Pre-wedding photo and video shoots are a great way to get to know a wedding photographer, tell part of a love story, and get some great shots of the couple. Pre-wedding shoots can include getting engagement photos, or they can be used to generate ideas for the real wedding day.

No matter what you are looking for in a pre-wedding shoot, these fun sessions can result in great shots of the couple and better photos on your big day! The following tips and ideas can help you know what to expect during a pre-wedding photo and video shoot and ensure you get what you need from the photoshoot.

Create a shot list

Wedding photographers often have a versatile style to capture all weddings beautifully. And if they know what you are looking for, they can meet your expectations better. A pre-wedding photo and video shoot can help you identify which shots you want during your wedding day and get a sense of your preferred videography style. This process can ensure that you get perfect photos and videos of your wedding day!

Select a location

Depending on what you want to get from your pre-wedding shoot, you may want to consider different locations. If your primary goal is to identify shots and wedding video strategies, you should book your pre-wedding session at the venue or a location with similar attributes. This can help the wedding photographer or videographer understand the location’s unique features that can enhance or detract from the perfect wedding photos and video. If your goal is to capture the couple’s love story, you may want to consider a special or unique location for the couple. And if you just want some great photos of the couple from before the wedding, you could try an adventurous or fun location.

Consider your clothing

With pre-wedding photo and video shoots, you will want to consider what you wear carefully. Many couples select matching or complementary outfits. Others may wear formal clothing or even wedding attire. However, this could be tricky if the bride doesn’t want the groom to see her wedding dress before the big day. You can bring a few outfits if you are uncertain about what to wear. Most photographers and videographers won’t mind it if you pause for quick wardrobe changes.

Look for candid emotion

All of the best wedding photos show genuine emotion, whether it’s a fun shot or a romantic one. Most skilled wedding photographers and videographers understand that candor is crucial to showing the couple in their best light. While many posed shots come out great, these spontaneous ones often end up being the favored shots. Working with your photographer or videographer in a pre-wedding session helps them understand the couple, which is a great way to ensure they capture each moment perfectly.

Consider a script

This strategy is especially useful for pre-wedding video shoots. It can be nerve-wracking to know you are being filmed, so these sessions help the couple become more at ease on camera. If this is challenging for the couple, they may want to develop a script. Knowing what to say can help calm the nerves and let the couple find their natural rhythm.

Pre-wedding photo shoots are becoming more common because these sessions let the couple get to know the photographer while taking beautiful shots together. It’s a great way to ensure your wedding photos and video perfectly capture your big day to help you remember it forever!