Some brides get more nervous about engagement photos than the wedding.  They picture themselves, and their fiance standing in front of their wedding photographer, in an awkward place not knowing what to do.  I’ve so often had my shyest of wedding clients tell me they don’t want to do an engagement session.  Engagement photos are great for everyone, but especially if you are camera shy. Working with your photographer before the wedding, gives you a chance to relax and get to know each other.

Tips for having a great engagement portrait session:

1.  Choose the right wedding photographer.  Be sure you have chosen a wedding photographer that you are comfortable with.  Besides asking about your photographer’s style and way of working, just be sure you get along, and enjoy his or her company.

2.  Think about a location that is meaningful to you.  It can be unique, or just some place you and your fiance really enjoy, a coffee shop, your house…  If you are unsure if the location has restrictions, or how the lighting would work, ask your photographer for her thoughts.

3.  Don’t have your haircut right before the session.  Preferably schedule an appointment two weeks prior, if you are keeping a similar style and just getting a trim.  If going for a big change in your hair, you might want to schedule it long before, to give it time to grow out, just in case.

4.  Plan your outfits.  Think about how your outfit will go with your fiance’s clothing.  You don’t need to match but coordinate.  I just recently saw a photo where the guy and the girl had striped shirts, one vertical, the other horizontal… super cute.  Most importantly, make sure you are dressed equally formal or casual.  If you wear a cute chic sundress, maybe he can wear nice dark jeans, and a button down shirt left unbuttoned a bit, revealing a white tee, or a casual blazer on top over a tee, whatever your style.

5.  Avoid logos, even the tiniest.  Avoid loud patterns and writing too.

6.  Make sure your clothing fits well.  If you lost a few pounds, take your pants to the tailor, or splurge on a new pair of skinny jeans.   Be sure your fiance is aware too.  I hate to make generalizations, but I way too often see guys with clothing too big.

7.  Think about your purse.  Either leave it in the car or pick something that goes well.  A small clutch or a big hobo often make a statement in the photos.  Maybe if you are wearing neutrals, a bright teal bag or something.  Just think about it.

8.  This brings me to shoes.  I know you won’t forget about giving thought to your shoes, but think about how practical they are too.  If you want to do your engagement photos in a field with tall grass, those peep toe heels might get in the way.  Maybe opt for wedge style or fun boots with your skirt instead.

9.  Makeup.  I’d put on a little more than everyday, but not more than you feel comfortable with.  Be sure to bring lipstick and other essentials for touch-ups.

10.  Sleep. Relax.  Eat.  Take care of yourself before the session, so you feel good.  If you’re nervous about the session, go do something you and your fiance love first.  Enjoy each other and it will show in the photos.

Check out my pinterest engagement session inspiration board, for outfit ideas.

And just because, thought I’d share an engagement portrait.

1.  Where did you and your fiance meet? We could go to this location, or find someplace inspired by the type of place you met at.

2.  Where and how did your fiance ask you to marry him or her?  I’ve had several couples do their engagement photos at the location they got engaged.  (One bride had us hike to a lake on the morning of her wedding to do their first look, because that is where he asked her to marry him.)

3.  What is your favorite activity to do together?  If you like to spend your Sunday mornings at a favorite cafe in Dupont circle, maybe we can start there and walk around the neighborhood.  Or maybe you love ice skating, and want to have your portraits taken at Reston Town Center’s ice rink.  (I’m not claiming to be capable of photographing while on ice skates, though I’ll try.)

4.  Where are you getting married?  What type of wedding are you having?  Some couples like to do the opposite of their wedding.  For example, if you are having an indoor winter wedding, maybe you want spring engagement photos at Old Town Alexandria’s waterfront.  Other couples want to incorporate an element of their wedding into the engagement portraits, maybe a vintage style.  If your wedding is really formal, it might be fun to do really casual urban engagement portraits.

5.  What do you plan to do with your engagement photos?  Do you want to have a guestbook, or a large wall print for guests to sign?  Would you like to make a slide show to display during the wedding, or maybe send a photo out as part of your save-the-dates?  While the end product does not have to mean everything, if you know for sure what you want, we can make sure to create the perfect image for it.

These are just meant to inspire you to think a little differently.  As your photographer, we’ll talk about this together and figure out some great ideas.

My wedding photography client, Sirius, shares this love of shoes. She showed up for her engagement photos, in cute maryjane style red patent leather pumps. A bit difficult to walk through muddy park grounds, she slipped on black ballet flats and Chris got to tote the adorable red shoes. Later when we were back on paved ground, Sirius mentioned putting the shoes back on but then said, “oh wait”. Chris ran to the car for her and came back with another pair of crimson red super high healed super sexy shoes. As Sirius spoke about this pair (in the photo) she told me they were almost her wedding shoes but she found even better ones! I thought it was just charming how through the hour an a half session, Chris was almost always carrying a pair of cute heels for his wife to be.

I love seeing the different shoes brides wear on their wedding day. I wanted to be a flip flop bride but I kept seeing my toes sticking out as I walked. Considering I had a wedding in a historic church, toes didn’t seem right. I wore rather ugly one inch heeled white shoes because they were the perfect height for my dress. (Note, get the shoes and then get your dress altered.) As soon as the ceremony was over, the pretty white beaded flip flops went on!