The Engagement Session Style Guide
Lele & Beane Engagement Session at the Memphis Botanical Garden
Hello, miss bride-to-be!
I’m a big fan of the engagement session because it allows you to get comfortable in front of the camera and showcase your personality in a more playful setting! Further, it helps prepare for the big day so that portraits can be taken in a timely manner, still feeling relaxed and fun.
It’s normal to be a little nervous — I still feel that way before having my photo taken and I do this for a living! That’s why I created this Engagement Session Style Guide to help you prepare what to wear, choose your location(s), and calm some nerves about what to expect.
Let’s talk about how much fun we are going to have celebrating your engagement!
First Things First…
A Note To The Guys
I know — you may not be looking forward to having your picture taken for a couple of hours. That’s okay! My husband still asks 20 minutes in if we’re almost done haha. Let me take some pressure off…
The focus of this session is actually on your fiance — not you =) I’ll get you to do lots of silly things to make her laugh like twirling, snuggling, kissing, nuzzling, singing, growling, and cracking jokes. Most of my grooms end up having so much fun and actually look forward to portraits on their wedding day.
So rest easy, show up ready to party, and let’s have some fun together!
What To Expect
Time of Day
Engagement Sessions usually take place in the late afternoon sunlight or three hours before sunset. That will give us two good hours of shooting time, including time to change outfits or locations.
How I’ll Direct You
I’ll guide you through the entire process as I capture a wide variety of images ranging from formal portraits to lifestyle images interacting with one another. I love creating an experience by asking you to do funny or intentional things that illicit an emotional response — if it feels weird, it’s probably because I know it looks great on camera! I’ll also keep an eye on your hair, makeup, and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
Using Your Images
A decent amount of couples use their images for Save-The-Date cards, so keep that in mind when scheduling. You’ll want to book 6-8 weeks before sending these out to give adequate time for editing, designing, and addressing your cards.
Choosing The Time of Year
Your Engagement Session can take place at or immediately following the proposal, or even days before the wedding. I shoot most engagement sessions between April and late November, but sessions can take place any time of year!
Think about your Wedding Aesthetics when trying to decide the time of year. A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Spring
Fresh Flowers
You could have a picnic around cherry blossom trees, take a bike ride at a local park, or walk down a riverbank with a fresh bouquet in hand!
Summer
Walks on the Beach
You can take a boat ride, swim at the lake, walk on the beach, watch a summer concert, or go to romantic garden.
Fall
Colorful Leaves
Pick apples at an orchard, take a hike to an overlook or waterfall, or take a romantic canoe ride among the autumn leaves.
Winter
Snowfall and Cozy Coats
Take walks downtown to find all the pretty lights, fire pits with smores, or red dresses and snow-covered landscapes for that extra pop of color! Lots of layers adds visual interest and warmth.
Choosing The Location
Your Engagement Session can take place at any location with great natural light. Most sessions are captured outdoors in open-air spaces, but cold-weather options could include a conservatory, wedding venue, hotel, or your own home.
Utilize Your Personal Network
From estates to lavender fields to apple picking and college campuses, the options for family session locations are endless! Maybe someone in your personal network can secure permission to a private estate, country club, resort, family ranch, hotel rooftop, boat, or airplane hangar. The sky’s the limit and you never know until you ask!
Think About Your Wedding Aesthetic
If your home is decorated in chic, elegant decor, it may be fitting to take your family portraits among the classic architecture in a downtown area, while a local park or flower-filled fields may be more fitting for more rustic decor.
Make it Meaningful to You
The best locations are the ones that you already have memories at or things you enjoy doing together. That way, when you look back at your images, you’re filled with tons of special memories to enjoy.
West Tennessee Locations
If your heart is set on multiple locations, please make sure they are within 10-15 minutes of driving of one another.
Memphis
Dixon Gallery & Gardens (+$100)
Memphis Botanical Gardens (+$50)
Nashville
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens (+$200-$300)
Destination Sessions & Travel Fees
While I take most of my family sessions in the West Tennessee area, I’ve photographed sessions everywhere from California to Florida to Washington. I charge $50 per hour outside my home of Paris, TN. For over 3 hours away, reach out for a custom quote.
Here are some of my favorites:
What To Wear
2 OUTFITS MAX
Most couples wear two outfits for your engagement session: a more formal outfit and a casual outfit. Save your favorite outfit for later in the session when you feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Some locations do not have a bathroom or changing station, so you may end up changing in your car.
Dress for the Location
Look at the background colors of the location you’re desiring. Make sure the colors you wear do not compete with the color tones in your backdrop. For example, bright pink wouldn’t look so great in front of a red brick wall or a green dress in a field of green grass.
The camera loves soft shades of pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather, and white. Please no neons as they will cast unwanted color on your skin.
Create Visual Interest
The magic behind styling your outfit starts with creating visual interest. This concept allows each individual personality to shine and also creates a coherent aesthetic for you two together. Here are some of my top tricks to accomplish this:
Complementary Outfits — Choose outfits that complement each other rather than match. For example, if your groom is wearing a navy, yellow, and white pastel plaid shirt, then you may want to choose a long, soft light blue dress.
Mix up the bottoms — If one person is wearing jeans, let another wear khakis or a different color tone of jeans with a different fit.
Use patterns — Patterns are a great way to add visual interest, but make sure they don’t compete with one another. Your groom could wear a checkered button-down while you could wear a soft floral pattern.
Use textures — If you have a hard time finding different colors or patterns, mix it up with textures.
Take a photo in b&w — Lay out your clothes prior to the session, take a photo, then convert it to black and white. If everything is the same shade of grey, mix up the colors, textures, or patterns.
Fashion Tips For Her
Start with your outfit, then build from there.
Long, flowy dresses and skirts: These flatter every female body, which is why the red carpet is full of them! Heels lengthen legs to look great on camera but pack a pair of flats in between shoots if they’re uncomfortable.
Accessories: Statement necklaces, cute shoes, and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits.
Hair & Nails: Professionally done hair & makeup lasts longer and also tends to hold up better in humidity and wind! In case we reschedule for inclement weather, make sure you can reschedule your appointments too.
Where to Shop: Rent the Runway, ASOS, Morning Lavender, J. Crew, Anthropologie, Free People, Jamie Kay, Francesca’s, Jessakae, ModCloth, Shop Ruche, Hazel & Olive, Lulu's, H&M, Shabby Apple, Vici Dolls, Nordstrom, One Loved Babe, Arden, Filly Flair
Fashion Tips for Him
Overall, you don’t want his clothes to overshadow yours. When in doubt — choose navy or light khakis and a soft pattern or solid-colored button-down!
The Best Fit: Long, fitted pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. Stay away from graphics and logos.
Layered Looks: Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, trust me when I say it’s worth the discomfort. Blazers, vests, and coats level up any look. If the temperature permits, he could add in a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Many guys love to mix in a suit coat, blazer, or sport coat with a different pant color. Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small.
The Details: Brown leather shoes complement almost every look. Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests, and watches are sharp compliments to any outfit for men and boys alike.
Hair & Nails: Make sure your hairline is trimmed and your facial hair is maintained prior to the session.
How to Prepare
WEATHER, RINGS, PROPS, DATE NIGHT
Inclement Weather
I’ll check in the week of your engagement session to confirm the time & location, as well as talk about the weather. If the weather looks like it won’t be great, I typically try to make the call to reschedule at least 12-24 hours in advance.
Ring Cleaning
It’s a good idea to have your ring 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.
Props
Champagne is always a good idea! If you’re planning to bring props, I recommend including them only if they’re meaningful to you AND go along with the aesthetics of your outfits. Blankets or quilts are a great idea for something to sit on. Shots of drinking coffee at a local coffee shop are cute if that’s where you met; however, trying to fly a kite together when it’s not a part of your relationship may come off as contrived.
Date Night
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!
Don’t Forget Your Furry Friends!
I’m a dog mom myself, so when couples want to incorporate their pets into their engagement session, I’m all for it! The only thing to keep in mind — you may want a family member to bring & take them home to avoid them sitting in the car the rest of the time!
Real Clients
Want to see what others have done? Check out some of my actual clients’ Engagement Sessions!
Receiving Your Images
Your online gallery will be delivered via email with a link giving only you special permission to hide any images and share the gallery with others!
Inside the gallery is an integrated print store to make ordering print products a breeze! Plus — all gallery guests have a full print release to print your images anywhere you prefer. Need more info? Check out our Gallery Guide here.
Thank You!
That about sums it up! I can't wait to have so much fun together at your engagement session! If you have any questions or would just like to chat, I’m here for you! Text me here.
xoxo,
An elegant, rustic Nashville Engagement Session at Leiper’s Fork