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The ultimate guide for your engagement session
Are you thinking about your engagement session and feeling a little intimidated?
You feel nervous about the unknowns. It might even be the first time you’ve had a professional photo session. Where to go? What to wear? How to prep? What do I do with my hands while I’m smiling at the camera? Do these questions sound familiar?
A dozen questions running through your mind right now, and I'm here to answer them! I've coached many couples through their engagement session experience, and I'll be sharing the same resources with you!
I can 100% relate to everything you’re feeling because I've been on the other side of the camera many times! The hunt for a perfect outfit. The location decision. Even choosing which season you want.
I've got you friend!
3 REASONS NOT TO SKIP A PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT SESSION
It’s a season of wedding planning craziness. You might feel like the last thing on your mind is to schedule a professional engagement session! Your friend with a camera already grabbed a few shots for you after he proposed. Those will work well enough, right?
- YOU’LL DISCOVER THAT YOUR ENGAGEMENT PICTURES WILL BE PRICELESS TO YOU
Engagement pictures will always bring back vivid memories of how you felt and what your relationship was like at this time in your lives. Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and so is being engaged. It’s a special time of its own that deserves to be documented intentionally.
You'll never regret making the time for this session - but you might regret not.
2. YOU'LL CONNECT WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
This genuine connection will make the wedding day (and your wedding pictures) even MORE amazing!
I'm a huge fan of having your engagement session with the photographer who will be photographing your wedding. I love all of my couples from the very first chat, but the engagement session is where we really leave feeling like friends.
I love when I've been able to spend an entire evening with my couple – getting to know them on a deeper level, hearing more about their lives and their relationship.
This means that I get to learn even better how to create pictures that genuinely reflect you and your unique relationship because we've been able to experience that together.
3. THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION IS A CHANCE FOR YOU TO GET COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA
You’ll learn how it feels to be in front of your photographer’s camera and how they work through posing and bringing out emotion. Your photographer will be able to see how you interact together, what you’re comfortable with, and what your best poses are.
Once you see the engagement pictures, you'll feel even more confident and excited about what the photographer is going to create for your wedding day!
When the wedding day comes, you’ll already feel like pro in front of the camera! You’ll know exactly what to expect and feel comfortable with the poses because you’ve done this all before.
WHEN SHOULD I SCHEDULE MY SESSION?
You’ll want as much time as possible to enjoy your engagement pictures during the actual engagement part of your relationship, so it’s never too early!
I RECOMMEND SCHEDULING YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT LEAST 4-6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY
If you’ve booked your photographer over a year out, you’re in the position to have seasonal options! You can choose between the soft and romantic blossoms of a spring session, the vivid colors and nostalgia of summer, the rich and hearty hues of a fall landscape, or the simple yet magical stillness of a winter session. If you only have a few months between booking your photographer and the wedding, that’s okay! Your photographer will start working with you to schedule your session soon after booking. You’ll want to get your session on their schedule as soon as possible!
It's never too early or too late for your engagement session, but I recommend aiming for at least 4-6 months before your wedding. If you're planning Save the Dates or have a long engagement, then 8-10 months is even better!
CHOOSING A LOCATION
If you’re looking for something a little more unique, think outside of the box a little bit and consider locations that might be a little less well-used.
1. DECIDE WHETHER YOU WANT A LOCAL OR DESTINATION ENGAGEMENT SESSION
There are lots of great places in Birmingham for amazing engagement sessions. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, The Federal Building, or Jemison Park are some of my favorite spots . But, I'm here to help you find the perfect spot with the perfect vibe for your session! If there’s a place that you think would be perfect, do it! This is a super special time in your love story, and you want to do it right. Find the perfect spot, take your photographer along, and enjoy the memories for the rest of your life!
If you’re going for a destination engagement session, talk with your photographer to get started on the location and travel details. Each photographer has a different style when it comes to destination sessions, so it’s the best place to start. It takes a little extra planning, but the memories are priceless. If the wanderlust is strong and you love to travel, this is for you!
2. CHOOSE A STYLE FOR YOU SESSION
CLASSIC
Downtown, public parks, or beaches
GARDEN
Botanical Gardens, flower and tree filled public parks, private estate with extensive grounds
LIFESTYLE
Coffee shops, in-home session, studio session, or favorite activity
3. IS THERE A LOCATION THAT IS SPECIAL TO YOU OR PART OF YOUR LOVE STORY?
Is there a location that would highlight part of your unique story? Bring that into your engagement session!
A favorite place to hangout, the beach where you shared your first kiss, the fountain where he proposed. Think about your favorite special places and whether your preferred style will fit into any of these locations.
BONUS TIP!
As you're considering different options, ask your photographer for recommendations. Many times, they'll have certain locations that work well with their unique style.
My style is elegant, classy, and true to color. I gravitate towards gardens, beautiful architecture, and historic downtowns. While, I can make any location look good I know that those locations make my style pop.
ENGAGEMENT STYLE TIPS
EPIC OUTFIT OPTIONS FOR HER
Outfit #1
A long flowing dress, heels, and dainty jewelry
Outfit #2
Classy cocktail dress, heels
Outfit #3
Casual sweater or top, with white pants and heels or boots
EPIC OUTFIT OPTIONS FOR HIM
Outfit #1
Navy, or dark gray suit, tie or bowtie, dress shoes,
Outfit #2
Blazer, button up, khaki pants, dress shoes or boots
Outfit #3
Casual shirt, jeans, and white sneakers
SOLIDS AND PATTERNS
Your combination of solids and patterns is almost more important than the colors you choose!
Solid colors photograph really well and help bring all the attention to your faces. We’re big fans of sticking with solid colors for at least one of your outfits, but patterns can bring an extra element of fun to your second one!
Don't be afraid to rock a patterned outfit if you have one you love! Our best advice if you choose an outfit with a pattern: if one person wears a pattern, you definitely want the other to be wearing a solid.
IS PROFESSIONAL HAIR AND MAKEUP WORTH THE SPLURGE?
I highly recommend it!
You feel so much more confident in front of the camera when you’ve invested in professional hair and makeup, and that confidence comes out in your pictures!
Schedule your appointment early enough to have plenty of time for getting dressed and driving to the location.
WILL I KNOW HOW TO POSE?
Every photographer is a little different in their style, but most photographers will walk you through all the posing.
For my sessions, I coach you through flattering poses while incorporating emotion and movement into the pose.
Your job is to have fun and enjoy the session, and I'll take care of all the posing details!
I believe that in every session there is a place for both formal smiling-at-the-camera poses and interactive poses that capture movement and emotion. I bring that out in every session!
SUMMARY
The engagement session experience is one you don’t want to miss out on! Not only do you get some incredible pictures from this time in your lives, but you also have a chance to get comfortable with your photographer and the camera.
It’s never too early to do your session, but we recommend schedule it for at least 4-6 months before the wedding.
When it comes to choosing your location, think about the specific style you want for your session. Classic? Garden? or Lifestyle? Narrow down your options based on your style, and ask your photographer for input.
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS TOO DRESSED UP FOR YOUR SESSION.
The ultimate piece of advice for your engagement session: be sure to relax and enjoy the process!
Preparing for an engagement session can be a little stressful as you hunt for the perfect outfits and location, but don’t let that take away the joy.
