HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Dec 22

How to prepare for your Couples Session

You are engaged and getting ready to have your pictures taken! First of all, congratulations, second, if you are wondering where to start, then you have come to the right place. I will admit, I can be a bit over-prepared when it comes to helping you prep for your session, but that’s probably the girl scout in me. So here are 12 tips to help you prepare for your session:

Ask your photographer for outfit recommendations:

I, for one, send my clients a whole Session Guide to help them prepare fashionably for their session, and I know many photographers would loveeee to help you out when it comes to picking out your outfits!! I love emailing back and forth with my clients about outfit ideas, and your photographer knows what works best for each scenario so go ahead and reach out to them!

Check the weather and bring things that you may need:

If it looks like it may rain, bring an umbrella or two, if it looks like it's going to be cold, bring a blanket to snuggle up under, and if it looks like it's going to be 100 degrees Fahrenheit, pack a cold thermos full of ice-cold lemonade! Oh, and it’s also helpful talking about this with your photographer because they may also have things that they can bring! I for one have clear umbrellas for rain and a cute picnic basket if we want to set up something super cute!

Stop looking at poses on social media:

Contrary to popular belief, I am going to go out on a limb and tell you that those photos are limiting you and your imagination. Not to mention, bringing screenshots of different poses may seem fine at first, but they don’t lend well to capturing genuine heartfelt emotion. I also can’t tell you how many people are nervous about having their pictures taken because they freak out about “how am I supposed to stand? Do I look at the camera or not?” Leave that to your photographer, they should be well experienced in the area of directing and posing you in ways that make you look good and feel good and you won’t have a need to compare yourself and your partner to anyone else because you aren’t recreating another photo.

Put together a playlist:

Music can help create emotion, will help you get into the groove of your session, and will allow you to feel relaxed and at ease or fun and ready for action. Not to mention, if you are a music fanatic this can be fun putting together a mixed list of slow, fun/bubbly, and passionate songs that you both love, and you may even create a new beautiful memory to associate with that one song that you love hearing on the radio.

Pro tip: Bring your own portable speaker just in case your photographer doesn’t have one so you can listen to music!

Avoid tons of direct sun and the tanning solon:

I had a bride go to the beach a few days before her session and she had a MAJOR tan line. Although I finished her photos within the allotted time span, I took a lot longer editing because I had to go in and soften the stark tan lines. I would prefer not to have you wait longer for your photos and recommend that if you are going to tan, make sure you don’t wear anything that will leave crazy tan lines. Another time I had a groom with a major sunburn and it was quite painful for him to take pictures. This even goes for spray tans. You may be surprised to hear this, but spray tans notoriously look orange in photos and I for one don’t think you want to look like that.

Test new products:

I feel for you sensitive-skinned people. I too have broken out because of a new product and it was NOT FUN AT ALL. I recommend testing any new products you are going to use on your skin 2-4 weeks before your session. That way if you react, you will have time to heal before your session.

Pamper yourselves the day of or the day before:

Use this as an excuse to get a massage (or give each other one.) Get your hair and/or makeup done, and men, go ahead and have a professional barber trim your beard. Ladies, treat yourself to that new makeup product, getting your nails done, or perfume. Love yourselves well before your session so that you feel more relaxed and confident.

I recommend impress nails, they are really nice and easy to apply.

Pro tip: If you don’t have time to get your nails done, Walmart and Target have great options for press on nails that look like they are solon quality!!

Clean your Engagement Ring

If you don’t have time to get it professionally cleaned than you can soak it in warm soapy water for 30 minutes to an hour, and then using a toothbrush to lightly brush away all that gunk it collects when you wear it. I recommend dawn detergent or nonscented, neutral soap.

Download the map:

Don’t you hate it when you lose service? I do!! And isn’t it the worst when you are lost? Many map applications have the option to download the map of a city and will allow you to use the map without the internet.

CLICK HERE to learn how to download offline Google Maps

Don’t forget to eat:

You would be surprised at how many people who have shown up to their engagement session not haven eaten anything all day long. This is a major “Take care of yourselves please!!” from me. The last thing we want is for you to feel fatigued during your session as that can reflect in your photos.

Bring options:

I mention this to all my clients in the Session Guide I send them when they book. Having options allows your photographer to help you figure out what outfit would look best in the location you are in and you may be able to get more photos of a different variety.

Plan a date afterward:

I mean, you are all dressed up, why not go out?! Take a selfie or two on that date, post them on social media, and mention that you just had your engagement pictures taken!

I hope these tips help you when it comes to preparing for your couple’s session and as always, feel free to leave a comment below with any tips I may have forgotten to help other brides and grooms prepare for their session.

If you have not booked a photographer and are wanting to have your engagement photos taken by me, click the button below or email me at annie@annieshannon.co (please note it is not .com) I travel, so although I am a photographer based in Denton, Texas, I am also a Destination Wedding Photographer!