GUIDE TO
PLANNING YOUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Choosing a Day & Time
If you're hoping to use the photos for your save the date, website, or announcement around 6-8 months out from your wedding date is a good time to schedule your engagement photos.
We typically schedule sessions Monday - Thursday as we photograph weddings Friday - Sunday
The session is anywhere between 1 - 2 hours long.
The best time-of-day for lighting depends on location but is typically at sunrise or sunset.
If you choose a location indoors we will likely move the session to late morning to afternoon.
Reach out to schedule your session & I'll provide available dates that would work for your timeline!
Picking a Location
Picking a location that feels like a normal date night or something you would choose to do in your free time is a great idea for multiple reasons. For example, if you two are coffee addicts, met in a coffee shop & spent your first date in a book store, let's do that! Recreating normalcy will create a memory that you can look back on, years from now and think "that was totally us when we were engaged" & you will feel comfortable in your environment.
If you have a certain idea in mind, I can certainly help find the most scenic locations for your story line. If you're mountain lovers, I'll send over location options along The Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you want to rent out a studio and create an ideal photo scenario with just you two & a backdrop, let's make it happen. The possibilities are endless. So, share your ideas and we can brainstorm together on how to make it absolutely amazing.
Choosing What to Wear
1. Be Yourself
Wear something you would normally wear. Don't try to be anything but your best self. You want to look at the images and see you.
2. Allow for Movement
We will do a lot of moving around, so make sure you're comfortable. Wearing something with a little give and movement will allow you to move, cuddles, spin, run, relax & not feel stuffy & stiff.
3. Consider the Location
Thinking about where we are going to be shooting is important in planning what to wear. If we are going to be hanging at the beach, wearing shoes wouldn’t really make sense…especially heels, right?! If we are hiking up a mountain or in an open field, make sure you have shoes you are comfy in & won’t get blisters or twist your ankle. If you really feel more confident in some sort of heel, I totally get it, just make sure it has a solid bulky heels so you aren’t tip toeing the whole time unless we are somewhere inside mostly.
Also, the weather is a factor in choosing your outfit. If it is freezing outside, consider boots with wool socks and layers on layers. Jackets & beanies for accessories can help make you more comfortable. If its going to be super hot outside, consider a tank top and shorts so you aren’t sweating and creating pit stains.
Really just think about how you can be the most comfortable!
4. Colors
Neutral & earthy tones are always a great idea! This doesn’t mean you have to wear just grey or brown, but you can have a neutral version of almost every color. For example mustard yellow, burnt orange, maroon, forest green & navy blue are all softer versions of bold color. Steer away from fluorescent colors like pink, hot pink, neon yellow, bright orange, & red. Those colors can reflect light very easily & become a distraction.
By avoiding wearing those specific colors, you can help keep the focus on you. Of course if you have something with those colors, run it by me! I tend to really like soft white tones & contrasting. So one of you in a lighter tone & the other in a darker tone. Colors are all about what you compliment it with. If you’re still feeling lost, check out some of the color schemes on this guide that might help inspire you!
Check out the link that might help you pick out a color palette!
Color Palette Generator
5. Consider the Season
Just as an example, make sure to dress for the weather! If you're freezing in your photos that may make you feel less comfortable & able to relax. That will make you tense and not able to connect well on camera. A sweater my work best for winter vs a silk dress. And shorts may make more sense for the summer than a long sleeve t-shirt.
6. Patterns
Keep it subtle! Patterns are tricky because they can distract from your emotion & facial expressions, which is our main focus. So, keep the patterns very small & subtle. Flannel is great, I just suggest if one of you is wearing a pattern, the other one of you should not or pairing another really minimal pattern. But, pairing too much pattern can be very noisy & distracting as well. Making sure there is not lines or folds in your clothes from wrinkles always helps patterns can also be super helpful! This is definitely something great to run by me just in case.
7. Compliment each other
You want to coordinate without matching. Think about complimentary colors. If one of you is wearing a pattern the other should wear something simple. You want the outfits to blend well together on camera.
8. Avoid Distractions
Steer clear of distractions.
For example, apple watches, logos, chunky jewelry & bright colors.
9. Accessories
Consider bringing along a hat, a bouquet/flowers, blankets, camping set ups.
Try to keep whatever you bring very natural & not forced. Stay closer to accessories vs cheesy props.
10. Bring Options
Feel free to bring options if you’d like me to help you pick out the best fit that day. Bring about 4 or 5 options for tops and 3 or 4 options for pants/bottoms and then you can bring dresses, jewelry, accessories, hats, jackets & shoes also. If you’d like you can email or text me the options in advance!
Also, if you want to change outfits, I'm definitely up for that! I actually encourage at least one outfit change for variety in your photos.
Hair and Makeup
Wondering if you should get your hair and makeup done by a pro for the session? Honestly, “whatever will make you feel best, do that.” I personally don’t wear a ton of makeup & wouldn’t want to look like a totally different version of myself in the photos, so I totally do not think it is absolutely necessary. But, if you want your hair and makeup done, then definitely do it, because the most important thing is that you feel 1000% confident. If you’re getting hair and makeup done, I recommend you schedule to be done at least an hour before you have to leave for the shoot so you aren’t late.
Recommendations:
What to Bring
Extra Shoes
In case we are doing a lot of walking bring a change of shoes
so you don't get uncomfortable.
Touch up Kit
Extra lip gloss, gum, makeup, hair brushes, floss.
Any of the things that help you feel your best.
Adult Beverages
If wine, beer or liquor helps you relax, bring it along!
I have nothing against that and encourage you to do anything that helps you have fun.
If you’d like to do a champagne pop, bring two bottle in case the first one doesn’t bubble a lot or bubbles too much!
Mindset
I recommend treating the entire day like a date day. Take the day off of work. Go to dinner before or after your session. It gives you plenty of time to get ready & relax so you don't feel rushed before your session.
Remember, we are creating a memory for a lifetime, so have fun with it & make the day one that you'll never want to forget!
Weather
With weather, we just have to be flexible. Sometimes the weather can completely shift. If the weather is bearable & we are just dealing with a light rain. I will likely encourage you to push through the session and make the best of it.
If it's going to be a downpour or affect the session time, we can reschedule. I'm very flexible. We'll touch base the day before to take a look at the weather.
What to Expect
The goal for the session is to create a memory that help you relax. We want to have you focused on each other while I tag along and document it.
I have my poses and prompts that will help guide you along the way. If you trust me to lead the way & we will capture some incredible moments to look back on.
