Prenups and Engagement Sessions

I will admit I miss wedding planning and yet somehow glad it's over. But who knows, God and finances willing we might do it again in xx years time. Anyway, one of the things that stressed me a little was the prenup or engagement session. Where I am from it felt like there's some pressure to "show off" somewhat. hence, the post-game analysis below.

There are several factors to consider regarding a prenup/engagement session. Probably two of the commonly asked questions involving a prenup would be:

1. Should I have one?

2. Do I need to hire a stylist?

In all honesty, the answer is both yes and no. From my experience it all depends on several factors (in no particular order) namely:

1. Your reason

2. Your budget

3. Your time and effort

4. Your vision

5. Your location

6. Your photo team

7. Your HMUA team

Reason. Why are you having an engagement session? 

There are all sorts of possible reasons that can range from 

1. It's included in the package . A lot of photographers include this in the package anyway, sayang naman ang "freebie".

2. I want to include our pictures in our wedding invitations, websites, AVP, etc.

3. I want to add to our memory bank of our pictures together.

4. I want our prenup to be a reflection of our style and who we are as individuals and as a couple.

5. I want the prenup to allow us to explore and feature a new/different facet of us.

6. I want to make a bold statement. 

And so on. I don't know the history of engagement sessions but for me, in its very essence an e-sesh gives couples the chance to become comfortable and confident with the camera and the photo team they hired. An engagement session was an eye opener for an inexperienced me on how to pose, smile, etc. It gave me a glimpse of how tiring the actual wedding day may be, that one should eat because posing for so-so hours may drain you. Come wedding day it was somehow easier to work with our photographer for all those "staged" photos because not everything is candid. Instructions did not have to be repeated or for us to be coached because that has been done during the prenup.

2. Budget. How much are you willing to spend on your engagement session? 

The e-sesh may set/establish the tone of your wedding. The cost can easily add-up so think about your budget as with the rest of the factors.

My husband and I didn't want to spend much for an engagement session which affected the rest of the other factors and not the other way around. (Ex. The budget dictating the vision/reason/theme vs The theme/vision/reason dictating the budget.)

We'd rather channel the extra money to the wedding than on the e-sesh.

3. Time and Effort

How much time do you have to spare to conceptualize your e-sesh? Do you want to toil endlessly to develop your own moodboard, to find a location, to comply with the requirements and logistics of the location, to shop around for outfits (not to mention trusting your clothing choices but really whatever your choice is a reflection of who you are. Go back to factor 1. ), to make your own props etc? 

Are you living overseas and would you have a lot of time and resources to be ready? I'm based overseas so there's really not a lot of time for us for any conceptualization or anything. We just went with the basics and what's practical to minimize cost add the fact that I am not very crafty. Also, it was the perfect excuse for me to shop which was not at all a lot of time and effort on my part. :)

4. Your vision/theme

Do you want your prenup to be bohemian, to be laid-back, to use smoke bombs or sparklers, to spell grandeur and elegance etc.? There can be themes that will eventually become difficult to execute on your own and might blow up your budget even more if not done right. 

5. Your location

Is your preferred location in line with your vision? Does it need sprucing up? If yes, go back to #3 and #2 as well.

Do they charge extra for food, number of people, and hours of usage? You may need to have your inital hair and makeup elsewhere to maximize the venue rental. Having too many people on the shoot may become too expensive.

Ours, because of everything else and to simplify things we just decided to splurge on a venue that would not require much props. That will allow us to rely on the venue, ourselves and our photo, HMUA team. Yes, we skipped the stylist but just because we didn't have any much theme at all nor high expectations or requirements for the prenup. We chose a location that had meaning to us, where we actually dated etc.

6. Photo team

It is important to select well and then trust your chosen team. Trust their skill and let them showcase their talent by not imposing everything and dictating everything. Do not make them copy someone else's work. Test and see what they can do for you. 

One caption from a well-known photographer was sometimes poses tend to become exaggerated instead of the burden being on the photographer to make their clients look good. That allows to differentiate photographers in their craft, their skill, their form of art.

In my opinion, if a photographer is very skilled, even if the venue is bland, or even been used by the photographer thousands of times, he will still find you good shots that are unique to you. And if you change fast, he can maximize your venue and clothes in no amount of time.

To be honest, looking at our photographer's work, I had those sudden bursts of insecurities and regrets. That my personality and peg (non-magazine editorial) does not match his recent works. But at the end of it all, I was amazed.

7. HMUA team

If hiring a prenup stylist, even after having thought about the factors above is still unclear to you, you may want to consider your HMUA team as well. There are HMUA that goes above and beyond their "scope" of fixing your hair and makeup on their chair. There are those that actually go out there with you to help fix your clothes or your hair and makeup as your shooting and posing. 

Do they work fast? 

So there, hopefully that helps to answer the question. Don't be swayed too much by the tons of pegs and pins out there. Be you.

One thing, I would have benefitted from having a stylist though would be the fact that I don't know how to press my clothes and they kind of showed in some shots. Haha Time to work on my ironing skills...

HMUA: Ten Franco

Rating: Excellent and Awesome!

Photographer: Nelwin Uy

Rating: Excellent

Venue: Pinto Art Museum

Rating: Excellent