- courtney

When planning your engagement session, it is always fun and unique to incorporate at least one element that is unique to you. Whether you want to document the city you and your partner are spending your engagement in, include your pets, favorite date night spot or just a bottle of champagne that you both enjoy, I want to tell the story of your relationship, and engagement sessions are the perfect time for it!

Engagement sessions also give you the ability to showcase your personalities in a more casual setting or location that is significant to the two of you (and the chance to even include pets!) While engagement photos are great for save-the-dates, they can be taken anywhere from 18 months in advance or just a few days before the wedding. The timing won’t make the photos any less special or exciting.
 
There are a lot of options to think about when it comes to planning your engagement session. We have put together this guide that will walk you through, what to wear, location ideas, what it looks like logistically to bring pets & more!
 
 
Our hope is that this guide will be beneficial to you and answer a lot of the initial questions you might have. Of course, if there are any details you’d like to discuss or additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to be on your team!


Wedding day timelines can be pretty tight, and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why we highly encourage you to take advantage of our complimentary engagement session.
 
It takes a little bit of time for most couples to warm up to being photographed together and understand how to pose naturally, and the engagement session is a fun and unique opportunity for us to meet and get to know each other while giving you and your partner experience being in front of the camera. 




A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Welcome

We get it, having your picture taken for 2-3 hours might not be in your top 10 favorite things to do during your downtime. And at first you might feel awkward being in front of the camera, but by the end of the session, you will find that it is a lot easier than you thought and find you even had a little fun. Engagement sessions also give us the amazing opportunity to get to know each other before your wedding weekend, and I know you and your partner will appreciate having these images once it’s all said and done. 

The Guys

A NOTE TO

a note to

Engagement sessions can take place anywhere from immediately following a proposal to just a few days before the wedding. There is never a “good” or “bad” time to take your engagement photos. 
 
Sessions typically last around two to three hours, depending on outfits and locations, and it is best if we can begin the shoot a few hours before sunset. We prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches, unless there is some sort of cover you want to be under the entire session. The first two hours after sunrise is also another ideal time to shoot if you are an early riser. An early session is especially ideal for large cities and/or popular locations that have the potential to be filled with tourists.
 
Scheduling can always be one of the more challenging aspects of the engagement shoot. We are all busy people! However it is really important to arrive on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of daylight before we’ve finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the light will get harsher as the sun rises.

Is there a "good" time to take photos? 

TIME & LIGHT

While I shoot most of my engagement sessions between March and November, sessions can take place all year round. Most of my couples choose when they schedule their session based on the location they want to shoot. 

Seasons

Here are a few things to consider about when to schedule your session:

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Winter

Snowfall, hot chocolate and cozy coats

If you’re planning on taking your engagement photos during the winter, keep in mind that the sun sets rather early in the day. If you are looking to shoot in the evening, we might need to start as early as 2:30pm to catch the last hours of sunlight.

I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up and look as natural as possible on camera. If you are cold, it can show in the photos through raised shoulders and tense arms. I also recommend bringing a little extra makeup and tissues just in case your nose begins running.

Urban locations are also best during the winter because trees have lost their leaves and most plants have gone dormant. A lush and natural outdoor scene will not be possible during the winter.

Spring

blooming flowers and sunny days

Depending on where you are wanting to shoot, it can still be chilly in parts of the US in March. In further south you live, the earlier in Spring we can schedule your shoot. No matter what, when scheduling spring dates, I like to schedule a primary date and a backup rain date. Scheduling multiple dates will need to be discussed if you are planning on a destination engagement session.  

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Summer

walks on the beach hand in hand

In spite of the heat, I am a big fan of summer engagement sessions! Because of the later sunset, we can begin shooting as late as 6pm and there are so many options for activities. If you decide on taking engagement photos during the summer, I recommend bringing extra makeup and a hand towel to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session. 

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Fall

Colorful leaves, perfect temperatures & snuggling close

Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year in the Midwest and because of the ideal weather, my availability books up quickly.

If you have your heart set on a fall engagement session, I recommending scheduling it as soon as possible!

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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 will want to send them out 8 to 10 months before the wedding depending how far the destination is and if your wedding falls on a popular holiday weekend.

If you’re wanting to use your engagement photos for your save the dates, I 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

Engagement Locations in Indianapolis, Birmingham & Beyond

I love when couples choose a location for their engagement session that is significant to them. Another option when thinking about your session is picking a location that complements your wedding.  For example, if you’re planning a chic, elegant wedding, it may be fitting to take your engagement portraits among classic architecture, while a local park or flower-filled fields may be more fitting for a couple planning a more rustic affair.

The best session locations are often meaningful places to the couple, however, I’m also happy to make recommendations. From breweries to flower fields, to apple picking and college campuses, the options for engagement session locations are endless!

Downtown Birmingham
Downtown Indianapolis
Local Art Museums
Botanical Gardens (AL)
Newfields (IN)

*various spots in the surrounding areas offer classic architecture and clean, manicured parks and bridges that act as timeless locations*

CLASSIC & ELEGANT

Downtown City Parking Lots
Railroad Park (AL)
Rotary Trail (AL)
Alabama Theatre (AL)

URBAN

Rosemary & Alys Beach (FL)

BEACH

A Vineyard
Tree & Flower Farms



RUSTIC

Cooking class
Hiking
Brewery Tour
Sailing / Boating
Usual Date Spots - Coffee Spots, Etc.

ADVENTURE

The above locations are all beautiful but we also love exploring meaningful locations with our couples!

Destination Engagement Sessions

While I take most of my engagement sessions in the Birmingham or Indianapolis areas, one of my greatest passions is travel, and I have a very long list of cities I am dying to shoot in. If you have a location in mind that is significant to you, please let me know! I would love to take your engagement photos beyond my normal area.

Top places on my list for engagement sessions:
Washington, D.C., Charleston, New York (Always), Anywhere!

Travel fees may apply depending on the location and my availability. 

My three dogs are the center of our household, which is why I love when my couples choose to incorporate pets into their sessions. Keep in mind that brining a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.

I recommend planning for your pet to be at the beginning of your session, and either dropping them off or having a friend take them home. I usually plan for one location to be specifically used for the pets, and the other location(s) just for you and your partner. Because we won’t have the pets in every photo, it’s nice to have a friend available to hold them in between shots.

I also recommend exercising your pet a little bit before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats to get their attention. Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot. Also, bring along a lint roller just in case. My guys shed.

Pets

Outfits

TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST

When picking outfits, it’s really important that you and your partner choose something that you are completely confident in. There is a saying in sports, “Look good, feel good, play good.” It applies to photoshoots as well. If you’re confident in your outfit and think you look good, you'll feel good, and photograph great!

Also, I recommend keeping in mind it is best to coordinate rather than match. For example, if the groom-to-be is wearing a blue and white plaid shirt, the bride-to-be may want to choose a midi, soft pink dress. Another tip would be for you to think about the color palette of the location you have chosen. The more neutral the location, the more you might be able to play with color. If your chosen location is more urban, you may want to stick to a more neutral palette. 

Generally, couples pick two outfits for an engagement session: a more formal outfit and a casual outfit. I always think it is best to be over prepared and bring an extra outfit, or at least an extra top to the shoot, just in case. I like to coordinate locations with you beforehand to get a plan together, so you can choose which outfit you would like to shoot in first.

And don’t forget to bring a few accessories with you as well. I love classic and clean accessories that are timeless. Thin hoops, classic pearls or diamond studs, silver or gold timeless bracelets and/or necklaces that will add the perfect finishing touch.

Pinterest Board - Engagement Session Outfit Ideas

FOR THE LADIES

FOR THE gENTS

on to the next

find it fast

Heels lengthen legs, but if your heels aren’t comfortable to walk in, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between shots. I also, always suggest wearing something with a little bit of movement because when there’s wind, it creates magic.

I am a huge fan of midi skirts or dresses. There are very few limitations when it comes to posing in a garment with length. You can sit easily or twirl around with your partner without worry.

Another thing I like to mention when choosing their outfits is to be mindful of patterns. Patterns can easily make your photo look a little too busy if they are too small and become the focal point of the entire image if too large. If you’re thinking of choosing a pattern, take a few at home test shots to see how it might look in the photos.

Softer, pastel colors also tend to photograph better than bright colors. I love bright dresses, but I don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion. Also, the color orange specifically can affect the color of your skin tones in the photos as well.

Wardrobe Tips

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

MANICURE

Outfits

for the ladies

find it fast

Jewelry is a great way to add that extra touch to your outfit, and I consider accessories to be very personal. When choosing your outfits and jewelry, I highly recommend wearing something extremely authentic to your style. I might be the photographer, but you will have these photos forever, and it’s important that they 100% reflect your personal style.

For engagement sessions, I always think “the ring” should be the focal point, of the shoot. Personally, I have always leaned toward simple or more delicate jewelry. However, if statement jewelry is your thing, I always love photographing new elements.

Other accessories that could be really cool are hats and scarves if that’s your style. The best thing about hats and scarves is that they can be taken on and off really easily if you wanted to try them even for a couple of shots.

Choose your outfit(s) and accessories that you feel comfortable in, but don’t be afraid to dress up!


Accessories

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

MANICURE

Outfits

for the ladies

find it fast

Shops:
ShopBop
Nordstrom
Anthropologie
Free People
Rent the Runway

Favorite Shops

Brands :
Marchesa Notte
Ulla Johnson
Alice + Olivia
Self Portrait
For Love & Lemons
Joie
Vince

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

MANICURE

Outfits

for the ladies

Here are my favorite shops and brands that will hopefully give you an idea when it comes to shopping for your engagement session outfits. There are so many great places to shop. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I also have a personal styling and shopping contact I can pass along if you would like even more help.

find it fast

Engagement sessions are the perfect time for a hair and makeup trial! If you’re planning on doing a hair and makeup trial anyway, the engagement session is a great time to test how your hair and makeup will look on camera.

If you aren’t able to set up the hair and makeup trial with your actual wedding hair and makeup team, it’s still a great opportunity to hire a professional hair and makeup artist.

Professionally done hair and makeup tends to hold up longer in the humidity and wind. I think it’s extremely important for you to look and feel your best for your engagement photos, so do whatever will make you feel most confident!

Hair & Makeup

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

MANICURE

Outfits

for the ladies

find it fast

There will definitely be times during your engagement session that I will be shooting your engagement ring or y’all holding hands. Which means, it’s a great idea to clean up your nails before your session. This applies to our guys too! 

Plain nail polish without any elaborate designs photograph the best for an engagement session because it lets the ring speak for itself. 

Manicure

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

MANICURE

Outfits

for the ladies

find it fast

You can never go wrong with a timeless suit with a simple dress shirt underneath. So chic and timeless!

Another great option is to wear khakis with a nice button up or even jeans with a fun blazer or classic t-shirt with a cool jacket for something sportier. Depending on how dressed up your bride-to-be is getting, you can always dress up your look with a cool tie or bowtie.

Just like our girls, be careful when choosing a pattern. It may accidentally make your photos look a little too busy. Softer, neutral colors tend to photograph better than bright colors that could reflect on your skin. And, if you decide to go for a sportier look, try to stay clear of pieces with logos. Large logos can be very distracting in an image.

Cozy sweaters layered over button ups are a great way to stay warm and stylish during the cooler months as well. Again, think coordinating rather than matching.

Wardrobe

WHERE TO SHOP

Outfits

for the gents

find it fast

Nordstrom
The Black Tux
Rent the Runway
J. Crew
ASOS
Zara
H&M
Urban Outfitters
BYLT for Basic T-Shirts

Wardrobe

WHERE TO SHOP

Outfits

for the gents

Inclement Weather

what to do if it rains

It’s typical for me to schedule two engagement session dates. A primary date and a rain date. Having two dates helps us make sure that your photos will happen in a timely manner. Coordinating schedules can be tricky and I’ve found that the best way to make sure my couples get the look they have in mind for their photos is to schedule two dates at the same time.

I will check with y’all the week of your engagement session to confirm the time and location we’re meeting and discuss the weather. I know it takes a lot of time to get ready for an engagement session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session, only to have it rained out or worse.

With that being said, if you wish to brave the elements and they aren’t so bad that my gear can’t take it, we can grab a couple of clear umbrellas, rethink locations for spots with more cover and keep our original date.

I just ask that we keep an open line of communication and let me know what works best for the two of you. But if the weather looks like it will be rather nasty, I typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.

During your engagement session shoot, I will definitely grab some detail shots of y’all holding hands and of the engagement ring. If possible, please try to have your engagement ring professionally cleaned by your jeweler, but if you cannot, here is a way you can clean it yourself. To clean your ring 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. If it still looks dirty, rinse and repeat.

Ring Cleaning

Note: When I clean my ring at home it usually will dry with spots on it. To resolve that, I place it on a wash cloth and use my hairdryer. Be careful if you use the heat setting. Your ring will be hot to the touch, so wait a few minutes before putting it back on. 

Props

champagne is always a good idea

If you’re planning on bringing or incorporating props into your engagement session, I recommend including them only if they’re meaningful to you and your partner. Shots of drinking coffee at a local coffee shop would be cute if that’s where you met. However, trying to fly a kite together when it’s not part of your relationship may come off unnatural and in turn, the photos won’t be as meaningful to you down the road.

Props can be as elaborate or simple as you can dream, but this is definitely something we should discuss when planning your session so we can incorporate them in a timeless and chic way!

When it comes to posing during your session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I will start our session by talking you and your partner through the flow of the session, including how the posing will work.

I would say that my style of posing is about bringing out the sweetness of your relationship. The prompts and poses are only set as a guideline, so you two can feel at ease and fall naturally into position with each other. If I tell you to do something that feels unnatural or funny for you two then we can readjust. However, if I tell y’all to do something silly, it’s probably because I know that it’s going to make the two of you laugh, and that’s the photo that I’m actually going for.

Throughout your session, I will also keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits that make sure things stay in place. I 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 me, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often. Which means, the end 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 somewhere together is the perfect way to end the day!

As soon as possible after your session, I will ship your film off to my lab in Oregon. It normally takes them about 10 business days to send the digital files back to me. Then it will take me another week to edit your images. Unless I have a holiday close by, you can expect to receive your engagement photos between 4 and 5 weeks after your session in your online gallery, fully ready for print. 

When to Expect Your Images

Thank you for reading my length guide! I hope it covers everything you need to know in preparation for your engagement session. However, if there is something that I missed, or you need any other recommendations please reach out. I am happy to help!

THANK YOU!

@2022 Ninety Three Creative

courtney@creativeninetythree.com