welcome!Information Guide
This portrait session information guide has been put together to make planning for your close-up as effortless as possible. All of the information provided are suggestions based off of past experiences, and personal preferences. It is up to you as a couple to choose what you believe fits best with your style and personality.
SCHEDULING
Engagement sessions can be scheduled any time before the wedding day. I suggest booking at least 3 - 6 months in advance to avoid stress. Should you plan on using the images from your session for Save the Date cards, consider booking your engagement session a little earlier. Sessions are primarily scheduled on weekdays as most weekends are dedicated to photographing weddings.
In terms of time of day, sunrise sessions are an option if necessary. Aiming for your shoot to start at sunrise is ideal for those who want to take portraits in a very crowded location like Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. Otherwise most engagements are scheduled 1-2 hours before sunset, as the light is ideal at this time of day.
APPROXIMATE START TIMES (BY SEASON)
Winter: December - March
3:00 - 5:00 PM
During December through mid-March you can plan on your engagement session taking place around 3:00 - 5:00 PM. However, the time changes in mid-March which will make the start time one hour later.
Spring: April - May
Timing Varies
The sunset time drastically changes throughout the course of these two months, therefore shooting times change as well. You can plan on approximately 5:30 - 7:30 PM in April and 6:00 - 8:00 PM in May.
Summer: June - August
6:30 - 9:00 PM
Summer engagements, just like all engagements, take place two hours before sunset. This will hopefully mean that the shoot will be during the cooler part of the day.
Fall: September - November
Timing Varies
The sunset time changes drastically during these three months. In September, you can plan on 5:30 - 7:30 PM until the third week, and then you can plan on 5:00 - 7:00 PM until mid-October. After the first week of November, 3:00 - 5:00 PM.
Weather
I monitor (borderline stalk) the Weather Network in the days leading up to all shoots. Should the forecast be looking grim 24 hours prior to your session I will work with you to reschedule your close-up for a later date.
Location
What defines you as a couple? Silly, adventurous, active, nerdy, romantic? Would you enjoy cycling around Niagara-on-the-Lake together through Vineland, or prefer to take a calm walk by the pier at sunset? Determining who you are as a couple can help to set the tone for your engagement session and make planning locations and activities that much easier.
When possible, I encourage couples to choose locations that are of significance to them. The place you first met, the spot he proposed, or even a hobby that you both enjoy together. Engagement photographs are about capturing who you are as a couple at this particular time in your lives. Choosing something unique will aid in making your images more authentic and meaningful. You are always welcome to choose a location that you both simply just find beautiful. Keep in mind that some locations require the purchase of a permit to photograph on their grounds, if so it is the couples responsibility to acquire this.
Engagement sessions include travel up to 50 km from Hamilton. Any location outside of this radius will be subject to a travel fee.
LOCATION SUGGESTIONS
Princess Point, Hamilton
Dundurn Castle, Hamilton
Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton (requires permit)
McMaster University, Hamilton (requires permit)
Cotton Factory, Hamilton (requires permit)
Pier 4, Hamilton
Gage Park Greenhouse, Hamilton (requires permit)
Paletta Mansion, Burlington
The Village Square, Burlington
Bronte Creek Park, Burlington
Spencer Smith Park, Burlington
The Studio Verde, Dundas
Balls Falls, Grimsby
Vineland Estate, Grimsby (requires permit)
Scotsdale Farm, Milton
Kelso Lavender Farm, Milton (requires permit)
Styling
Hair & Make Up
Professional make up and hairstyling for your engagement session is encouraged. Your engagement session can be utilized as an opportunity to schedule a trial run of your wedding day hair and make up. This is a fantastic way to see how the aesthetics translate on camera and make any necessary modifications before the wedding day. Professional hair and make up artists enhance your best features which aid in making you feel that much more beautiful and confident in front of the camera.
Wardrobe
It is advisable to choose outfits that are timeless, beautiful and classic – you want to admire these images for years to come, that being said, aim for looks that have stood the test of time, instead of current fads that might be out by next year. For men it is suggested to aim business casual - at the very least a collared shirt.
When shooting in natural light it is best to stick to light colours: blush, cream, and pastels are recommended. Minimize dark colours like black, which do not reflect light. Choose clothing attire that you feel comfortable in. Clothing movement is also a huge factor in creating romance and drama in your photos – which is something a dress lends itself better to. If you are debating between outfits don’t be afraid to bring your extra choices with you – I love to fill the role of personal stylist whenever the opportunity presents itself!
Choose colours, patterns and styles that compliment each other but aren’t too similar. It is best to coordinate instead of matching. Using different colours, layers and textures is great. Bold jewelry, scarves, and coloured shoes photograph very well. Cater your outfit to compliment your location. Most important of all: Make sure you look like YOU and feel comfortable!
If you are looking for inspiration, Pinterest is a fantastic tool for insight into what other couples are wearing, and why some outfits work better than others. If you have an account please feel free to browse my inspiration boards at:
https://www.pinterest.ca/aldelbello/engagement/
https://www.pinterest.ca/aldelbello/at-home-engagement-session/
thank you!As you are preparing for your session, remember that I do not expect you to be a pro at this! Generally it takes a few minutes to warm up and get comfortable in front of the lens at the beginning of a shoot. So relax and don’t be nervous! You are going to be great at this! Having trust in your photographer will allow for creativity and make for an amazing shoot. Remember to have fun, be silly and enjoy yourself!