This guide is full of tips + general faqs that will help you prepare for your engagement session!
let’s do this!
L O C A T I O N S
on your front porch, at a cafe or coffee shop you love, in a riverbed, your favorite spot in the city
As long as it’s a location you love then I am all about it.
nature
city
We can definitely brain storm together on locations. You can choose up to 2 locations for your shoot as long as they aren’t too far apart!
T I M E
mornings
We will meet 15 minutes before the sun rises and will start shooting right as the sun starts to peek above the horizon for that soft, glowy morning light. If it’s overcast we will push the session until 1-2 hours after the sun has risen so that there is more available light to work with.
mid-day
If we are shooting in your home it’s important that the session is when the light in your home is the brightest, which is typically mid-day.
evenings
Evening sessions will begin 1.5 hours prior to sunset on a typical sunny day or 3 hours prior to sunset on a super overcast day. On a bright, sunny day we will typically shoot for 10-15 min after the sun has set for some moodier shots during “blue hour”.
W HA T T O W E A R
wear what makes ya feel good
it really is that simple! generally My advice for wardrobe is to avoid neons/ competing patterns. Unless of course that’s your vibe. I am not the fashion police— I work from home so I mostly wear t-shirts and stretchy pants. consider the location along with the mood you are going for and then choose patterns and textures that match your vision. you should also decide if you want to get your hair and/or makeup done since certain outfits lend to specific hair/makeup looks. all i’m saying is don’t get an updo if you plan to wear an old band tee, ripped up shorts and a pair of docs, ya know?
W HA T / W H O T O B R I N G
make these photos personal
Bring your sweet furry babes if ya got ‘em, just make sure to have a friend come along so that they can be kept company while they aren’t in any photos.
Have a cool truck you love? You can make it cozy by throwing some blankets in the bed of the truck and hanging out on the tailgate.
If you love camping we can find ways to incorporate that as well. Think roasting marshmallows around a campfire or pitching a tent and setting a cute dinner picnic in front of it.
If your session is in the summer throw your swimsuit in a bag and at the end of the session let’s go splash around you favorite spot in the greenbelt.
Pizza lovers? Share a few slices at your favorite pizza joint or bring a pizza to your session and make it a picnic.
we can do just about anything your heart desires
G E N E R A L I N F O
day of:
Take the day off work, sleep in and get breakfast together— take the day slow and enjoy the process
This might seem silly, but trust me, you’ll be thankful for a relaxing day amidst the chaos of wedding planning! The day of your engagement session can be hectic between work, traffic, errands, etc. which can be stressful. That is the exact opposite of how I want you both to feel right before your session! Engagement sessions aren’t just a means to an end for save the date images— these sessions are a way to celebrate and honor the two of you and to document the way you feel about each other right now.
arrival time:
Traffic is a bitch
Once the sun sets starts getting low it tends to dip down pretty fast which means it’s super important for us to stay on schedule. Especially if we are shooting at two locations! Waze has been a lifesaver for me, but regardless of your favorite navigation app just be sure to map out your drive and keep in mind how backed up traffic can get!
availability:
How to schedule your session
Engagement sessions are available Monday-Wednesday and typically begin 1.5 hours prior to sunset. Schedule your engagement session here: ENGAGEMENT SESSION SCHEDULER