Top 6 Things to Do Before Your Engagement Session

1. Consider getting your hair and make up done.

It doesn’t have to be a full-on updo and the exact look you want on your wedding day. But it will be a good indicator to you of how your make up will photograph. It is also a great opportunity for you to “test run” your hair and make up artist, make sure you know how to communicate what you want from her, and give you an idea of how long the process will take on your wedding day!

2. Clean your ring

(and maybe your nails while you’re at it!) I’ll be getting detail shots of your ring and your hands, so make sure it’s looking as sparkly as possible!

3. Wear your outfit out in public.

Try not to let your engagement session be the first time you wear your outfit out in public. Sometimes we buy clothes that look and feel great at first, but after we wear them for a few hours, we might discover some problems. You don’t want to be messing with straights, pulling it up or hiking it down, or just down right uncomfortable while we are shooting. This includes your shoes!

4. Empty your pockets!

If you can, leave your phone and keys in a purse or small bag that we can set aside while we’re shooting. You don’t want any weird outlines in your pockets showing up in your photos.

5. Plan on arriving early.

Try to be early, and definitely don’t be late! A lot of my sessions happen just before sunset. If you want those golden hour shots, we have to make sure we time it just right or else things get dark very quickly. Also, there’s nothing like running late to put a damper on your mood, and we want you in the best spirits before taking romantic pictures together!

6. Manage expectations

If you’ve never taken professional photos together before – Grab a glass of wine or your favorite ice cream, and make a date out of it. Sit down with your fiance(e) and look at blogposts with images you love! Talk about what you’re comfortable doing in front of the camera or what your best side is. Show each other which images or poses you like, and which ones you don’t. This will give you both a better idea of each other’s expectations for the shoot.

 

Bonus tip for AFTER the engagement session –

You’re both already all dolled up. Don’t waste it! Go out on a fancy night out on the town! Make reservations at a nice restaurant and enjoy the rest of the evening together.

 

 

If you loved this blog post, be sure to check out a few others:

How to Choose a Location For Your Engagement Session

The Booking Process with Danielle Durbin

Follow Danielle on Instagram here.