How You And Your Finance Can Prepare For Your Engagement Session

Your engagement photos are most likely going to be included in your invitation or wedding website and probably-definitely Instagram. Thinking about little things can make a big difference in how your engagement photos turn out. For gals, this means everything from making sure that you can’t see through the dress you are planning to wear to choosing jewelry that compliments your engagement ring. For guys, this means taking the extra time to iron your shirt that day or removing a cell phone holster from your belt.

  

Choosing Outfits

Ideas for the Ladies

Your favorite blouse with jeans, a fun necklace and a great pair of boots or wedge heels
A more casual little black dress, with a colorful necklace or scarf and hells or dressy sandals you absolutely love
Cozy sweater with a skirt & tights, or with your favorite pair of skinny jeans
Long flowy gown with your favorite heels and a bold statement necklace

Ideas for the the Guys:

Dark-wash jeans with a plain v-neck tee shirt in a darker color, or throw a smart blazer or cozy cardigan on top of the tee shirt!
Dress pants, dress shoes and a button up shirt.
Suit and tie (depending on their fiance’s level of dress) but either way dress pants, dress shoes, dress shirt with a blazer would be awesome. (If your dress isn’t ‘super formal’ having your guy in either a dress shirt with blazer (no tie,) or a dress shirt and tie (no blazer) is a great way to keep the look matching.

Dress For The Season

Think about the season as you prepare for your engagement session. If it’s summer, make sure to dress appropriately so you and your fiancé aren’t getting sweat stains and red faces during the session. If it’s in winter, wear bright colors so you don’t blend into the snow. Just be aware of these things so you are comfortable and your photos will look the best they can be.

 

Coordinating Outfits

It’s a great idea to choose a dress or an outfit you feel amazing in, regardless of what color it happens to be. Then, you can match your groom accordingly! If you’re wearing red or a bright pattern, because that’s what makes you feel awesome, your groom should be in a neutral color. Although I don’t recommend matching colors, I do recommend matching the level of formal in the session. If you, as the bride, want to wear a gorgeous floor-length dress with a hint of sparkle, your groom should definitely be in a suit – tie optional. If you keep on the same level, you’ll be great! The only things to avoid are graphic t-shirts with obvious logos, any kind of running/ athletic shoes and matching exact colors.

 

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• For the ladies, avoid shirts that are baggy or super-loose. Sometimes the camera can exaggerate the looseness in the clothing, which can cause one to appear more round than they really are
• Bring 2 outfits! One casual, one dressy. It’s always good to switch things up a bit and if we change locations, it will essentially be like you had two photoshoots
• Solid colored clothing items are great, and if you want to bring in a pattern, have only one of you wearing the pattern, but make sure its not toooooo busy of a pattern
• Wear what you feel comfortable and CONFIDENT in! If you’re not comfortable in what you’re wearing, it’ll often show in the images
• If you’re going to wear heels, bring flip flops or some comfortable flats for walking in between shots… you will not regret this!
• Try to keep any branding on your clothing to a minimum.
• Have a drink! No shame in needing to loosen up a bit. Better yet, meet up a little bit early to have a drink with your photographer 😉

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Hair and Makeup

• Many of my brides like to book professional hair or makeup before their engagement session! While it’s certainly not required, it always photographs beautifuly. Ultimately, I want you to feel like YOU. This session is about you and your love, more than any fashion choices – although fashion is fun!
• Having your makeup done is a great trial run for your wedding day! You can find out what works and… maybe not so much; then make adjustments for your wedding day makeup.
• Bring some translucent powder to help eliminate any shine on the skin, lipstick, and hairspray for any flyaway hairs

Remember:  Nobody shows up to an engagement session knowing what to do, I promise. It’s my job as a photographer to guide you into comfortable, easy poses and capture your natural smiles in between my direction. I won’t leave you hanging and I’ll do my best to help you relax within a few minutes of being photographed. Do not, I repeat, do not, stress out about this! This is supposed to be fun. I know you’re worried about what you’re going to look like, if the weather is going to cooperate, etc., but the more you stress, the more likely you’ll look stiff or uncomfortable on camera. The more relaxed you are, the better your photos will be. Do what you can to prepare for the session and leave the rest up to your photographer. That’s what we’re here for, so just take a breath and relax.

– Hey, maybe this is a prime excuse to schedule that massage? 🙂