a tale of sometimes - less is more.

Engagement sessions can be stressful. Trust me, I get it. I am humbled every time I have my own picture taken and the lingering feeling of the “professional photography” stigma is not lost on me. Remember in school where you would just sit in a chair and tilt your head a little to the left? Or when your Mom would want just one nice picture to send to someone but it still somehow took 30 minutes for that one good one? Photography in general is an ever morphing and evolving art form - from tin types to pin holes to film to digital, the way your memories are captured have changed drastically. Even stylistically there is a whole language behind the art to help define techniques such as Lifestyle, Editorial, Photojournalistic, Portraiture, etc. So what does it all mean and how does this apply for your engagement session?

Location
It should go without saying that location should be picked before anything else. If you’re one of my couples, you will have been sent and Engagement guide that has a bunch of locations broken down into feels and vibes. But how do you pick?! I tell all of my couples, firstly - pick an area that means something to you. If you met around the city, let’s go back and bring up some of those memories. Spend every summer at the shore? That would be a perfect option for you. Like to go on lots of hikes? Let’s find a place in nature that makes both of you happy. One day (and this is purely me just putting it out into the universe) I will have a couple bring em to a ski slope. Please please please please. I know how to ski. I’m also a boat baby - hint hint.

2. outfit planning

This is where I’m trying to tell you, less is more. Can we just talk about how stunning Gabby looks in this clean line slip dress? If you’re going to a location that has a busy background, pick and outfit that is more simple. If you’re going for a background that has less going on, still pick a simple clean outfit. You literally can’t go wrong with this. There is one exception to the rule and that is small patterns. Dresses or shirts with a small repeating pattern that isn’t too contracting usually looks beautiful in all settings. I’m a sucker for fun sleeves too. If you’re not a dress girlie, that’s okay! You still have two options - high contrast (White and Black/Deep brown) or low contrast (White and Beige/pastel), there is no in between. And then for the men. Notice that I haven’t mentioned guys yet? If you are in a heterosexual couple, dress the hardest person first. Ladies… that’s usually us. Pair the men’s outfit to you and make sure pants and shirts are ironed. To switch up a look, add a jacket. Keep the gym sneakers at home. If you are in same-sex couple - still dress the hardest person first! Contrasting desires and minimal patterns also still come into play here.

3. attitude

Okay, this blog has been little bit of a cop out because I truly feel there are only three things that help you have a successful engagement session. The last one is your attitude. Don’t be afraid to be silly or show your raw emotions for one another. It’s not just smiling at the camera for an hour (yes, we get some safe ones too) but it should be fun! If you’ve ever talked to me or even listen to Susan Padron’s Podcast episode with me (shameless plug) - you will hear me say 100 times that photography should be fun! Even editorial work that looks stoic can be fun with the in-between moments. Come in ready to just be in love and you will love the outcome of your session. Need a little help? No shit! (and I mean that in the nicest way possible). Everyone needs help posing, or catching the light correctly, or being told what to do with their hands, or where to look. I got you. If you have magically found a photographer that can’t help you with this, fire them and hire me.

That’s it! That’s all you need for a great engagement session! A spot you love. A person you love. And and outfit that makes you feel good that won’t overpower you. Have fun with the rest and enjoy this time of your life!