11 tips to prepare you for your Tulum Couples Photoshoot.
Hiring a professional photographer like Gavin Higgins from Tulum Photography to capture your couples, engagement, pre-wedding, honeymoon, or anniversary photos while in Tulum, Mexico, is recommended. In addition to taking home beautiful images, you will share a unique and fun experience together.
A couple’s photoshoot in Tulum is the perfect way to capture unforgettable memories of you and your partner as you share the unique experience of traveling together. Looking back on these special memories in the future is priceless.
Gavin from Tulum Photography has done many couple’s photoshoots over the last decade as a professional photographer. Here are some tips for you as you consider your Tulum Couples Photoshoot.
1. Ask your Couples Photographer all your questions BEFORE the photoshoot.
This one may seem obvious, but sometimes clients feel shy or awkward to ask questions in the run up to a photo shoot. Sometimes they think it would be better to bring it up at the shoot, but often that’s too late.
Although we photographers have to be good at dealing with unexpected events by nature, we always appreciate forewarning so that we can take your questions or concerns into account when planning your specific shoot.
Ultimately, we want to be as prepared as possible before the photo shoot, so when we get to the location, we can all concentrate on having fun and getting amazing photos.
2. Schedule your Tulum Couples Photoshoot wisely.
If you are on vacation, it’s vital to select the right time to do your photo shoot.
You never want to schedule your photoshoot on your last day in Tulum because if the weather is terrible, or there is an accident that closes the road to the location, or some other unforeseen event occurs, you will not have enough time to reschedule and could miss out completely. The first day is equally problematic as you are still “finding your feet” in a new location and may suffer from jetlag.
Also, consider what activities you will be doing in the lead-up to your photoshoot. For example, it may not be a great idea to schedule your photoshoot after a beach day as you could overdo the sun and be a bit pink or have unflattering tan lines. Equally, if you will be thrashing through the jungle on an ATV, you may be left with cuts, scratches, or bruises that may show up in your photos.
Most photographers prefer to schedule photoshoots in the early morning or late afternoon. This is because the light from the sun is directional and most flattering as opposed to the middle of the day when the sun is directly above us, and the sunlight is very bright and the shadows very dark. Avoiding the middle of the day is also better for couples as you won’t be squinting, sweating, and uncomfortable.
It’s also important to arrive early for your photoshoot. Many people get lost on the way to a location or have issues with their transport. This can result in you losing time and, in some cases, having to rush the shoot or shoot in bad light.
3. Choose the perfect Couples Photoshoot outfits
This is a question that we get asked before every photo shoot, and it’s not always an easy one to answer. This is because we photographers want your styles and personalities t to shine through on your photoshoot, and if we tell you exactly what to wear, it might jeopardize that. Having said that, though, here are some wardrobe tips:
- Make sure you are comfortable. You will need to walk around, get into different poses, and hopefully have some fun too! Try not to wear an outfit that is too restrictive, and make sure you can move freely.
- Avoid bold patterns, oversized logos, crazy stripes, photos of your cat, and other markings which will distract from the stars of the show. This shoot is about you and your partner, and that’s what we want to grab the attention.
- Pay attention to the location. Now I can go either way on this one; I love a good juxtaposition so if we are shooting in the dark green jungle, give me a red evening gown with bold red lips any day because that will make you “pop’ like crazy! But most clients most times want to seem like you are naturally in the environment you shoot in, so casual for the beach, smart-casual for urban, etc.
- Avoid matching. There is a fine line between chic and cheesy, and you don’t want to cross it. Avoid wearing outfits that are the same and focus on complementary outfits. If you want complimentary colors, check out coolers.co, where you can browse loads of color palettes.
- Timeless vs. trendy. So, my folks got married in the ’80s, and my father was sporting one hell of a mullet/stach combo. It was cool at the time, but now…well, not so much. So, keep this in mind when choosing your outfits, some styles are classic, and some styles that very “in” today and very “out” tomorrow. Ultimately you need to decide which one you want to go for.
- Don’t bring 40 outfits. Again, THE OUTFIT IS NOT THE STAR OF THE SHOW. Just choose something you both like and feel comfortable with, and you can enjoy your shoot without constantly stopping to change outfits (And fix hair, make-up, etc., each time). This way, we can get you more amazing photos, and you aren’t wasting time on location behind palm trees trying to change a bikini top without giving the beach club a show!
Gavin... myself and Dawie have no way to thank you enough for everything! You made the entire process professional, effortless and so special! Thank you for everything!
4. Research and save all your couples photoshoot ideas.
Some photographers will heavily disagree with me here, but wouldn’t the world be boring if we all thought the same? I like it when someone takes the time to show me their vision for their photoshoot. Whether that’s sending me some pictures on WhatsApp before the shoot or sharing a perfectly manicured Pinterest Board. It helps me “get on the same page” with my client. I want to give my clients the best images I can, so if they want to help a little, then why not?
It’s important to remember that you are hiring a photographer because you like their work and their “artistic style.” If you have an hour photoshoot, it’s not possible to capture 50 images that are entirely different lighting set-ups, different scenes, different outfits, and sometimes it may be outright impossible to replicate a particular image in a specific time and location. Remember that they are ideas, not a shot list.
5. Make your couples photoshoot a memory you will both cherish forever.
On more than one occasion, I’ve had couples arrive for a photoshoot with a dark storm cloud above their heads, and it’s evident that there has been an argument on the way to the photoshoot.
This can happen for several reasons; sometimes they have run late because it’s taken longer to get ready, other times one partner doesn’t want to be there, or it could be just another couple’s spat. We all have them, right?
It’s important to enjoy your photoshoot, we’re making precious memories, and you must try to remember that. Try to talk to each other ahead of the shoot and make sure you are excited, prepared, and on time for your photoshoot.
Once on location, make sure to enjoy the moment and each other. You’re together, and you’re in love, you’re in a beautiful place, what more could you want? So let’s get laughing, let’s get smiling, and let’s take some fantastic photos!
6. What do you look for in Couples Photos?
This is an important question to ask yourself. There are so many variables at play during a photoshoot, and everyone has their likes and dislikes. It’s crucial for you to identify them ahead of time and communicate them to your photographer. If you have a best side, tell them. If you want serious photos, let them know. If you have a scar or tattoo, you don’t want to be seen, that’s fine. It’s all about communication, and again, the more your photographer knows, the better they can tailor the experience and images for you and ensure you get exactly what you want.
Accomadating, awesome personality, friendly and patient. Amazing quality pictures and very very punctual. Thank you Gavin!
7. Dont worry about perfect Couples Poses.
Posing freaks people out. I’m going to let you in on a dirty little secret here; I don’t like posing! “What, but you’re a photographer?!” I hear you cry out in confusion. Well, let me explain.
Posing is awkward. For you and for me. I’m not particularly eager to micro-manage my clients every tiny movement because it becomes mechanical, and clients become self-conscious, and it all just gets a little rigid for me. On the other hand, I like my photoshoots to be fun, so I take a very different approach.
Firstly, I focus on getting people comfortable and breaking the proverbial ice. We start easy and I build rapport and trust. We do fun activities and I create moments that bring out real laughs and real connections. I allow you to just be you. Once you trust me and are comfortable with me, we will do some more traditional posing, but it’s not awkward anymore at that stage.
So when you shoot with me, you shouldn’t arrive nervous that you aren’t going to know what to do, and all self-conscious. Relax, I’ve done this so many times and if you go read our reviews you will see the same word over and over again; FUN.
8. Talk to your partner.
So as with most things in life, communication is key! Before your photoshoot, you should both discuss your ideas, expectations, likes, and dislikes, not just with your photographer but also with each other. If you are both on the same page, both equally excited, and both ready for the shoot, it makes for a much more enjoyable and successful experience for everyone involved and will result in much better images for you both.
9. Choose a great location for your couples photoshoot.
All photographers will be familiar with multiple locations and it’s important to find the right fit for you. If you re very shy around strangers then a quieter beach will work better than a more crowded beach. If you are afraid of heights, you are never going to comfortable shooting on a cliff-face. It’s important to choose a location where you are going to feel comfortable.
A lot of clients will know what location they want from the first contact, but it’s important to communicate with your photographer and be open to ideas they may have because it may ultimately mean better photos for you. Also consider sugegstions related to time of year, time of day, tides, weather. Your photographer is probably more familiar with the locations than you will be.
Communication is key and location should definitely be a discussion between you and your photographer.
I couldn't be happier with Gavin . We had a sunrise engagement shoot and then all day with Gavin on our wedding day. He has serious talent behind the camera as well as processing the final results. He takes pride in his work and we had a lot of fun throughout. I would highly recommend Gavin as your photographer and am excited to work with him again.
10. Should you bring props?
I’m biased here; I’m not too fond of props. But that’s because I don’t like anything that distracts from the stars of the show, which are my subjects. So my rule with props is this:
“If it is an important part of your unique story, bring it, and we will include it. If not, leave it out.”
So, 20 blue and red balloons to match your shirts? Meh. That rubber-washer-makeshift-ring he gave you when he asked you to be his partner back in Junior school? Now we’re on to something!
11. Trust your Couples Photographer.
This is a big one. You have to put your tust in yoru phtooshrapher. If everyone is pulling in different directions at the photoshoot the images aren’t going to be good. If you have a ton of demands going into your shoot, your photographer wont be able to get into their “creative zone” and do their best work.
On the other hand, if you have done your research and hired a good photographer and work with them, you will get good images. Trust the process and trust your photographer.
Conclusion
A Tulum Couples Photoshoot can be the most magical experience that can bring you so much closer. You can create memories that become recoded in time to enjoyed by not only you, but your children and their children. Have fun and don’t take it too seriously, go out there and just enjoy eachother and enjoy the moment.
If you would like to chat to us about booking your own Tulum Couples Photoshoot with Tulum Photography you can fill out the contact form on our website here, e-mail info@tulum-photography.com or call us on +52 9981 354 254.
