Engagement sessions! How exciting! You, your partner, me, a camera, and a gooood time. Engagement sessions are a blast. And, they’re important! Here’s why:
- The time that you’re engaged is a beautiful season, but it’s also temporary! You’ll want photos to document and remember this time.
- You’ve gotta start getting comfy being the center of attention! On your wedding day, all eyes (and cameras) will be on you!
- If I’m photographing your engagement session AND your wedding, this gives you a chance to get comfortable with me, my direction, my style, etc. That way we can vibe even better the day of your wedding!
Who Are You?
Before you start planning anything for your engagement session, you need ask yourselves who you are. Here are some questions to get you started:
- Do you want your photos to be full of lots of candid laughs, or are you aiming for a more intimate vibe?
- Are formal clothes your thing, or do you prefer more casual looks?
- What kind of scenery do you like? Beach, nature-y, lake, desert, urban?
- What types of activities do you two like to do together? How can we incorporate those hobbies/interests into your session?
Engagement Session Activities
“There’s so much room for activities!”
If you don’t get that reference, I need you to stop reading and go watch Step Brothers right now.
In all seriousness though, engagement sessions are a GREAT chance to show off your partner’s and your personalities! If you’re a beer drinker, bring some beers! Want to munch on some cake? Bring a cake (and three forks plz). Have a dog? BRING YOUR DOG.
Kelsey and Clarence (below) went out to pho for their first date. So, we ended their engagement session with pho!
What to Wear
I would argue that the single most difficult part about preparing for a photo session is this: choosing your outfits. I mean, it’s DAUNTING. I have a hard enough time trying to pick out outfits each morning, y’know?
But, if you’re here & feeling a lil overwhelmed, don’t sweat. I’m here to lay out all the best guidelines to ensure that you and your partner can show up to your session feeling HOT and confident and ready to rock it in front of my camera.
1.) Bring Options to Your Session
3-4 bottoms, 4-5 tops, and then a few dresses/jumpsuits/rompers (if that’s applicable), accessories, jackets, pairs of shoes is usually good!
Another idea: send your photographer pics of your outfit options beforehand, that way they can give you some feedback ahead of time!
2.) Fit the Environment
Would you normally wear a parka and boots to the beach? Or shorts and a t-shirt in the snow? Probably not. The same goes for your engagement session. You want your outfits to make sense for the environment you’re shooting in!
3.) Comfort
Comfort is key. Because when you feel comfy, you feel and LOOK confident. I’m not saying you should wear your mustard-stained sweats and hole-y old college t-shirt to your session. I’m just saying that you don’t wanna be constantly pulling down on your mini skirt to hide your butt.
You want to wear something that’s somewhat “normal” for you. Preferably a 6 – 10 on the comfort scale. And definitely clothes that are easy to move around in.