How do I get my Engagement session published?
We're sent approximately 100 submissions a week and it's getting increasingly more difficult to get published with the amount of styled shoots, real weddings, anniversary sessions and engagements we see come through the website. We love to give feedback on why we turn down submissions but unfortunately there just aren't enough hours in the day! So today we're talking about Engagement sessions in particular...
Engagement sessions are probably the least accepted type of submission here at Wedding Sparrow. Why? Usually due to the lack of variety of imagery. We have to think as our audience do and they are looking for inspiration and sometimes if they are seeing portraits of another couple, they can't always take inspirations from simply portraits. There has to be other factors involved such as location, style, range of image type (macro, movement, landscape, environmentals etc).
Images by Mariel Hannah
STYLE - There doesn't have to be a stylist involved in an engagement session. Adding a dress/outfit change however does help the imagery to become more interesting and gives brides plenty more inspiration to pull from.
IMAGERY - An engagement session is often rejected if there is a distinct lack of types of image. Seeing a beautiful couple from the same angle with only subtle changes in pose doesn't make a strong blog post. We need a good variety of images to ensure we can keep the interest of our audience. Think macro ring shots, textures of the location, movement shots of the dress, emotive shots of the couple (get those lips and hands in action!). The more variety, the better.
Images: Katie Grant Photography
LOCATION - We love natural light here at Wedding Sparrow and whilst darker, indoor shoots based in city locations may be right for other publications, they're just not right for us. It doesn't necessarily have to be outdoors though! Just lots of window light and natural sunshine pouring through into those pretty kitchens, bedrooms and orangeries please! If you're shooting your engagement outdoors, consider taking a few landscape images and lots of environmentals (textured walls, foliage, florals, interior details etc) to help build the story and add interest. And get that RING SHOT! It's amazing how many times we don't even see the ring...
Images by Mariel Hannah
THEMES - We're not hugely on board with 'themed' engagement session (or styled shoots or weddings either!). It can really date a session and we all love film due it's timeless nature so we love to let the couple and environment tell the story. Avoid props for the sake of it (they can really distract from the story) and just use the environment around you. A great example of using your everyday lifestyle as a source of inspiration for an engagement session is this session above by Mariel Hannah. The movement towards more natural, lifestyle, 'at home', and organic portrait sessions makes us genuinely happy as there is simply no better way to capture the essence of a relationship than to capture it at home.
Got something you want to submit to us? Head on over to our Submissions Page!
