Let's plan your engagement session!
Oh heck yes, it's a rite of passage and a good time! I know it can be anxiety-inducing so I've compiled this style guide to hopefully put your mind at ease. What you need to know, how to think through locations and of course what to wear.
Overall this session is all about Y’ALL. Don’t think of it as a scary photo session. Think of it as an excuse to get outside, make out with your hot fiancé and do what you do together. My whole goal is to capture your unique interactions, special places and inside jokes.
My sessions are laid back and stylish with a side of goofy. I’ll show you “what to do with you hands” but I’m also going to take a step back and let YOU do YOU, so that I can capture those subtle interactions that are “your things”.
CLICK TO CHAT
Ideally, we will schedule your session on a weekday as places
are less crowded and it’s easier to get those perfect shots
without crowds. We will start your session 2 hours prior to
sunset to take advantage of the best light!
If you don’t have a deadline on when you need the images,
let’s choose a time of year that’s perfect for you! Ice cream
cones and flowy dresses in the summertime, dry brush and bundled plaid
layers in autumn, you get the idea. There are so many ways to make your session unique
and special depending on the style you’re going for, and the
time of year has a big play in the images.
If you have a deadline and are trying to send out Save The
Dates with photos, I recommend scheduling the session at least 6-8 months
prior to your wedding so that there is time to shoot, edit, print
and send the invites. Generally this process takes about a
month. Save The Dates are normally sent out 5-7 months before
the wedding.
If you are forgoing Save The Dates and would rather order an
Engagement Guest Sign-In Book or Album to display at your
wedding, I recommend scheduling the session at least 3 months before the wedding to give ample time for shooting,
editing, designing, ordering and shipping the album.
Check out all my album options here.
Ideally, we will schedule your session on a weekday as places are less crowded and it’s easier to get those perfect shots without crowds. We will start your session 2 hours prior to sunset to take advantage of the best light!
If you don’t have a deadline on when you need the images, let’s choose a time of year that’s perfect for you! Ice cream cones and flowy dresses in the summertime, dry brush and bundled plaid layers in autumn, you get the idea. There are so many ways to make your session unique and special depending on the style you’re going for, and the time of year has a big play in the images.
If you have a deadline and are trying to send out Save The Dates with photos, I recommend scheduling the session at least 6-8 months prior to your wedding so that there is time to shoot, edit, print and send the invites. Generally this process takes about a month. Save The Dates are normally sent out 5-7 months before the wedding.
If you are forgoing Save The Dates and would rather order an Engagement Guest Sign-In Book or Album to display at your wedding, I recommend scheduling the session at least 3 months before the wedding to give ample time for shooting, editing, designing, ordering and shipping the album. Check out all my album options here.
BOOKING
Location is probably the most important and hardest choice you’ll make for your engagement session, and I’m happy to help
brainstorm. Ideally, we'll shoot in two locations that are less than 30 minutes distance from each other. They should be spots that reflect both of you. Think about things that inspire you; consider places
that might have sentimental value like your first date spot or perhaps it’s a quirky hobby or activity that you want to incorporate.
The best locations are personal.
Maybe it’s a home session if you love wine + dance parties in your kitchen or it’s a rollercoaster
because you’re both dare devils. Maybe you love art and want to shoot at a museum or you met at a concert and want to shoot
at a record store. Or maybe you’re huge foodies and a picnic would be delicious for your session!
If it helps to include
props or pets to showcase who y’all are, bring them along!
These are just a few ideas to help you get started choosing a location. Our shoot doesn’t have to be overwhelming or conceptual
but it helps if you love where we are. And if you have a mood, concept or a theme you want to incorporate but aren’t sure on the
exact location, let’s talk! I’m always up for location scouting to find the perfect spot for your session!
Location is probably the most important and hardest choice you’ll make for your engagement session, and I’m happy to help brainstorm. Ideally, we'll shoot in two locations that are less than 30 minutes distance from each other. They should be spots that reflect both of you. Think about things that inspire you; consider places that might have sentimental value like your first date spot or perhaps it’s a quirky hobby or activity that you want to incorporate. The best locations are personal.
Maybe it’s a home session if you love wine + dance parties in your kitchen or it’s a rollercoaster because you’re both dare devils. Maybe you love art and want to shoot at a museum or you met at a concert and want to shoot at a record store. Or maybe you’re huge foodies and a picnic would be delicious for your session!
If it helps to include props or pets to showcase who y’all are, bring them along! These are just a few ideas to help you get started choosing a location. Our shoot doesn’t have to be overwhelming or conceptual but it helps if you love where we are. And if you have a mood, concept or a theme you want to incorporate but aren’t sure on the exact location, let’s talk!
I’m always up for location scouting to find the perfect spot for your session!
LOCATION
CLICK FOR HELP
WARDROBE
WHAT TO WEAR
WHAT TO WEAR 101
I recommend two looks for your session. Like the location, your outfits should be a reflection of YOU.
If you’re casual, be casual for both outfits. Or glam it up if that’s more your thing.
You’ll want to keep the location in mind when planning what to wear.
I’ve put together some DO’s and DON’Ts below as well as a Pinterest inspiration board to help.
DO'S
- Something that makes you confident
- Wear something classic that will look good years from now
- Be on the same attire level
- Layer for extra depth and interest
- Accessories are the key to polishing an outfit and adding variety
- Schedule your make up trials on the same day as the shoot. Simple eye make up with lashes looks best in photos.
- Plan on carrying the bare minimum
- Wear something that makes you confident
- Wear something classic that will look good years from now
- Be on the same attire level with one another. Think fancy dress next to bow tie.
- Layer for extra depth and interest.
- Accessorize. Accessories are the key to polishing an outfit and adding variety.
- Schedule your make up trials on the same day as the shoot. Simple eye make up with lashes normally looks best in photos.
- Plan on carrying the bare minimum and leave purses, cell phones, keys, etc. behind.
DONT'S
- Be too “matchy matchy”
- Forget nail polish. You have to show off that ring!
- Bring props for props sake. Your session should be personal so if there isn’t anything that stands out to you, we’re probably best without it.
- Feel the need to buy something new. Sometimes "old faithful" is the move
- Feel the need to overdo the makeup. Natural always looks best even for photos.
- Be too “matchy matchy”. I know y’all don’t coordinate outfits on a daily basis {or maybe you do}; but when dressing as a couple, try to avoid showing up both wearing jeans and white shirts.
- Forget nail polish. You have to show off that ring!
- Bring props for props sake. Your session should be personal so if there isn’t anything that stands out to you, we’re probably best without it.
- Feel the need to buy something new. Sometimes "old faithful" is the way to go!
- Feel the need to overdo the makeup. Natural always looks best even for photos.
Below is the breakdown of travel costs as I want to make it possible for me to shoot your engagement photos no matter where you want to take them.
Note that if I'll already be in the area you're hoping for, we can waive
travel fees if you're flexible on timing.
TRAVEL
SOUTHERN & NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
No travel fees within 50 miles of LA or SF.
$500 travel added to weddings in Wine Country, Carmel, Palm Springs + Santa Barbara.
DESTINATION
50% of travel expenses over $500 will be credited
towards an album. For example, if $1000 is spent in travel, client will have $500 credit towards their album. I do this as I love to travel and hope to shoot in exotic places, so this makes it a win/win for both of us.
Expenses include:
Flights for photographer(s), hotel accommodations for the night (before and of shoot days), transportation to and from hotel. Travel to be approved, booked and reimbursed.
Below is the breakdown of travel costs as I want to make it possible for me to shoot your engagement photos no matter where you want to take them.
Note that if I'll already be in the area you're hoping for, we can waive travel fees if you're flexible on timing.
SOUTHERN & NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
No travel fees within 50 miles of LA or SF.
$500 travel added to weddings in Wine Country, Carmel, Palm Springs + Santa Barbara.
destination wedding
50% of travel expenses over $500 will be credited towards an album. For example, if $1000 is spent in travel, client will have $500 credit towards their wedding album. I do this as I love to travel and hope to shoot in exotic places, so this makes it a win/win for both of us.
Expenses include: Flights for photographer(s), hotel accommodations for the night (before and of shoot days), transportation to and from hotel. Travel to be approved, booked and reimbursed.
Albums are a beautiful way to showcase your favorite images and make a great gift.
Base albums include 50 images and a linen cover.
Pages are custom designed.
All albums can be upgraded to a leather cover.
View all the options and order one here.
Albums are a beautiful way to showcase your favorite images and make a great gift.
Base albums include 50 images and a linen cover. Pages are custom designed. All albums can be upgraded to a leather cover.
View all the options and order one here.
ALBUMS
