So you are engaged and have decided on the perfect wedding photographer to document your love story and wedding day! Now is the fun and exciting time of planning and preparing for your engagement session.  First and foremost this session is supposed to be FUN, a time for you to get comfortable in front of my camera and with me.  I have developed a process for posing my clients during a session that involves some gentle guidance and direction along with a few “games” so all you have to do is relax and have a good time!

Here are some tips I have compiles over the years for couples on how to prep for their engagement session:

1. Outfits- I usually recommend that my couple have two outfits for their engagement session.  This by no means is required but I find that it gives a good variety for their images.  When choosing your outfits choose something that coordinates not necessarily something that matches.  You want to look like your outfits compliment each other not like you’re wearing the same thing.  Wear something that you feel comfortable and yourself in.  If you are a dress and heels kind of girl, rock that, if you prefer jeans and boots with a cute top, go for it girl.  There are no rules as to what to wear, but if you aren’t comfortable in what you are wearing it will certainly show.
2. Prepare your Groom: Most men have no idea what to expect when the term Engagement Session comes up.  They think they are going to look into the camera and smile a few time and thats about it.  Brides, it is your job to show them what to expect! Going through some of your favorite engagement session posts to show them what to expect will help relax them on the day of your session as they will understand what the photos will look like in the end.
3. Hair and Makeup- Your engagement session is the perfect time for a hair and makeup trial! What a better excuse to have your trial than your engagement session, you then have a reason to have beautifully done hair and makeup without an extra trip to the salon and extra expense!
4. Your Ring- Clean your ring prior to your engagement session.  It is so important to have a beautifully sparkly ring for your photos and those beautiful detail shots of the ring and a dirty ring will look dirty in the photos.
5. Location and Time of Day- Choose a location that you love or that has a special meaning to you.  Have a favorite park? Favorite bar? Where he proposed? Favorite running trail? Boardwalk by your favorite restaurant?  If you are still blanking on a perfect venue for your engagement session I am happy to provide some suggestions of my favorite locations and venues I am itching to shoot at.  It is also best to shoot about 90 minutes before sunset, this provides the prettiest and least harsh lighting to give you those beautiful glow images! 

At the end of it all I want you to remember this session as a fun and relaxing time where we captured beautifully curated and genuine moments in a relaxed setting!