The engagement session is one of my favorite parts of our time together because it gives you both a chance to be in front of my camera before you get married, which is going to make your wedding day experience feel so smooth, seamless, and comfortable. AND a lot more fun honestly.
I created this guide for you and packed it with all my best secrets for getting the best out of your engagement experience. My goal is to create images that are natural, candid, fun, and represent you as a couple.
This is definitely not a rule book. At the end of the day, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the connection you have. I want you to relax and enjoy your engagement session. Laugh and kiss a lot. I will take care of the rest!
WHERE DO WE START
First I will send you a questionnaire to pick your brain and soul a little about who you each are and how that fits together. Then we will schedule a call to go over all the possibilities of your engagement.
I like to plan engagements backward. That means let’s look at the end product you want.
A few questions to think about.
- Do you need these for save the dates, prints at your wedding, guest book, prints on the wall, or just for fun?
- If you want some for the wedding and some for the home what are the styles of both? Colors, textures, style?
- What locations will reinforce your original idea?
- Now choose a time that will work with the location, open schedules, and natural light if that is important.
To get the most out of your session, please plan a buffer when getting ready so you can arrive a few minutes early. If you’re wearing two outfits, save your favorite one for the second half, and if you’re wearing only one, arrive in that.
QUICK TIP: OUR WEEKENDS FILL UP FIRST AND FAR IN ADVANCE. YOU CAN GET A FAST PASS TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE BY SCHEDULING MID-WEEK.
SELECTING THE RIGHT LOCATION
HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER:
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: Is there a place you like to go to on date nights? Sometimes this can be the best location! If it’s a business we can always try and get permission to shoot inside. Favorite Coffee shop or Brewery? Or maybe you like to grab a drink at Up Down and Play some games? We encourage you to brainstorm unique locations that you might have special access to that most people don’t. For example, maybe you, or someone in your personal or professional network, can secure permission to a location that would otherwise be off-limits, like a beautiful private estate, greenhouse, or old building. Maybe it’s a family ranch, an upscale hotel, or even an airplane hangar. The sky is literally the limit!
If you want a visual of places that are popular in KC here is a list to start the creative brain.
NATURE: If we’ve settled on a location out in nature (i.e. woods, river, lake, etc.), be sure to come prepared for that specific location. If we’re heading out in the woods, be sure to bring bug spray and even shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.
TRAVELING: I love to travel and am on the road quite a bit especially in the midwest. Destination engagement sessions are unique and fun! If you want to shoot somewhere that isn’t local to KC, just let me know and we can discuss travel info. Keep in mind that travel fees will apply.
I get a lot of questions from our couples about what they should wear on their session day. We’ll do our best to answer all of those questions and more here.
STYLE TIPS
(BECAUSE YOU’VE BEEN WAITING YOUR WHOLE LIFE FOR THIS!)
Have you thought about rocking a sequined gown, or suit, maybe a mixture of both. Now is the time to do so. Remember: There is no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your engagement session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun! If you don’t want to add a new permanent piece to your collection, a lot of people love rental companies for their engagement photos because you don’t have to spend a lot to feel like a million bucks. Plus, you can send the outfits back when the session is over. Other people just love having a great excuse to bring a new permanent piece (or two!) into their closet! We recommend avoiding shorts for your session and saying yes to a dress or suit or anything in between.
Two outfits are always welcome. One “wow” outfit, and then another casual, edgy outfit. Remember, though, you don’t have to bring two looks if it’s too stressful or you’d rather just stick to one fabulous look. Just one outfit that you love will be so much better than one outfit you love paired with another you’re not very excited about. So, one or two? It’s really up to you!
Avoid matching, coordinating is better. Solid shades of gray or black are a strong compliment to most other outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. Unless it’s fall then bring on the deep colored plaids.
Think details! Ties, bowties, cool socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests, bracelets, earrings, and watches are sharp compliments to any outfit. So choose one or two that don’t compete for attention. Fresh flowers in a crown or bouquet can be a really romantic touch as well. You can still mix and match accessories to compliment both outfits without doing a full change during the session. So, either way, you win.
Here is a style page to give you some ideas..
FLATTERING YOUR FEATURES…
Still having a hard time getting an outfit started? Sit and think about that feature that you love.. Now go pick something that shows that off.
QUICK TIP: BRING A PAIR OF COMFORTABLE SHOES TO WEAR WHEN MOVING FROM PLACE TO PLACE. YOUR FEET WILL THANK YOU LATER!
GO PRO! Professional hair & makeup is on the top of most of our checklists because it looks amazing and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. From lash extensions to blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. Don’t be afraid to give your hair a little more umphh. You could even schedule your wedding trial for the day of your session so you can get a practice run with them for the wedding day, plus you will be able to see what it looks like on camera!
If you need a recommendation for hair and makeup, we work with the best in the business and have a great go-to team! They’re sweet as pie, talented as heck, unbelievable professionals, and wonderful people. You’ll LOVE them! Just let me know and we’ll send you their information. I know they’ll take good care of you!
There are a lot of elements that go into creating a beautiful photograph. One of those is confidence. Be sure you’ve tried on your outfits multiple times and seen them both together so you know you’re going to look great. What you choose to wear has to be comfortable! You don’t want to be fidgeting the entire session so be sure to wear something you can move around in and lastly, something that makes you feel awesome!
A FEW MORE TIPS:
- Get your nails did
- Have your ring cleaned
- Skip the spray tan
- Avoid clothes that might show bra straps or tags. It is very limiting and stifling when we have to keep ensuring that these are not showing
- Avoid clothes with logos or branding or an overwhelming pattern
- Fresh hair is a must
Things to Avoid:
- Hats | Flip-Flops | Sandals | Tennis Shoes | Sneakers
- Logo | Branded Clothes | Polos | Baggy Clothes
- Tucking in the shirt
- White Socks
- Cargo Shorts-Pants
QUICK TIP: BE SURE TO EAT BEFORE YOUR SESSION. BEYOND THAT, CONSIDER GRABBING A DRINK BEFOREHAND. A BEER OR YOUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL MIGHT BE EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO CALM ANY NERVES. IF YOU’RE UP FOR IT, WE’D LOVE TO JOIN YOU FOR THAT DRINK TOO!
FOR THE ONES WHO DREAD PHOTOS
Some of us aren’t overly excited to take photos for 90 minutes, because they don’t have an expectation of what’s to come and why it’s so important to you. Take fifteen minutes to educate and empower your love. Tell them why you chose us and our style of photography. Show them a favorite session that we’ve done, explain why you love it, and express to them how much it means to you. Trust us, once they know it’s important, they’ll light up the camera for you! The most common thing we hear before an engagement session is this: because of a bad experience in the past, they don’t like taking photos or don’t think they’ll be good at it. By the time we’re done, though, they can’t believe how fast it went and just how much fun they had! Because with me it’s not about sit here smile and hold for 30 secs, but move in closer, kiss their neck, whisper something sweet, grab that butt. AND DON’T DROP HER IN THE WATER!
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE SESSION
Remember what my goal is here: to create natural, fun images that represent you as a couple. I will take some time, in the beginning, to walk and chat so we can get to know each other a bit more. Once we start shooting, it will take a bit for you to start to feel comfortable in front of the camera and by the end, you’ll be professional models! (Kidding, of course, but we’re sure you’ll surprise yourself!)
Speaking of models, I definitely don’t expect you to go all “America’s Next Top Model” on us. I just want you to be yourselves. We will put you in positions and poses that feel natural and help create authentic moments. With that being said, if I ever pose you in a way that feels completely uncomfortable or you think feels unflattering, please speak up! We’re all about the experience and don’t want you looking back on your images and remembering how uncomfortable a pose felt.
Throughout the session, I may take a few minutes to pause, drink some water, relax and chat. We are not going to just shoot constantly for 90 minutes straight. I want to get to know you and I want you to get to know me.. I want to know what makes you laugh, what you like to do for fun, and what you love about each other. Feel free to ask me questions too. The more comfortable we are with each other, the better your pictures will be and, most importantly, we won’t be strangers showing up with cameras on your wedding day.
SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER
TURN AROUND TIME: The turnaround time for me to deliver your engagement session is 8-10 business days.
SAVE THE DATES: These should usually be sent out around 9 months to a year prior to your wedding.
GUEST BOOKS: If you aren’t planning on using your engagement session images for your Save The Date or Invitation, but would like to use them at your wedding (for example, as a guest book), add at least a month from delivery to be able to design, revise and order your book.
WEATHER: If possible, let’s avoid scheduling your engagement session in the heat of the summer and the death of winter. Unless we are doing your session completely inside. Your face can not hide the pain of the temperature. Sessions are generally rescheduled if there is a 50% or more chance of rain on the day of the session. Living in KC, we know that rain can come and go in minutes. Or tornadoes for that matter. We’ll stay in touch leading up to your session and make this decision together the day leading up to and sometimes the day of. But we are always up for a rainy shoot too. Wink Wink..
AFTER YOUR SESSION
Don’t forget to plan a dinner date! You’re already going to be all dressed up! Why not take advantage of it? We know the wedding planning process can feel all-consuming, so take some time after the session just for the two of you to relax and have some fun together. You deserve it!
Just like your wedding, the more you plan and invest in your engagement session the smoother it will go and the better it will be. Don’t leave the details of your session to the last minute. This will only create stress and will take away from what it is supposed to be – FUN!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you have. I am here for you and want to create a session and experience that is perfect for you!
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