Complete Engagement Session Guide
SCHEDULING YOUR SESSION
Our engagement sessions are usually about an hour & a half long and are best scheduled on a weekday and ideally in the evening. Weekends tend to be a bit more crowded in popular locations and in general. As far as time, we usually like to shoot for an hour before sunset for best light.
What time of year that’s best for your engagement shoot varies depending on what you want them to be used for. Save the date and pre-invites are usually sent out between 5 and 7 months before the wedding. So If you want the images for that we suggest scheduling the engagement session 4 months or more out.
WHAT TO EXPECT.
Your session will be free and fun, you’ll see. We’ll just walk and discover together. We’re actively guiding you out of the traditional process to hopefully capture you two in natural and meaningful engagements with each other. Pun intended 😉
The sessions are designed to be relaxed so you can be in the moment, this is on purpose. We want to foster an environment were your authenticity can emerge.
Portrait sessions are a great time for us to get comfortable with each other and you guys with our camera. By the end of the session you’ll be able to have a better idea of what to expect come wedding day. These images can be enjoyed and shared with family and friends so everyone’s excited for your big day. 👰🤵♂️
TIPS:
1.Relax. 😎
I find that the best photos usually come when you least expect them, have fun, enjoy each other and let us capture that enjoyment.
Here’s a short list of things not to worry about:
“weather”
“lighting”
“whether I look flattering in “blank area”
“how my hair looks'“
“how my clothes look”
We got all this, relax, focus on each other and be in the moment.
2.Act.
A little known fact about being photographed is it can be very closely linked to acting. Even someone absolutely frightened in front of the camera can actually bypass a lot of this fear by pretending you’re not. Pretend to be someone who’s not afraid of the camera, to go even further, pretend to be someone who’s in love with the camera! Sounds silly right? It works, try it. 🤷🏽♂️😃
3.Personalize.
We want every shoot to really capture who “YOU” guys are, so feel free to bring anything along that really reflect your personalities or are meaningful to you. Location & clothing reflects this idea as well. You guys like coffee? Lets hit up your favorite latte location! You guys love art? Let’s go to a local gallery! As far as what to wear, try to avoid logos and patterns. You should feel super comfortable and your clothing should compliment your physic. Bring as little as possible so we’re as mobile as possible.
4.Embrace.
And finally we just wanted to emphasize how important it is for you to make this session about YOU. This is why it’s so important to embrace the moment. Take deep breaths, observer the environment, look at each other in a different light. Live in this moment and you won’t regret it, we promise it will come out in your images.
Bonus tip:
Try to avoid what Catherine and I like to call “intense debates” LOL right before the shoot. Your chemistry with us, your comfort level with your surroundings and of course your current chemistry with each other DEFIANTLY shows in your work! So save those hard chats for later 😄
Remember this guide was created to give you a few tips and what to expect overall but its in no way rules. The most important thing is that this shoot is authentically YOU. So have fun with it!
Can’t wait to see you at our session!
😎📸