Preparing For Your First eSession
You Put A Ring On It
The last guests leave your perfectly planned and executed proposal party, and you’re admittedly feeling pretty good. You aced the big moment, surprised your bride-to-be, and managed to keep your parents and in-laws happy. You should take a moment to revel in that.
Okay, moment’s over.
We both know you’re not done - there’s a long road of planning and preparation ahead of you.
By now, you’re beginning to scope out churches, wedding reception venues and vendors. Hopefully, you’ve got your wits about you and are considering All-In Productions to be your experience partner for your big day. You’re delighted to find out about the free eSession (engagement photo session) we offer all clients who book us for wedding photography. Yes, you read that right - this first one is on us.
We are excited to capture the beginning of your journey towards marriage together. Before we meet, let’s cover some ground rules so we both get the most out of the experience:
eSession Basics
1. We’ll tell you when to smile.
It’s true what they say - it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. That being said, it still gets pretty difficult to smile when you’re asked to do it repeatedly, non-stop, over a ninety-minute period. Do yourself a favor - All-In Productions’ photographers will tell you when you need to smile. We sincerely appreciate your readiness, but just because there’s a camera pointed at you does not mean we are going to take your picture (but we love the attitude). While we make dozens of tiny adjustments for focus, light, depth of field, movement, color, etc., sit tight and keep your face slack, neutral and relaxed. We won’t ask you why you’re mad. When it’s time, we’ll tell you and your beloved to flash the pearly whites. Your eSession is a marathon, not a sprint.
2. Small things speak loudest.
Your hair is done, nails are done, and both outfits have been approved by best friends. That’s a given - and great job cleaning up. What most people don’t realize is just how significant of an impact the “little things” make in your final photographs. We mean the length of your (uneven) shoelace knots, your wrinkled tie, the angle of your knees, the lotion between your fingers (for those engagement ring close-ups) or the lack thereof. If you find us eyeing your entire body and up and down before a photo, it’s not because we don’t admire your matching color palette. It’s because we are scanning for the little things that elevate good pictures to “blown up to 6x size and hung in our kitchen forever” pictures.
3. Trust your All-In Productions photographer.
Let’s assume you’ve never had engagement shoot before, let alone a professional photoshoot - outside of a 3-second stint in front of a camouflage green backdrop for middle school portraits. The beautiful part about selecting an experienced vendor like All-In Productions is that we’ve done this for 50+ couples. We know what works, what doesn’t, and how to make you comfortable in this often-vulnerable situation. When we ask you to start playing photography twister with us (“now put your right hand on her left hip”), bear with us. There’s a vision, and a plan. We’re going to make you look great.
4. Planning is crucial.
If you want to wear a gown, a sari, and your matching scrubs - we’re absolutely fine with that. If you want to shoot at your parents house, the site of your proposal, and at the Hancock observatory - we’re good with that too. But in both cases - planning is crucial. Let us know about all your special considerations (outfits, destinations, accessibility requests, timing constraints, etc.) in advance, so we can discuss what the practical possibilities are.
Invest in Your Moments
If you’re currently in the process of planning a wedding, invest in yourselves, your experience and your guests by hiring professional photographers through All-In Productions. We offer premium photography packages for your wedding day that includes a complimentary eSession (a $450 value to you, for free). Navigate our portfolio of photography works by following the links at the top right of this page.
These are the moments that your grandchildren will be asking you about. Invest in the right photographers to capture your marital journey, from start to finish. Reach out to All-In Productions below to inquire about professional photography services, and let us help you ace your first (and last!) eSession.