ENGAGEMENTS

An engagement session is an intimate portrait session of you and your future spouse. Some clients choose an engagement session to for a specific purpose. Weather they are for a Save the Date, wedding reception, or any other wedding incorporated festivities. Your session will be full of lots of laughs, snuggling, and rediscovering why you fell in love through warm embraces, encouraging and uplifting words.

What happens first?

If you're interested in me being your photographer, the first thing that will take place is a casual phone call to get to know each other a little bit and to talk about what I offer and how we can mold that to fit your specific needs. I also offer Zoom meetings if you would like to have a “face-to-face”

WHY IS AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION IMPORTANT?

There are a few reasons why, in my opinion, having an engagement session before the wedding is important. This gives the photographer and couple a chance to meet to meet and get to know one another and most importantly start building trust. These photos will be shared for a lifetime. A big reason of them all these are your engagement and wedding photos were talking about! The goal is to help you feel relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera so on the day of the wedding you have a better idea of what to expect when Bride and Groom portraits come around. Think of it as a dress rehearsal.

HOW FAR AFTER A PROPOSAL/BEFORE THE WEDDING SHOULD WE COMPLETE THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION?

I recommend scheduling an engagement session as soon as possible after you book your photographer or at least 6-9 months before the wedding, especially, if you would like to use the photos for your “Save the Date”. If you are thinking of using the photos for a guest book, canvas or prints to showcase at the wedding you’ll want to schedule an engagement session a minimum of three months prior to the wedding as this will allow enough time for editing, printing and delivery.

Is there a particular time of the day that is best for engagement shoots in Alaska? A particular time of year?

Alaska’s weather is amazing and has a way of changing on us. For summer months, I like to begin the engagement session a 2-3 hours before sunset and shoot until dusk, when the sun is lower in the sky, providing softer, warmer light. The results are more flattering for the couple and cater to my shooting style and look. Monday through Friday sessions are only available for dusk sessions. During winter, the days are shorter so couples who work the 9-5 job will most likely need to schedule a weekend shoot. My favorite time for an engagement session is during the spring when the sun starts to set later in the day and nature is starting to bloom and there is more colorful foliage. Fall is another season that is popular with couples: the leaves are changing, there is a comfortable chill in the air and the couples have plenty of time to use the photos for their Save The Dates if their wedding is the following year.

Elayners Photography is an on-location portrait and lifestyle photographer in Anchorage, AK who specializes in family photography, child photography, engagement photography, personal branding photography, maternity photography, and graduation photography. Sessions more than 25 miles from Anchorage will require a travel fee, depending on distance of desired location. But no worries, I always try to find the cheapest way to come because I love the way my creativity is developed when I discoverer new places!