how to Enjoy
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The engagement session is one of my favorite parts of our time together because it gives you both a chance to be in front of my camera before you get married, which is going to make your wedding day experience feel so smooth, seamless and comfortable.
About Your Engagement Session
everything you need to know
Adventure
Attire
The Moment
Sometimes the best location is your daily Saturday stroll, your back yard, or the neighborhood you met in. Photos become more meaningful when the background reflects a part of your story or something you love. A first date location, a go-to local spot or just your favorite activity (like tennis), can be a great way to show not just you two as a couple but a chapter in your story at the same time.
Engagement sessions are a great excuse to take an adventure. Road tripping to a nearby family home, nearby town, or special places is a way to find a backdrop that is inspiring and meaningful to you. If the location has meaning, it gives even more meaning to the story these photos tell both for your wedding and beyond into marriage. I've had clients take mini-getaways around their destination engagement session so don't be afraid to make your session location a memory of itself.
Keep in mind crowds and privacy when picking a location. There are ways to avoid a crowd, such as a sunrise session, but there are some locations that lend themselves to being more comfortable with PDA. You know yourself best!
Choosing Your Location
I'm here to help you think through options or I highly recommend hiring a stylist to help plan your outfits. While it is a great excuse to dress up or buy that outfit you've had saved, the best thing to wear is whatever you feel confident and comfortable in. For ladies, solids or simple patterns are best as bold patterns can distract from you and your location. I encourage partners to dress accordingly to your fiance making sure that colors not only compliment but your dress level is appropriately matched as well. You don't want one person in jeans and the other dressed to the nines. If your partner chooses a pastel blue and pink, plaid shirt, then you could wear a soft blue dress, for example. Or you might select outfits in the same color family, such as autumnal hues or jewel tones.
Many couples choose two outfits for their session: a formal outfit and a casual outfit. We recommend saving your favorite outfit for the second half of the session when couples typically feel more relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera.
Remember to take your location and season into consideration when choosing your ensembles, and don’t forget to weave in some favorite accessories! Statement necklaces, striking shoes, and classic watches add interest and detail to your photos. As always, you look best in what you feel best in.
What to wear
Get Inspired by our Pinterest Board
Large patterns photograph beautifully, but be careful with small patterns – they might make your photo look a little too busy. Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors. We love bright, neon dresses, but we don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion.
Heels lengthen legs, but if your heels aren’t comfortable for walking, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into between shots.
Sunglasses and hats add an element of fun to any bridal look. Statement jewelry adds color or and texture to a simple dress – think tassel earrings or a bold necklace.
For the ladies...
Flexitarian pug wolf VHS. Pitchfork bicycle rights synth flexitarian try-hard. Banjo flexitarian raw denim wolf. Skateboard locavore scenester. Forage beard banjo ethical, Etsy before they sold out tattooed High Life. Cardigan locavore paleo, gastropub pickled ennui quinoa 3 wolf moon selvage. Food truck Neutra aesthetic Godard, Portland fap whatever 8-bit squid American Apparel. Blog Shoreditch 3 wolf moon ugh craft beer.
"We are just blown away by your artistry & attention to detail."
Heather & John
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Professionally done hair and makeup tend to last longer and hold up better against the elements – think humidity, wind, and tears. It’s so important that you look and feel your best for your engagement photos. Hello, perfect opportunity for your wedding hair and makeup trial! Bonus: You can see how your hair and makeup look on camera and make tweaks for the big day. Win, win.
With close up shots of your accessories and ring are highly likely, so I recommend being mindful of what your nails look like.
TREAT YOURSELF
It's hard to settle into being 'watched' with the person you love, but the more you focus on each other and losing yourself in the moment the more I can capture your unique love. I love to give easy simple directions and allow my couples to get swept away in how they feel for each other. Usually after the first few minutes I can sense couple’s getting comfortable and just being in the moment. This is another reason why location can be so important, private spaces can lend to more intimate beautiful imagery.
That said, even to the most in love pair, putting aside nerves can be a challenge. And yet the solution is often really simple. Talk to each other. Tell each other about your day or recount a funny/charming/romantic moment that you had together. Start with a joke. That is usually all it takes to crack the tension and give you the space to relax and just let the day unfold.
Lose yourself
The best photos are when you
I am a natural light specialist because I believe that natural light, from the sun and its reflections, creates photographs that feel fresh, timeless and true to you as a couple. I begin all engagement sessions two to three hours before the scheduled sunset during “the golden hour,” when the light is the dreamiest. Remember, the sun sets much earlier during the colder months of the year and much later during the warmer months, so make sure to factor that in when choosing your engagement session date, especially if you’re taking time off work or have evening plans afterward.
To get the most out of your session, please plan a buffer when getting ready so you can arrive a few minutes early. We’re only able to shoot when natural light is still in the sky, so we’ll want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down.
CHOOSING A TIME
LIGHT and location
We love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their sessions – our dog holds a special place in our family, too! Here are a few tips to make your shoot with your pet successful:
1. Choose a pet-friendly location.
2. Bring them along for the first half of the session, then have a friend take him home.
3. Exercise them pre-session so they're ready to pose for the camera.
4. Don’t forget a few treats to help get their attention.
5. Consider having them groomed before the shoot.
Pets
Don't forget to plan a dinner date! You’re already going to be all dressed up! Why not take advantage of it? I know the wedding planning process can feel all-consuming, so take some time after the session just for the two of you to relax and have some fun together. You deserve it!
After the session...
