When you’re prepping for your engagement session, there are a few things to keep in mind. This is going to be FUN! This shoot is entirely no pressure. On the wedding day it can be crunched for time, your dress won’t be able to get dirty (within reason ;)) and there won’t be time to chat & get to know one another.  That’s why all of my wedding packages include a Complimentary Engagement Session. It is your chance to get to know me, get comfortable with how I work and have FUN in front of the camera.

Now don’t get me wrong, your wedding day will be a day to remember! But it’s so helpful to have a great engagement session before the big day so that you know what to expect! My couples that have an engagement session are PROS by the wedding day!

After you book your photographer, whether it’s me or someone else, you’ll need to start thinking about when you want your engagement session to be done. Lots of my couples choose to have their portraits done in the season opposite of their wedding. So if you’re having a spring wedding, it may be nice to have a fall e-session, or a winter one for a summer wedding. Now, you also have to take your photographer’s availability into consideration. I tend to book sessions 1-2 months in advance and typically only shoot engagements on weekday evenings. This will vary with every photographer and every season.

Here are some steps to make sure that you feel confident & prepared for your engagement session!

1. What to Wear

Some couples have one outfit they love & others have two outfits, one casual and one that is dressier. The BEST advice I can give about outfit selection would be to try to COORDINATE instead of matching. Try to stay away from really tiny patterns, they won’t show up in your images and leave out any major logos.  Also, bold jewelry, scarves, and coloured shoes photograph really well! Make sure you look like YOU and feel comfortable! One last thing is to TAKE ADVANTAGE of this opportunity to dress up! Don’t be afraid! Ladies, put on some heels, red lipstick & pearls. Men, get out your favourite suit!

 

2. Relax, Enjoy & Trust Your Photographer

As you’re preparing for your engagement session, remember that your photographer doesn’t expect you to be a pro at this. I work with normal, everyday couples ALL the time. I can’t speak for all photographers but I tell my couples that it takes a good 20 minutes to warm up at the beginning of their shoot. So relax and don’t be nervous! You’re going to be great at this! Trust your photographer, allow them to be creative & you’ll have an amazing shoot! And remember, the cuddlier the better 😉

 

3. When & Where

The best time to shoot any portraits is around 2 hours after sunrise or 2 hours before sunset. This rule of thumb can be applied to any time of the year. When it comes to picking the location for your portraits, I love shooting engagements in locations that mean something to my clients! I understand that this isn’t always possible but I like to throw it out there just in case! I always have back up locations ready to refer to you in a variety of locations around Vancouver (Maple Ridge, North Van, downtown Van, White Rock, Langley, Chilliwack, etc) in a variety of settings (water, mountains, cityscape, etc). The other thing to keep in mind is that it’s often nice to have engagement photos done during a different season than your wedding is taking place in. So if you’re getting married in summer, an autumn or winter engagement session might be a good fit and can be a great contrast for setting in images!

 

4. Be Punctual

Be on time, your photographer will love you. This is really important. What most couples don’t realize is that natural light photographers are dependent on the sun and if couples show up late, you can lose that amount of time during their session due to the lack of light. Now let’s realize, things happen beyond our control like massive amounts of traffic & more.  If at all possible, try to be on time so that you don’t lose any of your shooting time and pretty sunlight!

 

5. Hair, Makeup & Ring

Some brides opt to have their makeup trial done right before their engagement session so that they can see what their makeup will look like in pictures before the wedding day! I highly recommend this! It’s always fun when a bride gets her hair and makeup done for her shoot. If you want to do your own makeup, make sure you apply your eye makeup a little heavier than normal for your pictures. Guys, make sure those suit jackets are lint rolled and everything is ironed & clean. Last but not least, I love taking a ring shot! So if your diamond could use a little cleaning, that would make it really SHINE! Any jewelry store will typically do this for free for you.

 

6. Take Advantage… DATE NIGHT!

Now that you are all dolled up with your make up and hair done, what a great opportunity to go on a hot date! **GROOMS – if you want bonus points, make reservations for dinner afterwards, trust me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’d love to connect with you – let’s grab a drink, whether it be coffee or wine!

www.megkristina.com

Photography for the Authentic & Adventurous

 

Now Booking for 2018 & 2019 Weddings

 

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Intimate Mountaintop Wedding

Maria + Brad were married in a stunning intimate mountaintop wedding ceremony at Manning Park amid blooming alpine meadows surrounded by scenic views of the Cascade mountain range.

Maria walked down the isle carrying a bouquet filled with wildflowers that Brad had handpicked for her that very morning. From the moment Brad saw Maria walking down the isle toward him, his jaw-dropping reaction was just another instance that showcased the love these two hold for each other (you can see more of their love by checking out their Buntzen Lake engagement session!). As she reached the end of her walk and extended her hands towards Brad’s, he looked at Maria and you could see – he knew, without a doubt, that he was the luckiest guy in the world.. I think he’s right 😉 and I was far from the only one to agree! The way Brad looks at Maria, the love that shines through their eyes as they look at each other, it’s clear they are wholly entirely intoxicated with each other.

The joy of the day wasn’t just between Brad + Maria, for all of their family and friends who had gathered shared in their excitement for this next stage in life together. The laughter and smiles, the tears of joy from Maria’s bridesmaids, sisters, mother, when she walked out in her wedding dress ready to face the day ahead of her was proof of the love & support these two have from their community.

It was such an honour to be up at the gorgeous Manning Park Resort yet again for Maria + Brad’s wedding day, you two were such a dream to photograph and we absolutely adored every minute of capturing your day.

Gallery

Getting Ready

Ceremony Portraits Reception

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vendors:
Venue & Caterer: Manning Park Resort
Officiant: Mary Erickson – Chilliwack
Cakes: Two Daughters Bakeshop – North Vancouver
Hair + Make-Up: Shayla Rose MUA 
All photos by Meg Kristina Photography.

 

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Want to Learn More about Wedding Packages & Pricing? Click here.

 

 

photographer for the authentic & adventurous

www.megkristina.com

booking now for 2019 & beyond

 

 

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“She was a storm, not the kind you run from.. the kind you chase.” – R.H. Sin

Misty & Cole – I’ve been (not so) patiently waiting for their special day since Misty contacted me last spring & told me over coffee all about their plans for their summer wedding at Manning Park Resort.

After their inevitable meeting years ago at friend’s party, these two have been inseparable almost ever since.
We met last fall for their engagement pictures at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby (you can check out their dreamy golden hour session by clicking HERE) and if I wasn’t already excited enough for their wedding, seeing the way these two interact together sealed the deal!

Fast forward to June this year.. On the way to the wedding from Chilliwack, it was becoming apparent that the rainclouds would dictate the day and it was so unexpectedly worth it. Between the rain, the breaks of sunshine, & the snow (yes – I said snow!), it could not have captured more perfectly the unique strong emotional connection that Misty + Cole have formed. Driving towards the summit of the mountain for Couple’s Portraits (my favourite!!!) the snow began to fall, cleansing that which once was there to prepare for the new life that these two would commit to together on this day.

This beautiful couple can weather anything that life throws at them & their wedding day was proof of their connection! Through rain, mountain winds, & snow, they never complained and never stopped looking towards each other. No matter the storm brewing outside, these two soaked in each & every moment and I have no doubt that together they can handle anything life throws at them.

Congratulations Misty + Cole – thank you for having me be a part of your day!

(You know the day is off to a good start when this little guy welcomes you to Manning Park!)

A little glimpse of behind the scenes of the shot from my second shooter below (don’t you love Misty’s leather jacket?!):

 

Vendors:

Venue, Caterer & Wedding Planner: Manning Park Resort

Florist: Anne’s Secret Garden

Officiant: Graham Hansen

Cake: Reddy Made Cakes

Hair & Make-Up: Jessica Temple – Chantel Funk Design Inc

 

ALL Photos by Meg Kristina Photography

Booking Now for ALL Remaining 2016 & 2017 Weddings

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