Top 10 Tips Guide: Engagement Session

An engagement session is for the couple. A couple’s portrait photography session helps celebrate this very special time. Typically, an engagement session is casual and give us a chance to get to know one another without all the pressure of the wedding day. They usually take about 2 hours and can be a lot of fun! Where we shoot is entirely up to you. Sometimes couples choose locations where he proposed, others a favorite bar or outdoor spot.

Since the engagement session will be your first time in front of my camera, I want to help you feel relaxed and as prepared as possible. As a result, I’ve created this little guide to help you get ready for our time together. It includes answers to my clients’ top 10 most frequently asked questions about their engagement sessions and will hopefully give you an overview of what to expect! I’m always here to help with recommendations or ideas if you need them, too.

Comfort is key during your session

While shopping for a brand new outfit is something fun and exciting my clients love to do for their engagement sessions, I always emphasize how important it is for their outfits to be comfortable. If you do decide to get everything brand new (and really, who can blame you!?), make sure you wear it at least once before your shoot to make sure it fits and feels great. This is especially important for things like shoes, which can cause all kinds of problems if they aren’t broken in properly!

Two outfits better than one

Want to try out a couple looks? Great! I encourage my clients to bring two outfits to their engagement session. Before we begin, I’ll ask you to show me both outfits so I can help plan which one would go best with which backdrops. We’ll pause halfway through the session to give you time to change.

Prepare the day before

Take some time the day before your shoot to get everything together, cleaned, ironed, and steamed! Make sure your accessories are in one place, any wrinkles in your clothing are history, and any stains are removed well before the shoot. I’ll remind you that your session is coming up a few days beforehand, so you’ll have plenty of time and no excuses to be well prepared. Being relaxed before your session is key to beautiful, natural images.

 Don’t skip on the hair and makeup for your engagement session

Ladies, this is a big one! I always tell my clients to think very seriously about having hair and makeup professionally styled for their engagement photos. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for you. Hiring a professional will ensure you look your absolute best on camera.

 Wear complementary outfits

I recommend that my couples wear outfits which complement each other rather than match. What does that mean? Well, try not to wear the exact same colors, but do pick colors that go well together. Match each other’s outfit in terms of formality rather than literal colors and patterns. If one person is wearing a bright, bold pattern, it might be a good idea for the other to wear something a little more toned down and neutral!

 Accessorize

Accessorizing is fun, looks amazing on camera, and highly encouraged. Ladies – go for it! Hats, belts, scarves, necklaces, hair scarves, earrings, rings – bring it on! For the guys, try to avoid technology accessories (I can’t tell you how many times a smart watch has ruined a beautiful image) but don’t be afraid to try some fun socks or fun shoes.

Long and Flowy for Romance

Ladies – if you’re looking for a dreamy, romantic look in your images, I highly suggest choosing an outfit that’s long and flowy. Look for long, romantic dresses or flowy skirts in gauzy fabric that catch the breeze and the light. High heels and delicate, sparkly jewelry add a finishing touch!

 Just be you

Everyone has their own unique style, and it’s OK to choose an outfit that expresses who you are! You don’t have to try to look a certain way or match what your friends did for their engagement session or what you’ve seen on Pinterest. Just be yourself!

 Relax!

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet so many of my clients get worried about whether they need to know how to pose, find the right backdrop, turn into the light a certain way. Well I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again, RELAX! Those things are all my job! All you have to do is show up looking fabulous, and I’ll take care of the rest. Promise!