Let’s make this amazing!

The right outfits are vital to a gorgeous engagement session! I can put you on top of the most beautiful mountain at sunset, but if you’re in your pajamas it’s not going to be the same photo as if you were in a gown or suit. You should look and feel your best on the day of your session. When you are comfortable and confident, it shows in your photos. Since this is likely your first professional photo shoot, these tips will help you be camera ready!

Outfits

Your location and the theme of your shoot should play a leading role in the outfits you choose. Select outfits that are appropriate for your location. The session is normally about 1-1.5 hours long. In that time you can do two outfits. My recommendation is to do one dressy and one casual. This will give you two completely different “looks” for a much larger variety of portraits, without taking up too much time for changing. If you do two outfits, please arrive in the casual. If you only want to do one outfit, I recommend dressing up. This is a one-time occasion and it’s worth celebrating by dressing your best!

Make-Up

I always recommend going professional for makeup; however, if you decide to do it on your own, make sure to add a little more than a regular day so that it will show up in the photos.

Nails

Make sure to clean your ring and make sure your NAILS ARE DONE! This is imperative, as I will be taking close-up photos of your hands.

Patterns

Only ONE of you can have on a pattern at a time. It is extremely distracting to the eye when two people are wearing two different patterns.

Example of how this is best done:

If one partner has on a floral dress or suit, the other partner must have a solid color shirt and pants or solid color dress.

If one partner has on a striped/flannel/any patterned shirt, the other partner must have on a solid color dress or outfit.

Color Palette

I recommend staying with a more neutral color pallet. The purpose of this session is to show the love between the two of you. When someone wears a bright red shirt, it makes the eye go straight to the shirt, then to the surroundings, and finally to the couple. So to avoid that, I recommend nudes, tans, pastels (light blue, pink, green etc) for shirts and dresses. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. An exception to the rule of wearing light/white/neutral colors is when you know the backdrop will be white/very light.

Heels

Heels always! (Unless you physically can’t wear them, or are concerned about a height discrepancy.) Heels help with posture and make women’s legs look longer, and as a result we look thinner – and who doesn’t like to look thinner!?

If you’re like me and hate wearing heels, you can bring a pair and carry them around with you as we move around, and change into them only when it’s time to strike a pose.

Engagement Session Prep

PRINT & GO CHECKLIST

• Plan 1 dressy and 1 casual outfit.
• Arrive at your session in your casual outfit.
• Book a makeup artist, or apply heavier makeup than usual.
• Clean your ring.
• Get a manicure or polish your nails at home.
• Plan outfits with only one pattern at a time.
• Choose light or neutral colors and avoid heavy or ultra-bright colors.
• Bring heels to change into for the portraits.