Today I wanted to show you a bit behind the scenes of our more styled engagement shoots. Because to be honest, when a shoot looks cohesive and effortless…there was actually a lot of planning that goes behind the scenes to make it look that way. The key is to make sure everything matches and flows together. When the wardrobe, lighting, backdrop, and props are cohesive, it actually let’s the viewer focus more on the couple and emotion, as there is nothing distracting in the image…everything looks perfect!
First, I always chat with the couple to see what ideas they have for their shoot. In this case, Aida wanted to do a picnic in a park. I thought that was a fun idea…but I’ve seen a lot of picnic shoots so I wanted to brainstorm a way to make it a little different! With any creative project I always try to think outside the box and elevate the initial idea. This is one of my favourite parts! Ah-ha, a picnic on a sailboat! This also had a fun travel feel, which we were all longing for during these times.
Next, I search for photos of inspiration and make a mood board or pinterest page, to convey my vision and make sure we are on the same page! We went with my “Rose All Day” mood board, a blend between instagram girly fun and classic old Hollywood.
Then it’s time to make the vision come to life….easier said that done. In this case, I have to say I’m pretty impressed with how well we did! Aida and Alex did an amazing job finding the perfect engagement shoot wardrobe to match the inspo (seriously, check out the inspo and then look at their outfits -incredible!). For wardrobe, we wanted white and pale colours to give the over all light and airy feeling to the photos. Then we added in a soft pink in Alec’s shirt to carry out the ‘Rose’ theme and a hint of stripes since we are on a boat after all.
Fabrics with texture and/or that are flowy always photograph well. Aida found the perfect bathing suite cover up that met both these requirements. There was definitely a few hours/nights spent between us both looking for the perfect bathing suite…something stylish, but also with a nod to the old classic/Hollywood days. Again, Aida nailed it.
Next it was the props. I was pretty excited when I found the perfect pink champaign glasses and a travel themed magazine that was in a nice colour scheme! Believe it or not, the hardest part was finding the figs! I wanted something with a pink colour to match our pink theme, and I wanted it more refined than ‘pink cupcakes’. It had to be figs. I went to 5 stores looking for them!! (You often hear, “Why is photography so expensive?” It’s all the behind the scene work like spending 3 hours looking for figs! lol). But seriously, making the effort to plan your shoot beforehand, taking into consideration wardrobe, location, lighting, props and making a mood board or having a conversations to make sure everyone is on the same page of what the feeling and style of photos everyone is wanting is KEY to an effortlessly polished looking shoot!
I have to give a shout out to my friend Sarah, for the use of her boat and some of her styling pieces. And Denise Elliot for hair and makeup! It takes a team. People often ask how we got the above shot or a photo of the full boat, so I included some #bts shots of us too! (Don’t mind my messy hair, I never look that cute when I shoot…I’m always focused on making sure my couples look cute ;)
A lot of love went into this shoot and I couldn’t have imagined a better couple to pull it off. Don’t they look amazing! These two have a lot of fun and adventures together and I think it really captured their relationship & love well. I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in Southern France with NKT Events this year! (hopefully?!)
