How To Have The Best Engagement Session

Your engagement session is NOT another wedding planning obligation.

It is NOT smiling in front of a camera like every family Christmas photo by well-meaning Auntie Marie, for an hour straight.

It is NOT just for getting a cute picture for your save the date.

I do truly hope that while preparing for the best day of your life you are not constantly overwhelmed and stressed planning, although I know that can happen, especially with bigger weddings. This is why intimate weddings and elopements are my jam but, regardless even then there can be a lot to do. And it is easy to feel like an engagement session is another item on a to-do list BUT I’m here to shed some light!

A couple stands holding hands, on top of a sprinter van they live in. They are in Yosemite valley surrounded by large sheer walls of rock.

A couple sits in the entryway to a vintage silver airstream with their golden doodle dog.

A couple is in the distance walking hand in hand on a path as sun pours in through the trees.

Engagement sessions are an important and intentional time for you two to connect and celebrate your upcoming wedding.

Engagement sessions are fun and specific to what you love doing together. It is time carved out for you two to focus on each other. It’s like an extra special date that you’ll always remember. So, take advantage of it! Specifically for me, I include complimentary engagement sessions in my packages (more on that in a bit) so why not take advantage of an opportunity to create some epic memories together that memorializes this unique time in your life?

A couple embraces in a greenhouse, completely alone and surrounded by plants.

A couple is having a picnic on a blanket in the grass with mountains in the distance.

I highly suggest to every couple to make their engagement session special in these ways,

Pick a place that has meaning to you. A specific hike you love, where you went on your first date, your home!
Choose to do something for your session that you both love and represents your relationship. Do you love to camp or kayak, do you love to explore bookshops or coffeeshops together, do you always make a big Sunday brunch together? (These two love to rock climb, and that’s what they did for their session!)
Use it as a chance to do something together that you’ve always wanted to do or try. Go strawberry picking, horseback riding, hot air ballooning?!
Explore somewhere new together! Maybe you already have a trip planned or live near the beach/mountains/state or local park and have been meaning to plan a trip or try a new trail. Use this as a chance to do something new and have it captured! (These two explored Jockey Ridge Sand Dunes for their session!)

The sky is the limit and I’m game for anything! So take some time to consider something different and get creative. My biggest priority is that you two enjoy yourselves! (And just so you know, you can travel anywhere for your session, inquire with me about my upcoming travel schedule or let me know if you have a specific place in mind!) Or if you are already traveling somewhere cool, plan your engagement session then. For example, if you’re staying at a dope treehouse Airbnb, like this one in Asheville, plan to have your session there!

A couple embraces in front of a palm tree on a warm sunny day, as the girl’s red dress flutters in the wind.

A couple is far off in the distance holding hands and completely dwarfed by huge tall red sandstone cliffs in the Sedona dessert in Arizona.

Second, engagement sessions are the most helpful tool for getting authentic wedding images.

I offer complimentary engagement sessions so that any couple who can, are able to take advantage of the chance to get in front of the camera before your wedding day. I feel like this is so impactful for a few reasons.

We get to meet! Likely at this point, we’ve only communicated over the phone and it is really nice to be able to meet before we spend your entire wedding day together.
You have the chance to get comfortable in front of my camera and learn my process. (And realize you had nothing to worry about! This also helps you feel more comfortable on the wedding day because you’re a pro now.)
I know how to better serve you on your wedding day. Maybe you have a “side” you prefer (I know I do.) Maybe you are more playful and silly, or maybe you are quieter together. In this environment, I can learn about your unique relationship and the way you interact so I can create images that feel like you. So you’ll actually see yourself in your images.

This is not to say that your images or experience will suffer without an engagement session, but it is to encourage you if you are on the fence or feel like it is just an obligation. This is also to help explain why I offer complimentary engagement sessions for all my couples and believe they are SO beneficial.