Engagement Session Tips!

when to book

    Engagement sessions are generally done on weekdays Monday - Thursday. Ideally, this shoot will take place at sunrise or at about 1.5 hours before sunset. The light at these times is just fantastic, and it lends itself to great pictures. The date of your engagement shoot will depend on if you have any wedding deadlines (Save the Dates/Guestbook/Engagement Album) and what you want your images to look like. 

    Save the Dates are usually sent about 4 months before the wedding given that editing an engagement session takes about 2 weeks, it’s probably best to schedule at least 5 months in advanced. If you’re ordering an Engagement Album or Guestbook and not using images for a Save the Date, I would recommend scheduling at least 2 months in advanced. That will allow two weeks for edit, two for design, and two for the lab to complete the order and ship it to me.

    An engagement session is one of the first chances that we have to get to know each other. So, let's take the time to make it all about you. Working around any wedding deadlines, take the time to think about what you would like in your pictures. Would you like the autumn colors? A bundled shoot in the snow? The spring flowers? Where did the two of you meet? Do you always go a particular coffee shop? These are all things will make your engagement shoot something that no one else could ever have. Be inspired by your careers, hobbies, and passions. It’s unique to the two of you. Each location also has its own colors and style that will make your engagement shoot your own.

Location

    The location you choose should be entirely personal. I can shoot pretty much everywhere, and I love getting creative with elements that aren’t cliché. I am very often inspired by my environment. Get together and brainstorm about what inspires you in a  location. If you are a more modern couple, you might want to explore a city area. You might like the geometry everywhere and the fantastic architecture. If you’re someone who’s more into art, the local art scene might have the pops of color that you’re looking for. Think about the potential colors and styles of each location and how you can compliment them with your outfits. Our shoot doesn’t have to be deep and conceptual, but it definitely shows if you love where we are.

What to wear

    Just like the location, your outfit should be a reflection of you. I’m pretty flexible with whatever you’d like to wear, but as a recommendation, no more than two outfits will maximize our session time. Of course, this is your shoot, and if you’d like to bring more, that’s up to you, but It may have an impact on shooting time. During the session, plan on carrying the bare minimum. If you can, leave purses, bags, cell phones, ect in the car, or I can carry them for you. Primary colors are pretty important for visuals. A touch of red, yellow, or blue can help anything to stand out from the background. A red bowtie, a pair of yellow shoes, or a blue hat can transform an outfit. Bring a pair of comfortable shoes because we will most likely be doing a bit of walking! Accessories are always a great addition to an outfit. Adding a hat, necklace, or a bright belt can help the outfit look a little more stylish. Even a pop of color from freshly painted nails can be the icing on the cake.

    Finally, confidence is key. So, some scheduled make up trials before the shoot could help you feel a little more ready to be photographed. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!