EnGagement sessions
You’re here because you have booked your engagement session! Things are moving along and getting that much closer to your wedding day! I wanted to put together some tips to make sure your photos are as good as they can be. Below are some tips to help with that. If you need help deciding on an outfit even after reading over this and going through all of our recourses, I can help! I am here to make you look good and if we just shrug a shoulder at what you’re wearing, then I’m not doing my job! I love to work with couples to make sure their photos are great. I tried to simplify everything as much as possible but if any questions come up, just ask!
Generally, we will start about 2 hours before sunset. The lighting is always best around this time! The first half an hour or so it designated to some warm up shots. We will start with basic shots of just smiling facing the camera and location spotting during this time. It’s best to start with your more casual outfit during this time. At about the one hour marker, once we’ve fallen into a comfortable groove, I’ll have you change outfits. Then we will just hang out and explore our location! I love to give guidance, but mainly just let you two have a great time while I capture your time together!
Outfit IDEAS
Have multiple outfits - Most couples bring two outfits. This gives you the chance to have a casual outfit that best resembles you both as a couple as well as express your personalities. Then have a nice ‘dressy’ outfit for the more formal look.
Coordinate, don’t match - matching is a big mistake when choosing an outfit. This makes a photo look very staged and can lead to an unauthentic feel. Too many patterns can also be a distraction to the eye and can really pull from the emotion in the photo. For example.. If she is wearing a floral dress and he is wearing a plaid shirt.. 1) it is a lot to process when observing and 2) those patterns will clash very poorly.
Coordinate colors to your wedding day - Wedding colors are Navy and wine? Wear a wine colored dress and a navy collared shirt. This isn’t as much of a tip as it is a cool idea! Something intentional and thought out can add to the authenticity of a photo.
Make sure your formal attire is equally planned.. If the bride is wearing a formal dress and hair is all done up but the groom is wearing a polo and ball cap, it will clash! Be equally as formal, no matter what you’re wearing.
Get sporty! If you both have a sports team of common interest, bring jerseys, baseballs, footballs, memorabilia of any kind!
Accessories are a must! Don’t go overboard but have fun! Earrings, necklaces, watches, belts; if it emphasizes your personality, rep it!
Wear clothes that help your look.. What do I mean by this? Certain colors will make you look pale, and other will make you look more tan.. Wear something that makes you feel confident! If you feel uncomfortable in tight fitted clothes, loose fitting is the way to go. This way you won’t obviously be uncomfortable in your photos!
Have pets? Bring them! We love and encourage including your fur babies. If you decide to bring a pet. Make sure you bring treats, a leash, and a handler, someone who works well with them. That way we can focus on just you two and we will have someone to watch them.
Don’t be ashamed to use Pinterest! (I mean who doesn’t go on and just scroll for hours?) Pinterest is a great tool for inspiration and can really help!
LOCATION TIPS
The biggest question I receive from couples looking for engagement photos is WHERE? the only real answer to this is… ANYWHERE! Engagement photos should reflect the couple and should really capture who you both are as individuals and as a couple. Below is a list of locations to choose from! Each is a location that will be different per couple, so give it some thought!
At your proposal site. Make it special by recreating or celebrating where you said yes!
A location you both frequent. Maybe your favorite coffee shop, a lake, or park that you both love?
Where you had your first date. First date locations can hold a lot of memories!
Holiday time? If you met or got engaged around Christmas time for example, let’s shoot an engagement session somewhere that is decorated! Adding all those lights in will create amazing additions to your pictures as well!
If you’re still having trouble coming up with location ideas after reading through this list, let’s talk! There’s a ton of really pretty locations that I frequent around northeast Ohio! Feel free to send me a message so we can chat and discuss the best possible location!