Are you stressing out about your upcoming engagement, couples, or even family session? Not sure if your fiancé/partner/husband is going to enjoy it or wants to participate? Check out these tips for helping get them to cooperate:
- Make it worth their while. Motivate them in whatever way you think will make them want to participate in your session. If there’s something they've wanted you to do that you haven’t done, now is the time to play that card. For example, if you don’t like watching football and they've been asking you to go to a game with them, bribe them with that (or whatever works for your partner).
- In the time leading up to the session, explain to them what’s going to happen that day. They've probably never done anything like this before and don’t know what to expect. They're not on Pinterest all the time looking up cute engagement photos or anything like that, so they may not know anything about this kind of session or even understand what it’s for. Tell them that the photographer is going to have you guys probably hold hands, cuddle, hug, and kiss. You want to explain the session to them prior so it’s not scary for them and they won’t feel awkward as it’s happening. Let them know that it will be OK because you’ll be there the whole time and it will all be good.
- They can have a drink during your session to help loosen up. (Not to get drunk, but to ease their nerves.)
- Be extra lovey with them before the session. Picture day is super stressful, so it’s easy to get into a fight beforehand. Make a point to be more loving and patient during this stressful time. This will make the photos better because you’re not upset with each other due to something that happened that morning due to stress. You’ll be able to relax and be more affectionate during the session.
- Explain the importance of the photos to them. Let them know, “I know this is stressful and you don’t want to do it, but I want tomorrow to be all about us. In 50 years I want to look back on these photos. These are important.” This way they don’t think it’s just something that is on their checklist that they have to do before the wedding or even in general, but that they are important to you. They love you; they’ll do it for you.
- Incorporate their ideas in the session. Ask them if they have any ideas for the session. If they have something they want to do, then they will be more excited about them because they will feel involved and like it’s about them too, not just all about you. Think about what makes you guys unique as a couple and incorporate those ideas into the session, whether it be a location, props, clothing, etc.