I’m excited to bring you an in-depth Q&A session with Anna & Spencer Photography answering tons of wedding and engagement photo questions. I hope this gets couples inspired and excited to take some fun and unique photos at their wedding!
Tell us a little about yourself, your business and your photography style.
Anna and I are married documentary wedding photographers. We’ve been wedding photographers together for a little over four years and love it. As for our style, we really specialize in capturing the real moments of the wedding day – the first kiss to the quiet moment of reflection.
Engagement Photo Questions:
Why have an engagement photo session? Importance?
Well, really, to be honest, an engagement session is just nice. First, it gives you a good chance to know your photographer – and it gives them a chance to know you as a couple. In addition, having some wonderful images of you together is great to have.
When should a couple’s session be scheduled?
Anna and I typically advise couples to schedule their engagement session shortly after booking us. This makes it easier to use the images in save-the-dates and it allows us to get to know each other sooner rather than later.
What should the couple wear for the photo session?
We always recommend wearing one step above your casual. For men, we typically recommend having a nice coat to wear (ok, and for women too) – it can be removed for an easy different look. Basically, one step above casual – look nice, but still be able to be yourselves.
What are some fun and unique photo set ups for couples?
For us, with a documentary style, we love it when couples bring part of what they do or associate with to an engagement session. For some, this can be a football, guitar, or sometimes their pets. Anything to get real, genuine, looks of love is always the best.
Any other unique ideas for engagement photo sessions?
If I was to suggest one thing (other than being yourselves), it would be to go somewhere great for your engagement session. It may cost a little extra to go to, say, a wonderful botanical gardens or fabulous indoor space. However, the result can be well worth it. It gives the photographers more to work with, and it ensures a wonderful shoot.
Wedding Photo Questions:
What are some important things a couple should ask a photographer when picking the right one for their wedding?
My favorite question is “How did you get that image?” Images can be spectacular. Incredible. Outstanding. As, well, they should be. However, that said, be sure to ask how the photographer was able to capture it (and how long it took). And, make sure this falls in line with what you want to experience on the wedding day. Beyond any other wedding professional (except maybe your wedding planner), your photographer has the most impact on what you will experience during your wedding day. You want to be sure that the imagery you desire will also give you an experience you will want to remember & treasure.
Now, there are other questions. Asking them to define their style, their ideal client, and what sets them apart from other photographers is a great start. Mostly though, you want to ask your potential photographer questions that will help you know what kind of experience they will deliver on the wedding day as well as the imagery. You want both to be outstanding.
How far in advance should couples book their photographer?
We recommend booking your photographer eight months to one year prior to your wedding date. At six months out, you are risking the photographer already being booked for your date. And, at three months out, you’ll have a tough time finding a photographer with your style who is still available for your date.
What are some unique ideas for wedding photos that you have shot?
One of the most unique images we have captured was a story of the bride being stolen away from her groom. So, here’s how it happened. Lauren, the bride, was stolen away during the reception by the groomsmen. The only way her groom, David, could get her back, was to write a rhyming love poem on the spot to Lauren and recite it in front of all of their guests. He did this – and the expression on Lauren’s face (and all the groomsmen) while David read his poem is simply priceless. We loved this moment.
Here’s the truth of it: if you are aware of what will happen, you cannot create a real moment. Sure, it can be almost real – and you are being yourself, but you expected it. What was great with Lauren and David is that they had no idea their groomsmen were going to do this. So, if I was to give advice, tell your best man this story and request them to do something – but not to tell either one of you what it will be. By doing this, you ensure a fun unexpected event during your wedding day.
Do you find more couples are throwing out the traditional wedding photo shoots and doing more fun set ups these days?
Well, to be honest, we are documentary wedding photographers. We do our very best to document the day as it unfolds and don’t really do fun set ups – it isn’t our style, and it isn’t what our clients expect. When the bride looks at a photograph from us – we want her to remember the moment, and not us photographing the moment.
That said, one thing we always recommend are Day After shoots. These shoots take place the day after (or within a few weeks after) the wedding day. This is where the bride and groom get back into their wedding attire and we can have a relaxed, fun, time capturing images of them together. We don’t have to worry about any timeframe or a dress getting dirty – we have a greater ability to use advanced lighting & get more creative shots because of this.
Any advice for brides and grooms in regards to their wedding photos?
My biggest advice would be to love everything you do during your entire day. Truly appreciate all of your loved ones there for you (be sure to tell them how much you appreciate them being there). Doing this, and being yourself, will result in wonderful imagery. Really and truly, if you have a skilled photographer, your job is just to be yourself and enjoy your wedding day.
What are some basic photography tips to give people to capture their favorite wedding memories?
Ah, now, for the people attending the wedding to capture their favorite wedding images, we recommend having a camera with good zoom and knowing your camera prior to the event. Of course, try to have your subjects in good lighting, and try to use the lowest aperture on your camera as possible.
However, remember that you were invited as a guest to your friend or loved one’s wedding. It is nice to put down the camera and enjoy the day – being part of the day for the bride & groom can be just as important as capturing an image of the day.
You can find Anna & Spencer Photography at:
Thanks so much Anna & Spencer for answering some wedding and engagement related photo questions!
Let us continue on with All About Baby scrapbooking and talk about photos! Taking photos are one of the most important ways to capture your new baby and all the new memories to be had. I am honored to have on the blog today photographer 
I had maternity photos taken myself for a variety of reasons, all which I think are incredibly important – first, I wanted to be able to show my child and grand-children the way I looked while I was pregnant (kids are always curious – I was, and sadly my mom has very few photos of herself while pregnant). Second, I wanted to have images created which captured the love my husband and I had for each other as we prepared to welcome this new life into the world. This was partly for me, partly for my son and grandchildren. Finally, I wanted to be able to look back on the photos and remember everything that my pregnancy was all about and how excited I was as I prepared for the big day!
