Engagement Session Style Guide
First things first, the timing of the day!
When asked to schedule a session, I will more than likely try my best to make sure it’s near golden hour, AKA the best time of the day. Golden hour is essentially right before sunset, when the sun produces a soft and warm glow, and doesn’t give us harsh shadows to work with. In other terms, it looks GORGEOUS on everyone and you won’t see any harsh lines in your photos!
Keep in mind as well! The later in the year, the sun sets earlier, so we’ll need to make sure we schedule your Fall/Winter session for an earlier time (possibly before the working day is done), so it’s likely that it will be a weekend! The earlier in the year (Spring/Summer), the later the session will be for the ideal lighting, so we won’t have to worry as much about conflicting schedules.
Also, if your session includes an outfit change or we have to hike a little bit for the breathtaking views (I will always let you know if this is the case, as I generally scout the locations prior to our session!), please arrive at least 15min early so we don’t miss our lighting!
Tip: My weekends fill up FAST, as it is the easiest to plan a session then, so securing a weekday is a guaranteed way to get to the front of the line! :)
Second, locations!
Location, location, location. I say it three times because it is uber important!
Where your session takes place should be either a reflection of you and your loved ones relationship, a place you both find breathtaking, or somewhere you’ve always dreamed of taking total bomb-af photos at! ;)
I will always be able to send my preferred locations list over to you, and I am more than happy to choose if you have just no idea where to choose, but it is incredibly important to me that your engagement session location means something to you, if possible!
Maybe your first date, where they proposed, or your first home together! It could even be the parking lot of the In-and-Out where you realized you loved each other for the first time. Whatever and wherever it is, I am IN.
Tidbit: Travel is included for up to 50 miles outside of Austin, but anywhere further will include a travel fee! I am all for destination engagement shoots!
Style tips for the chicas
Ok ladies, if you have ever wanted to bust out a literal sequin ballgown or velvet bodycon dress, NOW IS THE TIME. There is no better place to feel like the badass gorgeous woman you are than at an engagement session. I will literally be your #1 hype girl, singing Lizzo at the top of my lungs, because I want to make sure we are literally all feeling “good as hell” during this session.
In terms of colors, I would reccomend lighter colors or obvious blacks/navys. Yellows, greens, teals, and oranges tend to be unflattering and I do not encourage those colors for your outfits, but if you feel like your most amazing self in those colors, I won’t stop you!
Brides in the past have loved Rent-The-Runway, an online luxury dress rental shop that doesn’t cost a heck-ton, but makes you feel like a million bucks!
Also, an outfit change is always a good idea if you have multiple outfits you want to wear! I always reccomend one casual (AKA one where you can piggyback comfortably in), and one fancy-shmancy.
Also, the adding texture, like sequins, a super flowy dress, or metallic style dresses are always a GREAT idea and HIGHLY encouraged!
Grooms styling
Ok guys, listen up! I am 1000% on board for dressing what makes you feel most you, BUT I will say that suits (tuxedo or otherwise, if you can’t tell, I am not opposed to as fancy as you can be!), or light-colored button downs + dark slacks is generally the best option for flattering coloring on all skin tones.
I do not reccomend loud patterns, any obvious logos, or shorts. Again, I’m all for whatever you’re feeling, but in my experience, a suit does tend to make grooms feel + look a trillion times better than your old high school t-shirt. Juuust sayin’.
I will also say that making sure your outfit correlates with your fiancé can completely change the look of your photos! The more cohesive and aesthetic, the better.
Extra tid-bits
Lastly, here are some things I want to note:
I love love love getting to incorporate champagne or fun props like biodegradable confetti into a shoot! The more of an interactive prop, such as champagne, getting to pop the cork + spray it everywhere has never let me down!
Some brides like incorporating a custom jacket or sentimental memento from your relationship into the shoot! I had a bride bring a cool-af custom jean jacket with her new last name on it! SO cute.
If you are hiring a hair + makeup team for your big day, I strongly reccomend doing your trial session on the same day as your engagement session! That way, you can have all of the stress of getting ready off your shoulders, while knocking off the HMUA trial off your to-do list!
Please avoid clothing with logos, visible bra straps, shorts, glasses, and hats!
Lastly, LET’S HAVE FUN! This day is all about your love! Let’s celebrate that and pop the champagne! I’ll bring the camera.