michelle kyle
Over the years I've received many questions from couples about their engagement sessions. So, I’ve done my best to provide you with all the information you might like to know prior to our shoot.
I love getting to know the couples I’m working with and engagement sessions are the perfect opportunity for us to connect and create a level of comfort which will carry on to the big day! It’s amazing how much I've bonded with my clients in just a couple hours of shooting.
Overall, this session is about the two of you. I will help guide you throughout the engagement session with some simple posing and actions to make sure you look your best, but I’ll also take a step back and allow the experience to be organic and fun so you can “be you”. It’s my goal to capture the chemistry and interactions that happens naturally between the two of you.
engagement session
guide
booking+ timing
If you would like to use the photos to send out Save-the-Dates, I recommend booking your engagement session about 7-9 months prior to your wedding date. This allows for time to shoot, edit, print, and send out your Save-the-Dates. Generally, this process takes a month, and Save-the-Dates are mailed out about 6-8 months prior to your wedding date.
If you aren’t sending Save-the-Dates, and would rather use the images from the engagement session for a sign-in book, album, or prints displayed at your wedding, I recommend scheduling your session about 3+ months before your wedding to allow enough time for shooting, editing, ordering, printing, and shipping. (If you would like to order any albums, books, or prints, please let me know and I will be happy to send details and take care of everything for you.)
Ideally, it’s best to schedule your session on a weekday as locations will be less crowded and we can get amazing photos without having to dodge crowds of people. However, I understand scheduling during the week can be difficult, so I’m happy to work with you to figure out what works best for everyone! We will start your session approximately 2.5 hours before sunset so we can take advantage of the best lighting. The entire session will be approximately 2hrs.
You know what they say...location, location, location. :) I definitely have some favorite spots I like to shoot, but the best locations are personal, and I’m always up for new spots and ideas. If you need help figuring out a location, I’m happy to help you brainstorm and help you pick the perfect spot! Think about places that inspire you or have sentimental value (ie where you got engaged or your favorite date spot). It can incorporate any hobby or passion that the two of you share!
You can bring props or pets or something that you just think would be fun or special and make the experience personal and unique. Whether it’s a bottle of champagne to celebrate or your cuddly fur babies...and if you have an idea but think it might not work, let me know and we can discuss, I’d love to hear your ideas!
location
don't
do
Like your location, what you wear should reflect you and what you’re most comfortable in. Whether that means wearing a classic v-neck t-shirt and jeans OR glamming it up with a nice suit and dress. Whatever you choose to wear, I want you to feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable.
My suggestion is to limit yourself to one outfit. This will remove the pressure of finding a time and a place during the shoot to switch outfits. However, if you would like to do more than one outfit, we will have enough time to shoot two different “looks”.
what do we wear?
- Wear something that gives you confidence
- Coordinate the same attire level as a couple. Dressy vs. casual
- Accessories can be your friend! A necklace, pop of color, etc. are perfect for polishing up the perfect outfit
- Do your best to schedule your makeup/hair trial on the day of our shoot. If you cannot, allow for plenty of prep time to do your makeup and hair. After all, you are getting your picture taken ;)
- Plan on bringing the bare minimum. Leave behind large bags, wallets, phones, etc.
- Bring a change of clothes (ie in case we get dirty or if you just want something comfy to change into afterwards)
- DON’T Be too “matchy matchy”. Your colors should compliment each other but not match identically. (ie try to avoid both of you wearing a white shirt and jeans.)
- DON’T Wear neon colors. (Highlighter orange rarely goes well with anyone’s skin tone.)
- DON’T Be afraid of color. A little pop of color can be just the thing to bring a little extra life to the photos.
- DON’T get too crazy with the prints (ie animal prints or crazy patterns. This can be distracting and take away from the main focus in the picture, YOU.)
- DON’T Forget the manicure! You’ll want to show off your ring!
If you still have questions after reading this, feel free to bring a few looks to your engagement session and we can look at the options together to figure out what works best!
I hope this guide has been helpful and you’re getting excited about your upcoming engagement session...I know I am and can’t wait to work with you both!!!
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