Do you want to have beautiful pictures taken with your partner that aren’t selfies or taken by random strangers on a phone? If you’re nodding your head saying ‘yes’, then it sounds like a couples session would be perfect for you.
As a nontraditional engagement photographer in San Francisco/the Bay Area, I love helping couples take incredible photos that capture their love for one another in a fun and creative way, creating a timeless memory for them and their partner.
Let’s jump into more about what an LGBTQ+ couples photoshoot is and why you should consider planning one!
What is A Couple Session?
A couples session is when you set dedicated time aside – think of it as a super cute and memorable date idea – to dress up and get professional photos taken of you and your partner.
You can have a couples photoshoot to commemorate a special occasion or just for fun because you want to celebrate your love and relationship. You can also have your couples session in the location of your choosing—want to have it at your favorite date spot? Next to the beach? While doing your and your partner’s favorite activity or hobby together? It’s all possible!
You could also do a themed couples session or add a creative spin or props that represent your and your partner’s personalities and your relationship.
I recently had the chance to photograph Sydney and Kiana’s couple session in Santa Cruz along West Cliff Drive, which was a blast. The seaside views and dramatic cliffs created an epic backdrop, perfect for their carefree and free-spirited photos.
In their photos, I made sure to highlight their matching tattoos and take a variety of photos, from close-ups to distance photos, to embody the vision and style they wanted for their photos, which was filmy and cinematic.
If you’re in Santa Cruz and want inspiration for different locations where you could take your couple session photos, make sure you check out the blog post I wrote for you here, which includes a list of different options.
Reasons to Have A Couple Session
Experience a new location together
If there’s a place you and your partner have wanted to explore but haven’t been to yet, this is a great reason to visit and have lasting memories of the time you spent there together.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to watch the sunset or sunrise over the ocean at a breathtaking viewpoint, or you’ve always wanted to visit a certain city together? As they say, the world is your oyster when it comes to these photos and you can get really creative with the locations.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to go to a new location, you could always plan a couple session in your home, go to your local park, or take photos of you both walking around your neighborhood.
A chance to reconnect
Life gets busy—when’s the last time you and your partner set aside dedicated time to spend with each other in a fun and relaxed environment? A couple session is a good reason to take a mini break from your busy lives and spend valuable time together.
New photos to hang up on your wall, share on your social media, etc
This one might feel a bit obvious, but who doesn’t love having beautiful photos to share on social media or to decorate their homes with? You’ll also have recent photos of you and your partner that you can share to celebrate future milestones, such as upcoming birthdays or anniversaries.
Choosing An Editing Style for Your Photos
If you’re worried about not finding a photographer who has an editing style that you love or who won’t be able to replicate your vision, have an open and honest conversation with the photographers you’re considering about what you’re looking for. It never hurts to ask us and tell us more about the style and vision that you want and see if we can work together to make it happen.
I would describe my editing style as vivid, true-to-life color, but Sydney and Kiana came to me and wanted to know if I could use a different editing style for their couple session than my typical photography style.
My answer was, of course, yes! As a photographer, I do other editing styles. So, how do I work with you to ensure my editing style matches your vision?
First, there’s a place on my inquiry form to specify what editing style you like. But since there are so many interpretations of an overall style, how do I figure out what you mean when you say you want “filmy and cinematic photos”?
I’ll start by having you send me as many photos as you can find that fit your vision from Pinterest so that I can use my photographer’s eye to take a closer look and tell you what I’m seeing.
For example, Sydney and Kiana sent me photos that were all desaturated with up-close details and very faraway framing mixed in. Some of the photos were quite warm, while others had noticeably cooler highlights.
I mentioned all of this to them, and then, based on what I pointed out, they both decided they liked the cooler highlights, which I took into account when I was editing their photos. I don’t believe that it’s ever your job to know exactly WHY you like what you like, which is where I come in to break it down for you.
The last step in my process is executing two versions in a similar editing style on one of your own photos because it’s always going to be different seeing an editing style on a photo of yourself vs a Pinterest photo.
I’ll send you both options and you’ll make the final decision on which editing style is the one that you want me to use for your full gallery. You’ll get a custom edit that is exactly what you’re looking for without needing to be an expert before your session in the editing process.
Ready to plan your LGBTQ+ couples photoshoot?
I hope that you found this blog helpful in learning more about what an LGBTQ+ couples photoshoot entails and the reasons to consider having one with your partner.
Your photos from your couple session will be something that you’ll cherish and reminisce about for years to come, serving as a physical reminder of how far you both have come in your relationship.
If you’re in the Bay Area, looking for love, proposals, and engagement photos, and want to work with a photographer who will fully support your nontraditional ideas and celebrate you wholeheartedly, feel free to reach out here. I can’t wait to learn more about your vision and all the ideas you have in mind.
