For people who are not excited about their engagement session!
The engagement session is one of my favorite parts of our time together because it gives us a chance to have you in front of the cameras before you get married. This really helps to make your wedding day experience feel extra smooth, seamless and comfortable. Not only that, but we get to create something special together. You’re going to be married for a lifetime, but you’re only engaged for this short period of time.
If you’re worried about being in front of the camera, don’t be! Our goal is to create images that are natural, candid, fun, and represent you as a couple.
We’ve got some ideas about how to have the best engagement session you could imagine, from choosing the location to picking out what to wear. Don’t forget, there is no official rulebook. We want you to relax and enjoy your engagement session. Laugh a lot and have fun. We will take care of the rest!
Choosing a time and date
The best time of day for gorgeous “golden hour” photos are the two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset.
It’s also good to think about large crowds, this is NYC after all! We recommend scheduling your engagement session on weekday mornings especially since we are mostly booked with weddings on the weekends. Pro-Tip: Schedule a backup date in case of unfavorable weather.
To get the most out of your session, it’s a good idea give yourself some extra time so you can arrive a few minutes early. You don’t want to be rushing and getting flustered and sweaty! If you’re planning on two outfits, save your favorite one for the second half. If you’re wearing only one, it’s best to arrive in that.
Location is key
The location of your engagement session is, of course, up to you! If you’re unsure, we can always suggest an incredible spot. We are constantly scouting and searching for new locations to photograph. The location of your session should have some significance to you as a couple.
We suggest picking two spots that are close in proximity to each other but different in the environment. For example, one could be Central Park because it’s natural and woodsy and the second can be more urban like the streets of New York City! This all comes back to us getting to know each other more so we can settle on a location that fits you as a couple.
What to wear
We generally recommend two outfits for engagement sessions. One is more casual, like something you would wear to a fun outdoor event. The second outfit is more glamorous, as in something you could wear to a wedding or gala!
Always remember, try to dress up a little more than you normally would since you are getting professional photos taken, and you want to look your best! Always think classic and timeless. You want to enjoy these photos for the next 50+ years!
Hair and makeup
We can’t recommend enough getting your hair and makeup professionally done for your engagement session. Think of this as the perfect time to schedule your ‘trial’ with your hair and makeup artists! These professionals should have a good understanding of ‘photo-ready makeup’ looking like, and they will cover any flaws on your skin and face as well as bring out your best features.
Bringing your furbaby
Bringing your pet is a wonderful idea, but there are a few non-negotiables that go along with your furry friend. First and foremost, you have to bring a friend or family member to help watch your pet. Pets are only good for the first 10-15 minutes of the photos session. Once their cameo is over, we would send them back to your friend/family member and continue our session without them!
Final Tips
- Have a good hearty meal before the session! Modelling takes a lot of energy. Arrive earlier than you think. We want to avoid losing the best light!
- No salty foods or alcohol the day before your engagement session.
- Clean your ring before the night before! Steam your clothes!
- Get good nights rest and take melatonin if needed. No one wants baggy eyes on a photo shoot day!
- Ladies can bring a pair of flats to change into as we move from location to location.
- Try not to bring too many items to your engagement session. We will be moving around and need to be mobile. Please keep all personal items in one bag including cell phones, wallets, shoes, change of outfit.
If you have read and followed everything we’ve suggested, your engagement session should go off without a hitch!
