The Ultimate Los Angeles Engagement Session | Debby and Samson
DETAILS
November 14th, 2017
Los Angeles, California
Engagement Session
Debby & Samson
Debby and Samson traveled to California from Hong Kong for an engagement trip. While they were here, they decided they wanted Los Angeles engagement photos!
The Meet-Cute
One of the most noteworthy ways clients and I get connected is through my Wedding Wire page. I like Wedding Wire because it's well-known by both vendors and engaged couples. As a result, it gives people a chance to see my style of photography, past sessions, my rates and more. That's how clients who normally wouldn't come across my name--like Debby and Samson!--and I get connected. I love the dynamic energy and surprise that these types of Los Angeles engagement shoots bring.
First of all, before their trip, Debby and Samson sent me a file of Pinterest photos they liked. Some were popular locations in LA. Others were poses they wanted to mimic or even specific geographic features like golden fields. This was especially helpful to me because Debby and Samson had never been to LA before. Getting a feel for what they wanted before we met to shoot allowed me to pick some great locations in advance.
Adventuring
I settled on the Grand Central Market, the Bradbury Building, Malibu Creek Canyon and El Matador Beach as our shooting locations after scouting. I've shot specific downtown LA engagement photos before and ones at El Matador but Debby and Samson wanted the flavor of all of LA. Then I met with Debby and Samson and we spent the rest of the day together while I took them from location to location. It was nice to spend more time with them than I would have been able to in just one spot. We built the price of travel into their estimate, so it would be more affordable and less stressful for them rather than renting a car. With so many spots to choose from, it felt like the most truly Los Angeles engagement photo session I've done yet!
I used the lighting of the time of day to determine the order in which we shot. Debby and Samson brought tons of stylish clothes. A lot of their pictures showcase their attention to detail, right down to the delicate lace or tweed stitching. And no one could fail to see their beaming smiles! They are both so photogenic that the vogue style and high-end framing came naturally to them. I think it yielded amazing candid and posed pictures in places that they'll remember fondly. Whether they are looking over what to purchase in the market or dancing through the surf, their focus on each other shines through in an understated and delicate way.
Photographer's Highlight
My favorite moments of shooting Debby and Samson were the first times they laid eyes on each new location. They were stunned by the beauty of LA and kept telling me how each location looked "like a dream." I was thrilled that my choices fit their desires so well! It was extra special to capture a couple experiencing something new--whether it was the cliffs of El Matador or the classic architecture of the Bradbury Building--together for the first time.
Tips & Tricks for Your Engagement Shoot
Don't just tell your photographer what you'd like broadly. If you have specific desires, try bringing in a picture! Knowing the environment, the mood or the colors that speak to you as a couple can really help me plan where to go and how best to showcase your love the way you want.
Try new things! This was one of my first shoots in LA, and one of the longer ones I've done with a couple. Getting to know the city together when all of us were still new was really fun! It's made me value the connections I'm able to build with clients even more. I want to know who you are as a person, so I can show you off to others visually in a truthful and thoughtful way--and besides, having an extra pair of hands around for a wedding or engagement party always comes in handy!
