Ultimate Guide to Engagement Sessions

Let's start off with the big question.... Why should you even get engagement photos done???

Instead of boring you with a detailed paragraph with all my thoughts and feelings I'm just going to save you some time and give you a straight forward list, sound good?

• If you plan to send save the dates, wedding invitations, or build a wedding website then your engagement photos will come in clutch to jazz them up. ;)
• An engagement session is a great opportunity to meet your wedding photographer in person and get comfortable with their directing style before your wedding day.
• When was the last time you actually had professional photos taken together? You deserve to capture your memories!
• You can treat it like an entire date. Go get drinks before to get you feeling lousy goosey, then you get to hangout with someone who just so happens to be taking some pictures, and then you can go out to dinner or do another activity together that you love. Better yet make that activity part of your engagement session!

When should we have them done?

This question is up for debate and absolutely up to you. Some people choose to do them immediately as an announcement of their engagement, while others plan theirs around when they will need photos for save the dates/invites,etc. Some people even just want to use it as an opportunity to get comfortable with their photographer and do them 1-2 months out from the wedding.

Everything about your wedding from the second you get engaged until you head off on your honeymoon should feel like you.

What should we wear and can we bring props?

First things first, do you want to go formal, casual, or a little bit of both? The couple in these photos chose a bit of both to help showcase their personalities as well as allowing them to have a wider variety of photos to use for their website, invitations, etc and I love this idea!

As far as props go, yes, you can absolutely bring them!

Here are a few ideas for you to consider;

• Signs with your names, wedding date, or a cute quote.
• Flowers
• Champagne
• Balloons
• Vehicles
• A picnic
• Meaningful trinkets
• Clothing/gear from your favorite sports teams (if this is a meaningful part of your relationship)
• The sky the limit, if you want to bring it, I'll photograph it!

Where should we take our engagement photos?

There is no shortage of epic scenery in and around Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley, but first and foremost I recommend choosing somewhere that has a deeper meaning for you both. Where did you meet? Have your first date? Get engaged?

BUT if there is nowhere that stands out in to you, then here are some types of scenery to consider;

• Meadows
• Lakes
• Rivers
• Mountains
• Desert
• Sand Dunes
• Forest
• Beach
• Urban

Once you are able to narrow down what you want your backdrop to be then your photographer should be able to offer you specific recommendations.

Should we use the same photographer for our engagement photos and wedding, and how the heck do we pick one???

YES, YES, YES!!!!!

A lot of wedding photographers offer complimentary engagement sessions with their wedding packages, so PLEASE look for your dream wedding photographer BEFORE booking your engagement photos. Not only will it save you time, but money too!

When it comes to picking your wedding photographer here are a few think about;

• Do you LOVE their editing style? If not, then move on.
• If you follow them on social media, do you like how they present themselves? Do they have a good personality? (*This is more important than you think because you will spend more time with your photographer on your wedding day then almost anyone else).
• Inquire with multiple people you are interested in, and set up consultation calls to have your questions answered. This will also give you an opportunity to understand the range of pricing and the value that some photographers offer over others.
• Look up reviews online and ask around if you know anyone who has personally worked with them before.

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and the photographer that you book to capture all of the memories can make a huge difference. This decision should not be made lightly. :)