your engagement session
While entirely optional, your engagement session can be incredibly helpful in practicing your posing, learning how to work with a professional photographer, building your trust in your wedding team early on, as well as simply receiving gorgeous photographs for your wedding. You can use these photographs for your save-the-dates, invites, website registries, guest books, wall artwork, holiday cards, and of course you can plaster them all over your Instagram and Facebook.
The engagement session is FUN!
99.99% of couples I have ever worked with (and I’ve worked with many) have said that they are uncomfortable in front of the camera and they will need help posing, etc. And you know what? I’ve got you! I don’t expect you to know how to pose, but that’s also why these portrait sessions aren’t really about posing. They’re about having fun with each other. And we’ll certainly be laughing the entire time. That’s what it’s all about.
So, you might be wondering when to schedule your engagement session.
Typically, I recommend about 6 months prior to your wedding day, but it really also depends on the style of images you are wanting. Are you wanting those cozy fall vibes wearing sweaters and scarves, or are you wanting that gorgeous, lightweight dress flowing in the summer breeze? Or maybe you’re wanting a snowy adventure surrounded by snow-covered trees. Whatever your decision is there will determine the time of year best-suited for your engagement session.
Regarding the time of day, it’s totally determined by the time of year and the location. Some locations photograph better mid-day, others in the morning, and others during the typical golden hour in the evening. Most often, the engagement sessions will be in the late afternoon or early evening. Either way, I will help you navigate all of this. After 10 years as a full-time photographer, I know the best locations and I can help you achieve what you are looking for with your engagement portrait session.
Your engagement session: what to wear
Most importantly, it’s impossible to overdress. Always come erroring on the side of being too dressy rather than too casual. Here are a few basic pointers to help you in the right direction:
- Pick one outfit. With your engagement session, you are limited to a time duration. And the second outfit that you have in mind isn’t your favorite. You will always have that one favorite outfit. Choose that one. And maximize the time you have during your engagement session with that one outfit. Otherwise, you will spend a duration of that time changing. It’s honestly just not worth it doing more than one outfit for your engagement session.
- Don’t try to go all matchy-matchy. Go for complimentary outfits instead. Similar vibes. Similar colors. Complimentary is the key word here.
- Stay away from bold patterns and graphics.
- Avoid items of clothing with big logos. If you can, stay away from logos altogether.
- Ladies, for your outfits – Pastel colors are great. Soft, warm, romantic tones. And if you want to really make a bold statement, go for a really bold red or popping yellow. Those two colors really stand out – especially if you are trying to becomce Insta-famous.
- Accessories are an amazing touch. The quality is in the details. Don’t go for bold accessories, but go for accessories that add that extra bit of class and personality.
- Empty your pockets. Don’t have anything on you during your session. You don’t want to look back on photographs for the rest of your life when you have your keys, cell phone or wallet bulging out.
- Iron or steam your clothes to eliminate all wrinkles. That’s even true if it’s a brand new shirt, gentlemen. Those new shirts and pants are creased, and those lines will show up in the photographs. Make sure those outfits are looking sharp and wrinkle-free.
- Clean your ring. Make it sparkle. Many jewelers will do this for free for you.
- Plan for traffic. Even if that day typically doesn’t have traffic, plan for it. Worst case scenario, you will arrive early and be able to relax. Do not plan to arrive right when your session is supposed to start. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the session start time.
- Arrive early. Same note as above, but it’s worth repeating. You will be less stressed and more relaxed so you can simply just enjoy your portrait session.
- Make a date out of it. You are all dressed up, so after your session is done, go grab a romantic dinner. It’s these moments that are truly memorable. Make it a fond one.
When are engagement sessions photographed?
Weekdays. Typically on Mondays. Weekends are reserved for weddings and Sundays are reserved for family time when there isn’t a wedding scheduled. Everything I do is for my family, so that time is cherished. Mondays are typically the perfect evening for engagement sessions since popular locations have fewer tourists and locals visiting them, parking is easier, and traffic is lighter. After 10 years of testing out literally every day of the week, I have found Mondays to be the best days for outdoor engagement sessions for these main reasons.
should i do a bridal or boudoir session?
Boudoir sessions can be that extra special gift for your soon-to-be husband. There are tons of nerves that can definitely lead up to it, and that’s 100% normal. If you decide to go the boudoir route, it definitely works best when paired with a photo album or a few prints. After all, he’s not going to want to share the images on social media! He will just want those to himself, and you might want those to look back on over the years. It’s powerful!
If you’re comfortable with sexy lingerie – rock it! If you’re not comfortable with those negligee’s, go for whatever you are comfortable with! Maybe some daisy-dukes ripped jean shorts, or some cute, playful underwear and his favorite sports team jersey or his button-down work shirt. Play it up and have fun with it!
If you are wanting to do a boudoir session, I recommend having that scheduled for roughly 2-3 months prior to your wedding day. That way, you are giving your photographer ample time to edit the photographs, deliver your gallery, and for the artwork/album to get to you in time prior to your wedding day. That way, you can give it to him as a special surprise as a wedding gift that he will truly cherish forever.
