Your engagement session guide
You're engaged and on your way to getting married!! What a gift it is to capture this season of love, anticipation, and all the feelings that come with it.
As we plan your session, I want you to think of it as a glimpse of your relationship right now. What does a good day together actually look like for you? A dip at the beach, a stroll through the city on a summer night, escaping to the mountains at every chance you get? Whatever feels natural to you, let's do that.
Plan it like a real date, and I'll be there to capture it all along the way. There aren't many dates where you'll have a photographer with you, so think of me as your third-wheeling friend tagging along on a sweet night out.
Planning
01
what time of year is best?
Late spring and early fall are the sweet spots — sunny evenings, green trees, comfortable temperatures, and fewer crowds. Highly recommend planning around these seasons if you can!
02
Where do we shoot?
What are places you normally hangout at and feel comfortable? Is there a spot that’s often your date day spot? I'll send you a questionnaire to gather your ideas, so let me know there what comes to mind. If you have a vision for the vibe or setting, I can suggest spots that match. If you're not sure, I'll come up with a few options and you can let me know which one resonates. Typically, I find picking locations with an open area to move around and less crowds help to get the best photos and feel the most comfortable.
03
What time of day do you recommend?
Sunset is my favourite — that warm, soft light is hard to beat. If we're in the middle of the cloudy season, about two hours after midday works beautifully too. We can nail down the timing once we have a location sorted.
04
What if it rains?
If it's a full atmospheric river situation, let's reschedule. If it's just a drizzle, I can bring clear umbrellas and we'll make the most of it! Ultimately it's your call and what you'd like for your photos. If you’d prefer to schedule, we’ll chat to find a day that works best for all of us.
Preparing
05
What to wear
It’s best to plan your outfits sooner rather than later, in case you want to pick something new up — you'll want time to make sure you love the way it looks and feels on you before the day. Also, because it doesn’t feel good to rush going into your session. Here are some specific tips:
Pick 1–2 colours (aside from black and white) and coordinate rather than match
Earth tones and warm, muted, or soft colours photograph beautifully
Wear something you're comfortable in and can move around in
Avoid bright or neon colours and clothing with logos or words — subtle patterns are fine
Keep it clean and wrinkle-free
Ultimately though, I want the outfit to be something you would normally wear. Maybe it’s a bit dressier than what you wear day to day, but comfort and confidence is better than style and inauthenticity.
06
Should we do hair and makeup?
Whatever feels natural to you! If you're a bride planning a makeup trial, the same day can work great — just keep in mind that if you're unsure how the trial will go, it might be safer to keep them separate. If you’re considering this, I’ll note it also means your hair will be the same in engagement and wedding photos. At the end of the day, it comes down to your preference and what feels most like you.
07
Can we bring our dog?
Yes! I'd suggest having someone care for your pup for most of the session, then bring them in for the last 15 minutes so we can get some photos together without the cute little distraction. Also, let me know your pup is coming!
08
Anything else we should know?
When we’re planning your session, communication is key! If there is something you're envisioning, I’d love to know! Whether it’s big or small, make a note of it on your questionnaire. I love when sessions and photos for that matter are collaborative. At the end of the day, these are your photos to have and hold as memories.
The Session
09
How long is the Session?
About an hour.
10
what can we expect?
I'd love for you to walk away with photos that really feel like you. For that to happen, the best thing you can do is go in with the expectation of just spending time together.
The first few minutes might feel a little stiff, and that's completely normal. We'll ease into it, and by the time you've forgotten what stiff even felt like, that's usually when the fun and emotive photos come out. I'll guide you through a mix of prompts, poses, and questions. Some prompts are silly just to get you moving and having a great time, while poses help create flattering shapes, and questions slow the pace down and focus on your relationship.
I'll leave space between prompts for you to breathe. These in-between moments are where the real stuff comes out — who you are and how you naturally are with each other. For the most part I’d like you to stay in those moments, it often sparks an idea for something else. The best photos come from the moments you're actually living in and focused on the person in front of you rather than your surroundings.
That's where the photos that feel like you come from, so for the most part, pretend I'm not there. I'll invite you to look at the camera at certain moments, but until then I'm after the candid ones. If you're ever unsure what to do, look to each other for connection, rather than me for direction. And know that no news is good news — and if I say linger, just keep going with whatever you were doing.
There's never a right or wrong way to do any of this. Feel free to chat, dance, spin, make jokes — just be yourselves.
After
11
When can we see our photos?
You’ll receive an email with a link to your online gallery within 2-4 weeks! From there you can view and download it all.
12
What do we do with our photos?
Maybe you're already thinking of posting them on social media — if so, please tag me so I can see which ones you chose! You can also use them for save the dates, or print them for decor at your wedding. If you'd like to use them for a guest book, slideshow, or signage, I have a print shop attached to your gallery where you can easily design and order prints or a photo book.