I love engagement sessions, mostly because it allows you guys to have fun! There’s so many opportunities for laughter, and just getting crazy. Your engagement session should be planned for a day of fun. You shouldn’t schedule any errands or appointments. If you work, take the day off and enjoy each other. This allows you to not stress about other things going on in life and you can truly unwind during your session. Typically we like to shoot during the week because people are less likely to head to the places people typically want to shoot. We don’t have to feel like we’re fighting crowds and you also don’t have to feel awkward every time you go to kiss and strangers start staring.
Everyone uses engagement photos for different things. Some use them for save the dates or announcements. Others use the photos for the invite. Make sure your photographer knows which ahead of time, because they all have different timelines attached to them. If you aren’t sure, just check with them or your wedding planner. Typically save the dates go out between 6-12 months prior, and invites 1-2 months prior.
So in scheduling your engagement session, make sure to allow the correct time for your photographer to edit and get them back to you. If you don’t have any deadline, that’s awesome too. We’ll just make some magic. Being that we live in California, we typically don’t have to plan around the weather or seasons.
What to Wear
This question is the bane of everyone’s existence. The answer is easy though. Be you. If you guys love to hike, lets throw on some hiking clothes. If you don’t like wearing dresses or heels, don’t feel like you need to go out and buy them! You want to feel like yourself, and if you don’t look like yourself it’s going to show in the photographs. On the other side, this doesn’t mean to wear the same old thing! Remember I said the day needs to be about you? Use it as an excuse to buy something you have wanted to wear for a long time. Scheduling your makeup trial on the day of your session, also allows you to look bangin without having to stress if your eyeliner is even.
Keep in mind that your location will also play a huge roll in this. If we’re going hiking, you’re not going to want to wear heels. OBV. Dress for the situation, just don’t feel like you need to over think every detail.
There are a few rules to keep in mind. Camera’s have a really hard time reading small plaids and polka dots. It causes something called ‘moire’ and takes away from the look of your photos. Try to keep away from things like neon colors, they look oversaturated and fake in photos.
Location
My favorite part about these sessions is that we can hit a few places. It gives us the opportunity to include places that you might want to on your wedding day but they’re too out of the way from your venue. Pick places that mean something to you. Typically starting at your house allows us to break the ice and capture you guys in your true environment. Then we’ll head where ever you want. Try to pick a location that you guys love, it means a lot, and you want it to be part of your story. The beach is nice, but unless you guys like it, don’t do it. Be yourselves.
I’ll say it over and over.
BE YOURSELVES.
You’re engagement photos are a chance to show who you really are as a couple. Embrace it.
