So you finally found your wedding photographer, and he or she has been talking to you all about this engagement session you are supposed to have, but here’s the deal. Your fiancee is anything BUT excited, you have no idea what to wear, or where to go, and all you want to do is sit on the couch and cry and eat the whole carton of Tillamook ice cream. Well you don’t have to worry because I’m giving you some things to do for easy prep for your engagement session!!! Yahoo!

First things first.

Date

You want to figure out the date that you will be doing your engagement session. If you have booked your photographer well in advance, you may want to wait to get your engagement photos done. On the other hand, if you are wanting to send out some save the dates, you may want to do your photos before-hand so you can get those sent out as soon as you need for your longer-traveling guests to make plans and reservations. I generally recommend getting your engagement photos taken care of 3-6 months before your wedding day. Make sure you talk to your photographer about what days they allow for sessions, though! Some busier photographers don’t allow them on weekends due to weddings, so make sure both of your calendars are open for the day you choose!

Location

Location can be bit of a bear. A big, nasty, rabid bear, but it really doesn’t have to be. I also recommend to my clients to pick somewhere that is going to be meaningful to them. Do you guys spend your weekends on the beach? Do you love to go hiking? or fishing? or camping? Or do you have special access to somewhere that most people don’t (i.e. airport, stadium, or some other cool place)? I love it when engagement session really mean something to my couples, and that the location is just as important. When the location pretty much embodies your relationship, your photos will mean that much more to you! And really, ANYWHERE can be the perfect location with the right light!

Outfits

Clothes is a BIG one when it comes to your engagement session. I always stress the importance of having not just one outfit, but generally two! That way you get more diversity in your images and more out of your shoot! And it gives you a fun excuse to go shopping usually! 😉

When it comes to clothes though, there are some things to keep in mind. Wear something that you would usually wear. Don’t get too crazy with super low cut dresses if that’s something that your friends would generally see you in. If you don’t like wearing super body-hugging shirts, then don’t pick something tight-fit. It’s easier to take images and open up in front of the camera when you’re not pulling and tugging at your clothes. Also, if there’s something you’re self conscious about (your arms, your calves, heck, your toes) it’s better to cover those up! It’s easier to keep them covered than have to worry about how they look in the images afterwards.

You should also dress for the weather. If it’s summer time, you don’t want to be wearing sweaters and scarves, but at the same time, if it’s fall or winter, don’t wear a cute mini-dress (no matter HOW cute it is). Nobody wants to be super sweaty, or have goose-bumps and be freezing throughout their session!

Coordinate your outfits! Don’t think matchy-matchy, but complimentary colors! Fire engine red and bright blue, blush pink and torquoise. Remember that color wheel you learned about back in elementary school? Check out the colors on the opposite sides of each have other! Also, both of you should be as dressy as the other. If one of you is semi formal, the other should be semi formal. Keep it simple!

Think layers!! Add a cute a cardigan or an amazing statement necklace! I always let my clients know that even if you don’t generally wear jewelry, your engagement session is a fun time to do so, and it can really help tie everything together! And who doesn’t love a good chunky necklace!?

Hair and Makeup

It’s always a good idea to get professional hair and makeup done. Your engagement session is the perfect time to have a run through with your hair and makeup artist that you’ll be using on your wedding day. That way you can see how it is going to photograph, and if there IS anything that you aren’t impressed with, they can change it before the big day! It’s a win-win for everyone!

Another BIG one when it comes to hair, ESPECIALLY for your groom, don’t get your hair cut or colored in the weeks leading up to your shoot. I don’t know how many times I’ve had a groom come to the shoot in a baseball cap because he didn’t like the haircut he got…..the day before. UGH!!! It’s easier, to do it maybe 2 weeks in advance. Let it can grow out a little if it’s horrible. But ladies, no DRASTIC changes!

Have FUN!!

Last of all, probably THE most important tip of them all, is to have fun. Every photographer knows how embarrassing and unnerving it can be staring down the barrel of a camera lens. It can be intimidating. It can be SCARY! But trust your photographer. Trust them that they will make sure you’re looking great! Make sure to tell them if there is anything they should be looking out for or aware of! It’s easier for them to watch for it in the process than have to worry about it on the back end! This should be one of the most exciting times in your relationships! Make sure you know the location that you’re going FOR SURE, so you don’t end up fighting before you even get to the session! Have a blast with it. Don’t be afraid to snuggle. And have fun spending some time with your fiancee, taking photos, before the craziness of the wedding day happens! 😀