How To Prepare For Your Engagement Session

You’re engaged, crushing the plans for your dream wedding, and now is the perfect occasion to celebrate this exciting time with an engagement session. 

Not sure where to begin or how to prepare for your engagement session? Here are a few pointers from the other side of the lens.

Location, Location, Location

This can be the single biggest challenge of the whole planning process – you want these photos to be amazing, you might even use them for your save the dates, so you want to pick a location that really compliments you as a couple.

The best course of action is to pick a romantic location that is meaningful to you as a couple - Perhaps a favorite date-night location, the spot where he proposed or even just a place that you both really like. 

Are you both really into outdoor adventures, your favorite trail might be the best choice.  Prefer tapas and wine to running around the woods, a sophisticated downtown location would work best for you.

The most important thing is to NOT be a tourist.  Avoid landmarks and cliché locations and instead focus on a location that really speaks to who you and your fiancé are as a couple.  Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

What to wear

Some people are natural fashionistas, blessed with this innate ability to look amazing all the time – and then there is the rest of us, where the struggle with what to wear is real.

Whether you’re down with the latest in designer shoe trends or you prefer something a little more casual, here are some universal tips that can help up anyone’s fashion game.

1. Solid colors are your friend. Avoid wearing things with strips or patterns. (simple patterns are usually ok) They don’t often photograph well and can be distracting to the viewer.  Instead, keep the silhouettes clean and colors simple and classic. 

2. Keep the accessories simple and to a minimum. 

■ For the guys, that means simple things like wearing your favorite watch or a simple, seasonal accessory like a scarf or slouchy hat.

■  For the ladies, stick with simple, coordinating pieces, and leave the handbag at home. If you’re planning on wearing jewelry (besides your engagement ring) keep it a simple piece like a necklace or bracelet.

3. Coordinate.  Pair similar items together in a complimentary way using your color palette as your starting point.  Mix and match colors across both your outfits to bring a cohesive feeling to what you both are wearing.

Get Involved!

Get involved with the planning process and include your photographer in on any ideas you have! Some of the best shoots I’ve ever been on have been where the couple is actively involved in the creative process and wants to collaborate on the shoot.

So don’t be afraid to share ideas, ask questions and get your hands dirty – after all, these are your photos.

Don’t Be Afraid To Play

Even with everything I just wrote the most important part of having a successful engagement session is to play. Yes, that’s right – goof off, play. Laugh, be silly, eat ice cream, and bring your playful A-game.

Engagement sessions are meant to be fun!  Most people haven’t had their photograph taken professionally since high school, so your engagement session is a fantastic opportunity to get to work with your photographer before your wedding day when there is zero pressure. So, don’t be afraid to laugh, tell each other silly jokes and enjoy the experience  - after all, these are just photographs with the person you love!