About a year ago, I shared a post about why I love engagement sessions. I’m pretty passionate about engagement sessions because I get to know my couples before their wedding day, there’s opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and with me as the photographer, it’s practice for the big day, and it’s an opportunity for the couple to get some casual pictures (to hang in their home, use at the reception, etc.). And I really just enjoy shooting them! So both of my wedding photography packages include an engagement session and I always encourage my couples not to opt out of doing one. Now that I do have more couples saying yes to engagement sessions (HOORAY!), I’d like to share a little about planning for the engagement session. I know “planning” may be the last word a couple wants to hear in the months leading up to their wedding, but I promise, planning for an engagement session requires a lot less work than your wedding. 🙂

1. WHEN. The first thing I discuss with my couples is when they’d like to do their session. If their wedding is super close it usually just depends on when we’re all available. But if there’s plenty of time before the big day, I first ask if they’ll be needing their pictures for save the dates. I believe the general rule of thumb is to send your save the dates out around eight months before your wedding day, but I’ve received them as early as ten months before and as late as four months before. It’s your day so you can send them whenever you want, but make sure you do your engagement session about two months before you’d like to send save the dates so I have time to edit and you have time to choose pictures, order save the dates, address and mail them. Now back to the season…If you’re getting married in the fall, consider a bit of contrast and go for a spring or summer session. Or stick with the theme of your wedding and do the engagement session in the same season. If you and your fiance enjoy the colder months, be a little different and do the session in the winter…and maybe there will be snow!? Whichever season you choose, if there’s time to pick from more than one, make sure it’s a temperature and environment you’ll be comfortable in…and that it’ll allow enough time for save the date creation if needed.

Alicia and Chad are getting married this fall. They decided to keep things similar and do their engagement session in the fall as well. These same fall colors will be part of their big day…a little foreshadowing?? 🙂

2. WHERE. After the when comes the where. Sometimes couples know the exact location they’d like to use for their engagement session, but I have plenty of couples who have no idea. I always suggest a few places, but also encourage couples to come up with their own. Maybe there’s a meaningful location that would be appropriate? Your first date? Where he proposed? If you enjoy hiking together and don’t mind looking a little sporty, consider having your engagement session at a state forest. If you’re fans of getting dressed up and love to have nights out on the town, considering having your session in the evening while the city lights are shining. If you’re super casual people that enjoy grilling out, drinking a few beers and playing corn hole, an engagement session in a local cafe or art museum probably wouldn’t make sense. Whatever the location might be, make sure it fits who you are as a couple.

Caitlin and Bryce enjoy wine and collecting wine bottles together, so half of their engagement session was done at The Vintage Room, a wine bar in Morgantown. It was definitely a unique location that was very fitting for them as a couple.

3. WHAT. To wear, that is. Along with the season and location, you want to be comfortable and you want things to fit who you are as a couple during your engagement session. So after you choose the season and location, choose your outfits. I suggest no more than two outfits, but will entertain the idea of a third if it’s important to the couple. Some couples also come with just one outfit, which is totally fine as well. Think about what makes you feel pretty and comfortable because that will translate into confidence and it will show in your pictures. Also think about what you enjoy as a couple. If you enjoy bright colors or prints, go for it! If you’re t-shirt and jeans kind of people, go for it! If you’re a sports-lovin’ couple, consider incorporating some jerseys. Just make sure it fits with your location, season, personality as a couple, and comfort level. My personal favorites are light colors and jeans in an open field, plaid and scarves in the fall, and any bold colors in any season and any location.

Gina and Ed are huge Pittsburgh Penguin fans, so not only was it appropriate to do their session in downtown Pittsburgh, it was also appropriate to include some Penguins jerseys. The location and outfits fit who they are as a couple.

Kristin and Mike chose bold colors and plaid for the fall…two of my favorite pieces for engagement session outfits!

4. EXTRAS. I would say about half of my engagement sessions include some sort of prop. Whether it’s a banner with the wedding date or some sports equipment, I don’t mind it as long as it fits and won’t take away from the feel of the pictures and the couple in the pictures. I’ve learned that people sometimes feel a bit more comfortable in front of the camera if they have something to hold, so by all means, feel free to consider bringing something extra. But do not stress about it! Often times your outfits, the location and the love you have for each other will be more than enough pizzazz for the engagement session. Props aren’t a must, but they can be nice extras…as long as they fit with the season, location, your outfits and who you are as a couple! Noticing a trend here? 😉

Kaylin and Brad are a fun couple who like to have fun together…so it was only appropriate that we have some extra fun during their engagement session! This was the first time I had goofy glasses as a prop for an engagement session and while I was initially a little unsure of exactly how to incorporate them, I think the end result turned out to be quite entertaining…and quite fitting. 🙂

Dogs really aren’t props, but they’re definitely extras when it comes to engagement sessions…or any kind of session for that matter. Your furry friends can be included in your session, but make sure you have a friend or family member come along so they can watch them when they’re not needed. Treats are also recommended. 🙂

Lorena and Tim doubled up when it came to props for their engagement session. They wanted to show their wedding date and their super fun side with mustaches and clown noses. Fun fact: the pennant banner was done in their wedding colors and hints at their theme!

In closing, there are tons of options for your engagement session when it comes to when, where, what (to wear) and whether or not to include extras. But realize that all the planning for the engagement session can be really easy when you just think about the two of you. Who are you as a couple? What do you like to do together? What are some words to describe you as a couple? Where are some of your favorite places? Ask yourselves those questions when planning and I bet you’ll come up with some things that fit perfectly…just like the two of you. 🙂