A pre-wedding photoshoot can appear like an unnecessary expense, but it is practical in many ways. A shoot is a great way to spend the last days before tying the knot. Pre-wedding photos can also be part of the wedding invitation or the reception video. It also helps build rapport with the photographer, who will likely be the one taking pictures on the wedding day.
When looking for a photographer, hire someone who can work with your dynamic as a couple. Choose someone who can direct you, a valuable skill, especially if you or your partner do not feel at ease in front of a camera. Finally, get someone who can travel to your shoot location. But what is the perfect site for a shoot? These tips may be helpful for you.
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Choose a site relevant to your story
Brainstorm with your photographer on the best place to hold a pre-wedding photoshoot. Make a list of all the memorable places to your relationship, and let the photographer narrow it down to which ones are accessible to him or her.
Your venue might be the school where you both graduated, the street where you both lived as children, a park you frequented, or other significant venues. Pre-wedding photoshoots are varied—there are casual ones and formal ones, so do not be pressured to choose a fancy-looking place just because it seems proper.
If you are not a particularly sentimental couple, you can ask your photographer for recommendations. They will have a list of venues you can choose from, and all you need to do is determine which location best fits your theme.
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Note the availability of the site
As soon as you have decided where you want to hold the shoot, contact the venue and secure a permit for you and your photographer. If you are lucky, your choice might be free to use, as is the case for public buildings and parks.
It may be a different case if you will have your shoot in other places. For example, your alma mater might have regulations that limit the use of school grounds, even by alumni. If you want to have a photoshoot there, you might need to secure permission from administrative offices.
In other situations, your venue might not be available on the date you want for your shoot. This is why it is important to call ahead and double-check. You don’t want to be there on the day of the shoot only to find out that you will not be allowed to enter because someone else is using the facility. When in doubt, ask.
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Find somewhere you can shoot at no cost
If possible, choose a site that will let you shoot for free. If you can’t, strive to keep costs low; the focus of your wedding should not be your pictures but your ceremony. If you have the budget for it, though, don’t hesitate to spend on the venue. A wedding is a once in a lifetime event for many people, so it should be treated as such.
Most people decide to splurge on photos and save on souvenirs, or skip the brand new shoes and use ones they have in their closet. Figure out your priorities before hiring a photographer and you’ll be quicker when deciding about things like these.
Conclusion
A pre-wedding photoshoot will help you get to know your photographer and vice versa. A good photographer always strives to capture the real dynamic between a couple, and they will have more ways of figuring that out when you go for a photo shoot before the big day. Keep the tips above in mind as you search for the best location for your pre-wedding photoshoot.
We help couples capture their love story. If you are planning your wedding in Lake Tahoe, Reno, or Las Vegas, please reach out to us for a free no strings attached consultation.
