Your Engagement Prep Guide

WELCOME TO YOUR ENGAGEMENT GUIDE!

Here you'll find everything you need—from choosing the perfect location to what to expect during your session. Please read this when you first receive it and again a day or two before your shoot. The more prepared you are, the better (and more fun!) the session will be—plus, you’ll probably get to laugh at my dance moves at least once!

Engagement sessions are my favorite because of the one-on-one time we get. There's no pressure—if something doesn’t go as planned, we just try again. The goal is to capture your connection and how you naturally interact. No need to be nervous—you’ll feel comfortable in front of the camera in no time.

Let’s dive in!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

The only wrong location for your engagement shoot is one that doesn’t feel right for you as a couple. If neither of you enjoys basketball, don’t choose a game; if you dislike hiking, skip the trail. Pick a place that excites you both—like where you had your first coffee date. Decide on the vibe you want: dressed up, cozy, or adventurous. Your photos should reflect who you are, no rules required—I’m up for anything!

Leave the lighting to me. I can work with almost any location and will help pick the best time for great light. Keep in mind, locations affect lighting—for example, a movie theater will give darker, moodier photos, while outdoor spots offer more natural light. If you choose multiple spots, make sure they’re close to avoid disrupting the flow.

If you’re unsure, I’m here to help find the perfect location based on your desired vibe—you’re not alone in this!

WHAT TO WEAR

LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD

ou might want to buy a new outfit (I’m all for new clothes!), but consider wearing your favorite pieces instead. Feeling comfortable boosts your confidence and shows in photos.

If you do buy something new, wear it around first—at home, on a date, or out with friends—to make sure it’s comfortable and fits well. Avoid outfits that require constant adjusting or cause discomfort. Check yourself from every angle and ask trusted friends for honest feedback. Loving how you look and feel is key to being happy with your photos—this goes for everyone, guys included!

So then, what to wear?!

We’ve established that you must feel fabulous in whatever you’re wearing, but if the outfit doesn’t come immediately to mind, here are some tips that might help you out!

Think about the location. It might be hard to maneuver through a waterfall in heels! Make sure you’re dressed in a way to make it easier to move (there will be a lot of moving around!). If your signature look is a pair of heels, remember to bring a pair of sneakers or slip ons in case we are going on an adventure to get to our location!
This isn’t the time to try out a new style. Wear something that you would normally wear. If dresses are not your thing and you hardly ever wear one, don’t feel pressured to wear one if you want the photos to look sophisticated! There are other ways to achieve that look without going outside of your comfort zone! You want to look like yourself in these pictures. Remember, feeling comfortable and confident is key!
Solid color outfits tend to look better than prints, which can be distracting and overwhelming. If you do go with a print, make sure it’s not too loud! If you are a bold person, opt for a super fun pair of shoes or showcase it with your accessories, rather than a bold print!
Start with a neutral base and build from there. Neutral tones are typically more flattering and cohesive than bright colors. Pick two or three neutrals to start with and then add little accents of color if you want!
Avoid tight fitting clothes that might highlight areas that you’d rather not have highlighted. For example, I have a mommy tummy, so I stay away from really tight shirts when I wear low riding pants, or I layer with blazers or cardigans/sweaters, and tend to tuck my shirt in on one side. You’ll find out that that is my signature look!
Consider the weather! Make sure you’re prepared with a cute coat if it’s rainy or snowy!
Do not match. Avoid wearing the same outfit (especially the classic white-t-shirt look. I can knock that look because that is what my husband and I wore for our engagement pictures!). Instead, try to coordinate. Mix and match the base neutrals that you picked out. You should also both look like you’re going to the same place. If you are all fancy, and your future spouse is wearing flannel and denim, you will feel that disjoint in the images.
If you’re still stuck, head to Pinterest for inspiration and you can send me pictures of your outfit(s) if you want my opinion! When in doubt, ask!

BE PREPARED

You might be thinking, “okay, we’ve got our location and we know what we’re wearing, what else is there to know?”

There are a few things you can do to prepare so that our session goes smoothly and we can all have a great time and get great pictures!

Avoid foods the day before your shoot that make you feel bloated (fast food, foods that are high in salt or fat or sugar). Trust me, being bloated is not going to make you feel pretty during your shoot!
Speaking of food, keep it light the morning of as well, bring some snacks (especially if we are adventuring!).
Make sure everything is all ready the day before so you aren’t scrounging up your clothes in the morning, you don’t want to be flustered before your shoot! One time, before we had our family pictures done I forgot to do this and I realized all the pants we were going to be wearing were in the washing machine. I was definitely frazzled and it was not great.
Don’t get your hair cut/colored right before the shoot, the best time to do it is about a week to two weeks before.
Don’t underestimate the power of a manicure! Since these are your engagement pictures you know I’m going to want to shoot that bling! Gents, having your nails groomed is also a good idea!
Clean your ring! We want it all pretty and sparkly for the pictures!
Try on your outfit a couple days before the shoot, you want to make sure that you still feel great in it. If you don’t feel great, change it up!
If you have any questions about your session (that isn’t answered in this guide) send me a message!

What to Bring

I’m a better-bring-it-just-to-be-safe kind of person so I will usually have a lot of back up stuff with me. However, here are some handy dandy things that you might end up needing!

Water bottles (especially for those summer sessions or hiking sessions, it gets hot!)
Snacks that are not messy. This is the only time I will not be encouraging the eating of chocolate. Unless of course we are doing a chocolate shoot!
A brush, hairspray, and/or gel. Do you trust your hair to stay how you want it for 1-2 hours? I definitely don’t trust mine but you’re the one who is in front of the camera!
On that same note, bring a little makeup bag for touch ups. Make sure to include some type of towel in case anyone gets too sweaty.
Please don’t bring gum! But definitely bring tic-tacs or something. Nothing kills our romantic moods like bad breath!
Umbrellas, because weather.
A change of clothes. You might want to switch it up (and you are more than welcome to!) So don’t forget to bring that with you. It also helps to have a back up in case you fall (or get pushed) into a puddle or something.
Comfortable shoes!

THERE’S MORE?!

Now that you’re ready for your shoot—even during the apocalypse—here are some tips to help you get the most out of it!

I aim for natural, not posed photos. I’ll give you loose directions and let you make them your own—you’re already pros at being a couple!

Keep moving! More movement means more great shots. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it as we go.

Get handsy—touch, play with hair, kiss, laugh, be flirty and silly. Be yourselves!

We’ll get silly too—I might tease you a bit (all in good fun) and definitely make a fool of myself. Loosen up and join in!

I’ll bring music to help everyone relax. Feel free to suggest songs.

This isn’t a photo shoot, it’s a date—and I’m your fun, sometimes bossy, third wheel!

If a pose feels uncomfortable, stop and adjust. Forced photos aren’t what we want.

Be yourself—don’t try to copy Pinterest. Not every shot will be perfect, and that’s okay. The best photos capture your natural love.

Feel free to bring meaningful items—motorcycles, pets, or props—to personalize your session.

Need more info? Just message me—I’m here to help!