PLANNING YOUR
ENGAGEMENT SESSION
choosing the perfect time, location, outfit & more!
WELCOME!
I'm so excited to be working with you and I can’t wait for our time together during your engagement session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. I always tell people that I still get nervous before having our photos taken.
I'm big fans of engagement sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed and understand how I pose. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits – which is why I've found that wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time.
Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you (and even include pets!). While they’re great for save-the-dates, I've taken engagement photos anywhere from 18 months in advance to a few days before the wedding.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session and since I get asked the same things over and over again, I thought it would be the most beneficial if I put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know.
I’ll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets & how to manage them, location ideas and more!
a note to
THE GUYS
I get it. Having your picture taken for 1-2 hours might not be in your top-10 favorite things to do during your downtime. And at first you might feel sort of awkward being in front of the camera. But I think you’ll find that by the end of the session, it’s a lot easier than you thought, and you even had a little fun. I look forward to it because it’s a great opportunity for us all to hang out a bit before the wedding day.
TIME & LIGHT: IS THERE A
"GOOD" TIME TO TAKE PHOTOS?
Engagement sessions can take place anywhere from immediately following a proposal to just a few days before the wedding. I’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. I normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” a couple has in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about an hour and a half and when I can—I love to begin sessions about two hours before sunset. I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.
I schedule sessions during what I believe will be the best light of the day – which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.
SEASONS
While I shoot most of our engagement sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of my couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Spring
fresh flowers and sunny days
Even though Spring begins in March, I typically don't begin shooting for another 6 weeks because the weather in the Mid-West is still pretty chilly. When I schedule spring dates, I typically schedule both a primary date and a back up rain date.
SEASONS
While we shoot most of our engagement sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of our couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Summer
walks on the beach hand in hand
Despite the heat, I'm a big fan of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions usually begin as late as 6pm. If you're taking your engagement photos during the summer, I recommend bringing water, extra makeup, and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
SEASONS
While we shoot most of our engagement sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of our couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Fall
colorful leaves and snuggle close
Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year and because of the perfect weather, my schedules typically book up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall engagement session, I recommend scheduling it as soon as you book!
SEASONS
While we shoot most of our engagement sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of our couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Winter
snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats
If you are planning to take your engagement photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.
SAVE-THE-DATES
If your wedding is local, save the dates should be sent between 6 and 8 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, you’ll want to send them out 8 to 10 months before the wedding.
If you’re hoping to use your engagement photos for your save the dates, I recommend scheduling your session at least two months before you plan to send out your save-the-dates. Between inclement weather, editing, designing your save-the-dates and printing, two months is generally a safe amount of time to make sure your images and cards are ready.
LOCATIONS
I will be responsible for selecting the locations for your engagement session. I also love when couples choose a location for their session that complements their wedding. I will inform you of the chosen locations one or two days before the session.
destination
ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS
While I take most of our engagement sessions in the Wichita area. If you have a location in mind that is significant to the two of you, let us know because if our schedules align, we might be able to take your engagement photos outside of my normal area.
Travel fees may apply depending on the location and our availability.
OUTFITS
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST
When picking outfits I recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if the groom-to-be is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the bride-to-be may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.
Generally couples pick two outfits for an engagement session: a dressy/romantic outfit and a casual/comfortable outfit. I recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session, when couples usually feel more comfortable in front of the camera. And don’t forget to bring a few accessories! Statement necklaces, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits.
Coordinate with your partner
While you don't need to match exactly, it's important to coordinate with your partner. Choose outfits that complement each other in color and style. For example, if your partner is wearing a navy blue suit, you could wear a white dress with navy blue accessories.
Choose timeless pieces
Your engagement photos are something you'll treasure forever, so it's best to avoid trends that might not age well. Opt for classic pieces like a little black dress or a white shirt and jeans. You can also add a pop of color with accessories like a statement necklace or colorful shoes.
Colors
I recommend wearing light-colored or neutral clothing when you shoot your engagement photos. It's all about the light and one way to make sure you don’t get lost in the shadows of your background is to make sure your clothes are bright enough to stand out against a dark background. YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG WITH NEUTRALS (Ivory, Cream, Beige, Taupe, Cognac, Heather gray, Charcoal, Black, Navy).
Dress for the location
Consider the location of your engagement session when choosing your outfit. If you're taking photos in a park or on the beach, wear comfortable shoes and flowy dresses that will move with the breeze. If you're taking photos in a city, choose more structured outfits like a blazer and jeans.
PETS
I love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
I recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then either dropping them off or having a friend/family take them home. We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a friend/family available to hold him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.
A NOTE ON
POSING
When it comes to posing for your engagement session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to make the two of you laugh – and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for.
Throughout your session, I’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
For the Ladies: Know Your Good Side Before Your Engagement Session.
Before your engagement session, it's helpful to know your good side—everyone has one! If you're unsure, don't worry; we'll work together to discover it during the shoot. The goal is to capture your best angles and bring out your natural beauty.
Get your hair and makeup done.
Don't forget about hair and makeup! Getting your hair and makeup professionally done can make you feel more confident and camera-ready. Plus, it's a great excuse to pamper yourself before the big day.
DATE NIGHT
If you’re anything like us, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often. Which means that the day of your engagement session is the perfect occasion for a date night (or brunch if your session is in the morning!)
The engagement session is another part of celebrating your love and heading off to dinner is a great way to end the session!
When to Expect Your IMAGES
You can expect to receive your engagement photos between 2 and 3 weeks after your session.
thank you!
We know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your engagement session! However if there is something we missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email
2focusphotography@gmail.com