I love it when couples have a vision for their shoot — but if you don’t, don’t worry! I’m here to talk about how to prepare for your engagement session. This is not just about how you want the final photos to look — but how you want the whole session to feel. 

Is this a nostalgic shoot in a cozy neighborhood setting where you’ve spent many happy hours together? Are we aiming for something more fun and wild to capture your adventurous personalities? Or are we pulling out all the romantic stops with flowers, frills, and soft lighting?

Whatever you are picturing, the main thing is to be yourself, have fun, and keep an open mind! Read on for my engagement shoot prep guide.

How Do You Plan An Engagement Session?

Nowadays, there are endless sources of inspiration for your engagement photo shoot. I’m sure you’ve already spent hours — or days! — scrolling through Instagram, bookmarking settings, poses and outfits that call out to you. You may have looked through bridal magazines and websites, or taken inspiration from friends. 

This is all really helpful but remember to put your own unique stamp on it. An engagement is one of your first big life moments as a couple and you’ll want the photos to really capture this moment in time when you made the huge step to spend your lives together.

You’ll also need to think about what you want to do with the pictures. Are you sending them out as “save the date” cards? Planning to hand them on the wall? Creating a printed story album or sharing on social? All of these can influence the type of photos we take — so let me know and we can bounce around some ideas.

What To Expect From An Engagement Session

For me, it’s all about storytelling. The photo session isn’t just about creating gorgeous pictures (although we do that too!) — it’s about capturing your emotions as a newly engaged couple, very much in love. That’s why I often call them “engagement experiences”, ensuring you are fully present and in the moment.

That’s also why I don’t book any sessions less than 30 minutes — and ideally, the shoot will last from 1.5 – 3 hours, to make sure I can really get to know you as a couple and bring out your unique personalities and quirks.

To help with this, I’ll send you a questionnaire to learn about what’s most important to you and your relationship. Did you meet on the dance floor, bond during a wild camping trip, or go bicycling on your first weekend away together? Let’s bring that out in your shoot! Think about this session as your dream date, a chance to create new memories together, that you’ll want to reminisce over in years to come.

This session is also a great way to get to know your photographer — and practice your cutest poses! — ahead of your wedding. We can familiarize ourselves with each others’ vibe, so that we all feel much more confident, whether in front of or behind the lens!

How To Prepare For Engagement Photos

The location is super important, of course. Some couples already have a place in mind — a special place that means something to them or has the most breathtaking fall colors or blossoming trees. 

But if you’re feeling stuck, don’t worry! Ask friends and family to recommend their special venues, take a drive around one weekend, look at travel guides, and take a few notes and bookmarks — creating your own personalized engagement session guide. 

I’ve spent plenty of time traveling around Virginia, so once we start to get to know each other I’d be thrilled to share some of my favorite spots with you — whether you’re a Virginia native or here on vacation.

Once you’ve pinned down the setting, we can discuss the time of day: between late fall and early spring, you’ll want to make the most of the crisp light near the middle of the day. In the warmer months, morning and evening shoots let you escape the heat while taking advantage of the beautiful “golden hour” light — it’s like an instant, glowing filter!

What Colors To Wear For Engagement Photos

I advise my couples to wear whatever makes them feel like the best version of themselves. Don’t pick a style, color or fabric you’ve never worn before, and don’t choose something just because you saw someone else look amazing in it! Make sure it’s comfortable, and get a friend to take a few pictures of you beforehand so you can see how it works in photos — from all angles. 

When thinking about how to get ready for engagement photos, you need to consider your makeup and hair, too. How does the neckline work with a loose hairstyle? Don’t forget the shoes — towering heels may not be good for beach or nature shoots, and anything brand new may rub on the first wear.

Calmer and more muted colors present a more timeless look, and busy patterns can be distracting. Remember to wear complementary outfits — they don’t have to match, but check for clashing colors! 

Think about the overall style and vibe too. Are you both wearing vintage, is it more casual and outdoorsy, or is there a fun theme you want to try out — from classic glamor or urban cool to cozy winter knits.

What To Bring To An Engagement Photo Shoot

Warm layers (a pashmina, an elegant jacket) are a good idea in cooler seasons, and you might want to bring a change of shoes if we’re walking a little way, or on bumpy terrain. 

Think about props that match your theme — a picnic blanket, a hat, a bouquet of fresh or dried flowers, perhaps. Don’t forget a mirror and makeup for retouches, a bottle of water, and your ring box! Make sure everything is laid out the night before your engagement photos to avoid a morning panic.

Meet Your Virginia Engagement Photographer!

I can’t wait to hear about the places and activities that are most meaningful to you both, and that make you feel closer as a couple. Drop me a message and we can get started on telling your engagement story!