A couple walking arm-in-arm through a grassy field near a lake, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background.

Engagement Guide

Engagement Photoshoot Prep

A man and woman stand close, gazing into each other's eyes in front of a wrought iron gate. The man wears a black leather jacket, and the woman is dressed in a black off-the-shoulder top, with a visible tattoo on her shoulder. The scene appears intimate and romantic.

An Engagement session is a great first step in prepping for your wedding day.

By planning your engagement session at least 6 months before your big day, you will be able to use the images for your ‘Save the Date’ and Invitations.

Another plus is at your engagement session, we will teach you our foundation of posing. Our easy posing guide fosters positivity and confidence and the poses can be used on your wedding day to help capture shots quickly and effortlessly so you walk away with beautiful images and special memories.

PRO TIP: Don’t share all of your engagement photos right away, build the anticipation by only sharing a few photos a month leading up to the big day!

Outfit Myths

MYTH ONE: Avoid neutrals because they will wash you out! Whatever color you chose, know that this myth couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure some colors don’t work for some people but the truth is, neutrals are the most photogenic color palette for portraits.

MYTH TWO: Always wear black to look thin! Sure, black is slimming but it adds a more serious dimension to portraits. There is nothing wrong with black but if you’re only wearing black to look thinner, we have your back! We believe every person is unique and beautiful just the way they are, and understand there are things we don’t necessary like about ourselves. If you share these things with us upfront we can often help with insecurities with posing and lighting. Often times you don’t realize how great you can look with just a quick adjustment before we take the photo. If you still feel like a little more needs to be done and want to digitally shed a couple pounds, we can help you out. With that said, we will not change the look of you entirely.

MYTH THREE: We need to exact matching outfits! False! Think of matching black turtlenecks with jeans. With that said, coordination is a great idea. Chose colors that compliment each other.

MYTH FOUR: You have to buy something new! False! If you know you look awesome in an outfit that you already have and it fits the style you want for your session, that would be a great choice!

Top Tips

THINGS TO DO:

POCKETS: Empty your pockets! Literally. You don’t want to look back and see your phone or keys through your pockets.

PARKING FEE: This may not apply to your photoshoot but it is a best practice to have cash on hand for parking fees.

TIMING: Allow additional travel time when life throws an unexpected curveball or heavy traffic your way.

LIP COLOR & HAIRSPRAY: You may need to apply more lip color after an outfit change and a few hair adjustments.

COMFY SHOES: If you’re wearing fabulous shoes that are difficult to walk in, bring comfy shoes while walking between locations.

ACCESSORIES: blankets, hats, scarves, a car, motorcycle etc.

SOLID COLORS: subtle plaids or solid colors that coordinate. Layer texture and neutrals are much more pleasing to the eye and they create a warmer image.

THINGS TO AVOID:

Clothes that fit poorly (too loose or too tight).

Colors that blend in with the background too much. If you pick a park or forest for your session don’t choose green or brown colors.

Exact matching outfits (unless you are going for the iconic 80s look).

Neon yellows, greens and oranges (tend to cast onto skin).

Strong / overly bold patterns
(small patterns are great and can pull outfits together).

Style(s) you’re not comfortable with
(feeling awkward will reflect in your photos).

Shirts with large characters/logos (can be distracting).

Uncomfortable shoes (you will be walking and moving around).

Deciding On Your Style

A smiling young couple stands on a wooden bridge in a forest with autumn foliage, with the woman wearing a burgundy dress and knee-high boots, and the man wearing a gray sweater and jeans.
A man lifting a woman on a wooden bridge, both smiling and looking at each other, surrounded by green trees.
A couple embracing outdoors with yellow autumn leaves in the background, with the man kissing the woman's forehead and both appearing happy and content.
A man and woman lying on grass among yellow flowers, gazing into each other's eyes and smiling.
A couple standing outdoors, holding hands, face-to-face, with their foreheads nearly touching, in a natural setting with blurred greenery in the background.
A smiling couple sharing an intimate moment outdoors, with a woman leaning against a tree and the man beside her, holding her hand.

Bright & Bold

A man in a dark blue suit sits next to a woman in an orange and gold sari on a park bench, both smiling and with the man's arm around her shoulders. The woman holds a pink flower, and the background features trees and greenery.
A man and woman stand close together outdoors in a park during daytime, looking at each other affectionately. The woman wears a long, flowing red dress while the man wears a tan jacket and jeans. There is a large fallen tree behind them and leafless trees in the background.
A couple standing outdoors in front of a pine tree, smiling at each other. The man has a beard, glasses, and a wide-brimmed straw hat, while the woman has long wavy red hair and is touching the man's shoulder.
A couple standing close in a grassy field with sunlight shining on them, surrounded by trees.
A smiling older interracial couple sitting close together outdoors at dusk, holding hands, in front of a dark door with glass windows and warm string lights reflected in the windows.
A young couple holding hands standing on a rural road surrounded by trees with autumn foliage.
A couple walking hand in hand along a wooded trail, the woman in a long pink skirt and black top, the man in a black cowboy hat, pink shirt, and black suit jacket, with tall trees in the background.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a butterfly-patterned dress and a pearl necklace, stands next to a man with gray hair, wearing a black vest over a white T-shirt, in front of a yellow train car with weathered wood and metal details.
A smiling couple hugs on a wooden porch of a log cabin, dressed warmly with the man in a plaid shirt and the woman in a beige coat and furry hat.

You don’t have to apply all of these “ingredients” to get a perfect Bright & Bold look.

Only one wears a pattern: If one persons wears a bold pattern, the other doesn’t. The bolder the pattern, the more important this rule is.

Bold Backgrounds: If you are going for a bright and bold look, we will help balance it with solid colored/neutral backgrounds. It’s a double win if the background coordinates with the outfits.

One bold color: We recommend one person wear a bright/bold colored outfit/accessory and the other wear solid/neutral to balance out the colors.

Large Patterns: If you want to wear a bright & bold pattern a larger scale pattern is a great choice.

Neutral

A woman with tattoos and a hat looking up at a man leaning against a tree, smiling at each other outdoors in a park with trees and fencing in the background.
A couple holding hands, standing outdoors near trees and brick buildings, smiling at the camera. The woman wears a blue and white floral dress, and the man wears a blue patterned shirt with a black cowboy hat.
A couple standing close together in a grassy field with yellow flowers, holding hands and smiling softly, with a forest in the background.
A man carrying a woman in his arms on a rocky beach at sunset, with cliffs and the ocean in the background.
A young couple stands close together outdoors during sunset, with foreheads touching, eyes closed, and gentle smiles, surrounded by natural scenery and mountains in the background.
A young man with curly hair and a beard sitting outdoors, looking away. A woman in light-colored clothing is in the background, walking toward the camera in a field with mountains in the distance during sunset.
A man proposing marriage to a woman on a rocky landscape with mountains in the background at sunset.
A smiling woman wearing glasses and a denim jacket is leaning towards a man with a beard in a white shirt, who is close to her face outdoors during the day.
A young woman and a man sitting on the floor, smiling at each other, in a cozy indoor setting.

If you’re hoping for a more romantic style that includes “light” and “airy” colors, you can make outfit choices that will lead your images to be a lighter, softer look. Here are some ingredients that result in a romantic styled images.

Neutral Colors. Blush, light pinks, light blues, light teals, creams, light grays and whites result in a light and airy look. These colors photograph softer and more romantically!

Long/Flowing Skirts/Dresses: Dresses and skirts with feminine ruffles, multiple layers of fabric with the ability to flow and move in the wind photograph beautifully! You will be in awe at how impactful moving fabric softens an image.

Khakis vs. Jeans: If you want your images to be as light and soft as possible, consider having one person wear lighter pants instead of dark pants or jeans.

Classic

A couple standing on a wooden bridge in a forest during autumn, smiling and embracing.
A woman hugging a smiling older man from behind outdoors in a park through trees.
A smiling man embracing a woman from behind in a forest with autumn foliage.
A smiling couple embracing near a waterfall in a natural outdoor setting, with trees in the background and rocks in the water.
A couple standing outdoors near a fallen log, holding hands and looking at each other. The woman has dark hair and is wearing a patterned top, while the man has a beard and is wearing a black shirt and a baseball cap. The background shows a natural setting with leafless trees and a soft, blurry sky.
A couple standing outdoors in an autumn setting, smiling and enjoying each other's company.
A man and woman standing close together in a snowy, wooded area. The woman is wrapped in a gray plaid blanket, and the man is wearing a dark coat. Snow covers the branches and ground around them.
A woman with long blonde hair stands in a grassy field, looking at the camera, with a man with short hair and a plaid shirt behind her, in a forested area during daylight.
A young woman with blonde wavy hair, smiling and looking over her shoulder, standing among green trees and bushes, with a man in a black shirt behind her

Classic has never looked so good! This look allows for a lot of variety and style. With a classic look you can go for that bold and beautiful, or a light and airy style. Think of casual as an upgrade to your daily style.

Classic outfits allow more patterns in your style. Flannel, animal prints, solids can work well. It is recommended for one person to wear a pattern and the other to wear a solid. This allows for a nice contrast while still coordinating.

Jeans or khakis work well for the casual look. Sneakers are great if they are black, white, blue, brown with minimal patterns. Matte boots or dress shoes can also pair well with casual look.

Classic should still compliment you and your personal style. Wear it proudly and with confidence.

Dressy

A couple walking hand in hand through a forested trail, smiling at each other.
A smiling man and woman standing close together on a rural road lined with trees during fall, the woman wearing a burgundy dress and boots, and the man in a gray sweater and jeans.
A smiling couple standing near a river with a waterfall in the background, with trees and overcast sky.
A man and woman standing outdoors on grass, holding hands, under a large tree with green leaves, with a scenic background of fields and mountains in the distance.
A couple walking arm-in-arm on a tree-lined path with blooming pink and purple flowers.
A woman in a white dress and man in a gray shirt standing arm-in-arm on a forest road.
A couple holding hands in a grassy field under a blue sky, with trees in the background.
A couple sitting on front steps in front of a wrought iron gate, with woman in black dress and red heels, and man in black leather jacket and ripped jeans.
A couple stands outdoors with a mountain in the background; the man is dressed in a dark suit and the woman is wearing a floral dress.

Who said the red carpet was for celebrities only? Dressy style is designed to stand out because they are not done very often. For this style you want the best of the best. Suits, dresses, ties, button ups and the shoes to match. Think of dressy as a night out on the town or a gala.

Now, before we continue, dressy styles are harder to pull off. Not everyone dresses in suits or these style of dresses. If this is not something you would wear or if it does not fit your personality don’t force yourself into this theme.

One piece of advice with dressy style is to consider a second outfit that compliments the dressy style. This gives your entire album a unique look as the day goes on. We suggest starting your session with a classic style and ending in the dressy style.

Dressy styles are a fantastic choice to give your session a high end fashion feel and one you will be proud of for years to come. With all styles, stick to a couple of colors and use your color pops as an accent to compliment the rest of the outfit.

Engagement Seasons

SPRING:

Spring blossoms are beautiful! We recommend having plenty of Claritin or Zyrtec on hand just in case allergies start to flare up.

SUMMER:

Summer greens are gorgeous! We recommend bug spray and sun block to protect you from pesty bugs and strong sun rays.

FALL:

Fall colors are fantastic! We recommend bringing accessories that can be used as extra layers in case the temps turn cooler than expected.

WINTER:

Winter is wonderful! We recommend bundling up in warm, stylish layers to stay cozy and comfortable during your photoshoot.

Wedding Checklist

Venue

Photographer

Videographer

Caterer

Cake Baker

Band / DJ

Engagement Session

Mail Save the Dates

Officiant

Wedding Dress

Additional Attire

Hair & Make Pros

Barber

Hotel Accommodations

Mail Invitations

Guestbook

Favors / Exit Props

12-24 Months

8-12 Months

8-12 Months

8-12 Months

6-12 Months

6-12 Months

6-8 Months

6 Months

Personal Preference

Personal Preference

Personal Preference

3-6 Months

3-6 Months

3-6 Months

2 Months

1-3 Months

1-3 Months