ENGAGEMENT SESSION
PLANNING YOUR
choosing the perfect time, location, outfit & More!
Welcome
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
I'm so excited to be working with you and we can’t wait for our time together during your engagement session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. We always tell people that we still get nervous before having our photos taken - and we do this for a living!
We’re big fans of engagement sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed and understand how we pose. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why we’ve found that wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time.
Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is signficant to the two of you (and even include pets!). While they’re great for save-the-dates, we’ve taken engagement photos anywhere from 18 months in advance to a few days before the wedding.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session and since we get asked the same things over and over again, we thought it would be the most beneficial if we put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know.
We’ll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets & how to manage them, location ideas and more!
- Joanna & Michael
We get it. Having your picture taken for 1-2 hours might not be in your top-10 favorite things to do during your downtime. And at first you might feel sort of awkward being in front of the camera. But I think you’ll find that by the end of the session, it’s a lot easier than you thought, and you even had a little fun. I look forward to it because it’s a great opportunity for us all to hang out a bit before the wedding day.
The Guys
A NOTE TO
Engagement sessions can take place anywhere from immediately following a proposal to just a few days before the wedding. We’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. We normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” a couple has in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about an hour and a half and when we can—we love to begin sessions about two hours before sunset. We prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.
We schedule sessions during what we believe will be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.
Is there a "good" time to take photos?
TIME & LIGHT
While we shoot most of our engagement sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of our couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Seasons
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Winter
hot cocoa and cozy coats
If you’re planning to take your engagement photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. We recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.
Summer
walks on the beach hand in hand
In spite of the heat, we’re big fans of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your engagement photos during the summer, we recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
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If your wedding is local, save the dates should be sent between 6 and 8 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, you’ll want to send them out 8 to 10 months before the wedding.
If you’re hoping to use your engagement photos for your save the dates, we recommend scheduling your session at least two months before you plan to send out your save-the-dates. Between inclement weather, editing, designing your save-the-dates and printing, two months is generally a safe amount of time to make sure your images and cards are ready.
Save-the-dates
Locations
houston ENGAGEMENT LOCATIONS
Our engagement sessions include 1-2 locations. We love when couples choose locations that are sentimental or meaningful to them! We're also happy to give recommendations for locations if you don't have any place in mind. Here are a few of our favorite locations!
Another favorite is Hermann Park! It has so many great photo locations and we know it like the back of our hand! Hermann Park has a great mix of greenery and clean, simple backgrounds. It's got a lot of variety! This location photographs beautifully all year long.
Hermann Park
McGovern Centennial Gardens is right next door to the Science Museum and has the most beautiful light! There is a garden area with rose arches plus and (probably my favorite!) an area that kind of looks like the desert. This part of the garden photographs like a dream!!
Note: If you'd like to have your session here, there is a required $150 photo permit which will be added to your invoice.
Mcgovern centennial gardens
view sample gallery
view sample gallery
Our absolute favorite place to shoot is the Eastern Glades at Memorial Park! There's a paved terrace area by the water that photographs like a dream! There's also a lot of greenery, trees, a lake as well as some walking paths nearby. This place has it all!
Memorial Park Eastern Glades
view sample gallery
other location ideas:
Galveston
Beachtown (East Beach)
Hotel Galvez
Our dog was huge part of our family, which is why we love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
We recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then having a friend take them home. We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to bring a lint roller and groom them before the shoot.
Pets
Outfits
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST
As you’re coordinating your outfit with your fiance’s, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don’t actually “match.”
Generally, couples pick two outfits for an engagement session: a more formal outfit and a casual outfit. We recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session, when couples usually feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Here's a link to my Pinterest board to help give you some outfit ideas:
view the pinterest board
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Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Especially when juxtaposed with nature. Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully as well!
Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body. There is no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your engagement session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun!
Most of our brides choose two outfits, though, you don’t have to bring two looks if it’s too stressful or you’d rather just stick to one look. One outfit that you love is better than one outfit you love and another you’re not very excited about. So, one or two? It’s really up to you!
Choosing Outfits
colors
patterns
Where to shop
HAIR & MAKEUP
wardrobe tips
for the ladies
outfits
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Choosing flattering silhouettes that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos.
Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms. You could also bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along, too. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so we recommend avoiding those if your goal is slimmer-looking arms.
Heels elongate women’s legs, making them look fabulous! Closed-toes heels in particular look great on camera because they carry out the line of your leg.
Quick Tip: Bring a pair of flats to wear when moving from place to place. Your feet will thank you later!
Wardrobe Tips
colors
PATTERNS
Where to shop
HAIR & MAKEUP
wardrobe tips
for the ladies
outfits
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When choosing colors for your outfits, we recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other.
The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. That softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments. If we're shooting in a location that has a lot of greenery, I would avoid wearing the color green and instead, choose a lighter color that will provide contrast!
Avoid strong colors like bright red, hot pink and neons as they reflect onto your skin like a glow stick. Trust me...it's not pretty.
Choosing Colors
colors
PATTERNS
Where to shop
HAIR & MAKEUP
wardrobe tips
for the ladies
outfits
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Not all patterns photograph well on camera. Generally, the smaller the pattern, the harder it is for the camera to distinguish. Patterns to avoid are thin black and white stripes, gingham (or checkered) patterns that are smaller than a dime (commonly found in mens dress shirts) and small polka dots.
When it comes to patterns, choose ones that are larger, more subdued or spaced out. For a more balanced look, have one of you wear a pattern, and the other wear a solid color that compliments. If you're both wearing a pattern, one of you should wear a more dominant pattern while the other is more subdued. That way, your patterns are not both fighting for attention.
If you're unsure, feel free to email me photos of your outfit choices! I'm more than happy to help!
Patterns
colors
patterns
Where to shop
HAIR & MAKEUP
wardrobe tips
for the ladies
outfits
find it fast
Favorite Shop
colors
PATTERNS
Where to shop
HAIR & MAKEUP
wardrobe tips
for the ladies
outfits
Morning Lavender
J. Crew
J. Crew Factory
Loft
Anthropologie
Baltic Born
Francesca’s
Jessakae
Lulu's
H&M
Vici Dolls
Nordstrom
Amazon
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Hair & Makeup
colors
PATTERNS
Where to shop
HAIR & MAKEUP
wardrobe tips
for the ladies
outfits
Engagement sessions are the perfect time for a hair and makeup trial! Professionally done hair & makeup last longer than typical hair & makeup. They also tend to hold up better for humitiy and wind.
We think it’s so important that you look and feel your best for your engagement photos - and if you’re planning to do a hair & makeup trial anyways, the engagement session is a great time to test how your hair & makeup look on camera.
Although it might seem counter-intuitive, we recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session because it tends to photograph orange even when it’s applied subtly. Your actual skin tone will photograph the most beautifully.
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You can’t go wrong with a suit and tie. Consider pulling out that suit you had to wear last time you were a groomsmen!
Layer with a blazer and a fun tie - you can even wear jeans with this look.
Bowties are always a good idea!
Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - especially when it comes to gingham shirts. This small pattern tends to confuse the camera and doesn't photograph well. Opt for solids or larger patterns!
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin.
Cozy sweaters layered over button ups are a great way to stay warm and stylish during the cooler months!
Wardrobe
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the gents
find it fast
Jos. A Bank
ASOS
Suit Supply
J. Crew
Zara
Leather & Cotton
Jack Threads
Frank & Oak
Nordstrom
H&M
Urban Outfitters
Wardrobe
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the gents
Inclement Weather
what to do if it rains
It’s not uncommon for us to reschedule engagement sessions due to weather. We’ll check in the week of your engagement session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and keep an eye on the weather.
We know it takes a lot of time to get ready for engagement session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain.
Let us know what works best for the two of you - but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.
If your hair and makeup artist requires a 24 hour reschedule notice, please let us know the week of the session so we can plan accordingly.
When we can, we always try to take a photo of your ring during your engagement session - so it’s a good idea to have it cleaned or clean it yourself before your shoot! To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.
Ring Cleaning
When it comes to posing for your engagement session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If we tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because we know it’s going to make the two of you laugh - and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for.
Throughout your session, we’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. We want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
"What do I do with
my hands"?
"What do I do
with my hands"?
POSING
Date Night
If you’re anything like us, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often. Which means that the day of your engagement session is the perfect occasion for a date night (or brunch if your session is in the morning!)
The engagement session is another part of celebrating your love and heading off to dinner is a great way to end the session!
A few days after your session, I'll email you a sneak preview gallery! About a week or so after your session, you'll be featured on our website in a blog post full of all our favorite images! Then 2-3 weeks from your session date, you'll receive your full gallery through an online gallery where you can download, print and share your images.
When to Expect Your Images
3 days
Sneak preview gallery!
1-2 weeks
Blog post full of our favorites!
2-3 weeks
Your full gallery!
We know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your engagement session! However if there is something we missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email
joanna@joannakrueger.com
