With engagements happening every which way you look, I wanted to take a moment to share with you a few tips for couples planning their engagement session. Last I blogged my thoughts on Why Have An Engagement Session? so I feel like today’s post would be the perfect followup! We absolutely love photographing engagement sessions because it brings the perfect opportunity to get to  know our clients better. By the time your wedding day arrives, you will be comfortable in front of our cameras and know how to work it!

Dress Like A Model

One of the biggest things our couples struggle with is deciding what to wear! Heck, even I struggle with picking out my outfit each morning. The key to a successful engagement session is to plan out your outfits in advance – that way you will have plenty of time to coordinate the perfect ensemble with accessories. Ultimately, you should dress in something that you feel confident and comfortable in. Whether that’s ripped jeans or a summery skirt, you do you!

I like to use the word coordinate when referring to the way a couple should dress. By coordinating your colors, accessories and overall appearance, you can avoid being too match matchy. Keep these tips in mind…

• Professional Hair & Makeup –Having your hair and makeup professionally done before the engagement session will give you that extra boost of confidence you need to look and feel your best. This can be an excellent time for your makeup artist to do a practice run with your wedding hair and makeup. Then you can see what it looks like in photographs and what you need to change for your wedding day.
• Bring A Second Outfit – We always recommend that our couples do at least one outfit change during their engagement session. This will add variety to the portraits and give you more images to use. If you don’t want to completely change, consider adding in and mixing accessories to the outfit.
• Avoid Logos & Trends – Companies come and go so avoid logos to keep your photos looking timeless. Avoid heavy patterns and loud colors that will distract from you. Consider neutral tones and incorporate accessories to add pops of color.
• Go Shopping! – Still can’t figure out what to wear? Buy something new. I don’t know about you, but new clothes always make me feel amazing. Make sure they flatter your body type and don’t cling too tightly.

Location Location Location

We want your engagement session images to be sentimental to you, so be sure to choose a location that has meaning to you as a couple. The location should reflect your love and be a place that you both feel comfortable. Each location will have it’s own quality and style that contributes to the overall feel carried throughout your images. There is no such thing as an ‘ugly’ location, there is beauty everywhere. We love to travel so if there is a place that you absolutely love, it may be the perfect location for your engagement session

Make It Unique

Incorporating something that you both are passionate about will make your engagement session unique to your relationship! Whether it’s hiking, bike riding, cooking, or sailing together, having a general idea of what you would like to do together during your engagement session will make the shoot even more fun!

We want every engagement session to look like it could be in a magazine, so feel free to bring along props too. Suggestions : polaroid cameras, blanket, picnic, etc.

Just Be You!

Don’t hide your vulnerability. Open up to your photographer and show your true dynamic. If you’re goofy and silly, then embrace it! Are you introverted? Experience all the little moments you might consider outakes. We will of course guide you through everything, but you need to meet us halfway and allow us into your intimacy. Just be you!

Forget The “Photo Shoot” Part

You’re not there for us. We are there for you – to document your love. We aren’t hired to just capture pretty photos. We want to capture this exciting time in your life and your truest emotions.

Be On Time

Please be on time! This is very important. We are natural light photographers, so the sun dictates when we can photograph you. Please consider traffic, hair delays and fashion emergencies! An average shoot lasts 1-1.5 hours…if you show up 30 minutes late, the sun does not wait for you, and the session can’t be extended. Lay your outfits out the night before, or even pack them in the car so you can be all ready to go. You don’t want to be flustered from rushing to be on time.

Most importantly, relax and let the shoot naturally unfold, it will be laid back and fun!