PLANNING YOUR
Engagement Session!
Choosing the perfect outfits, time, location + more!
Welcome!
We're so excited to be working with you and can’t wait for our time together during your engagement session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. We always tell people that we still get nervous before having photos taken - and we do this for a living! The engagement session give is going to help to make your wedding day experience feel so smooth, seamless and comfortable.
We're big fans of engagement sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed and understand how we direct and pose. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why we’ve found that wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time.
You’re going to be married for over fifty years, but you only get to be engaged for this short period of time. We’re so excited to capture the only time in your life when you get to be each other’s fiances. We created this guide for you, and packed it with all our best secrets for getting the best out of your engagement experience, so let’s dive right in!
a note to
THE GUYS
We get it. Having your picture taken for 1-2 hours might not be in your top-10 favorite things to do during your downtime. And at first you might feel sort of awkward being in front of the camera. But we think you’ll find that by the end of the session, it’s a lot easier than you thought, and you even had a little fun. We look forward to it because it’s a great opportunity for us all to hang out a bit before the wedding day!
We're natural light photographers. We believe that natural light, from the sun and its reflections, creates photographs that feel fresh, timeless and true to you as a couple. We begin all engagement sessions two hours before the scheduled sunset during “the golden hour,” when the light is the dreamiest. Use a sunset calculator online to determine the scheduled sunset for the date and location you’d like to do your session. Then, just subtract two hours to figure out your start time. Remember, the sun sets much earlier during the colder months of the year and much later during the warmer months, so make sure to factor that in when choosing your engagement session date, especially if you’re taking time off work or have evening plans afterward.
To get the most out of your session, please plan a buffer when getting ready so you can arrive 10-15 minutes early. We’re only able to shoot when natural light is still in the sky, so we’ll want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down. If you’re wearing two outfits, save your favorite one for the second half, and if you’re wearing only one, arrive in that.
Please note, we reserve our weekends for weddings. For this reason, we shoot most of our engagement sessions during the week. If weekends are the only time that work for you, that's okay! We would just have to wait until 3-4 weeks out to book. Booking weeknights can be done further in advance.
Choosing date and Time
When should we book if we want to use photos for Save the Dates?
If your wedding is local, save the dates should be sent between 6 to 8 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, you’ll want to send them out 10 to 12 months before the wedding.
If you’re hoping to use your engagement photos for your save the dates, we recommend scheduling your session at least two months before you plan to mail them out to your guests. Between inclement weather, editing, designing your save-the-dates and printing, two months is generally a safe amount of time to make sure your images and cards are ready.
Save the Dates
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Fall is a great time of year on the east coast due to the pretty fall foliage! We recommend fall sessions to take place by late October or early November before all of the leaves fall.
Fall
04.
In spite of the heat, we love summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 7pm. There are no limits to the types of location we can shoot at!
Summer
03.
We recommend waiting until April for a spring session because it's typically still a bit colder in March. Everything starts blooming in April too! If we're lucky, we can time your session with cherry blossom season!
Spring
02.
If you’re planning for winter engagement photos, keep in mind that it gets dark early. This means we would start as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. We recommend dressing in layers so that you can warm up in between photos. Bring a little extra makeup for watery eyes!
Winter
01.
While we shoot most of our engagement sessions between April and early November, sessions can take place all year. Most of our couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Seasons
Locations
THE LOCATION OF YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION IS UP TO YOU! We love when couples choose a location for their session that complements their wedding. For example, if you’re planning a chic, elegant wedding, it may be fitting to take your engagement portraits among the classic architecture in NYC, while a local park or flower-filled fields may be more fitting for a couple planning a more rustic affair. The best session locations are often meaningful places to the couple; however, we’re also happy to make recommendations. From ski slopes to lavender fields to apple picking and college campuses, the options for engagement session locations are endless!
Our dogs are a huge part of our family, which is why we love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location. Also, it's important to keep your pet's temperament, energy level and obedience skills in mind when deciding whether or not it's a good idea to bring your pet to your engagement session.
We recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then having a friend take them home. Your friend will be able to keep your furbaby safe while we're taking photos that he or she isn't in.
If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising your them before the session and arriving early so they can acclimate to the new location. Don't forget to bring your pet's favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.
Pets
Have you thought about rocking a sequined gown, tulle skirt or flower crown but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance to do it up! Remember: There is no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your engagement session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun! If you don’t want to add a new permanent piece to your collection, a lot of our brides love Rent the Runway for their engagement photos because you don’t have to spend a lot to feel like a million bucks. Plus, you can send the outfits back when the session is over. Other brides just love having a great excuse to bring a new permanent piece (or two!) into their closet!
Long, flowy dresses and skirts look AMAZING on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Especially when juxtaposed with nature, like the desert, forest, plains or beach. Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully as well. Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body — which is probably why the red carpet is always full of so many dresses and not very many pantsuits! We recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress or two!
Dress it up!
Tips for the Ladies
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When choosing colors for your outfits we recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. That softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments, and especially complements the desert.
As you're coordinating your outfit with your partner’s, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palettes coordinate, but don’t necessarily “match.” You should each aim to wear a different dominant color, but stay within a similar color palette family. So if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. Now he has his own dominant color (navy) while still incorporating a few touches of your color palette. Most of our brides choose their dress first, and then put together their fiance’s outfit based on that. That’s why we have a section for each of you.
Outfit Coordination
Tips for the Ladies
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In our experience, every woman, regardless of her shape has an area of her body that she’s self-conscious about, so recognizing what area that is in advance is key. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos.
Three-quarter sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. You could also bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along, too. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so we recommend avoiding those whenever possible if your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms.
Heels elongate women's legs making them look fabulous. Closed- toes heels in particular look great on camera because they carry out the line of your leg all the way down to your toe. If your toes are showing in a peep-toe heel, you might want to schedule a pedicure before your session so you don’t regret letting your feet show. These little tricks make all the difference!
Flattering Your Features
Tips for the Ladies
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Professional hair and makeup is at the top of most of our brides’ checklists because it looks amazing and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. From lash extensions to blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. If you’re working with a makeup artist, have her apply your makeup in natural light, if possible, so that it looks fresh and not too heavy. Plus, that’s the type of light we’ll be shooting in, so it’ll give you the best expectation of how it will translate on camera. Most of our brides feel like their makeup is “too much” at first, since it’s more than you would wear on a normal day, especially when it comes to false lashes, so if you feel that way at the beginning, don’t worry! Good makeup artists know how to get it just right for the camera and accentuate your features— and our brides always love the final result.
If you need a recommendation for hair and makeup, we work with the best in the business and have a great go-to team! They’re sweet as pie, talented as heck, unbelievable professionals and wonderful people. You’ll LOVE them! Just let us know and we’ll send you their information. We know they’ll take good care of you!
Go Pro - Hair and Makeup
Tips for the Ladies
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Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images. Big statement necklaces bring a lot of pop to the photos, while the smaller, delicate ones are not as noticeable on camera. Belts, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention. Fresh florals in a crown or bouquet can be a really romantic touch as well.
Make a Statement
Tips for the Ladies
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Don’t forget, your ring will be center stage, so it's not a bad idea to have it cleaned before your session!
Schedule your makeup trial for the date of your engagement session. It's a great way to get good use out of your trials!
Bring a pair of flats to wear when moving from place to place. Your feet will thank you later <3
Let us know if you'd like to do 2 outfits and we can plan for a bit longer of a session. You can do two "WOW" looks, one "WOW" look and a casual cocktail or summer dress!
If you want your images to look a little more editorial, bring a little extra something like fresh flowers, blankets, bicycles, a classic car, etc!
Skip the spray tan! We recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session, even a few days prior, because it tends to photograph orange even when it’s applied subtly and by a professional.
Bonus Tips!
Tips for the Ladies
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You should each aim to wear a different dominant color, but stay within a similar color palette family. So if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. Now he has his own dominant color (navy) while still incorporating a few touches of your color palette. Choose one outfit first, and then put together your partner's outfit based on that.
When picking outfits I recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if one partner is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the second partner may want to choose a long, soft blue dress or a solid colored jacket. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families” in soft pastels or neutral tones since these color photograph more romantically.
Generally, couples pick two outfits for an engagement session: a more formal outfit and a casual outfit. We recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session, when couples usually feel more comfortable in front of the camera. And don’t forget to wear a few accessories! Statement necklaces, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits.
Your best
Tips for looking
From James Bond to Don Draper, look most striking in a well-tailored suit. If he doesn’t have one, now’s the perfect time to invest in something he’ll wear for the rest of his life! The best part? It’s a lot less expensive than you might think! While custom suits can cost thousands of dollars, some of the most well-known brands have off-the-rack suits in their stores for a fraction of the price. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye.
You can’t go wrong with a suit and tie. Consider pulling out that suit you had to wear last time you were a groomsmen!
Or wear some nice slacks and layer with a blazer and a fun tie - you can even wear jeans with this look.
Suit + Tie
Tips for the Guys
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Next time you walk by a store like J. Crew, you’ll notice the male mannequins and models are always wearing several layers at once. Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, trust us when we say that it’s worth an hour or two of discomfort for photos that will last you both a lifetime. Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos. Blazers, vests and coats up the level of any look. If the temperature permits, he could even consider adding a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers!
Long pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on the face you fell in love with. Shorts, sandals and even jeans can be less flattering. Suit pants, dress pants or colored pants work best, especially when paired with closed-toe shoes. Brown leather dress shoes complement almost every look, whether he’s wearing a full suit or a blazer and colored pants.
Layered Looks
Tips for the Guys
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Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests and watches are sharp complements to any suit. If you bring two suits to the session, you can start with a traditional necktie and belt, then switch to suspenders and a bow tie for your second look. If two suits are too stressful, no problem! One look will do the trick! You can still mix and match accessories to complement both of your partner's outfits without doing a full change during the session. So, either way, you win.
It's all in the Details
Tips for the Guys
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We’ll check in the week of your engagement session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. I know it takes a lot of time to get ready for engagement session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. If the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance. In case of heavy rain, we will schedule a back up date.
inclement weather
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Thank You!
"I'm not sure what to do with my hands"
When it comes to posing for your engagement session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with poses that are super easy and natural. If we tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because we know it’s going to make the two of you laugh - and that’s the photo we're actually looking for. But always remember, if it feels weird, it most likely looks great on camera!
Throughout your session, we’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. We want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
If you’re anything like us, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often. Which means that the day of your engagement session is the perfect occasion for a date night! You're both dressed to the nine's and you might as well get even more time out of it!
The engagement session is another part of celebrating your love and heading off to dinner is a great way to end the session!
date night
We know we just gave you a lot to think about!! We created this guide to help make your engagement session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for years and years to come. At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together. Your future marriage is the most important thing to us, and we want your engagement session to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy it. Have fun together. Laugh a lot. And we’ll take care of the rest! We can't wait to see you soon!! <333