When you are engaged, it is the time to celebrate and formally announce the occasion to friends and family. Beautifully styled, timeless photos will be heirlooms for you and your spouse-to-be. Engagement photos can be used in number of ways from save-the-date cards to guest books. There are a number of things to consider from style, location to aesthetics.
Be Inspired and Be Yourself
Living in the digital age of wedding planning, there is no lack of inspiration at your fingertips. From gowns to flowers, it is easy to get swept away by the latest trend. Your engagement session should reflect your individual personality. We recommend being inspired by what is trending if and only if it appeals to your personal style. Don’t be afraid of being daring or bold. And by all means, don’t be afraid of being yourself.
Communicate Your Vision and Ideas
Share your ideas with your photographer and tap their brain for location ideas and what might bring your vision to life. You could incorporate a shared hobby or your engagement story like where or how you met. Or maybe you both really love Central Park in the fall or Paris in the spring. You don’t necessarily have to have props, a theme, or travel to a destination (unless you really want to), but a shared style or aesthetic gives your photographer a direction on what appeals to you both.
Location, location, location: we like to select a location that has a variety of backdrops, so to speak within walking distance and has meaning to the couple. For our “mini sessions” and one hour sessions, one outfit and one location are included. If you want more than one location or look, it is best to plan for at least two hour engagement session as you will need time to relocate and change clothes. Additionally, we will need to be mindful of where you can change clothes in between locations. We can help you strategize this part in advance so we can maximize photo time.
Get some sleep! Be sure to get plenty of rest the day before your engagement session.
Makeup/Styling: Consider hiring a stylist to do your hair and makeup for the engagement session. A professional stylist will know how to apply makeup/product, etc. that will last a good amount of time in photos. You could even have a wardrobe stylist select different looks and accessories for you.
Wardrobe:
Depending on the session you have booked, you may be able to achieve a couple of different looks. Whatever you do, be sure that you don’t wear distracting patterns or anything that will clash with your fiancé/fiancée.’ Solid colors including neutrals can work well with a pop of color. Consider booking a wardrobe stylist that can help select and accessorize your looks. Or if you have your styling under control, plan to have your accessories organized with the outfit in a ziplock or cosmetic bag on the hangers for each look.
Pack light: Try to bring as few items as possible so we can be mobile as possible throughout the shoot.
Feel Good & Be Yourself.
Don’t think of it as a ‘photo session’. We are there to document our couple’s love and personality. There will be some direction and we will guide you through some poses. But the rest is very relaxed and organic as if you are on a date.
