Couples & engagements
Client
session guide
I’m so honored that you chose me to photograph you! I recognize that your time together is an important gift, and I don’t take it lightly.
My goal during our session is to give you natural and honest photos of you, and the best compliments are when my couples tell me that I have captured who they are together.
I'm including all my best advice and tips for you below, but if you need anything else, don't hesitate to reach out!
I. Where should we have our session?
I love going somewhere meaningful to you. Sometimes, it's a specific spot (e.g., your favorite bar), or a general location (e.g, ~the woods~ because that’s how you spend your weekends). Other times, it’s choosing an area because you love vibrant colors.
I’ll ask your thoughts on the Questionnaire (and give general options in case you’re unsure!). When I have a better sense of what you’re looking for, I'll make specific suggestions!
II. When is the best time for photos?
I recommend starting around 1.5 hours before sunset if possible. The lighting then feels a little more magical: It’s softer on skin and brings out the best colors (similarly, sunrise can work, too!).
The exact time will depend on the specific location and the time of year. (e.g., In fall/winter or in the redwoods, we’ll have to a bit earlier in the day.) As we plan, I’ll make specific recommendations.
III. What if we have an idea that we want to try?
Our time together can be spent however you think fits you best - I've seen cupcake fights, burrito dates, dogs, cats, cocktails, Mrs. Pacman, and more.
If you have a specific activity or location in mind, let me know either through email or on the Questionnaire, and I'd absolutely love to make it happen!
02. Tips for a stress-free session
I. Talk about your session
If one of you is a little nervy to take photos, find out why it’s important to your person, and try to view it as quality time together. (I won’t expect you to be stiff and stare at my camera the whole time. Pinky promise.)
I put together a Session Questionnaire that not only helps me, but is also helpful for couples to connect with each other on what they truly want to get out of this time.
II. Do something special on the day of your session.
Hello, morning waffles and laying around!
It's likely not often that you get pictures taken together. Before the session, spend time together and make each other feel seen.
If it helps, grab a beer or a glass of wine beforehand to loosen up (Heck, I’d love to join you!), or plan for a date night for when we're done.
III. Plan your outfits ahead of time.
Minimize the stress when you're leaving home. If you’re like me, you’re changing shoes for the 3rd time while your partner paces by the door, so try to make the time leading up to your session anxiety-free.
For so long, I avoided giving specifics because I didn’t want couples to feel boxed-in, but this is one of the biggest questions I get, so, I gotchu. All my outfit advice can be found below.
IV. Plan to arrive on time.
Try to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time so you have time to get situated, and so we can maximize our time with the best lighting.
About a week before, I'll email you a specific address to confirm where we'll meet. I also usually text both of you on the day of so you know when I'm there and where to meet up.
If you're like most of my couples and haven't had many pictures taken together, it can feel a little awkward at first - and y’all, that is 100% normal.
If you’re still thinking "But Sonum, we really don't know what to do in front of a camera," this one's for you. I'm outlining what you can expect during our time together.
03. What to expect during a session
Once I meet you at our location, we'll chat for a few minutes, I'll put on music, and we'll walk over to our first spot.
I'll set you up in a nice spot, and give you some direction to get you moving as I get my settings right. Then, we're off!
During our session, I’ll give a lot of direction and opportunities for movement, talking, and laughing - often these are different prompts or games to get you interacting.
I’m looking for small details that happen naturally as you connect, move, and cuddle. We will communicate a lot, have some time for breaks, and I often ask how you're feeling.
Remember: As much as you can, try to let me in to see how you are together when no one else is around. Our work is a collaboration, so the more you can let me in, the bigger the payoff.
I’ll also look out for your hair and outfits and let you know if you need to adjust anything to make you more comfortable. If there's anything specific you want me to be mindful of, tell me!
Real talk: mess-ups and bloopers end up as some of the very best shots because they are true to who you are, so don’t worry about showing up for me - I'm here for you!
We'll be done before you know it - and once we've all high-fived, I strongly recommend you carry on to dinner or a date night to make it extra special!
I'm a firm believer that you should wear whatever you feel comfy in. Period.
I am here to photograph you as you are in this phase of your life. With that being said, I’ve also been the person that isn’t sure how to choose an outfit, and being told to simply follow my heart can be extremely frustrating.
Past clients have asked for a resource - so voila! If you’re not sure where to start, let’s simplify the process and figure out what makes you joyful and will have you looking FIRE on camera.
Coordinating vs. Matching
You'll get more variety and a more natural feel in your photos if you aren’t wearing the exact same outfits. (Unless you have matching human/dog outfits, in which case you can stop reading now).
Instead, I recommend sticking with complimentary colors or even colors from the same family. Mix it up with layers, textures, patterns, and pops of color.
Tip: Start with one outfit, and coordinate the other look based off of its color palette. It's a much easier starting point than diving into multiple closets at once.
Keep it simple
If you want to get fancy - go for it! But don’t feel pressured to. Clothes that fit well (& make you feel gooood!) go a long way to keeping you relaxed so you can focus more on being in the moment rather than adjusting hemlines, straps, or wrinkles. I incorporate movement, so remember that you will still want to be able to let loose!
Tip: Large bold prints & logos can take away from the focus on you if they aren’t meaningful. Neon colors & very close stripes also don’t always translate well on camera. Solid pieces mixed with more timeless prints are often good starting points.
Let the scene guide your colors
Think about the vibe and the warm or cool tones already found at our locations. Try to imagine what the whole scene will look like, and be sure it’s practical (i.e. footwear, seasons/weather).
A note on color: I love color. If you want to go all in with it, go for it! Narrow in on 2-3 colors to tie in the whole look across outfits.
Tip: For almost any location – a combination of neutrals (black, gray, tan, brown, cream, navy, denim) is almost always a safe bet.
Finish strong with details
Details like outer jackets, sweaters, jewelry, shoes, etc. can add that extra oomph and pull a look together. (On wedding days, you’ll almost always see me wear all black, but I like to add some celebration with a big pair of earrings).
Tips: I'll often get close up shots of your hands, so if you're looking for a reminder to take off that old polish, here it is!
If you wear makeup, there is a little more give on camera, so feel free to bump up your normal routine by a half step or two, or schedule your make-up trial on the same day.
Call me, beep me!
By all means - break the rules. Get creative. Go comfy. Do whatever it is that will put you the most at ease.
If you start putting together looks and need a little help deciding what might photograph best (or want some cheering on!), text me pictures and get my input! I love doing this for clients and find it works really well.
If you haven't saved my cell already, here it is: 6016677505.
Once we wrap up, I’ll cull and edit your gallery so you get all the best moments. I like to send a sneak peek within a few days, so stay tuned for that!
Within 3-4 weeks, I’ll email you a link to your gallery. From there, you can view, favorite, share, and download in high-resolution. I’ll also send a Print Release (which gives you written permission to get those puppies printed so they can live on your walls).
05. After the session
That’s it! I hope this was helpful. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas for me, just give me a shout! I'd love to know what's on your mind.
I can't wait to see you!
xo,
S
