Every love story deserves to be documented with care — from the quiet moments before “I do” to the celebration that follows. Engagement sessions are where we begin that story together, creating authentic, timeless images you’ll treasure for years to come.
Why I Include Engagement Sessions in Every Collection
This is truly one of my favorite parts of the entire wedding experience! Every collection I offer includes an engagement session — and that’s completely intentional. These sessions are the perfect way for us to connect before your wedding day and for me to really get to know you both as a couple. But here’s the best part: they’re not just beneficial for me… they’re an incredible experience for you too!
1. A chance to slow down and enjoy each other
Wedding planning can feel like a full-time job, and it’s easy to get swept up in the details. Your engagement session gives you a moment to pause, dress up, and simply enjoy being together. Think of it as a mini date night — with beautiful photos as a bonus! Plan a nice dinner afterward, or make it a fun evening out on the town. You deserve it.
2. Building comfort and confidence in front of the camera
These sessions help us create a comfortable, natural flow together long before the wedding day. You’ll learn how I guide and pose you, and I’ll learn how you two naturally connect. By the time your wedding arrives, you’ll feel completely relaxed and confident — which means your photos will look effortless, genuine, and full of emotion.
3. Timeless photos to cherish and display
Engagement photos often become some of the most loved and displayed images a couple owns. While wedding portraits beautifully capture your celebration, engagement photos showcase the everyday joy and anticipation of this season of your lives. Whether you print them for your home, use them for save-the-dates, or share them with loved ones, they’ll be lasting reminders of your love story.
Your engagement session isn’t just another step in the process — it’s an experience designed to bring you closer together, create genuine connection, and make your wedding photography feel natural, joyful, and completely you.
I love to meet my couples in locations that hold special meaning to them. Sometimes this is a family farm where you’ve spent countless hours together and feel a deep, personal connection. Do you often wander the farmers market on weekends? Where did you go on your very first date? Where did you get engaged? These are all wonderful and thoughtful ideas for choosing meaningful locations.
At the same time, I also enjoy exploring new outdoor places on a warm summer afternoon. When scouting locations, a few key things I look for include open shade to create softer, less harsh lighting in the images, plenty of open space for a clean and uncluttered backdrop, and options onsite to shelter in case of rain or bad weather. Another important consideration is finding spots that aren’t too crowded. Although weekends can be challenging with heavy foot traffic, I’m usually able to identify quieter areas where we can take photos without random photo-bombers interrupting the moment.
Taking the stress out of choosing your outfits.
Deciding what to wear for your engagement session doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, although I completely understand that it sometimes feels that way. It’s really important to choose outfits that reflect who you truly are as a couple. Make sure you wear clothes that are comfortable and genuinely “you.” After all, why would you want professional photos taken in something that makes you feel awkward or uncomfortable? While it’s normal for shoes to be a bit uncomfortable at times, if you’re in pain, it will definitely show in your photos. To avoid this, try to break your shoes in well before the day of the session. (This is great advice for your wedding day as well!)
When it comes to coordinating your outfits, aim to complement each other without matching exactly. This means you shouldn’t wear the same colors head to toe. Instead, look for outfits within similar color families, such as pastels, cool tones, or neutral shades, and coordinate along those lines. Avoid busy, distracting patterns as much as possible; if one of you is wearing a patterned outfit, it’s best for the other person to wear solid colors so the look stays balanced.
I always recommend that couples prepare two outfits — one casual and one more dressed-up option. Having both choices available is especially helpful when you consider the various locations where your photos will be taken, as different environments sometimes call for different styles. Keeping me in the loop about your overall vision and style preferences is essential; open communication ensures that everyone is happy with the final images and that your unique personality shines through beautifully.
Clothing looks best when it fits properly and accentuates your body in a flattering way.
I always advise my couples to be mindful of their body shape when selecting outfits to wear during the shoot. It’s important to choose clothing that highlights your best features without emphasizing areas you might feel more self-conscious about.
Pear-Shaped: To show off your curves gracefully, focus on cinching the waist with an A-line design that flares softly at the bottom, which balances proportions beautifully.
Apple-Shaped: An A-line dress with a gradual flow from the waist down to the legs is always flattering, creating a smooth silhouette. Dresses with texture or a deep V-neck look particularly great on this body type, adding visual interest and elongating the neckline.
Busty: Scoop and sweetheart necklines offer excellent support while opening up the décolletage area, drawing attention to the face rather than the bust itself. This helps balance the overall look in photographs.
Small Chest: Look for textured or ruched styles that add dimension and create fullness in the chest area, enhancing your natural shape without overwhelming it.
Plus Size: Engagement photos featuring empire-waist dresses are a go-to choice. These styles are incredibly flattering as they emphasize the smallest portion just under the bust, producing the effect of a slender, elongated silhouette from top to bottom.
By choosing outfits that complement your body shape, you’ll not only feel more comfortable but also look your absolute best, which will translate beautifully in your engagement photos.
Try a rental subscription for a designer wardrobe on a budget
If you want to splurge on designer looks for this special photo shoot, we get it. These photos really are meant to last a lifetime, and it's an occasion where you might want to go all in on and incorporate a gorgeous designer piece. If you're really just buying the piece for the photo shoot, however, you might consider renting your outfit rather than buying it. Sites like Rent the Runway and Le Tote have many options that make it easy (and more affordable) to access designer looks.
Be yourselves!
Have fun and let your true self shine through! Be authentic and fully present in the moment. Trust me on this—it’s the key to capturing genuine happiness. Laugh often, without holding back! These are some of the best pieces of advice I can give for your engagement session. My goal is for you both to thoroughly enjoy your time together and to create beautiful, lasting memories. Just relax and leave everything else to me. All you need to do is soak it all in and cherish these special moments.
