Once you’ve booked your wedding collection and picked a date for your engagement session, it’s time for the fun stuff! The last thing anyone wants is to scramble to find an outfit the day before your photoshoot. But by preparing ahead of time – both in terms of planning what pictures are taken and putting effort into how we look ourselves- there will be no need to stress about last-minute details. If anything, you’ll feel relieved knowing less needs to get done in the moments leading up to your shoot and that you’re going to be looking and feeling your best. Here are some tips that I’ve found helpful to my couples when planning their engagement sessions.

Location, Location, Location

Choosing a location for your engagement photos should be an exciting and memorable experience. Whether you’re looking to take the perfect shot in front of major landmarks or have something more personal, I can work with what you have in mind! Your engagement session is as important to me as it is to you. Spending some time walking around a beautiful location, having fun, taking pictures, and getting to know each other along the way will help bring your images alive! Here are some popular areas among my couples for their engagement sessions:

Chautauqua Park & Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder

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Lair O’ the Bear Park in Evergreen

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Three Sisters Park in Evergreen

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Lookout Mountain in Golden

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What to Wear

Once you choose where your engagement session will be, figuring out what to wear is next. The goal for your outfit is to look cohesive together and make you feel confident. Coordinating with your partner is essential for putting together cohesive outfits in photos; you’ll want to look balanced and not wear distracting patterns or colors. I typically suggest wearing lighter colors like white, tan, and khaki paired with deep colors like denim, dark yellow, dark orange, and green. Of course, classic black is always a safe bet. Add some variety to your shots by bringing hats, jackets, and shawls.

I often have couples sit on the ground for a few shots if the location allows, so wear something or bring another outfit that you would feel comfortable sitting in. If dresses are your thing, a flowy fit is an excellent choice as it will bring beautiful movement to your photos. If the weather requires us to layer up, a sweater + light jacket combo is perfect for staying warm while not feeling like your outfit is bulky. Avoid wearing hair ties on your wrist or large accessories like an Apple Watch or FitBit, these items can look very distracting in your photographs. If you wear eyeglasses with Transitions Lenses, those will most likely darken during your session. Consider wearing contacts or bringing a backup pair of non-Transitions Lenses if that is something you would like to avoid.

You invest hundreds into your pictures, and you should take all the time necessary to feel comfortable and ready to rock it! This extra effort will help take your images to the next level.

GRAB THE ESSENTIALS 

Pack a bag with everything you may need for your engagement session. Don’t bring bulky suitcases full of gear, but do pack an appropriate amount so that you can easily access any items during the shoot. Most couples have found it helpful to bring a pack of gum – there will be lots of kissing!- a small makeup kit for touch-ups on lip color and foundation, hair ties, and bobby pins. A light snack is always good to fend off that early evening hanger and lots of water to keep you hydrated.

Want to bring some props or a furry friend to your session? Yes, I’m all for it! Pack a bottle of champagne, sparkling wine, or even a bottle of Topo Chico to spray for fun photos like the one above. If you plan on bringing your pet to your session, I highly recommend bringing a trusted friend with you to keep your buddy company during the moments when we take some people-only shots. Of course, the most important item to bring with you to your session is your engagement ring!

Get Your Hair, Make-Up, and Nails Did!

If makeup and hairstyling isn’t your strong suit, then this is the perfect time to go to the salon for your wedding day makeup trial! Ensure to have a buffer of an hour or two between being done at the salon and the start time of your session, so you can arrive on time feeling excited and not rushed. For those with short hair or beards, it’s a great idea to get your haircut refreshed and your beard shaped up a day or two before your session. A fresh trim will help you feel polished in your photographs.

I will be taking lots of photos of your hands and engagement ring during your session. So a fresh coat of polish or even a manicure will help those digits get ready for their close-up. A travel-size bottle of hand lotion is a great thing to bring with you in case that mountain air has your skin feel parched.

Get Your Tan on Before your Session

If you want to have that sunkissed glow in your photographs but don’t have weeks to spend in the tanning bed or under the sun, I recommend getting a spray tan! There are many benefits to getting spray tans – they fade evenly, don’t rub off on your clothes, and there’s no risk of sunburn or skin damage. When you get a spray tan, it takes about 10-21 hours to notice any color difference due to its chemical formulas. I would recommend scheduling your spray tan three days out from your shoot date since these chemicals do take some time for complete absorption into the skin, and you’ll have time to get used to your deeper tone.

LEAVE IT TO THE PROS

Hiring a professional photographer is the best way to ensure you get great photos for your big day. Get things right and avoid bad experiences off-the-bat by hiring someone who specializes in weddings or engagements. I’ve worked with hundreds of couples, and I take the time to get to know you before, during, and after your session. I have developed my own unique flow and techniques for getting people who aren’t used to being in front of the camera to feel comfortable enough to relax and enjoy the experience.

BE AUTHENTICALLY YOU

I know it can be hard to relax, smile, and have fun when there’s a camera 3 ft from your face! It isn’t easy for me either, ironically, so I understand that feeling. For many people, photoshoots can feel weird if it isn’t something you frequently do. Because of this, my style of couple’s photography isn’t a “1…2…3…Smile” approach. I would rather photograph my couples having a snowball fight, or frolicking in the flowers, or telling each other what they had for breakfast in a Batman voice. I aim to capture the spirit and essence of a couple and the dynamic they share. Of course, there will be posed photos, but I will take the lead and direct you into the perfect shot – no more wondering, “What do I do with my hands??”

Want to Start Planning Your Session?

Get in touch so we can set some time aside to talk about your plans!