Planning an engagement shoot? Here's what you need to know

These days, planning an engagement shoot goes hand-in-hand with planning a wedding. It’s a comfortable way to get to know your wedding photographer and fiance’s photographic style, allows you and your fiancé a fun break from the wedding stress, and captures your budding love as a young couple.

If you still have questions, don’t fret as wedding and lifestyle photographer, Nkima de Faria, tells all you need to know about engagement photography.

A moment’s bliss

With engagement photography, it’s all about keeping it natural – it’s Nkima’s bold and spontaneous, yet romantic style that allows those fleeting, intimate moments to unfold.

Let’s talk wedding bells

Even though she avoids doing everything by the book, Nkima will meet with the couple (either in person or via FaceTime) to discuss their wedding before the engagement shoot. This meeting helps everyone feel at ease and excited for the incredible experiences to come!

The big “L” word!

Choosing the location is Nkima’s favourite part of planning the shoot. It’s rare for her clients to choose their own location, and so she knows that they will be expecting her expertise on the matter. As a photographer, she has a keen eye for what works. Her ideal place is somewhere that stands out from the rest and allows her to combine pure whites with splashes of boldness. Based on the couple’s personality which she assessed during their initial talk, she will suggest three of her favourite places for them to choose from.

What to wear?

Outfits are everything! Nkima likes planning them out before-hand with her clients via shared images on WhatsApp. It can really make or break the look of the shoot. She advises to how at least two outfits during a session as this will keep the look and feel of the session fresh.

Kindling the fire

It can be a bit intimidating being photographed, but that’s where Nkima’s personality kicks in! She will direct the couple past the first few awkward moments with comfortable poses like walking away from the camera or sitting down. It’s all about capturing their connection. Let the couple interact – this allows the photographer to stand back and capture moments of bliss.

And, where needed, you can always ensure them by communicating with words that mimic their passion, and soon they will start to feel it too. Simply let the love between them flourish! Nkima also focuses on making the couple feel as comfortable as possible by remaining calm and reassuring them with a couple of her favourite shots along the way.

What if it rains?

Nkima’s easy-going style makes it easy for her to adapt to any situation – exactly what you’d want in a photographer! Creativity comes from being outside of your comfort zone. She knows that when something like this happens, communication is key, and so is having a plan B.

As a local Londoner, she’s accustomed to rainy skies. When it’s cold and dark outside, her mind immediately wonders to café’s, but if the couple’s excitement is gone, she’ll reschedule. It’s not the end of the world. You must just be open with your clients.

Gear list

Nkima uses pairs a Nikon D810 with her trusty Nikon 85 mm f/1.4 lens – the essential for those soft, romantic shots. And when those majestic Victorian buildings beckon you closer, she likes going wide with the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 mm lens.

The biggest challenge

We all know that the ladies are more excited about the engagement shoot than the men! The hubby-to-be can really put a spanner in the works if he’s just not that into you ;) So, you need to make him feel as comfortable as you can. Don’t forget to make it a FUN experience as well.

Choosing a package

Nkima’s engagement shoot package includes a 30-minute introduction coffee, an hour shooting sessions (with a change of outfit 30 minutes into the shoot). Each couple will receive the 60 photos within a week’s time via a private online gallery. These will mostly be in colour, and perhaps a few black and white photos of her choice.