BIG DAY COMING - Couple Sessions

February 4, 2022 christopher millen

Hi and thanks for reading my blog. Most people aren't fans of the camera and that is ok. But.. If you want to add depth to your Wedding portfolio, it's highly recommended to have a couple sessions under your belt. For a start, it's a great opportunity for you and your photographer to get to know each other, so when your big day is around the corner there's one less thing you all need to get anxious about. You'll probably be able to count on one hand how many times you do something with a professional photographer in your lifetime. So this could be a damn good reason to lock one in!

Having already done a couple session will give you trusted confidence in your photographer, knowing that he/she will deliver on your big day. Your photographer will arrive with more flair and confidence, which will open up more creativity on the day. A photographer will shine knowing they have a great connection with their client! It is very important! Couple sessions are not a hindrance if your photographer knows what they're doing. They can be a lot of fun!

Here are a few tips to think about, if you want a pre-wedding photo session…

Think of a place that has references to your life such as bush, beach, mountain, home, city, cafe, sporting activity, etc or…
If you're adventurous and open to something different, get your photographer to help you find somewhere different. This will add more depth and variety to our couple sessions. Fancy an adventure?!
Don't overthink about what to wear. Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in (this includes comfortable shoes as you never know where you may end up). This will help you feel comfortable (sounds silly, but it's true). Maybe just avoid any clothing with large prints on them as this can be quite distracting. Also decide on whether you want to go super casual, or dress up with a bit of flair! Your photographer will work with either. Don't overthink what to do during the session. Your photographer should guide you if you're not comfortable in front of the camera. It's meant to be fun, go with the flow.
Yes, it's a couple sessions, so the limelight is on you! Think about common things you and your partner do together from a tactile point of view. Think about how you touch and hold one another and utilise this during your session. This will enable you to fall into one another's arms more naturally. No need to worry if you're not that tactile as your photographer can guide you with this also.
It's a good idea to get your couple session done well before your big day. It will be one less thing to worry about. I would suggest doing this around 10 - 12 months before your big day. There is no set date when, but the further from your wedding the better.
You can also use your couple session photos for your 'save the date' invites and or put a selection of images together on a website for your wedding. This will give a great impression to your guests.
Do you have a dog? Fancy bringing your dog along? Dogs are the best distraction as your focus becomes about them and less about the camera.

The best time to do these sessions are probably in Winter because the sun is a lot lower and it's softer. Shadows are less harsh and you don't get those days like in Summer where your face totally blows out due to the brightness. Not very flattering! So in Winter, it is still best to go for mid-late afternoon sessions. Anytime from 3:00 pm onwards and probably wrap it up near 5:00 pm.

You can still do these couple sessions over Summer but just remember the later in the day the better. Maybe go for a 4:30-5:00 pm session. Otherwise, you can do a very early session in Summer. The great thing about these is there's hardly anyone around as it's so early!! Haha! But your photographer will probably love you for it. I have done morning couple sessions and they are magic! The light you get in the morning is less common than in the evening, so it creates a bit more originality. Take your pick as it's your call!

Just to wrap this all up, remember to not take it too seriously and you'll end up having such a great time. I highly recommend these sessions, they add so much value to your whole Wedding experience. Also if you just fancy eloping without the crowds, you can certainly take advantage of these tips as they are just as relevant! Best of luck out there!

If you want to check out more of my work and or get in touch with me, then head over to: https://www.christophermillen.com.au. I would love to help you out!

Here are a few tips to think about, if you want a pre-wedding photo session…

Think of a place that has references to your life such as bush, beach, mountain, home, city, cafe, sporting activity, etc or…

If you're adventurous and open to something different, get your photographer to help you find somewhere different. This will add more depth and variety to our couple sessions. Fancy an adventure?!

It's a good idea to get your couple session done well before your big day. It will be one less thing to worry about. I would suggest doing this around 10 - 12 months before your big day. There is no set date when, but the further from your wedding the better.

You can also use your couple session photos for your 'save the date' invites and or put a selection of images together on a website for your wedding. This will give a great impression to your guests.

Do you have a dog? Fancy bringing your dog along? Dogs are the best distraction as your focus becomes about them and less about the camera.

If you want to check out more of my work and or get in touch with me, then head over to: https://www.christophermillen.com.au. I would love to help you out!