, the wilder the better, nothing is off limits!
Outdoor photography for wild couples: No need to stay cooped up at home or at a studio when you can get wild outside! Some of my favourite locations around Melbourne are the Beach (either Bayside, Mornington or the great ocean road), Redwood forest or a good hiking trail. You will be able to find here my favourite outdoor locations for a couple’s photography session. I find my happy place is nature, there is a wild variety of possibilities from scenic lookouts in national parks to local rivers in Kew and water dams in the Dandenong ranges
Couple photography at home: If you are more of a homebody, then that’s fine too! Your home has a variety of places that will reflect your journey as a couple and that will reflect your personality. I am a big believer in finding beauty in the most common places and although you might feel that home is way too common then think again!
A day in the life of your couple: Let’s have a meaningful session by visiting the landmarks of your relationship: where did you go on your first date? on your first anniversary? Do you have a spot where you go over and over again? Do you play a sport together? Then let’s make an itinerary that includes the local cafe where you get your sunday breakfast, the places you visited on your first date while you tell me all about your adventures together!
What do you love to do together? Are you the kind of couple to curl up in front of a fire with your wine? Do you love picnics and hikes? Maybe you are more active and you love outdoor paddle and coastal activities? Then this is worth remembering too! The best adventure for a date night? A kayak around Melbourne has to be my all time favourite! All of these activities are a great backdrop for a couple’s photography session and it’s a great way to keep your attention away from the shoot and into the activity you are enjoying, allowing me to capture genuine moments with a lot of unscripted emotions.
What to wear for a couple photoshoot?
So, you’ve made up your mind and you are doing this! I seriously can’t wait to hear what you have in mind! If you are now contemplating what to wear for your session then here are some tips and things in mind to get ready for your session.
Wear clothes that are comfortable: No new clothes allowed! One of the most important things is to be comfortable so that your mind is on your activity and the interaction between you instead of your tight shoes or the zipper of your dress digging into your back. Remember to dress for the kind of activity we will be doing, maybe leave the heals at home if we are going to the beach, or you can always bring a pair of shoes to walk and another one for the photos if you would rather do that.
Coordinate without matching: Try to keep in mind the clothes that you normally wear, and think of the shades and colours you normally find on your wardrobe: do you like to do a statement and wear wild and bold colours or are you more attracted to neutral colours like grey and deep blue? Try to stay away from clothes that have writing on them and stick to textures and bold colours. If you can, think of ways you could layer your outfit so that you could use a few different looks during your session.
Avoid outfits that bring attention to your least favourite body parts: Try your outfit a few weeks before your session. Avoid tight underwear as they will show on the details of your images.
Stay away from fluorescent colours: These colours are not flattering and they tend to change the colour of your skin.
Photography for Melbourne couples: Things you should avoid before your photoshoot
Let’s do this! You have a photoshoot in mind for you and your partner, now it’s time to prepare and consider the ins and out of getting ready for your shoot. I have compiled a little list of things you should consider to stay away so that your photoshoot goes smoothly:
Spend the day before bronzing:
Having a tan is sometimes taken as a symbol of health. Avoid spray-tan the day before your session so the colour can settle and take on a more natural shade. If you are used to getting a tan at the beach then avoid doing this a few days prior to your session to avoid being too red on the day of your photoshoot.
Avoid a different type of makeup or a hairstyle:
This is not the time for any radical changes: avoid experimenting with new hairstyles or a completely different style of makeup. Although sometimes a change is as good as a holiday, if you are considering a change in your image then I would suggest that you do these changes a few weeks before your session to make sure that you are used to them and that you are happy with the results.
Have a big night out the day before your session:
There is nothing worse than having a photoshoot with a hangover, believe it or not, I’ve had sessions when that’s happened. We all tend to get dehydrated after a big night out, and your skin and images will show this. Make sure that you are rested and ready to go.
Avoid a different skin regime the night before your session:
Just like the other suggestions, if you are considering changing your skincare regime then the best is to do so a few weeks prior to your photoshoot to avoid any allergic reactions you might have to it. This happened to me with my own family photoshoot, I wanted to be 110% for my shoot and I had a bad reaction to new products I bought the day before. Needless to say it was very itchy and uncomfortable.
Finally above all Keep calm:
It’s easier said than done but try to stay calm and avoid stressing about your photoshoot. This photoshoot is to tell the story of both of you so it should be a time of fun and enjoyable.
I hope that these suggestions will keep you in your toes and that they will help you to prepare for your photoshoot. I can’t wait to meet you both and have a great time!
Fran Jorgensen is a wedding photographer in love with natural emotions and light. My aim is for you to have the best time during your session and to make images that will tell your story.