Ola and Michał's wedding session at the Palace

When you wonder where you can have an outdoor wedding, a few, if not a dozen, cool places come to mind. Some of them are more common, and others are absolutely unique and still shrouded in some mystery. They are not as well-known and popular, which makes them even more attractive.

The romantic neo-Gothic estate you will see today is the Patrykozy Palace. You praise other people's, you don't know your own - that's exactly what you can say about this place. When I first saw it on Instagram, I didn't think I would find so much wealth, amazing objects, rooms with fancy decorations like from a fairy tale and lots of magical nooks there.

The Patrykozy Palace is a piece of history, but also a huge force of human determination. The owner of the property put his whole heart into restoring this place and saving it from oblivion. His hard work has been appreciated. In 2017, the palace was awarded the Minister of Culture and National Heritage prize in the "Well-kept Monument" competition.

You will find there beautiful rooms with rich stucco, huge fireplaces, stylish furniture from the Biedermeier era and beautiful, winding staircases. In addition to the property itself, which takes your breath away at every step, you can also use the equally beautiful English-style park with an atmospheric gazebo. There is seriously a place to go wild with photography.

I went there for the first time for a session with Ola and Michał. My laughing, lovely buddies, whom I met while searching for models for a session with alpacas. I was glad that I finally had the opportunity to see this beautiful palace, but what we saw there exceeded our wildest expectations.

The autumn aura added an incredible atmosphere to everything. I will never forget the feeling when after the session we were walking through these interiors bathed in darkness. I felt like I was in a fairy tale from which I did not want to return to the normal world.

And take a look for yourself!

Sunset Engagement Session

I always say that the key to a successful session (any session) is attitude. If you are open, you will have fun, instead of constantly stressing about whether your makeup is perfect, whether your dress fits well and whether you look good in the photos, everything will be much easier and the results of the session will definitely be much better. Just try to enjoy this moment and relax a little. A little sun won't hurt either ;)

I love taking photos at the golden hour, but to be honest, I don't always have the opportunity. When I arranged an engagement session with Dorota and Damian, I knew right away that this time we would hit the sunset perfectly. I took their photos in a large, green area, which is quite flat, so the rays of the setting sun played very beautifully there.

Despite the perfect weather, the biggest rays of joy were my couple. Just look at them! They literally had a lot of smiles on their faces! I had a great time with them, and the time at the session flew by in the blink of an eye (with people like that, you always feel a certain dissatisfaction, you want more and it's hard to say goodbye).

Not only are Dorota and Damian totally lovely people, but they also prepared for the session perfectly. Just look at their styling! Dorota even took care of the wreath for the photos. We talked a lot, laughed a lot and I couldn't wait for their wedding day. I knew it would be a wonderful collaboration and of course it was.

You wouldn't believe how much Damian was attacked by mosquitoes and how many bites he had on his face. He endured it very bravely. I know that the photos made up for all these hardships, and for me this is the greatest reward under the sun.

I invite you to watch Dorota and Damian's engagement session <3

Is it worth doing an engagement photoshoot?

This question comes back like a boomerang on loads of wedding forums. My future brides ask me all the time if it’s worth doing an engagement photoshoot? This is, of course, very individual, you yourself must decide whether you want to devote the time and money and if it’s something valuable to you and your loved ones.

Nowadays taking photos has never been easier – everyone has a camera phone, you pose, take a selfie and it’s done. But does it really show your feelings and emotions? Do those photos tell a story? It’s a simple record of a moment, that will lead to a memory, but without one important thing – emotions that can be captured by a photographer. 

You can take my word for that – you can’t do that alone. I have a photoshoot of myself in a beautiful abandoned glasshouse, that I wanted to see and perhaps use it in my future work. I knew it will be great so I prepared myself and took some photos. I took some clothes, a tripod and I was ready to go. 

While the pics are nice, I think I look good, and the place is impressive - you can easily see that I was only able to do wide cadres, mostly from far away and I had to stand in the middle to keep the focus. There is no way to catch some details, spontaneous gestures or smiles, every moment that builds up the tension, tells a story like a good movie and shows what’s special about you. This is why it's important to have a professional engagement photoshoot if you want to capture real emotions and to click pause on that moment that will pass all too quickly. 

These photos can be used by you in many ways even for a wedding. You can hang them on the walls for the wedding reception, you can do albums or paintings and give them to your parents/grandparents or other relatives. Also they can be used as a presentation or as a wedding invitation. There are many ideas! You just need to use your imagination!

benefits of engagement photoshoot

Two important pros are that you get a chance to get used to being in front of the camera and also are able to become familiar with the wedding photographer. Is it comfortable for you? Do you like the way the photographer works? Do you feel laidback when he or she is around? Sometimes the person that takes the prettiest photos in the world will not be suitable for you because you just don’t like their way of working. This will verify whether you want to work with them or not. 

On your wedding day, you won’t have time to check on your photographer or camera operator – their behavior or temperament or the way they work won’t be noticed by you. Stress and tempo of the day will make you forget they’re even there. On that day, everything happens spontaneously and, as well as you, the photographer/operator will just go with the flow. The day ends very quickly and you don’t even notice when their work is done. 

Things look a little bit different when it comes to outdoor weddings photoshoots. A lot of couples decide to do it that way because “everyone does and so can we” but it turns out that it’s not that easy for you and you can’t completely be yourselves. Sometimes fights breakout during the sessions and the fights affect us all. A photoshoot can become tiring and maybe you won’t like the effects. Why? Because to get beautiful photos you need not only a great background but also your attitude, behavior and photographer’s experience are put to the test. 

Having an earlier photoshoot together will show you whether or not to go with the exterior photoshoot. Is it necessary? Will it be a nice experience for both of you? Is it important for you? Can you put in the effort to make it great? Or maybe the opposite? Remember, don’t do anything that is against your will or imagination!

when is the best time to do the photoshoot?

As you already noticed, this is the engagement photoshoot. If it’s going to be used for wedding purposes it’s best to do it a bit earlier than the wedding. When? That depends on many things such as what time of the year will you pick to do the photoshoot? Do you want to do it far from your city and your photographer’s? And how long will you wait for the photos from the photographer?

I had the chance to do the shoots a month or two before the wedding as well as over a year before the wedding. There is no rule. Apart from that, I did some shoots for couples a long time after the wedding. Engagement photos are very popular and their job is to show your love. So even those who have been married for some time can still get them done. It’s only an engagement photoshoot by name but its effects are multidimensional :)

what time of the year is the best?

When it comes to photoshoots outside, I recommend 2 hours before the sunset. There is time to get to know each other, chat and get comfortable in a totally new situation for you. The best light is always at the sunrise or the sunset. Sometimes I have to work when there is no sun – then I set an hour of the photoshoot individually, depending on the place and time of the year. Even those taken in the middle of the night can be beautiful!

how much time do we have for the shoot?

Usually a photoshoot with me lasts about two hours. Of course a big factor this depends on is if we take photos in a single location or multiple. If you’re dreaming about a shoot somewhere in the mountains where you have to walk first – not a problem! The two hours of my service is only for the photoshoot, so when it comes to the journey to the location of the shoot, that’s a whole different story. I never stand with a watch in my hands.

From mine experience I know that choosing more than two locations can be too tiring. I recommend you to choose one or two places so that everyone is happy with their work. You need to be relaxed, happy, smiling without any pressure of changing the location. If you really want to take photos in a few different locations – of course I can do that. Considering the conditions – I set the price individually, that also includes photoshoots abroad.

what we should take for the shoot?

Take some snacks and something to drink. A pair of comfy shoes is recommended. You could probably also use some make-up accessories in case it needs fixing. For outdoor shoots, all kinds of bug, mosquito and tick repellents are a must (I always take some!).

If you’re planning to change your outfits during the shoot – then, of course, you also have to remember to bring them. A large bag can definitely be useful for all of those things. Sometimes, you may even want to take another person to help you carry all those things like a friend/sister/brother if that person is okay with some manual labour and understands the rule of not commenting on everything around or interfering with the photographer's work. :)

Wet wipes and regular tissues can be useful - for example, if/when your shoes get dirty. If you require  some accessories then be sure to pack them. I always say that you and your emotions are the most important thing during the shoot. If you want to take something more, please remember that sometimes - less is more. I will surely take some photos and use some of them but they won’t be necessary for every photo. In case of unsure weather, you will need a jacket or a jumper. Most importantly,  remember to bring a good mood and everything should go smoothly :)

When it comes to clothes, take some that don’t wrinkle easily. If you choose a place where you have to take a long walk to get there you don’t want to carry a lot of stuff. Try to choose two outfits max. Also try to choose something without patterns, as they tend to look better in photos. Your outfits need to look good together so remember to choose one color palette as your partner or the same pattern. Clothes must look good together. If you need any help - please tell me about it. Try to avoid the brother and sister effect. You also have to consider sitting or getting wet somewhere. Don’t take clothes that you are afraid to rip or that are too important for you to get dirty. 

What if the weather isn’t good?

In my opinion you can do a photoshoot any time of the year and in all conditions . You can find thousands of photos on the internet where the couple strikes their poses in strong wind, heavy rain or even snow. Those photos are also beautiful and can be very moving. 

If you’re not sure about those kinds of photos – there are ways to do it differently. You can always look for a barn, alcove or glasshouse. Maybe even an abandoned factory? I saw some amazing pictures of my friends taken under a bridge. 

You can also take photos in a cool cafe, bakery or a restaurant. It can also be a hotel, flat/apartment rented for one day or your own house! Or perhaps you consider a castle or manor house? Used book seller’s or a library? A cinema or theatre? There are so many options! Take your time, be creative and consider all places you use in everyday life.

what if we don’t have any ideas for the shoot?

Most couples I’ve worked with don’t have any special ideas for their photoshoots. They don’t know where they want it or what they’d like the theme to be. A question I always ask is if you want to connect it to your interests, passions, work or a wedding theme? Maybe you have an important place like where you got engaged or where you had your first date?

Would you like a photoshoot inside or outside the city? Maybe in a rented flat or your own home? Do you think about any particular season?

And so, I’m able to build the vision of the photoshoot. When we establish how the scene should look, I start to search for suitable locations, then we will discuss your outfit options and we can really start getting to work! Sometimes, I share my personal photo dreams which some couples love, then working together we expand on those ideas to build something personal to them.

themes for the shoot

Look to everything for inspiration. As mentioned before, it can be related to your hobby, your work or your wedding. Do you love to travel and that will be the theme of your wedding? You can use details such as maps, globes or guides to places where you were or where you want to go together. Check out how we used that idea with Paulina and Filip during their photoshoot. 

Are you planning a bohemian or rustic wedding? An engagement photoshoot surrounded by nature in a park is a great idea. Add a flowery coronet, a flowy dress, a shirt and suspenders for the groom, choose an hour close to sunset and there you go, a beautiful story in the mentioned theme.

You can also choose a place like an antique building, a museum, a barn, a forest, a mill or other place that will take you to a magical, fairytale realm.

I prefer to take pictures of couples in nature. Mostly because of the open space and beautiful light. If you too are fans of natural landscapes – you have endless possibilities. Check out how it can look in a normal park that you cross on your way to work or home.

How about a blooming orchard?

If you were to ask me which kind of places are always good for photoshoots, my answer will be  – forests. Some, we I have worked multiple times a year, and you know what? Every time I go there I always find a new spot that amazes me. You can’t even tell from the photos that this is the same forest. 

Are you thinking what you can do to make your photoshoot stand out? You want to make it somewhat different? Check out the pictures above. Choosing strong colors for Paulina and rock’n’roll accessories was just what we needed to make it look special.

If forests and parks don’t interest you, perhaps you can choose a meadow or your own garden if you’d like to feel as comfortable as possible. Maybe you would rather have a shoot somewhere that you can have a picnic and just spend some time together?

If you have a dog, you can always include them as well!  It doesn’t matter what animal it is. I assume, if you know me, how special photos with your beloved animals are to me. I love to see them become part of your story! :)

A lavender field can also be a cool idea for your photoshoot.

If you dream about a photoshoot surrounded by flowers, then I suggest you consider the places with your favourite species. Needless to say, spring and summer are the best time for these types of photos. Visit your local park or a botanical garden and check out the possibilities. There are lots of them! Imagine – a photoshoot in a poppy field or sunflowers, lilacs, magnolias or even in rapeseed field ! Sounds awesome, right?

In the case that you choose to shoot in nature, you can also choose from specific environments such as peatlands, moorland or like my couple here – marshland. However,  it’s better to check out those places before the photoshoot. You don’t have to literally walk in there,  it only needs to serve as a background and the effect will still be perfect. I have to admit that it worked for us! We didn’t find such greens anywhere else. And after getting to the marsh all the mosquitos left us alone. Unfortunately it wasn’t the case in the forest.

ideas for photshoots in autumn

You probably think that only spring and summer are good for a cool engagement photoshoot. Of course we all like warmth but does lack of it really mean that shoot can’t have its own warmth? Imagine shooting near the flames of a bonfire or near some water with autumn foliage in full color. Doesn’t it sound romantic?

My future married couple, Monika and Szymon, love camping, sleeping in tents, travelling and parties near the bonfire and water features. I shared with them one of my dream ideas and right away they loved it - like it was just made for them. Until the day of the photoshoot it was quite sunny, but on the day of the shoot it was raining pretty much all the time. It turned out that this provided some awesome effects on the water surface and they absolutely weren’t bothered by it :)

Another autumn idea was…shoot with alpacas :D The weather also wasn’t nice on that day but we didn’t give up! Colorful autumn leaves brought beauty and warmth to the whole seen. Check it out, autumn photoshoots don’t have to be depressing!

Ola and Michał showed me that a photoshoot in rain can be beautiful. Posing in rain made me think about all the scenes from romantic movies that often make me cry.

engagement photoshoot in the city

Engagement photoshoots in towns or cities can take place at any time of the year or day. A huge benefit to shooting in the city is the endless possibilities. It could be in a narrow, hidden street or next to a building whose architecture you appreciate. Perhaps it can take place in a restaurant or a café. It may come as a surprise, but the owners of these places are generally open to the idea as long as you give them some notice.

Just imagine a city during the evening and the two of you in love, kissing in the city lights. Sounds like a fairytale, right? Yup! Some time ago I did a shoot for Martyna and Michał which we enjoyed very much, with great results!

Sometimes you don’t need a lot to get the depth in the photos. One day during a walk in Warsaw I saw a building made of red bricks. It looked like a school from the XX century. The one where students wear uniforms, everyone is polite and gallant. I decided to use it for our photoshoot with Ewelina and Dawid.

Another idea can be a photoshoot in a pastry shop. Just look at the one of Iza and Tomek! The candy floss machine  made a cool pin-up background :D It’s colorful, sweet and fun – just how I like!

When talking about pin-up type photoshoots – I can’t not say anything about my shoot with Magda and Łukasz. The session truly combined work and play along with some delicious snacks. I don’t know about you, but when I look at those photos I can’t help but think about Pulp Fiction. I’m crazy about Tarantino movies. :D

Apart from cafes and restaurants you can also check if your town has any vantage points. Check out that place at the sunset. The city panorama always looks good.

If you’re not scared of heights, investigate some rooftops. Here are some photos from photographer Ula Sowińska! This is me and my fiancé - Marcin.

If you like to have fun, how about a photoshoot in an amusement park? Iza and Tomek had so much fun there! We all felt like big kids! There were bumper cars, a carousel, table hockey and all the other games you’d expect to find. That was a photoshoot full of laughter and positive energy. This one, I must admit, was like something from Grease.

ideas for winter photoshoots

Shooting in winter also provides many unique opportunities, especially in the city. For example, you can go ice skating, go for a walk in the old town and take advantage of the Christmas lights and decorations, or if you feel a bit chilly then you can head into a cafe and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. You can also take some photos in a library or antique shop. Use the Christmas spirit to bring something special to your photos!

Is the ground covered in snow?  Feeling like little kids again? Put on your jackets, hats and gloves. It’s time for sledges and a snowball war :D  A park nearby can transform into Narnia and you can let yourself go wild for a moment while we capture your return to childhood together.

at your place

If cold weather, snowballs and sledges aren’t for you, you can always take photos inside. Is your flat too small? Check Airbnb or booking.com and choose something more suitable. Maybe it can even be in a different city that you always wanted to visit. It doesn’t matter if it’s your flat or a rented studio – that photoshoot can be just as magical as those done in spring or summer.

engagement photoshoot abroad

Did you always dream about a photoshoot at the seaside or in the mountains? An engagement photoshoot doesn’t have to have anything in common with your interests or your wedding. It also needn’t be a place close to home. Sometimes, it’s better to go somewhere far, far away and take photos in a new or memorable location. As an example you can check out a photoshoot that I made for Alicja and Piotrek in Provence.

to sum up - is it worth to do the engagement photoshoot?

From my point of view, it’s a total YES! It’s a great souvenir for years. As you can see, my and my fiancé also try to make one for ourselves every year. An engagement photoshoot is a celebration of your love. Thanks to this you can remember your beginnings, bring back the feeling of young love or just record your feelings forever. 

Apart from that you can use it at your wedding as gifts for your family and friends. I hope that my photoshoots have inspired you and helped you to realise that engagement photoshoots can be done in any weather conditions and in many different places. ☺

For all of those that made it till the end! Thank you! If you can still find some strength to share your feelings – I will be super grateful!

How to find a perfect photographer for your wedding?

Planning a wedding comes with many difficult choices for every bride. Many people wonder how to find the perfect wedding photographer and where to look for them.

This will be a mini guide for all the couples that don’t know how or where to start their research. This will help you to save time and minimize the risk of disappointment. 

PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER - TELL THEM ABOUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Nowadays, thanks to the internet, it’s easy to find any type of service – including photographers. But how do you find the one that’s right for you? First you must consider what kind of wedding photography you are interested in. What style is most aesthetically pleasing to you?

Are you looking for rather darker photos or something more nostalgic? Or maybe you prefer pastel, warm colors? Maybe you want spontaneous reportage where emotions and dynamic moments are captured? Or perhaps you prefer static poses?

Answering those questions will help you define your needs and who you’re looking for. Every wedding photographer has his own style, which he or she has been perfecting for years. They don’t change it with every session. Don’t be afraid – there are lots of photographers, you will surely find someone who is the right fit for you.

Once you decide what style you’re looking for, there are a few more things you must consider before finding the right photographer. What kind of services do you want? An outdoor photoshoot? Do you want photos of wedding gifts, accessories, shoes etc. as standalone pictures? Do you want the photographer to be there during the preparations?

When you figure out all of these elements – Now it’s time to consider the budget. It doesn’t have to be exact, but set a max price that you don’t want to cross. Although it is possible that, all of a sudden, you will find some more money which can be used to increase your budget. Now, you can start looking for the photographer. 

WHERE TO FIND THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER?

There are a few common ways to find your ideal photographer.  First one – through the grapevine. I’m sure some of your relatives or friends had a wedding in the recent past. Check out their photos, if you like what you see then obtain the photographer’s details and contact them. Ask about their workflow, share with them all your ideas from above, and discuss the price etc. 

Another place where you can find a wedding photographer is Facebook. Most photographers are very active there, regularly posting about their recent shoots. Try the search bar to find groups for wedding photography or make a post and get some recommendations from your friends. 

If you decide to post a question in the group don’t forget to write the date of the wedding, what parts of the wedding you’d like to shoot,  your style preferences and your budget. You can also mention the location of the wedding or wedding reception. This will shorten the time of your search. 

Apart from facebook groups you can also check out Instagram. You can check the hashtag like #photographer, #weddingphotographer, #weddingphotography etc. This way you can quickly view many photographers’ work and see if whose style suits you.

Google, of course, will help you find many resources such as photographers’ websites, blogs and forums.

You can check the ranks of the services, choose the region specific, search nationwide or even look internationally. Most of them offer a possibility to register and post an announcement, not only for the photographers. Most of them are free so it’s the perfect place to look.

Lastly, you have wedding magazines. As you can imagine, you can find inside all things related to weddings and planning them, including photoshoots. 

WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHILE CHECKING THE PORTFOLIO?

To be sure you choose the right photographer, you have to pay attention to a number of things. One of them is the portfolio – look closely at the photos and decide whether the composition and color choices are coherent. Does everything appear bland or does it create a sense of wonder and magic?. 

If every photoshoot is a totally different story, then you can’t be sure what yours will be like. Look closely at the photos from the ceremony or wedding reception. Dark churches are always a challenge. 

Those will be the photos that show the experience of the photographer. The ability to walk between guests on the dancefloor or catching the vows – those are not the moments that you can redo, everything is happening spontaneously. 

If the photographer has a blog there is a chance that you can check more of the photos from weddings or photoshoots than the ones from his website. If not – you can always ask him to show you more.

Now to consider exactly what services they provide and their price. Do they shoot outdoors, are they animal friendly, do they shoot gifts and accessories etc. If it’s not explicitly stated, don’t be afraid to send them a message to find out! Note that often a photographer may not state exact prices on their website as each photoshoot has its own specification.

Now it’s almost time to make a choice! Maybe you’ve whittled it down to one, or you’ve selected a few options. Time to get in touch!

WHAT SHOULD I WRITE IN AN EMAIL?

First and foremost, you must tell them the date of your wedding to make sure they are available. Tell them which parts of the wedding day you’d like photographed, and about any specific items or moments that are important to you. If you still don’t know the price – Now is the time to ask. 

Write a few words about yourselves – what’s your background, how you’ve been together, what would you perfect wedding look like. Believe me – there is nothing worse than an email “how much does the photoshoot cost?”. Photographers are also people, they want to know something about you :) 

Ask about the possibility of seeing more of their work. Ask them to bring a variety of albums to the meeting. In the situation where many photographers work for one company, make sure to find out who is responsible for the photoshoots you liked so that you can arrange a meeting with the person whose work you appreciate the most.

Now there is no point of any further questions. Some of them will disappear after getting the whole offer. If not you can also ask about the additional costs like transport or accommodation and about the reservation requirements. Remember that only sending an email doesn’t necessarily mean that the reservation has been made.. 

The last step is to arrange a meeting. It can be in person or online through skype etc. Now, you can actually see and meet the person that you would like to work with.

MEETING WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHER

This is one of the most important days in your life, you certainly want to feel comfortable in the presence of the photographer. Meeting each other is an important step to see if you connect and share the same vision.

Sometimes, even if the photos are beautiful you just don’t know how to effectively communicate with each other. A photographer's personality has a huge impact on how you look in the photos. Trust us, you can just tell!

Every photographer has a different style. Some people are more expressive and some not. Some have a rather obvious presence and some will be standing quietly at the side, barely noticeable to the guests..

There are photographers that like to create situations and some just catch what’s happening spontaneously. Some are very open and friendly and some will be more reserved and official. 

Thanks to that meeting you can see if this is the person that you’ve been looking for. Do you feel good with each other? Did he make a positive impression and do you want to hire that person?

During the meeting, you will agree to all the business details such as when to pay, when you’ll get your photos, how many hours the photographer will work etc. I will describe those things in a different article.

It may sound silly, but make sure that the person from the meeting is the person that will come to your wedding! It’s that person work you appreciate, and that person you connected with so a last minute change could ruin everything!

PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER - SUMMARY

Now you know how to start looking for the right photographer for you and what to pay attention to. Remember that the most important thing is to clearly identify and describe your expectations and all should go well!