One of the most exciting parts of your engagement, will be your engagement photo session. These sessions are so much fun, a great way to celebrate and capture this current season in life (which moves INCREDIBLY fast) and as a bonus a way for us to get to know each other. When wedding day arrives it will feel like second nature to stand with me, camera in hand, once again.

When our session date arrives, I will walk you through all sorts of prompts and poses to help you feel and look like the beauty you are... but before before that day arrives I do have a few tips on how to best prepare: 

1. SET THE DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION

Engagement sessions can be scheduled anytime before your wedding day. I normally suggest scheduling it at least 3-6 months in advance to avoid stress. As you start to plan for your engagement shoot, you will need to start brainstorming about location ideas. I love when couples suggest a location that is special or sentimental to them in some way! If you can’t think of anywhere specific that you would like to shoot, I can help you decide on a location. We always shoot engagement sessions around sunset to ensure we get that beautiful, flattering light. Engagement sessions typically start about 2 hours before sunset depending on the light and the time of the year. Some locations are best on weekdays, while others are better for weekends so be prepared to adjust your schedule for the ideal circumstances at your desired location.

2. PICK OUT YOUR OUTFITS

When it comes to picking out what to wear here are a few things to consider. First, consider the location. What is the general color palette? Use those colors as inspiration for your outfits! For example, if your photos are in the city by the water, neutrals like ivory, cream, black, and gray will photograph beautifully against the water and surrounding modern buildings. In contrast, if your location is a nature preserve, earth tones like olive green, rust, cream, ivory, and brown will better compliment the natural, earthy background. Second, pick outfits that compliment each other without "matching." You'll want to avoid outfits that are the exact same colors. Instead, focus on matching each other’s formality. For example, if one partner is wearing an evening gown, the other should be in nice slacks and a button-down shirt. The opposite goes for patterns! Busy patterns could potentially be distracting from you and your fiancè. If one of you is wearing a floral print or plaid pattern, the other should be in a solid color. This will avoid any clashing and ensure that you two are the main attraction. Third, wear something that will age well. In a world of fast fashion, trends come and go like wildfire! Instead of choosing that piece that you've seen all over Instagram, wear something that is timeless and true to your unique taste. You want to feel comfortable in what you are wearing, and be able to look back on and say, "That is so us!" Basically, wear something you would wear on a date night!

WHEN IN DOUBT, NEUTRALS AND EARTH TONES PHOTOGRAPH BEAUTIFULLY EVERY TIME.

3. SCHEDULE HAIR AND MAKEUP APPOINTMENTS

If you are planning on having this done professionally, it is important to get them booked ASAP. This is also a great time to plan your hair and makeup trial with your artists before your wedding day. It gives you the chance to see how your makeup photograph before your big day!

4. HAIRCUTS FOR MEN

Men typically have less to prepare for the engagement session but should still prepare none the less. Specifically making sure they are groomed and clean shaven (if desired) for their session. Some men like the like of fresh haircut while others prefer their hair a few days or a week after the haircut. Additionally, some guys prefer the 3-day stubble look while others want the clean shaven look. Depending on your preference, plan ahead to make sure you get a haircut and shave in relation to the date of the session.

5. GET YOUR NAILS DONE

Having a fresh mani pedi makes such a difference for your engagement photos! It will help you to feel more confident and put together, and allows me to take some beautiful close-ups of that ring! This is another great opportunity to test out the nail color you will wear on your wedding day.

6. CLEAN YOUR RING

Make sure you get that rock cleaned so it’s nice and sparkly for its close-up! This is something that most brides don’t think of doing this before the engagement session, but it really does make a big difference. You can simply give it a quick scrub at home (my favorite way to do this is to soak it in some hot water and Dawn dish soap), or take it to your jeweler for a professional cleaning.

7. PACK A BAG

Here are some things to include in your engagement session bag:

• Additional outfits (if you plan on wearing more than one)

• Comfortable shoes for walking between photo spots

• Makeup for touch-ups

• A bottle of water (for warmer sessions)

• Coat or cover-up (for colder sessions)

• Money for parking fees (if applicable)

8. PICK A FUN POST-SESSION DATE NIGHT SPOT!

You’re already all dressed up and completing your engagement session is a reason to celebrate! Make a reservation at your favorite date night spot, or try somewhere new!

9. BE RESTED

No amount of grooming or editing will hide the dark circles under your eyes, and the overall look of exhaustion. Drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and try not to stress too much. All of these things can translate into your photos, so be mindful of them.