How to Prepare for Engagement Photos

By this point you have probably picked a date, a venue, and a photographer, so you can do a little celebratory dance! Those are some of the most difficult decisions you’ll have to make while wedding planning. All of my wedding packages come with a complimentary engagement session, and there are a few reasons for this. First and foremost, it allows us to get to know each other! We will be spending a lot of time together on your wedding day, so it’s important to create that connection early on if we haven’t already met in person. I can get to know you as a couple, see how you interact, and find what your best poses and angles are which will help me prepare for your wedding day.

Preparing for your Engagement Photos

The last thing you want to do is scramble and choose your outfit the night before. Or worse, spend the day of your session running to different stores trying to find something you like. The more you prepare ahead of time, the more confident you will feel and it will reduce so much stress.

Pre-session tension and stress can weirdly show up in your final photos so here are some things you should do prior to your session:

When getting your hair color cut and/or colored, schedule your appointment 1-2 weeks beforehand. Guys, try not to get your hair cut a day or two beforehand. It can look harsh and needs a few extra days to calm down first.
Treat yourself! There will be engagement ring photos as well as lots of close-ups of you holding hands, hugging, and showing off that ring so you want your nails and hands to look their best. This is a great time to check out Pinterest or Insta for nail inspo and try something out that you might want for your wedding day.
Plan your session outfits ahead of time. Pinterest is an amazing place to get inspiration or check out the Styling Guide I emailed you for some styling help. I also offer a client closet with size-inclusive dresses, if you’re interested in using one of these for your session just let me know ahead of time so I can bring it with me to your session.
Lay out your outfits the night before your session and make sure you have all your accessories together and ready to go. Bonus – try on everything beforehand so you aren’t rushing around last minute trying to find an alternative because something doesn’t fit right.
The day before, take your engagement ring to get cleaned. Most jewelry stores will do it for free and normally online takes 10-15 minutes. You can also just clean it yourself at home with a toothbrush and some soap.
This is the perfect time for your hair and make-up trial! Make sure to have a buffer of a few hours between being done at the salon and your session’s start time, you don’t want to be rushed or late to our session. You don’t want to be rushed and end up late to your session. Tip: Lashes make a huge difference in the end result of your photos.
This is a big deal, so treat it like its a special occasion! Plan the day ahead of time, make dinner reservations for after your session then go out to a movie or do something else fun together. You’re already going to be dressed up, so make the most out of your day.

Location, Location, Location!

This can be one of the most daunting parts of your engagement session, but luckily I’m here to help you every step of the way! There are endless locations for you to choose from, the most important thing is that we choose somewhere that fits the vibe you’re wanting to portray. If you want elements of the background to tie into your engagement story, then picking carefully is of utmost importance. We want to choose somewhere that is meaningful to you, brings back fond memories, or somewhere that allows us to capture the beauty of your relationship. The session and the final images will be more sentimental when it is significant to you both in some way. Can’t think of anywhere? Just ask, I have so many different location ideas to choose from and I know we’ll find the perfect spot for you.

Here are some suggestions:

A park you spent a lot of time together
Your favorite coffee shop
Local brewery
Franklin Park Conservatory
Local Diner
Baking or cooking
Picnic
Lifestyle in your home
Hocking Hills
Downtown
Farmers market
Vacation (destination, yes please!)
Ice cream parlor
Pizza

Think of your session as a date, and I am your very stalkerish and sometimes bossy third wheel!

Bring Fun Props (always champagne!)

Sometimes props can have a bad rap for being overly cheesy, but when properly executed they can elevate your photos and create such a memorable experience. Things like flower bouquets, fun sunglasses, champagne, confetti, or bubbles can add so much style to a session.

Please Bring Your Pet

Yes please! This is a no-brainer and always highly encouraged by me!

Find a Photographer That Fits Your Style & You Connect With

This tip is so very important! Before you pick your photographer, go through their social media and website. Make sure you like their editing style, their vibe, and their posing. If you are looking for a fun, down to earth engagement and wedding photographer in Columbus Ohio, we should chat. I’d love to help you capture this season in your lives.