Engagement Session - My Top Four Things to Know

It's time to talk about one of my favorite things ever -- the engagement session. If you are reading this and we have just booked the session after signing your wedding photography contract, you should know that my enthusiasm is OFF THE CHARTS! Can you feel that? If it felt like a warm hug  wrapped in a fluffy blanket surrounded by warm brownie smell then yes, that feeling is me thinking about photographing you and your beloved in celebration of your engagement.

Ahem. I'll try not to get carried away.

I absolutely love engagement sessions. Can you tell? You probably don't share my enthusiasm just yet because you probably (understandably) have a lot of questions. Here's some of the most common ones I've gotten and my answers:

1. What should I wear? 

This is the question I get most often and for good reason! You will probably use your engagement session photos as much or more than you even use your wedding photos! Think about it. How many times do you walk into someone's home and see a huge photo of the couple in their fanciest wedding clothes? Probably never. How many times have you seen a framed photo of a couple laughing and having a good time in casual clothes. A lot! Engaged couples use their photos for Save the Dates and wedding websites too. Here's some rules for how to dress:

• You want to be the best version of yourself, so even though we're going for a laid-back look, try to dress it up a bit. 
• Feel free to color coordinate, but DON'T MATCH! We all remember the family portraits of the 90s where everyone wore jeans or khakis and a white button up shirt. Don't do that. Pick a base color like black, gray, white, or blue jean. Then pick a neutral (green, gray, beige, black, etc) and a pop color (something fun and vibrant). If your fella plans to wear a plaid shirt (which is always a good call), choose a solid dress with one of the colors in his shirt.

• Gals, if you need some help feel free to enlist some friends with hair and makeup. OR if you're hiring a makeup artist for your wedding, this would be a good time to get to know them a little better and practice your wedding look. Just tell them to tone it down a bit.

2. Don't worry about posing.

Okay, no seriously. Don't even think about it before the session. You hired a photographer who you, presumably, trust to guide you through creating some great memories. My job is to focus on the connection between the two of you, and I will deliver on that. I know it can be intimidating meeting with someone you barely know and trying to act natural with your fiancé, but really. Do your best to act natural. I will ask all sorts of questions to get you engaged in the session and each other. You might not even know there is a camera around.

3. Be yourself.

This goes with No. 2. The session should be about who you are as individuals and who you are as a couple. If you'd like to incorporate some of your favorite things in the session just let me know. I'm totally game! Pets? Even better!

4. Be adventurous!

We live in such a beautiful place. Let's use it! Do you have a favorite hiking trail, vacation spot, or lake, or mountaintop. Let's go to there (any 30 Rock fans in the house?) and make memories you will never forget.