Engagement sessions are low-key and about capturing the two of you as you are – interacting, loving, kissing, laughing… so make sure to bring your smile and be ready to have a great time! And hey, if you need an excuse to hit the town why not head out for dinner and drinks after the session?! You’re already all done up and ready to go, so go make a night of it!
For some great ideas for engagement session outfits, I’ve started a Pinterest board specifically for this topic pinning outfits and photos that I think work great for engagement sessions! You can check them out here: Engagement Outfit Inspo
One hour sessions are usually just a little too short to realistically allow an outfit change, so just plan one perfect outfit if you're having a one hour session. If you're having a two hour session, I recommend choosing an outfit that is more dressy (some clients will dress to the nine in evening gown and suits, or even just a nice dress and a sports jacket works great) and a more casual outfit (sundress, jeans, comfortable and showing your style).
This is the most important one of all. If you don’t feel awesome in what you’re wearing it is going to show in the photos! You want to feel confident and comfortable – so that you can look confident and comfortable. It’s as simple as that! If you’re not normally a dress and heels kind of girl, then don’t try to be that person for your engagement photos! Most importantly – you do YOU.
(GUYS: a lot of guys only wear their dressier clothes occasionally, so make sure your mister tries on whatever he plans to wear well in advance to make sure it still fits right! I'm looking at you, uncomfortably-tight-and-too-short-khaki slacks!)
If we're doing a shoot at a ranch among hills, trees, and nature – then a fancy dress and heels are probably not really appropriate. I usually say to save the dressy-dressy outfits for more urban locations that lend themselves better to that level of formality… while rustic/nature locations tend to work better with more casual clothing, flowy skirts, flats, sandals, etc. If it’s cold outside, bring a cute jacket, scarf, and mittens! It looks silly (and feels miserable) to try to pretend you’re not freezing, rather than just wearing something cute and appropriate for the weather!
1. PLAN ONE OUTFIT FOR ONE HOUR SESSIONS AND TWO FOR TWO HOUR SESSIONS
2. Wear something you feel GREAT in
3. Wear something appropriate for the location and time of year you’ve chosen
When I say avoid “stark white” or “flat black” I mean like a man’s plain white or plain black cotton dress shirt, for example. Instead aim to wear textures with those colors - white & black clothing that is textured photographs great!! If you have a white dress with eyelets or a pretty white sweater – those items photograph well!! Otherwise, neutrals like ivory, off white, grays and shades of black can photograph well if there is texture in the fabric.
Patterns are great, but I suggest if one of you wears a pattern, that the other wear a solid color that is complementary to the pattern so the photos don’t get too busy.
4. Avoid stark white and flat black clothing
5. balance patterns
8 more tips
Wear colors that complement each other, but that don’t match, and show a little personality. Please, please, please no white shirts + blue jeans. No red tops + khaki pants (this isn’t Target). No his & her matching polo shirts. You are individuals so dress like it! :)
Meaning, if one is in a dress and heels, the other shouldn’t be in shorts and sandals. Enough said!
Layers always look great in photos and in real life! They add interest and texture to outfits and photos. Throw on a cute cardigan, scarf for you or a vest or sports coat for him compliment your outfit! Bonus is that if you take it off you’ll have what appears to be a whole different “look” or outfit for other photos!
Bold, colorful accessories add a lot of interest to photos…. necklaces, bracelets, belts, scarves, shoes... you name it – if accessories are your style, bring it on!
(This is more for kids/family sessions… but I throw it in there just in case) You don’t want to wear anything that distracts from you, which is what happens when the first thing someone sees is logos and words on clothes. Logos/branding/characters also seem to date a photo rather quickly – so try to stay away from big bold graphics.
Ladies – if you’re going to be wearing mile high heels (which I absolutely adore!)– make sure to bring a comfy pair of shoes to walk around in if you aren’t comfortable trekking around in your heels through all types of terrain - grass, gravel, pavement, etc. We typically will cover a LOT of ground during engagement sessions – so let's make sure you’re comfortable in between shots!
Feel free to text (479-200-7919) or email me (hello@corriechilders.com) photos ahead of time so I can help you choose!
6. Don’t wear matching outfits or colors
7. Wear the same level of ‘dressiness’ as your partner
8. Wear layers
Again, ladies – the engagement session is a good time to do a makeup trial for your wedding day, especially if you've opted to not do a bridal session to serve this purpose! You can see how it looks in person and captured on camera. Also, get your hair and nails done! I know I always feel better when I’ve been pampered from head-to-toe, which translates to feeling even more confident and fabulous in your photos. (Of course this isn’t necessary – but if you’re like me and enjoy any excuse to get pampered & made up… then take it and run with it! Haha! If you'd rather not get your hair and makeup done, consider at least getting a manicure so the shots of your hands with your beautiful ring will be perfect!)
13. Get your hair & makeup done
back
9. Accessorize
10. Avoid big logos and words on your clothing
11. Bring comfy shoes to walk in
12. If you can’t decide on one outfit
1. BECAUSE IT'S FUN!
If you’re feeling tempted to not do an engagement session, listen up! Here are some great reasons why you shouldn't skip it!
Engagement Photos
So many of my couples plan the session like a date and head out for dinner and a night out afterwards. You'll already be all dolled up and it's a great way to end the evening!
Are you coming from out of town for this session? Most of my out-of-towners plan an entire couple's getaway to Northwest Arkansas! There are so many fun things to experience in NWA - visiting Crystal Bridges, biking or walking our many beautiful trails, doing some boutique shopping and having some amazing food at some of our incredible local dining options. Sometimes with wedding planning stress, it’s a priceless way to spend a couple days with each other and reconnect!
3. BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT'S COMPLIMENTARY, IT HAS SO MUCH VALUE
I believe engagement sessions are so incredibly important, so I gift all my couples a complimentary engagement session. It has insane value, from the mental and emotional value of spending a couple hours connecting in front of my camera during what is sometimes the most stressful time in your relationship, to the value of being able to print save-the-dates or a custom guestbook for you to treasure forever. Skipping it doesn't reduce the cost of the collection and it can't be exchanged for anything else, so I always tell my clients there is literally no reason to skip the session and EVERY reason to do it! Obviously it's your decision, but I sure do hope we get to do this session together!
2. BECAUSE IT'S GREAT PRACTICE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY!
Professional athletes spend hours and hours practicing. Musicians do too! If you want wedding photos that you love, practicing together with me is a great way to get there. Engagement sessions are sort of a ‘test run’ for you two in front of the camera. We will meet before the wedding anyway, of course, but actually putting you guys in front of my camera before your big day will help me learn how you interact and how you feel comfortable, and you’ll also learn how I work! When your wedding day rolls around, we’ll already know each other and be pros at getting those super connected images that I just absolutely love to deliver to my clients (and my clients love to receive)!
tips + typical session flow
Still need some visual inspo? Check out these colors that work wonderfully with my photographic style (not the outfits themselves, just the color schemes)! Pick one you love and build your outfits around that.
swipe left/right for more
About 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 hours before sunset (depending on how long your session will be), we’ll meet to the location we’ve chosen and prepare to start shooting. The light during this time should be soft and stunning!
(Or if we're doing a sunrise session, we'll meet right at sunrise!)
01
Most places we'll be will be somewhere I've photographed before, so I'll have a handle on where I want us to go and we'll start walking. Generally we'll spend about half the session in one spot getting a variety of poses and moods.
02
About halfway through the session, we'll move to a different spot (maybe even at a totally different location, if your session is 2 hours), have a chance to change up your outfit a little (or a lot, if we're shooting for 2 hours), and we'll do a lot of the same poses in that spot (you'll be pros by then)!
03
Right about sunset, we will have lost most of our light and be ready to go. I'll hug your neck and wave goodbye, and head home to post a couple sneak peeks! It generally takes about 4 weeks to get your gallery edited and delivered.
04
TYPICAL SESSION FLOW
1. BECAUSE IT'S FUN!
If you’re feeling tempted to not do an engagement session, listen up! Here are some great reasons why you shouldn't skip it!
Engagement Photos
So many of my couples plan the session like a date and head out for dinner and a night out afterwards. You'll already be all dolled up and it's a great way to end the evening!
Are you coming from out of town for this session? Most of my out-of-towners plan an entire couple's getaway to Northwest Arkansas! There are so many fun things to experience in NWA - visiting Crystal Bridges, biking or walking our many beautiful trails, doing some boutique shopping and having some amazing food at some of our incredible local dining options. Sometimes with wedding planning stress, it’s a priceless way to spend a couple days with each other and reconnect!
3. BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT'S COMPLIMENTARY, IT HAS SO MUCH VALUE
I believe engagement sessions are so incredibly important, so I gift all my couples a complimentary engagement session. It has insane value, from the mental and emotional value of spending a couple hours connecting in front of my camera during what is sometimes the most stressful time in your relationship, to the value of being able to print save-the-dates or a custom guestbook for you to treasure forever. Skipping it doesn't reduce the cost of the collection and it can't be exchanged for anything else, so I always tell my clients there is literally no reason to skip the session and EVERY reason to do it! Obviously it's your decision, but I sure do hope we get to do this session together!
2. BECAUSE IT'S GREAT PRACTICE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY!
Professional athletes spend hours and hours practicing. Musicians do too! If you want wedding photos that you love, practicing together with me is a great way to get there. Engagement sessions are sort of a ‘test run’ for you two in front of the camera. We will meet before the wedding anyway, of course, but actually putting you guys in front of my camera before your big day will help me learn how you interact and how you feel comfortable, and you’ll also learn how I work! When your wedding day rolls around, we’ll already know each other and be pros at getting those super connected images that I just absolutely love to deliver to my clients (and my clients love to receive)!
tips + typical session flow
1. I would suggest leaving your purse or any bags in the car. I can carry your car keys, cell phone, lip gloss, or other such things in my camera bag during the session. That leaves you free to be adorable together. If you have two outfits, depending on the location(s) we’ll discuss whether you should bring your change of clothes with you, or if we’ll head back to your car to change.
2. Go to the restroom right before you leave. A lot of the places we shoot might not have easily accessible restrooms, and it could end up using much of your session time finding one.
3. Of course kissing photos aren't required for engagement session, but there’s just something about the romance, the intimacy, and the beauty of a great kissing shot (or almost kissing) that somehow makes a collection of photos complete. I often will set you up in a pose and then after snapping a few shots, I’ll finish with ‘ok, go in for a kiss’ - I’m a sucker for a great kissing shot! If this is something that makes you uncomfortable or if you’d like to avoid a lot of kissing shots for whatever reason, please just let me know ahead of time.
JUST A FEW OTHER THINGS
1. BECAUSE IT'S FUN!
If you’re feeling tempted to not do an engagement session, listen up! Here are some great reasons why you shouldn't skip it!
Engagement Photos
So many of my couples plan the session like a date and head out for dinner and a night out afterwards. You'll already be all dolled up and it's a great way to end the evening!
Are you coming from out of town for this session? Most of my out-of-towners plan an entire couple's getaway to Northwest Arkansas! There are so many fun things to experience in NWA - visiting Crystal Bridges, biking or walking our many beautiful trails, doing some boutique shopping and having some amazing food at some of our incredible local dining options. Sometimes with wedding planning stress, it’s a priceless way to spend a couple days with each other and reconnect!
3. BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT'S COMPLIMENTARY, IT HAS SO MUCH VALUE
I believe engagement sessions are so incredibly important, so I gift all my couples a complimentary engagement session. It has insane value, from the mental and emotional value of spending a couple hours connecting in front of my camera during what is sometimes the most stressful time in your relationship, to the value of being able to print save-the-dates or a custom guestbook for you to treasure forever. Skipping it doesn't reduce the cost of the collection and it can't be exchanged for anything else, so I always tell my clients there is literally no reason to skip the session and EVERY reason to do it! Obviously it's your decision, but I sure do hope we get to do this session together!
2. BECAUSE IT'S GREAT PRACTICE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY!
Professional athletes spend hours and hours practicing. Musicians do too! If you want wedding photos that you love, practicing together with me is a great way to get there. Engagement sessions are sort of a ‘test run’ for you two in front of the camera. We will meet before the wedding anyway, of course, but actually putting you guys in front of my camera before your big day will help me learn how you interact and how you feel comfortable, and you’ll also learn how I work! When your wedding day rolls around, we’ll already know each other and be pros at getting those super connected images that I just absolutely love to deliver to my clients (and my clients love to receive)!
tips + typical session flow
Whew! I know that was a LOT of information, but hopefully it helps you know what to expect, and help answer a lot of questions that you might have. Of course, if you have any additional questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me (or text me photos of outfit choices). I can’t wait to see you both and capture some great images together!
xo
Corrie
1. BECAUSE IT'S FUN!
If you’re feeling tempted to not do an engagement session, listen up! Here are some great reasons why you shouldn't skip it!
Engagement Photos
So many of my couples plan the session like a date and head out for dinner and a night out afterwards. You'll already be all dolled up and it's a great way to end the evening!
Are you coming from out of town for this session? Most of my out-of-towners plan an entire couple's getaway to Northwest Arkansas! There are so many fun things to experience in NWA - visiting Crystal Bridges, biking or walking our many beautiful trails, doing some boutique shopping and having some amazing food at some of our incredible local dining options. Sometimes with wedding planning stress, it’s a priceless way to spend a couple days with each other and reconnect!
3. BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT'S COMPLIMENTARY, IT HAS SO MUCH VALUE
I believe engagement sessions are so incredibly important, so I gift all my couples a complimentary engagement session. It has insane value, from the mental and emotional value of spending a couple hours connecting in front of my camera during what is sometimes the most stressful time in your relationship, to the value of being able to print save-the-dates or a custom guestbook for you to treasure forever. Skipping it doesn't reduce the cost of the collection and it can't be exchanged for anything else, so I always tell my clients there is literally no reason to skip the session and EVERY reason to do it! Obviously it's your decision, but I sure do hope we get to do this session together!
2. BECAUSE IT'S GREAT PRACTICE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY!
Professional athletes spend hours and hours practicing. Musicians do too! If you want wedding photos that you love, practicing together with me is a great way to get there. Engagement sessions are sort of a ‘test run’ for you two in front of the camera. We will meet before the wedding anyway, of course, but actually putting you guys in front of my camera before your big day will help me learn how you interact and how you feel comfortable, and you’ll also learn how I work! When your wedding day rolls around, we’ll already know each other and be pros at getting those super connected images that I just absolutely love to deliver to my clients (and my clients love to receive)!
tips + typical session flow