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Engagement SESSION GUIDE

heck yes!

I am a huge fan of engagement sessions, which is why I include them in my top collections. Not everyone feels like they need one - which is cool - but it’s a great way for us to get to know one another, face to face. I like to think of them as just another date in a series of dates in our odd three-way relationship we’re forming - each one getting us more comfortable than we were before. When your wedding day finally arrives, you'll almost forget that I'm there. You'll be comfortable and relaxed, allowing us to create truly intimate, authentic photographs.

ABOUT THE SESSION

Engagement sessions are about celebrating your love, capturing your relationship, and embracing your individuality as a couple. The goal is to keep your session laid back, fun, and maybe (most definitely) let our hearts run a bit wild.

From the moment that you inquire with me, I've been asking you questions about your relationship - how you spend your time together, the way you take your coffee, what you love most about each other. You may not have known it, but we've been planning your session this entire time.

It's amazing how much more I can learn spending just a little time with you to see how you interact with one another.

After the session, I’m always open to any feedback you may have incase we need to change anything for portraits on the wedding day. Maybe you prefer less kissing photos, sometimes the sessions lead people to discovering their “good side.” Whatever the case may be, it’s great practice for the wedding day photos. The wedding day shooting goes so much quicker and smoother if we’re all comfortable and when we know what to expect of each other.

SCHEDULING YOUR SESSION

Engagement sessions usually last 1.5 hours and are most often on a weekend - ideally in the evening. The best light happens at sunrise and two hours before sunset, but weather depending and how creative you’d like to get - I’m up for shooting any time of day. Shooting after the sun sets (at night) can be unique and fun too!

If you're local to Hampton Roads, weekdays are also available. You might not think having your session on a weekday would be great, but depending on where you have your session and how busy those places are on weekends vs. weekdays - it can make a world of difference. Sidewalks are less busy, parks have less people at them, and we can schedule much further in advance.

Scheduling the date for the engagement session will vary on what you would like to use the photos for. Save the Dates are pre-invitations usually sent out at least 5 months before the wedding. Since the average edit time for engagement photos is about 2 weeks, I recommend scheduling your session at least 5-6 months out from your wedding date for Save the Date purposes.

location

It’s important to choose a location that is reflective of both of you. Think about things that inspire you as a couple or might have some sentimental meaning. Make it personal. The best locations are a mix of quirky and obscure. Think about how you spend your time together, hobbies that you both enjoy, or where you had your first date.

keep it to 2

Driving to a couple locations can be a big time waster when considering how much light we have for our session. Keeping the number of locations to two is usually best.

eyes open!

I love to shoot in new locations and often the locations I would take you to aren’t the ones you would think we would frequent for a photo session. You might be surprised at the beautiful spots you find on your way to work or a run to the grocery store. Look for color, texture, light, space, and unusual landscapes. If you see something interesting, but aren't sure, take a photo with your cell phone and send it to me!

STYLE

Also think about your style - if you are more modern and minimal, you may want to pick a city block with modern store fronts, a modern art museum, a parking garage, or a more industrial setting.

regulars

Where do you go on a regular basis? Do you frequent coffee shops, take hikes or walks in the park? Or are you homebodies, happy sipping coffee (or beer) in bed and snuggling?

DISAGREE

Maybe you can't agree on where to have your session. If you feel more urban and your fiancé is a tree-hugger, try choosing two completely different locations that fits each of your personalities. You can split your session!

better safe

Some locations require a fee or a permit in order to have our session. If the property is off the beaten path, we need to be sure that we have permission to be there. I often see interesting light and head for it, regardless of these restrictions, but be aware that if we go some place that we aren't necessarily welcome, we may be asked to leave.

traffic

Even if you aren't shy, locations that don't have a lot of foot traffic are usually best so that people aren't getting show when you get your PDA on.

get personal

What could be more personal than your own home? Especially if you live with your partner or already have a place that you plan to live together (their place or yours) - think about your bedroom, porch backyard, or even the kitchen.

just ask!

I love to scout for new locations. If you have an idea and aren't sure where your session should go down, let's talk about it! I can share some locations I love to shoot at or we can brainstorm to find new ones together.

season + weather + time

Now that you have a location in mind - does the season affect how that location looks? If your desired site has beautiful trees, we could plan your session in the fall and capture those wonderful autumn colors. But maybe you hate yellows and oranges as colors - so let's skip fall and go with Spring or Summer. But maybe you're a fan of cold weather and are obsessed with sweaters and warm jackets. I'm sure we can find something fun to do in the Winter!

We can't know what the weather is going to do months - or even days - in advance. I love the interesting things that sunlight does, but if the forecast is calling for rain - don't fret! We can jump in puddles together and create fun, adventurous portraiture all the same. Rain is not only romantic, but cloudy days cast even, soft (gorrrrrrrgeous) light, which can often times be better than sunny days. And on a cloudy day, we are not restricted by the time of day nearly as much. We can always take a rain check, but if you are game for the fun, I am too!

It's hot here in Virginia - a lot of the year. If you don't particularly enjoy perspiring, try choosing a month that tends to be on the cooler side. Think early Spring or late Fall. If you definitely want your session to be in a more commonly hot month, we can try to plan your session around sunrise to beat the heat of the day.

What to Wear

Like the location, your wardrobe choice should also be a reflection of you. Generally I think it's a good idea to dress more casually for these since you'll be more formal on your wedding day. What to wear to your session is a common struggle, but it doesn't have to be! I've got a couple of helpful tips so let's get started and I promise, you'll feel so much better!

make sure it makes sense

Knowing where your session will be will help you gain a direction. If we are doing something that requires a bit of hiking, you'll want to bring shoes with good grip that you won't twist your ankles in. If we are on the beach, you're probably bare foot. Think of which clothes will breathe more so you aren't all sweaty in your photos. Be as comfortable as you can! It's important that you're comfortable temperature wise, but also plan for clothing that you are able to move around in.

If you're in brand new jeans that are still stiff and tight, you might be uncomfortable (and distracted) during the shoot trying to sit and run and move around. Try to plan for clothes that are "broken in" - either by you or are naturally soft and can move when they are new (if you plan to shop). I love when people bring clothing or accessories that show movement by catching wind, because it adds energy to the photos and looks AMAZING.

colors

I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones, especially if we will be out in nature. Neutrals doesn't mean grays and browns - there's actually a neutral of every color (forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, deep reds, mustard yellow, etc.) It's important to stay away from bright, fluorescent type colors because they can be distracting and also cause color casts onto your skin when in bright light. Specific colors that I recommend to stay away from are lime greens, fluorescent yellows, bright pinks, bright oranges, and bright reds. These colors reflect onto the skin a lot and results in people looking really weird in photos. Bad news. If you really like a color and you aren't sure - send me a photo and I'll help you decide.

When shooting in an urban environment, all bets are off. A touch of red, yellow, or blue can make anything pop and help you stand out from the background. Adding a pair of red or yellow shoes, or a bright blue shirt or tie will transform your outfits.

patterns

Avoid really big, loud, chunky, crazzzzzy patterns. The smaller or the more subtle, the better. When the pattern is too loud, it becomes really distracting in the photo and your eye is drawn there instead of to your faces. Try to avoid pairing too many patterns together so that the photo isn't hectic and distracting too. Ironing is always good if you think there might be too many wrinkles too.

accessories

If hats, scarves, sunglasses and other accessories are your thing, feel free to bring them! I won't have you wear them the entire time but it can give you different options. Do avoid wearing watches since they are distracting when I come in for close up shots.

props

When I think of props for engagement sessions I instantly think of those cheesy banners that people hold up saying their wedding date or holding a pair of baby shoes (whoa, you're not there yet!). You may have seen things like that on Pinterest. Every time I do - I just cringe. Props don't have to be cheesy though!

A prop could totally be a motorcycle or moped, furry friends who share your home, a blanket wrapped around you, a truck/car, campfire, canoe, rocketship (if you happen to have one), etc. If you have props that you want to incorporate, let me know and we can make sure to incorporate them in a non-cheesy, super authentic way.

in home sessions

In home sessions... All of the above definitely applies to these too. However, for in home sessions, I say that the more skin showing the better! Not naked. Not borderline naked (haha). I'm just saying that the photos will look a lot more comfortable and intimate (and believable) than if you're in a lots of heavy layers or super fancy dress with heals. Because when is the last time you walked around your house wearing pants? For real.

I recommend giving yourself options of tank tops, shorts, sweaters, and jeans to mix and match. Anything that you feel super comfortable and snuggly in. If you want to make him take his shirt off for a few photos and you're just in your t-shirt and undies, heck yes to that. I also swear I'm not a weirdo creeper. I just want you to know that I'm down with whatever it is that you feel comfortable wearing.

hair & make-up

Some people have their makeup done professionally or just wear a lot more than they usually would. I definitely don't think you need to go to a professional and my biggest advice would be that no matter what you do - make sure you still look like yourself. The most important thing is that you feel confident and beautiful, so do what feels right and if you're thinking of trying a different look, maybe just try it out a week or so before your session to make sure that it's what you want.

last thing...

Spray tans. If you do get one, make sure it's incredibly natural smooth airbrushed spray tan rather than one from a salon/tanning place. If you look orange or have streaks in person, the camera will definitely pick up on that and it'll be extremely difficult to adjust while editing.

seriously, last thing...

If you're still having a bit of trouble trying to visualize the types of clothing that would look good in photos, I've made a whole Pinterest board to help with just that.

and that's it!

This guide was written to give a few tips to help plan for your session, but it’s in no way a rule book. This is YOUR session. I just want you to make it personal and to make it about you. Remember - we're just going to let our hearts run a bit wild and have fun.

Credits:

Emma Willich, Of Fate and Chaos