We talk a lot around here about the importance of scheduling a pre-wedding photo session, whether it’s an engagement shoot or one in which you and your partner will actually be in your wedding-day attire that will also include your wedding party. Whatever you do, though, pre-wedding shoots allow you to get more comfortable with your photographers and their process.
They also give you more moments with which to tell your love story and for more on that, check out this post, Wedding Photography Tips: How to Make the Most out of Your Engagement Session. But today’s post isn’t about the benefits of pre-wedding sessions, it’s about making the most of them. So, read on for a few fun photo ideas from our NJ wedding photographers to consider having captured during your pre-wedding shoot.
Looking to the Future Together
Whether your wedding party is actually going to be a part of your pre-wedding photo session or not, it’s always a good idea to get a shot or two of just you and your partner staring off into the distance together. It could be into a sunset or dramatic skies, toward the horizon, etc., but the point is to do it as one.
The effect is obvious. It hints at the journey both ahead and behind you two, and the fact that your wedding day will mark the start of the next chapter of your love story. You could also put a little twist on this photo idea by both facing away, to the distance, yet turning your heads back to the camera.
Taking a Stroll
If you’re sensing a pattern here, you’re right. Like the idea above, some of the best pre-wedding photos hint at the journey ahead of you and your partner, which is why this photo idea is also such a good one. After all, taking a little stroll together is a great way to visualize that journey, in progress.
Whether you’re heading to a classic park setting for your pre-wedding shoot, some city streets, or even your own backyard, getting a shot or two of you and your partner taking a little walk is a great way to tell your story while showcasing your session’s setting and scenery at the same time.
Where It All Started
While your poses and positions as well as any props you choose to incorporate into your pre-wedding shoot will obviously make a big difference in the end results, make no mistake, the background and setting will also play a huge part in getting beautiful pictures. That’s why it deserves some careful thought, and a discussion with your photographers.
However, heading to the spot where you two met, had your first date, or reached some other early milestone in your relationship is always worth a thought. There’s just something about returning to a special location like that, and you don’t have to spend the entire session there either. That is, if you don’t want to and it’s feasible to travel a bit on the shoot day.
Down for the Count
While the first two photo ideas are great for hinting at your and your partner’s journey together and the chapter ahead, simply lying on the ground is a great way of capturing living in the moment together. In the right context, it almost feels like a break from the action.
Now, if you’re going to be wearing your actual wedding-day attire to your pre-wedding shoot, then you’ll obviously need to plan ahead for this one. That could be as simple as bringing a blanket or a sheet, but just remember that whatever you bring must be somewhat “photogenic” because it’ll probably end up in the picture.
As longtime NJ & NYC wedding photographers, we’ve got a few secrets up our sleeves…
The bottom line is that your pre-wedding photos can be just as gorgeous and memorable as the ones you get on the big day itself, as long as you do it right. We hope these photo ideas help to get you pointed in the right direction. Good luck, and congratulations!
About Us: Live Picture Studios is composed of a team of highly skilled NY & NJ wedding photographers and videographers who’ve been creating stunning wedding photos and videos for years. At LPS, we always create to inspire and you can check out our photo gallery and video gallery to see some examples.
