ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

What is the trick to great photos?

You got engaged!!! It is so exciting, take time to really enjoy it. A great way to celebrate is to get your hair & makeup done and meet up with your favourite Photographer for some Engagement photos in the mountains! In Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Canmore there are so many incredible locations. 

Kristi Sneddon has some incredibly helpful tips for your engagement photo session. Kristi is a Calgary based wedding and lifestyle Photographer with over 20 years experience. 

"Not only will you be able to enjoy beautiful images for yourselves before the big fay, but its also an opportunity to get to know your Photographer and to learn what to expect on the wedding day, " says Kristi Sneddon Photographer

LOCATIONS

We must use a place that is important to you! Where did you meet? Have your first date? Proposal location? Coffee shop of restaurant you like? Park where you walk your dog? Mountain trail you love to hike the most? Movie night at home?

Some of my absolute favourite locations in and around Banff National Park are Moraine Lake, Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, and the Spring Creek Boardwalk in Canmore behind the Malcolm Hotel. Grotto Canyon near Canmore is also beautiful if you are up for a hike. Another really spectacular spot is Emerald Lake and the natural bridge near Field, BC. It is only an hour drive from Banff.

STYLED PHOTO SESSION

These are so much fun! "It doesn't have to be crazy, but can be a simple idea like a picnic in the mountains. If you want to have some fun, we can theme it: vintage, luxury car, camping, lemonade stand, row boat, the list is endless", says Kristi Sneddon, Photographer.

Styled photo session are also wonderful for your Save the Dates, guest book, wedding website, and wedding invitations. Perfect to set the tone for your big wedding day in the Rocky Mountains!

WHAT TO BRING

We prepared for a change in the weather. If you are having you engagement photo session in the mountains, the weather between Calgary and Banff, Lake Louise or Canmore can be very different! You may want to also bring a change of clothes in case you do get rained on to make your drive back home more comfortable.

For your engagement photos in the mountains, you might also want to have some photos in different outfits, more one casual and one more formal. Remind your finance to also take two outfits so it doesn't look strange if you change your outfit and he remains in the same one. Props can also be fun. Some ideas are hot chocolate, blankets, warm mitts and fur shrug. Many of my couples coming from outside of Canada love to buy mitts, scarves or warm socks with our red and white Canadian flag. It makes for such a great Canadian Rocky Mountain memory!

WHAT TO WEAR

If you are having your engagement session in the Rocky Mountains, you may want to wear something a little more casual. Kristi Sneddon Photographer suggests "Your session is casual and fun, so I want you to feel that way. I suggest wearing blue jeans, black or khaki pants, shorts or skirts on the bottom. Tops work well if they are coordinated (but not matching). Choose a colour and mix and match shades, patterns and textures. Layer up too, it always adds something more to your outfit"

Shoes! For some epic photos in the mountains come prepared to get off the beaten path. But do be aware to choose shoes that are going to photograph nicely. "Avoid running shoes, fashion sneakers are great but not the gym kind," says Sneddon

Accessories are always fun so bring them along. A great purse, scarf or jewellery all finish off the outfit. In the winter hats, scarves, mitts and a cosy blanket are fun and photographically interesting details.

Kristi Sneddon says "Most importantly: if you feel good, you will look good!"

P.S. Don't forget to book a dinner reservation after, you are all dolled up, and must have some place awesome to go.