Virtual Engagement Photoshoots
Engagement photography sessions go virtual in the time of social distancing
During these unique and restrictive times we are currently living in, it’s been particularly inspiring to see how creatives are adapting. In the wedding and events industry in particular, it’s been super impressive to see how the many talented vendors who have pivoted their services to accommodate social distancing. They’ve come up with creative ways to protect the health and safety of everyone involved, while still providing a special, meaningful experience to their clients! We’ve seen wedding planners take their services online, florists and caterers making contactless deliveries, and our current favorite so far: virtual photography sessions!
photo credit: Ginger Sole Photography
When one of the members of our Facebook group shared her at-home virtual engagement photo session with her photographer Joelle Martinec of Ginger Sole Photography, the group went wild! Not only were the photos of Lindsey and her fiancé Phil absolutely stunning, but they were so intimate and personal, and really captured this unique time in the couple’s life.
We reached out to both the couple and the photographer to get their perspectives on this creative solution to photo sessions in the time of social distancing.
Getting married in the time of Corona: Plan a Virtual Wedding!
“I was really sad for all of the people that were having their weddings and their sessions postponed. Really big life moments,” Joelle says. As stay at home orders came into place the ability to document those moments seemed to have to stop. So after attending a group Zoom Session with some other photographers who were experimenting with this new medium, she decided to offer this as a fun alternative to provide couples a unique snapshot of this moment in their lives.
What is a Virtual Engagement Session?
These socially-distant and quarantine-approved digital photo sessions can be done in a variety of ways. Your photographer could have you and your partner pose via Facetime on your iPhone or iPad, or you could even use a laptop and do your session via Zoom.
There’s something so unique and nostalgic about the quality of the photos as seen through a digital lens, no matter which platform you choose. A virtual photography session is even more collaborative than an in-person one!
Photos are taken by screenshot within the app, no matter what device you are on. The photos are an interesting way to give people their moments and document this strange time we are living in!
From Lindsey, the bride to be:
“My fiancé and I were supposed to take our engagement photos in early May and clearly that wasn’t going to happen due to the Stay at Home orders in our area. So our photographer asked us if we wanted to do a virtual photoshoot to hold us over while we wait till we can do our in-person photos, and I’m honestly so happy I did! We literally did it through FaceTime on my iPhone and she walked us through where to place the phone for lighting and angles and just directed us like she would in person. It was so much fun and I’m pretty stoked about the images she was able to capture.”
photo credit: Ginger Sole Photography
From Joelle, the photographer:
“It’s a fun collaboration between client and photographer. They take me on a virtual tour of the space. We figure out how to prop up the phone, sometimes even taping it to a ceiling fan or the ceiling to get interesting angles. Then we shoot.”
photo credit: Ginger Sole Photography
Plan Your Own Virtual Photo Session!
We are so inspired by the way that couples and vendors alike are leading with love and navigating this time. A little distance can’t change the love you and your partner have.
Some tips for having a virtual photo session at home:
- Wear something comfortable. No need to dress to the nines– allow this to be a session of capturing yourselves in your natural state during this unique time in your lives!
- Collaborate! Feel free to suggest your own ideas based on your home, personalities and lifestyle.
- Consider possible locations in your home – where do you spend the most time together?
- Lighting is important! Open your windows and let in the natural light.
- Be open to the experience. It might feel awkward at first. If you need help loosening up, have a cocktail!
- Have fun with it! It’s all about experimentation and it’s not meant to be perfect. Just like life, you just gotta roll with it and see what happens!
About the photographer:
Joelle is passionate about creating. Most of her life has been spent in the dance world as a performer, choreographer, and educator (Hence the sole of Ginger Sole. Ginger because of Joelle’s red hair.) Joelle has always loved creating visual work, so photography was a natural step into another career. The tag line for Ginger Sole Photography is, “Documenting Your Human Experience.” She doesn’t just focus on one genre of photography, she wants to give everyone their life’s moments. Dancers, Kids, Couples, Weddings, Families, Soon-to-be-mamas, and Newborns all have a place in her lens. If you’re interested in contacting Joelle for a virtual session, you can check out her website or Instagram!
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