It’s that time of year! Most of my currently booked wedding clients have received emails from me in the last week or 2 about booking their engagement session! Let’s talk about some tips and tricks on how to have the best engagement shoot ever!

I love the engagement shoot! In fact I love it so much that I include a complementary engagement session in all of my wedding collection options. I really believe that the engagement session is actually an integral part of your wedding photography and not just a frivolous add-on. The engagement shoot is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. It’s a chance to see how I work with posing, lighting and shooting as well as a chance for you to get more comfortable in front of the camera. The engagement shoot has such a HUGE impact on your actual wedding day!

When I arrive at a wedding day, I can always feel confident that I know my couple, know how they interact, the poses that work best for them and know that are going to feel fantastic during portraits because they’ve had all the practice they need at their engagement shoot. I can’t express how valuable this session really is to the entire wedding experience!

Things to think about when planning your engagement session

When and Where:
You can book you E-shoot anytime; however 3-9 months before usually the sweet spot, especially if you want to use the images in aspects of your wedding (Think: Save the date cards etc). This time line isn’t set in stone though; especially if you have your heart set on particular season or location or if you’re having a short engagement.

In order to take advantage of the best glowy, golden hour sunshine for your engagement photos it is best to schedule your session for about 2 hours before sunset- the session will usually last about an hour and a half, so this will allow for the best lighting for your images! Obviously the exact time will depend on the time of year you choose to have your session!

Where is ENTIRELY up to you!
It is so nice when a couple picks a location that is special to them. It can be the exact location of a special moment in your relationship like the trail you had you first hike at or the horse farm you have worked at together. Or a new location that holds a vibe you love, like a beach or near a river. Nothing is off the table! You would also be amazed at the small amount of space needed to create beautiful images! So don’t be afraid of choosing an area that may be a little busy like a park in the city or even a downtown street. As long as the light is there it will work!

What to wear:

For some this can be the MOST important part of their shoot, while for others it barely even registers! For me personally; I LOVE clothing! So I am ALWAYS thinking about what to wear. And it can be TOUGH to figure out! Your choice in outfits really can have a big impact on the overall look of your session!

I always recommend bringing 2 outfits to an engagement session! One can be a little dressier and one more casual- this allows us to get more variety in your images.

You outfit choices also play a pretty big role in the overall feeling of your images.

Do you want to soft romantic images? Then think about wearing a flowy dress or skirt. Try to stick to lighter colours and aim for navy, khaki or light washed well fitting denim for your groom. Avoid dark or heavy colours.

Hoping for something a little bolder? Make sure only one of you wears a pattern, while the other sticks to a solid.

Some quick tips:

-You DON’T need to match! Instead; coordinate.
-Black is a beautiful, classic choice that can be slimming; however it can look heavy in portraits, so if you are hoping for the light and airy feel this may not be the best option
-Try to avoid bright colours like red or orange- they can do funny things to your skin tone in portraits.
-Also try to avoid patterns smaller than a quarter as they don’t photograph as well as larger patterns- so if you’re thinking plaid; grab one of the larger checked plaids in the closet!
-Try to match your level of dressiness- if you’re going to wear a flowy dress make sure he is wearing nice jeans and great shoes!
-Alternate heaviness/dark clothing- if your groom is wearing dark jeans, you could choose a lighter dress or pants and top.
-Leave the ball cap, running shoes, graphic tees and sunglasses at home.

A few other pointers for the day of your shoot!

-Empty your pockets!!
-Leave yourself lots of time to arrive on time for your session! We are racing the sunset so if you’re late we can’t just keep shooting :(. Also, being late usually means some arguing and frustration in the car and no one wants to start their E-shoot on that note!
-Get your ring cleaned before the shoot; Maximum sparkle for it’s modelling debut!
-Be aware when choosing your outfits that your wardrobe change will more than likely happen in your car.
-Don’t forget your lipstick for reapplication- there will definitely be kissing.
-If you’re going to be wearing heels, bringing an extra pair of flats can make the walking between poses much smoother!

Lastly! Enjoy!! This is one of the more exciting steps involved in planning your big day! So, let loose, relax and enjoy. Maybe even plan a date after the session!