Welcome

 These sessions are my absolute favorite because I love all the one-on-one time I get with you! There is no pressure because if something happens, we can just do it again! The goal of your engagement session is to capture your relationship, how you move together and interact with each other. You definitely don’t need to be nervous, you’ll be warmed up in front of the camera in no time!

So let’s get to it!

 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

You want to go somewhere that excites both of you. A place that has a  special memory, like your first coffee date, is a great start! Talk with  each other about what you want your pictures to look like. Do you want  to get all dressed up, more laid back and cozy, or on an adventure? The  possibilities are endless, so the first thing you have to decide is what  you want the vibe to be. It will be easier to pick a spot when you know  what you want. These pictures don’t have any rules, they don’t have to  be fancy, they don’t have to be crazy, they just have to reflect you as a  couple! I am seriously up for anything. I love an adventure and I love a  cozy coffee house.  

 If you are still stuck and have no idea what you want then that’s where I  come in. As long as you know what kind of vibe you want for your  session, I can help you find a place that is perfect for both of you!  You are definitely not alone! 

WHAT TO WEAR

LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD

You might be REALLY tempted to go out and buy a whole new outfit (believe me, I’m all for an excuse to buy new clothes!) but you might consider wearing some of your favorite pieces that you already have! Feeling comfortable in your clothes is going to make such a huge difference to how you act in front of the camera. Wearing something that you already know you love will give you that boost of confidence that you might need!

We’ve established that you must feel fabulous in whatever you’re wearing, but if the outfit doesn’t come immediately to mind, here are some tips that might help you out!

1. Think about the location. It might be hard to maneuver through a waterfall in heels! Make sure you’re dressed in a way to make it easier to move (there will be a lot of moving around!). If your signature look is a pair of heels, remember to bring a pair of sneakers or slip ons in case we are going on an adventure to get to our location!
2. This isn’t the time to try out a new style. Wear something that you would normally wear. If dresses are not your thing and you hardly ever wear one, don’t feel pressured to wear one if you want the photos to look sophisticated! There are other ways to achieve that look without going outside of your comfort zone! You want to look like yourself in these pictures. Remember, feeling comfortable and confident is key!
3. Solid color outfits tend to look better than prints, which can be distracting and overwhelming. If you do go with a print, make sure it’s not too loud! If you are a bold person, opt for a super fun pair of shoes or showcase it with your accessories, rather than a bold print!
4. Start with a neutral base and build from there. Neutral tones are typically more flattering and cohesive than bright colors. Pick two or three neutrals to start with and then add little accents of color if you want! 
5. Avoid tight fitting clothes that might highlight areas that you’d rather not have highlighted. 
6. Consider the weather! Make sure you’re prepared with a cute coat if it’s rainy or snowy! 
7. Do not match. Avoid wearing the same outfit (especially the classic white-t-shirt look. I can knock that look because that is what my husband and I wore for our engagement pictures!). Instead, try to coordinate. Mix and match the base neutrals that you picked out. You should also both look like you’re going to the same place. If you are all fancy, and your future spouse is wearing flannel and denim, you will feel that disjoint in the images.
8. If you’re still stuck, head to pinterest for inspiration and you can send me pictures of your outfit(s) if you want my opinion! When in doubt, ask!

 MORE TIPS

I have some great extra tips and tricks for you! This will help you with my shooting style and give you an idea of how your session is going to go.

I do my very best to make sure your pictures don’t look “posed.” Instead, I will give you a direction and tell you what to do and then you make it your own. 

Never. stop. moving. Seriously, the more movement you give me, the more pictures you are going to get. When I give you a direction and you stand still, you are going to get one shot from that pose. But if you take my direction and move around, you’ll get so much more variety. Don’t worry though, you’ll get the hang of it while we’re shooting!

I really want you to get handsy with each other. This sort of goes hand-in-hand with the whole movement thing. Just always be moving your hands all over each other or even playing with each other’s hair. Kissing is always encouraged, feel free to take any liberties with any direction that I give you when it comes to embracing, kissing, laughing, joking, and being silly. And flirty. So much flirty-ness. Be sappy and romantic. Be you!

That’s another one. We’re going to get really silly. I will be making a fool of myself and I suggest you do the same. Nothing screams authentic quite like trying to do the chicken dance while hugging!

If you are uncomfortable in any of the poses, stop and adjust. If you’re uncomfortable then the pictures look forced and we do not want that!

Be yourself! 

We will try a number of shots and not all of them will turn out and that’s okay. The ones that do turn out will be the most natural and beautiful versions of you and your love!

Another cool thing to do is to include items that are important to you or that you can have fun with. For example, if you have a motorcycle, bring it. If you have a Viking helmet, wear it. If you have a cute dog, bring it. If you have an ugly dog, leave it at home...haha, just kidding! If you have an idea for your wedding invitation pictures, let me know so that we can make sure to make that one perfect!

And what do you do if you need more information?! Send me a message! I’m here for all of your needs!