Engagement Session
A guide to help you plan your
Your engagement session is more than just photos—it’s a chance to celebrate this exciting chapter, spend time together, and create memories that feel authentically you.
Whether you’re dreaming of golden-hour portraits in a scenic location or a cosy session that reflects your everyday love, this guide will help you prepare for a relaxed and effortless experience.
Inside, you’ll find tips on what to wear, when to schedule your session, how to choose the perfect location, and more. My goal is to make this process easy and enjoyable so you can focus on each other while I capture the magic.
Everything you need to know for a fun & stress-free engagement session
Your engagement session is meant to be fun, relaxed, and completely you. We’ll spend about X minutes/hours capturing a mix of natural, candid moments and beautifully guided portraits. You don’t need to worry about posing—I’ll guide you every step of the way to make sure you feel comfortable and look amazing. My goal is to create an effortless experience so you can focus on each other while I take care of the rest. After your session, you’ll receive a beautifully edited gallery filled with images that feel natural, timeless, and authentically you.
What to expect
A seamless experience
Your engagement session should reflect your personalities, so choosing a meaningful location is key. Whether it’s a scenic outdoor backdrop, a cozy in-home session, or the streets of your favorite city, the right setting will make your photos feel even more special. If you have a spot that’s sentimental to you—like the place you first met or got engaged—that’s always a great choice! If you’re unsure, I have plenty of recommendations for beautiful locations with great lighting and a romantic feel. Together, we’ll choose the perfect place to bring your vision to life!
The perfect location
A place that feels like you
Lighting plays a huge role in creating soft, romantic images, which is why I always recommend scheduling your session during golden hour—the hour just after sunrise or before sunset. This dreamy, warm glow makes for the most flattering and visually stunning photos. If golden hour doesn’t fit your schedule, don’t worry! We’ll work with the best available light to ensure a beautiful result. For indoor or urban sessions, we can plan around natural light and shadows to create the perfect ambiance for your photos.
Timing & Light
The best time for your session
Your outfit choices help set the tone for your photos, so it’s important to wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Soft, neutral tones and timeless styles tend to photograph beautifully, while avoiding bold patterns or logos keeps the focus on you. Coordinating with your partner (instead of matching exactly) creates a polished look, and bringing an extra outfit can add variety to your final gallery. If you’re unsure, I’m happy to offer styling advice or suggest color palettes that will work best with your chosen location.
What to wear
Natural but elevated
Your engagement ring is a symbol of your love, and I always try to capture a stunning close-up during your session. To make sure it shines in your photos, consider having it professionally cleaned before your session, or you can clean it yourself at home. Just soak it in warm water with a bit of dish soap for 20–40 minutes, then gently scrub the stone with a soft toothbrush before rinsing. This simple step will make a noticeable difference in those beautiful detail shots!
The rings
It's all in the details
Since weather can be unpredictable, we’ll schedule a backup date along with your session just in case. A few days before, I’ll check the forecast and confirm if we need to make any changes. Overcast skies can create soft, beautiful lighting, but if heavy rain or extreme conditions are expected, we’ll reschedule to ensure the best experience. If you’re up for a little adventure, light rain and clear umbrellas can create some of the most romantic and cinematic images! Either way, I’ll work with you to make the best decision for your session.
Weather
Creating a back-up plan
Adding a personal touch to your session can make it feel even more meaningful. Whether it’s popping a bottle of champagne, bringing a bouquet, or incorporating an activity you love doing together, small details can add personality to your images. If you want to include your pet, I absolutely encourage it! Just bring a friend or family member along to help manage them when they’re not in photos. Anything that represents you and makes the session feel special is always a great addition!
Personal touches
Even more meaning to your session
If you’re using your engagement photos for save the dates, it’s important to plan ahead! For local weddings, save the dates should be sent 6–8 months before your wedding, while destination weddings require 8–10 months of notice. To ensure your photos are ready in time, I recommend scheduling your engagement session at least two months before you plan to send them out. This allows plenty of time for weather reschedules, editing, designing, and printing your cards so you’re never rushing at the last minute!
Save the dates
Plan ahead of time
After your session, I’ll carefully edit and curate your images to reflect my signature style. You can expect your final gallery to be delivered within 3 weeks via a private online gallery, where you can view, download, and share your high-resolution images with ease. You’ll also receive web-sized versions perfect for social media. If you need your images by a certain date for save the dates, invitations, or anything else, just let me know, and I’ll make sure you get them in time!
File delivery
What to expect
Your engagement session is all about celebrating this exciting chapter in your love story! Whether you’re feeling camera-shy or totally at ease, don’t worry—I’ll guide you through everything, from posing to movement, so you never feel awkward or unsure. The best images come from natural moments, so just relax, have fun, and focus on each other. I promise we’ll create something beautiful together, and I can’t wait to capture these memories for you!
Final thoughts
Just be you
I’m so excited to capture this special time in your lives! Your engagement session should be fun, stress-free, and a true reflection of your love. If you have any last-minute questions or need help with outfits, locations, or anything else—just reach out! I’m here to make this an incredible experience for you.
Thank you!
