Tips to know before your session

1 The first 15 minutes will be the most awkward– it will get better after that. I promise. Most of us are not used to being followed around with a camera so it is okay if it doesn’t feel natural at first. But once we get started, it will feel like we’re just old friends hanging out. You are basically just on a super fun date with your favorite person and I am your third wheel best friend. There is no judgement, only love.

3 Bring 2-3 outfits. I suggest bringing at least 1 casual outfit and 1 that’s more dressy. Both should feel like you. (Pro Tip: You can use this as a chance to wear something you’d normally never wear, but it should feel like you at the core. This can be the perfect time to wear that dress that always felt like “too much” or go with something really fashionable. Just make sure you feel comfortable in it and bring other options.)

4 Have your hair and makeup trial before the session. This will allow you to see how it hold up throughout the day and how it photographs. It also gives you a chance to make any tweaks and let your hair and makeup artists know if you want any changes for the wedding day.

5 Nails – You don’t have to run out and get your nails done for the session if that doesn’t fit your personality, although you may want to if it does. But you should make sure they are manicured, even and clean. There will likely be photos of your hands to show off the rings, so you want to make sure your nails look tidy. This goes for men too.

6 Make dinner reservations for after your session. You only get to enjoy this season of life this one time. You engagement is something to celebrate. It’s also a really busy time of life- planning a wedding can feel like a full time job in addition to your actual job. It can be a good chance to make sure that you still make quality time for each other and have a fun date.

Engagement Session Style Guide

1. Prioritize Comfort and Confidence

• Choose clothing that fits well and allows you to move around in them.
• Wear something that makes you feel confident and authentic—if you’re uncomfortable, it will show in your photos.
• Be sure to steam or iron everything so your outfits look put together. Wrinkles can really distrast or ruin an outfit and the photo.

2. Show Off Your Personality

Your engagement photos should feel like you. Whether your style is timeless, trendy, playful, fashionable, or sophisticated, let your personality shine through. These images tell the story of who you and your partner are at this stage of life.

3. Coordinate, Don’t Match

• Choose a color palette of 2–3 colors that work well together.
• You want to coordinate, not wear matchy matchy outfits. Think about it like this- you wouldn’t normally go out wearing the exact same thing. You aren’t the
• Example of Do’s– If one partner wears a floral dress, pull one color from that for the other partner to wears that ties the outfits together.
• Example of Don’ts– don’t both wear jeans and the same color t-shirt.

4. Add Visual Interest with Textures and Layers

Adding layers and textures creates visual depth and interest in photos. Think about mixing fabrics such as:

• Denim
• Leather or suede
• Lace or silk
• Velvet or corduroy
• Tweed or chunky knits

These elements not only elevate your look but also photograph beautifully and make your outfit look more dynamic. 

5. Patterns and Prints

Too many prints or patterns will look busy and be distracting. So if one person wears a print, the other should wear solid colors to create balance.

Avoid busy patterns, logos, or graphics—they can distract from your connection.

Subtle patterns and solids work best.

6. The Power of Accessories

Small touches can really elevate your look and bring out your personality:

• Jewelry, hats, belts, or scarves that feel personal and authentic.
• Avoid anything that feels forced—your accessories should feel like you.
• Adding or removing accessories throughout the session can easily give you multiple looks and variety in your gallery

7. Footwear Matters

• Shoes are often overlooked or an afterthought but can complete your outfit.
• Choose footwear that is clean, polished, and comfortable for walking or standing.
• If wearing heels, it is a great idea to bring a comfortable pair of shoes for walking in between locations.

8. Avoid Neon

• Neon colors can reflect onto your skin, creating unwanted colorcast and overpower your photographs.
• Stick to colors that flatter your skin tone and photograph well.

9. Choose a Location with Meaning

Set the scene! This is a great opportunity to tell your story. Ask yourself questions about who you are and what represents you both as a couple

• What do you like to do together?
• Where was your first date or other significant dates?
• Do you prefer to be indoors or outside?
• Are you more adventurous or do you prefer more quiet activities?

Whatever you choose, choose a place that is a reflection of you and your relationship together.

10 Props

Don’t worry, I don’t mean cringy props you’d find on Pinterest. We’ll leave those in 2012 where they belong. But props can add a lot of storytelling elements to your session. This could be a blanket, vintage car, your dog, a guitar, a camera you like to use, or anything else that shows off your personality and your relationship. And it’s always fun to end the night with popping a bottle of champagne or a fun champagne spray! Think of elements that tell a little bit more about two of you and what makes your relationship so meaningful and special.

Colors & Combinations that Work Well

Neutrals always look good.

Think muted or earth tones- cream, brown, olive, gray, rust, tan, black, etc. These colors are easy to pair together, timeless and look good on everyone. You can always add a pop of color to add visual interest.

White

You are in your bridal era so it makes a ton of sense if you choose to wear something white. But this absolutely doesn’t mean to you have to wear white. Remember, the main goal is to choose something that feels like you and tells your story as a couple. If white fits that bill, then by all means, wear the white dress!

Black

Black is the epitome of timeless elegance and will always be in style. Its versatility allows it to be strikingly refined or effortlessly modern and trendy depending on what type of clothing you choose and how you style it. There’s a reason they say black looks good on everyone, because it is definitely true. From a classic black dress to a sharp suit- black is so easy to dress up or down. Universally flattering and endlessly sophisticated, black will always be trés chic.