How to Prepare for An Engagement Session
Engagement sessions are seriously some of my favorites. Couples who are so giddy about the prospect of being married and still in shock about the fact that it is going to happen are so fun to interact with and get to know. Often times though, this is the first time that couples are taking professional pictures together, which can be kind of nerve-racking. Because of this, I decided to put together a small list of steps you can take to prepare yourself for the best, most exciting session ever.
1. Think about the overall feel you want for your session.
What would you like your session to look like? Fairytale like, surrounded by woodsy nature and soft colors? Busy and vibrant, with city lights and stunning architecture? Think about your relationship - what setting best describes you? Are you both into more darker, moodier vibes or bouncing off the walls, in your face energy? Really sit down and figure out what you want your session to look like - even look at Pinterest for inspiration - and communicate your ideas with your photographer. Send them pictures, posts, and descriptions of what you would like and what you think works best for your relationship.
2. Choose outfits that work well in photographs.
NO. STRIPES. Thin, horizontal stripes are a BIG "no" in the photography world. And yes, there are some types of clothing that work better than others. Have a warm, summer session? Look for light, flowy dresses for ladies and light button-ups for men. Moving into fall/winter, look for big scarves, unique vests, and FLANNELS (Yes, these stripes are DEFINITELY acceptable). Whatever you choose, make sure that you and your fiancé's clothes are NOT completely matching. Go for colors that compliment each other - light blush and a pale blue, deep maroon and navy blue or army green, even just black and white. And if you are completely stumped, just search "engagement photo outfits" on Pinterest - there are thousands of pictures there to help :)
3. Prepare yourself. And have fun.
Before you start your session, make sure that both you and your fiancé are prepared to hold hands, act silly, and maybe even KISS during your session (Yes, I know, it's A LOT). Hank (my fiancé) and I did our engagement session in a popular park (Garden of the Gods) in Colorado, so we definitely had to prepare ourselves to be comfortable in front of quite a few people. After you've thought about it, relax. This is a time for you guys to truly enjoy each other's company, and to capture an exciting moment in your lives. Your photographer is working tirelessly to make you feel comfortable, so don't be afraid to let loose and be yourselves. Make funny faces, spin around too many times, give each other piggyback rides, etc. Or just truly focus on each other and forget everything else. And don't pay attention to anyone else - they are most likely just swooning over how adorable the two of you are.
