We love engagement sessions for so many reasons. It not only gives you two a chance to get comfortable canoodling in front of a camera, it gives the four of us a chance to get to know each other before the big day. Not to mention that engagement pictures can be used in a TON of ways throughout the wedding!
What should we wear?
This is one of the biggest questions we get asked! You can bring up to 2 outfits to your session, and we recommend that one is dressy and the other casual. Keep in mind that it is important to coordinate but not match identically. For example if one of you is wearing solid blue, the other could wear a pattern with a shade of blue in it. We also recommend not to have too many patterns going on at once. So if one of you is wearing a pattern, the other should be in a solid that complements a color in that pattern. Layers and accessories also look awesome in pictures, so feel free to add jackets, cardis, and a necklace or scarf! But, more than all of this, the most important thing is for you to feel confident and comfortable in what you’re wearing. If you look good, you feel good. And if you feel good it comes through in your pictures!
Can we talk about hair and makeup?
Along the same line of feeling confident, we recommend to our brides that they think about doing their makeup trial on the day of the engagement session. Not only will you look even more fab in your pictures, you will get to see how your makeup photographs. We are also going to be taking tons of pictures of your ring, so you may want to get a mani. (hey, who doesn’t love an excuse to get a mani?!)
How long will the session last?
The session will last about two to two and a half hours, and we want to make sure you guys have a blast! Don’t think of it as a nerve-wracking photo session, but just a romantic afternoon together. Our goals are for you two to have fun, to document you in love, and for you two to simply enjoy being together. If we do all three of those, it’s a success! We will totally give you things to do so that you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and will guide you to look your absolute best. We promise it will be tons of fun!
What's all this crazy talk about the "golden hour"?
One of the most important things involved with the way we shoot is natural light, and because of that we work to schedule sessions and wedding portrait time around the golden hour (the last hour before sunset). Because of this it is super important that you guys arrive to your session on time. Your session is scheduled for the most flattering time of daylight, and we want to make sure we get to use it all!
Where will our session take place?
We are firm believers that your engagement session should be all about you. If you two have a favorite hobby or activity you do together, a favorite place to go, or even the spot you were engaged, we’d love to see it! We want to make your session as personal as possible! On that note, if you don't have any place specific in mind, just let us know. We are here to help with your session planning in every way!
Can we bring props, activities, or pets?
Yes, yes, and yes! We love anything that makes your session more YOU! We can definitely incorporate things that either go with the theme of your wedding day or mean something special to you, and this goes for those furry four-legged family members too!
When in the planning process should we have our session?
If you want to use the images for your save the dates, we’d recommend having your session at around 8-10 months before the wedding. If you’ll be using engagement prints or making a guest book from the images we recommend no later than 3 months before the wedding. That’ll give us time to process the photos, place your orders, and discuss the session before your wedding day. If you aren’t planning on any of these then it is completely up to you!
