How to prepare for the engagement session.
Consider the look, style & vibe you are going for when deciding what to wear to your engagement session. I recommend doing 2 different outfits and I always have a pop-up changing tent in my trunk! This is basically like having two different photoshoots, especially if we shoot at 2 different locations. Which most of my wedding clients prefer & I love that!
What to wear: You want to choose outfits that showcase who you & your fiancé’ are. If you are both very casual that’s okay. We can make jeans look a little dressy with the right top! But by all means, if this is your chance to fancy it up & you want to, I’m so down for it! Dress your best but most importantly, make sure you feel comfortable in the outfits you choose.
Style & Vibes: What style best represents you as a couple? Do you both enjoy wearing jeans & a t-shirt, awesome throw on a cardigan or tie a flannel around your waist. I LOVE TEXTURE! Anything you can add to help create extra dimension and texture will make your photos stand out. Are you going for a formal look for your session? I love it, suit & tie and a little white dress? It gives me Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes!! Now, as for vibes I want to get the wheels turning in your head about how you picture your engagement session feeling, like in the actual moment.. Do you want romantic kissy-touchy-feely vibes? Cuddling in a field, playing with your fur baby, kissing under a waterfall, jumping into the water? Your outfit needs to match the vibe you are aiming to portray in your images. So if you have more than one vibe, do more than one outfit.
Colors: Start with a neutral base and build from there. Neutrals tones are typically more flattering and cohesive than bright colors with skin tones. Please, please DO NOT MATCH. Avoid wearing the same exact outfit as your fiancé. Instead try to coordinate or mix and match colors!
Location and walking distance: If we are shooting at the waterfall you will need to bring a pair of shoes or sandals to walk around in. Same goes for nature preserves and downtown sessions. There may be an extensive amount of walking, stairs and even hill climbing during your session. Be sure to bring a pair of comfy shoes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet!
Consider the weather: I always have an umbrella in my trunk, just in case! If it’s going to be chilly you will want to bring a cute coat if we are shooting during late fall or winter
Engagement session preparation tips:
Pack a bag for the day of, make sure everything is ready the night before your session. Pack some water, snacks, treats for your dog, brush / comb, hair spray / gel, makeup for touch ups, towels, and gum or breath mints (you’ll thank me later!), extra shoes, back-up outfit.
Avoid heavy foods on the day of. No one feels pretty after eating a big meal because our bellies normally bloat. So keep it light, pack a snack and make lunch or dinner plans after your session.
Consider your nails, you want them to represent you, but at the same time look good for that ring bling shot, ya know? So simple color or manicure, nothing to flashy unless that’s just you! As for your fiancé, ask him to make sure his nails are nice and clean for the session as well.
Clean your ring. Yep, I said it girl! We want that ring to shine bright during your session! I always do a shot of the ring solo, but I’ll also get shots of it on your actual hand.
Avoid getting a new hairstyle the week before your session, just in case. So no extreme makeovers please! Normal / routine hair cuts, highlights, or color should be perfectly fine.
If you find yourself seeking further advice on how to prepare for your engagement session please reach out to me directly. I love chatting & planning with each one of my clients all the fun things we will be doing during the session!
With most of my wedding clients our relationship is that we have met in person and have a decent feel for each others personalities, but haven’t actually worked together just yet. So here is a little information about how I shoot and what you can expect during your engagement session!
Yes, I have professional camera bodies & my lenses of choice gives such dreamy results. However that doesn't mean the camera does all the work. Since 2019, to this date, I have photographed almost 50 weddings & hundreds of other sessions! I have learned how to use the gear to create a specific result to represent my clients in a way that I love! I have a vision behind all of the poses, prompts & fun things we do during your session. It’s my intention to create a feeling of emotion through your photos, not just have you stand in one spot doing one thing and not moving.
So with that said, while we are shooting your engagement session please do the following & you will love the end result of your session. I will also prompt & guide you every step of the way throughout your session. Here are a few things you can do when I put you in a pose.
move, a lot Actually don’t stop moving, the more movement the more opportunity for me to snap a different shot. Which end results with you getting more photos! ;)
Laugh, smile & just talk to one another this really helps when you are the more camera shy couple. If you can find something to joke about during the session do it. Just remember, the more you converse during the session, the more comfortable you will feel. Pick on each other if that’s your thing. I will probably be making fun of myself during the session to get a laugh from you both!
Kiss anywhere you could kiss literally everywhere, nose, forehead, hands, shoulder, cheeks, ears, chest! Kiss, kiss, kiss!!!!
Play with your hair when kissing, walking, sitting whatever it is you’re doing remember your hair is there and that helps with texture
Flirt & be cute to get your fiancé to have a natural smile! Us women are usually more comfortable in front of the camera, but men are the opposite. I can’t tell you how many times I used to photograph couples and the guy has no idea what to do the entire time. So it really helps when you get a little flirty!
Run fingers through his / her hair don’t be afraid to grab the back of your fiancé’s head, run your fingers through his hair or hold onto his bicep. These are all things I will ask you to do in multiple poses.
Sway, dance or dip your choice, or we can do them all!
Run & jump piggy back I actually love this one & a lot of my clients do too because it creates a moment of laughter as you are going in for the jump up there.
Scoop up kiss & pop a leg up IKYK ;) That romantic Notebook worthy kiss pose? Yep, we’re doing it! Your man will either scoop you behind the back or under the bum & then go in for some smiles, laughter & kisses! Oh & don’t forget that leg pop girl!
Smile kiss if you hear me say this, we will end up laughing together while you’re doing it! I want you both the smile with teeth as you’re going into a kiss. After I get the shot, you can kiss.
Peck kiss on the neck I love this because it’s a tickle moment for the girl, especially if your man has a mustache or beard! He will peck kisses on your neck & we can all laugh about how funny it is.
