I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that I’m sure February will zip on by, leading us into MARCH- Yay for Spring! 😉 This means that most of you 2016 brides will be having your engagement sessions done here very soon! Seriously, where does the time go? Wedding season is upon us! Can I get an AMEN?! Hehe- sorry ya’ll, wedding season makes me giddy 🙂

With engagement sessions coming up very soon, I wanted to post another educational post to help all of you brides (and grooms!) out there to know what you can expect from your engagement session, as well as some pointers on what to wear (bc we all know that is a common question!) But first, I want to start with some other generic topics before we dive into that.

Why an Engagement Session?

This is one question I actually blogged about in an earlier post, but I feel it’s important so I will explain it again 😉 Engagement sessions are so important, which is why I offer one complimentary in all of my wedding packages. Sometimes I will have a couple who doesn’t want to fool with it, while others may have had their engagement photos already done by someone else prior to booking my services. Regardless, I STILL encourage you to have one! First, it’s FREE. 2nd, the engagement session isn’t just about having pretty pictures to use for your Save the Date cards or for display at your wedding. The engagement session is meant to be like a rehearsal before your big day. This will allow you & your wedding photographer to get better acquainted with each other, allowing the photographer to figure out which poses make you really “click” as a couple (again, no pun intended).  Having an engagement session will also help you be more comfortable in front of the camera, while also being more comfortable working with your photographer as well. The goal is to just relax & have fun! Your photographer will guide you every step of the way, so no need to feel like you have to know what you’re doing-totally not your job! 😉

Where Will the Engagement Session Be Held?

This is usually the first question I will have asked. First, I usually leave it up to my clients if they have a special location in mind. Sometimes couples like to have them taken at a place that is sentimental to them, such as where they had their first date, or where they first met. If you don’t know of a location, I can always make suggestions for you!

When Will the Engagement Session Be Scheduled?

As far as dates go, you can schedule your engagement session at any time during your wedding planning process! Some like to schedule them early so that they can get their Save the Date’s sent out, while others prefer to wait depending on if they want them done during a particular season, or if they prefer to have them done closer to the wedding so that they can really treat it like a rehearsal & have the posing fresh in their minds. Other than the date, I will always schedule the engagement sessions an hour or two before sunset. This is when the lighting is the most flattering, not resulting in harsh shadows or washed out looking images. We refer to this as the “golden light”, which is what most of us try to aim for 😉

When & How Will I Receive My Photos?

I always guarantee that you will have your photos within 3 weeks, however, I tend to be much faster! Photos will be delivered through an online gallery called PASS, where the client can view, share, & download straight from their computer.

What Should We Wear For Our Engagement Session?

This is a common question I get asked, & a very good one! First off, don’t over think it! Most couples will come with 2 outfit changes, one being more casual while the other is more dressy- totally up to you! Also, it isn’t necessary for you & your fiancé to be “matchy matchy”, however, you want to make sure you are dressed in a way that complements each other nicely. Stay away from large, bold patterns, logos/symbols on your clothing. It is best to stick with solids, & wear colors that won’t clash with each other (also, try to wear colors that complement your skin tone!). If you are unsure, then stick with something simple. Say for example the outfit you chose is blue, have your fiancé also wear blue but just in a different shade. If one of you is wearing something that is more busy (like a floral pattern for girls, or a checkered pattern for guys) then have the other person wear something more simple. You don’t want your outfits to be too loud or busy, as it won’t photograph well- sometimes simple is better 😉 Ladies, wear your make up just a little bit heavier for photos & don’t forget to accessorize! Another great tip for the ladies is to have your nails done, & wear layers whether it be a cute cardigan, a scarf, boots, etc. This always makes your photos a little more interesting.  Another tip? Ladies, have your engagement ring cleaned if you feel it needs it. We will be taking some up close shots of that beautiful rock! 😉

Should I Bring Anything To the Engagement Session?

Most importantly, just bring a relaxed, fun, & positive attitude! If you wish to bring props with you, sometimes those can be incorporated to create some really cute shots! I have had couples bring signs, banners with their wedding date on them, & some have even brought their dog- lol! Be creative!

Thank you for stopping by, & I hope you found this post useful as you start preparing for your engagement session this year! Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions!