When it comes to engagement photo shoots, gone are the days of carefully posed shots of couples meandering along a secluded cherry blossom-filled track or running through a field (though, of course, you can have them if you so wish)!

Modern engagement shoots are about fun and reflecting the true personality of the couple – no matter how wacky they may be!

“The whole Trash the Dress concept was something totally diferent to any wedding photos we’d ever seen,” says Sydney bride-to-be (and Easy Weddings blogger), Angela Martin.

“We loved it! We’re also going to do the usual smart casual relaxed style engagement shoot to mix it up a bit.”

So, Angela and her fiance, Phoung, approached MMG Photo+Cinema who had already done several Trash the Dress photo shoots.

It took about 4.5 hours to photograph in an old sneaker factory, but, as Angela says, “We laughed so much on the day and now we’ll be able to look back and see the elegant and sultry side of us, that our Trash the Dress shoot helped bring out.

I’m sure our kids will love the photos too because it’ll show them how “cool” their parents were.”

Among some of the more fun (and rather extraordinary) engagement photo shoots we’ve seen, is the Zombie shoot, an underwater engagement shoot and, one of our favourites, a photo shoot inspired by the fabulously soppy The Notebook (pictured below).

But, as fun as they can be, pre-wedding photo shoots are not just about a fun day out in front of the camera.

According to Johl Dunn of JD Digital Photography, they’re are about getting to know the couple to ensure the photographer can get the best shots on their big day.

“The main aim of the pre-wedding shoot is to get to know the couple better, what makes them tick, how they interact as a couple and how their individual personalities combine,” says Johl who has seen a marked increase in the number of “fun” engagement shoots he’s being asked to handle.

“This gives me a great insight into what the wedding will be like and how I will approach the day and capture the wedding to best suit the couple.”

Johl says he generally always shoots his engagement jobs outdoors at a place where the couple feel comfortable and, if possible, tries to include kids and pets. He’s shot couples everywhere from family farms to airfields, in the case of one couple who loved aeroplanes.

“Pretty much anything goes, as long as we get some fun, casual images,” adds Johl. “We also think it is so important we include the shoot itself in all our packages and then the bride and groom can decide if they want any prints or a signature book.”

One of Johl’s most popular products is the signature book (pictured above), which he fills with shots from the engagement shoot. “It is a beautifully printed photo book with images from the pre wedding shoot printed on paper that guest can write their well
wishes on at the reception.

“This replaces the old daggy signature books with something a bit more fresh and personal.”

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