Engagement Session, How to Rock It

Are you ready to book your engagement session, but feel unsure about how to prepare for it? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! Here are the most important things to consider to get the most out of your shoot.

Plan A….Plan B

First thing is first; we always need a back-up plan. Unlike a wedding date that is set in stone, we have the freedom to create an engagement shoot that is 100% what you want. If you are dreaming of a sunset walk in the park where you had your first date? No problem! We will make sure we get that sunset. I always suggest booking two dates just in case the weather is not on our side.

The Season

If you are getting married during the spring or summer, you might want to consider doing your engagement session during the fall or winter. It gives you the option of having two completely different moods in your photos. When it is possible, I suggest scheduling an engagement session at least 3 months before your wedding, it will give you lots of time to prepare without having any overlap with last minute wedding day details. The most important thing is that you have the time to enjoy yourselves!

Time of Day

The time of day, and corresponding quality of light, dramatically changes the look and feel of a photography session.  Most couples prefer to schedule an evening shoot during the week. It’s convenient, low pressure, and golden hour never disappoints. However, the morning has its charm too (and it’s by far my favourite!) If you are an early bird or are in the mood for something a little different, an early morning shoot lets you and your love bask in soft glowing light while enjoying your location of choice… all to yourselves. It’s the perfect option for tourist destinations or locations that are typically crowded.

Location, Location, Location!

The location is a defining element of your shoot. Before picking a place, I would suggest you sit and think of it for a bit. You could go to a place that has special meaning for you two (a park, a trail, a restaurant). You could also find a place that you find beautiful and that reflects who you are. Before settling on a particular spot, I would suggest going to check it out in person. Things can change quickly from season to season (especially in Montreal) so an in-person visit is important to make sure the shoot is a success.

Also, you want to make sure the sunset or sunrise is on the right side of where you want your photos taken. It would be a shame to schedule a sunset engagement session and have the sun on the other side.

If you don’t know where you want your photos taken, I will have some suggestions for you. We can discuss this together when the time comes.

What To Wear?

This one is super easy. Wear something you feel comfortable in!

I would add that you could look for complimentary outfits (texture, color palette or pattern). One great resource for that is Pinterest. You can go as chic or casual as you want. I personally would suggest wearing something in between (casual chic) as if you are going for a date night.

Often times brides will schedule their hair and makeup trial on the day of their engagement session. It’s a great way to feel comfortable, have amazing photos and get a good sense of what you will look like in your wedding photos.

What Should We do?

That depends on you. A casual walk at the location of your choice is always a good option. But if you are in the mood, planning an activity or two is a lot of fun. It could be apple-picking, a picnic by the water, or even popping in a cafe for a latte or ice cream cone! Don’t hesitate to bring props, it shows who you are and it’s always nice to capture those kinds of personal details.

And here is my very last tip: anytime you feel a little self-conscious in front of the camera and you are not sure what to do, just lean in and kiss!

Not sure if an engagement is for you? Let me share with you 5 reasons why you should jump in and have your engagement photos taken and what to expect