Congratulations on your engagement happy couple! With all of the planning required for the big day, preparing for an engagement session on top of it may seem a little overwhelming. Not to worry, I’m here for you! I’ve included lots of tips and recommendations to help you prepare for a successful engagement shoot. And if you’re still on the fence about even having one…keep reading. Hopefully the information here will help make the decision a little easier!

First of all, Who needs an engagement session?

Every engaged couple should really consider having an engagement session with their wedding photographer! Even if you have that one friend who loves taking pictures and is wanting to take some for you as a gift… STILL have your wedding photographer do an engagement session! It’s about more than the actual photos; it’s about the invaluable experience as well!

Why is it Necessary?

I truly believe that Engagement Sessions are an important part of the entire wedding photography process.  During the engagement session, you’ll have an opportunity to get to know me and experience how I direct and pose you. I’ll arrive on your wedding day already knowing how you interact with each other and what your best poses are. This session will largely impact the flow of your wedding day and allow us to capture more authentic images! If you have an engagement session done, you will feel like such a pro on your big day because of the great practice you had!  

When and Where?

Once you set your wedding date, a great rule of thumb is to book at least 3-6 months in advance (or more if you have a longer engagement!). The best time of day is about 2 hours before sunset (the actual start time varies by season). It’s so important to be on time to your engagement session because the good light will only last so long!

As you start to plan for your engagement shoot, you will need to start brainstorming about location ideas.  Need some recommendations? Check out my blog - Ten Locations Near Clinton, IA that are Perfect for Photo Sessions!

My absolute favorite is when couples pick a location that is personal or sentimental to them in some way! But as long as the light is right, ANY location can look awesome!

What to Wear?

I totally get that preparing for your engagement session can be a little overwhelming.   It’s always kind of intimidating to have your picture taken (seriously, everyone feels a little awkward at first!) Here are some tips for outfits and accessories that will make the preparations a little easier!

-  Don’t try to match exactly...try to pick outfits and accessories that coordinate instead.  If everyone wore the same exact color at their engagement shoot, it would get pretty boring.

-  Don’t be afraid to express your unique style!  Accessorize and make your outfits your own. Scarves, bold necklaces and fun shoes are always welcomed!

-  You don’t have to wear only solids, patterns are actually fine.... but, graphics are not favorable for portraits.  If you choose to wear a pattern, just make sure it’s low key, not overwhelming and distracting.

-  Don’t forget to empty your pockets! (This is mostly for the guys!) You don’t want to have key chains or phones showing through your pockets.

-  Change it up! I usually suggest that couples select one casual, everyday outfit and one outfit that is dressier. This will add some variety to your images! It’s usually best to start with the dressy one.

-  Most importantly, make sure you’re comfortable in the outfits you choose!

-  Oh, and clean the ring! I love to shoot a few rings shots while you change outfits.

But mostly…

Above all else, just relax! I’m hoping the information in this blog will make it easier to be able to do that. Nobody has to be a pro at this! It should be fun and actually enjoyable… Plan dinner afterwards, make a date out of it and celebrate this exciting time together!