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10 tips for a successful engagement session

10 Tips for a Successful Engagement Session

Weddings

 

So you’re engaged WOOHOO! Now it’s time to start planning your engagement session. Most people haven’t had professional photos done since their senior portraits, and most people have never done portraits with, their significant other before. Posing in front of the camera can really be nerve-wracking for some people, especially being asked to kiss or show intimacy in front of the camera isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. So, I’m sharing 10 quick tips to help you prepare for a beautiful and successful engagement session.

  1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! ~ Here in the beautiful PNW, we have endless parks, mountains, and cityscapes to choose from for your backdrop. Think about a location that has a special meaning or will go with the theme of your wedding. Example: Before their carnival themed wedding, one of my couples chose to do their engagement session at our Spring Fair.
  2. Timing is EVERYTHING ~ Plan your engagement session for the early morning or evening. Good lighting is key to looking your best and creating a beautiful photo, and there is a time called Golden Hour and this will be about 1-1.5 hours after sunrise or before sunset.
  3. OUTFITS ~ This session showcases the relationship between you & your fiancé relationship. If you two feel more authentic dressing casually, then feel free to wear your t-shirt and jeans! Just make sure they’re your best pair! It’s always fun to photograph you dressed up: it’s an important occasion, after all! Don’t be afraid to send photos to your photographer on your outfit options.
  4. HAIR & MAKEUP ~ Ladies don’t be afraid to do your makeup or even your hair run through that day so you look your best on camera. Getting your makeup done one will help you see how you will look on camera for your wedding day and can ease some of the stress of getting ready for your engagement session.
    Bonus tip: Don’t wear a moisturizer with SPF in it for your session. SPF helps repel light from your skin, so make sure just for one day you use a moisturizer that is SPF free.
  5. NO WHITE TUBE SOCKS! ~ In some pictures your photographer may ask you to pose sitting down.  It’s unfortunate when an image should draw your eye to a happy couple embracing, but the white tube socks steal the show! Ladies go buy your guy some dress socks if they don’t own a pair already.
  6. PDA ~ OK so let’s be real for a sec here.  Kissing is part of an engagement session. Most of us don’t love PDAs, but after a few minutes, a kiss or two won’t feel so awkward. And, it’s all be worth it once you see that moment captured in the image. By the end of your session, you and your fiancé should be having a blast and really enjoying the session.
  7. SUPERMODEL ~ Don’t worry, you won’t have to be a supermodel going into your session. A good photographer knows how to pose couples to make them feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera. We will direct you on your posing & where to look, who knows you may be surprise yourself and be a natural in front of the camera. Also, think of this as a rehearsal for your wedding. You do a rehearsal for your ceremony and this a rehearsal for your photos.
    *Bonus tip ~ Guys if you don’t have both hands around your lady put one of your hands in your pocket with your thumb out. This is a natural pose and will help you look like a natural front of the camera. 
  8. PROPS ~ Bring as many or as few props as you like for your session; most photographers will do their best to work them into specific photos. Examples: Save the date sign, your dog, confetti, your bikes, balloons, wine or champagne with glasses & a picnic blanket, your matching tube socks…. Just Kidding!
  9. AWKWARD ~ Don’t worry about feeling awkward or weird being photographed… If you trust your photographer you will get some amazing photos to treasure forever!
  10. FUN ~ That is the ultimate goal to have fun for an hour or two while getting some amazing photos to announce your engagement to your friends and family!

In the end, you both should have enjoyed yourself which will shine throughout in your photos! So I hope these tips will help you have a successful engagement session with beautiful photos to announce your engagement to the world! Cheers & Congratulations!

And if you’re still in need of a wedding photographer click here for my pricing & wedding gallery.

  1. great post… so informative. I would have never thought about mentioning the sock thing. Will have to keep that in mind for future couples

  2. Donna says:

    Great advice on engagement sessions! Thanks for sharing!

  3. LOVE This! And the white sock thing is awesome. I always forget about that until I see them blinding me 😉 Awesome tips for couples.

  4. Corey says:

    Wonderful engagement session tips! Great points to help couples feel more comfortable before and during their portrait session!

  5. Cynthi says:

    Hahaha! I love the socks suggestion! It’s great! Because it’s something that I never even think about until it’s too late. 🙂

  6. Alex says:

    Such a useful for your couples – excellent advice!

  7. Jenny – what a wonderful resource for engaged couples to refer to as they consider their locations, ideas and photographer for their engagement portraits. Nice job Jenny!

  8. Perfect advice and information…. Love this !!! 🙂

  9. Patty says:

    I love your tips for successful engagement sessions!! Your photography is stunning. I would have never thought to tell them not to wear white socks, but your so right!!

  10. Beth Mack says:

    Great post! These are things that needed to be shared with couples.

  11. Chantal says:

    What a great write up and tips!! Great read for any new bride!

  12. marie says:

    great tips! An engagement session is the perfect way to warm up in front of the camera before your wedding day. All couples should do this to get a feel of what its like in front of the camera with their wedding photographer.

  13. I love these engagement session tips! I never even thought of the SPF one!

  14. Kathy says:

    Fantastic tips! Engagement shoots are so important! You get to know your photographer better, get experience in front of the camera, and (hopefully) get some of that nervous and akwardness out of the way before your big day! I bet your Tacoma-Seattle brides will be happy to incorporate your tips in to the session. I love the tip about the socks, a lot of people don’t think about their socks!

  15. Samantha says:

    What an awesome top ten list for engagement session tips! I am seriously cracking up at the no tube socks rule, and truly couldn’t agree more. They are just not very flattering. I am not a fan of golf clothes – they get a little too bunchy in all the wrong spots. Great write up!

  16. amanda says:

    Great Tips! The tube socks tip is SOO true!!!

  17. Megan says:

    Great tips for all engaged couples looking for engagement sesison photography!

  18. Your photography skills are now transcended by your amazing engagement photo tips. Every newly engaged couple should give this a read! I totally agree with the no tube socks rule!

  19. harshita says:

    Woow…love the tips you shared with us for the engagement session..this is definitely very informative and you are definitely amazing at posing them….i am going to use these tips for my maternity sessions

  20. Ashley S says:

    Awesome tips for engaged couples, and maybe even for new photographers as well! I agree that it can feel awkward for couples to show PDA in the beginning, but that’s one of the reasons why it’s a great idea to have an engagement sessions, because there will be plenty of PDA during the wedding, so they should get used to the idea!

  21. laura says:

    jenny,

    these are 10 awesome engagement tips – each one equally important.

    this blog post on engagement photo success should be published in wedding magazines. it is that good and i love the photo at the beginning.

    ~laura

  22. Dawn says:

    Jenny, these tips are so helpful! I can definitely see your Tacoma couples using this information to prepare for their engagement session.

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