Engagement sessions can be intimidating, especially if you're meeting your photographer for the first time at the session! Quick pro tip: wait to do your engagement session with your wedding photographer. That way you have a trial run with them before the wedding day and you can see how they pose you and make sure you enjoy the experience. I remember I was so nervous for my engagement session and I had no idea what to expect! Don't be like me and prep ahead of time. Below is six tips to help you prepare for your engagement session.
Session Vision: Engagement sessions at a beautiful park are huge right now and there is nothing wrong with that, but I believe that engagement sessions should be unique to you and your fiancé and your relationship. What do you most like to do together? Hiking, drinking coffee in a cute little coffee shop, or baking? The options are limitless. Try to incorporate things you enjoy into your session to make it unique! Also, location is key. If you're unsure of where to have your session, don't worry. That's what your photographer is there for.
What to wear: Don't feel like you need to go on a mega shopping spree for your session (but if you do, more power to ya!) It's important that you feel comfortable during your session, so if you are a jeans and t-shirt type couple then rock it. If you book me, I encourage an outfit change, so that's the perfect opportunity to have a casual outfit and a more formal outfit. Whatever you choose to wear, I recommend that you try it on beforehand and make sure you're comfortable in it. The more comfortable you are, the better your photos will be!
Hair and makeup: Taking the time to get your hair and makeup professionally done is the best way to relax and feel pampered before your session! This also gives you the opportunity to do a trial run with your hair and makeup artist and see not only how your wedding day hair and makeup will photograph, but you'll also be able to see how well it stays with movement and the weather! Again, this is just a suggestion. Your photos will still turn out just as beautiful if you choose not to do professional hair and makeup!
Timing: I personally like to plan my sessions around the lighting of the day. The best lighting is around an hour before sunset. That's what we call 'golden hour' and it's amazing for dreamy lighting! Being on time for your session ensures that we do not cut into your session time and lose light, so showing up on time and being ready is really helpful. If we are unable to have your session during golden hour, no worries! Your photos will still be beautiful.
Trust your photographer: Pinterest can be amazing and is a wonderful resource for wedding planning. If you come to your session with Pinterest poses you'd like to try, that's great, but I just want to gently remind you that your photos will not look the exact same. You are different people than the ones in the photo, it's a different location and lighting, and a different photographer! I personally like to take poses and make them my own and not every pose looks the same for every couple. It can be hard, but please trust me! You chose your photographer based on their work and editing style, so let them work their magic.
Last, but not least enjoy yourself: Engagement sessions can be a bit nerve-racking, especially if you feel awkward in front of the camera or don't have much experience with professional photos. This is where choosing a photographer you vibe with and feel comfortable with really comes into play. The more you like your photographer and enjoy who they are, the better your photos will be and the better experience you will have!
Hopefully those tips helped you feel a bit more prepared and excited for your engagement session!
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