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Your step-by-step guide to your engagement session
I simply can not wait to work with you! I am so excited to get started on your portrait session.
I want to make this experience helpful and stress-free so I have created a step-by-step guide to plan your perfect engagement session. Simply follow each step below to get started.
Step one
When selecting a location for your engagement session, consider the season and style of images you want. There is no right or wrong; just be mindful of what type of images you want to have. Below are some of my favorite locations for each type of location, but I am happy to share more or take any suggestions from you!
Rice Park
Mill Ruins
North Loop
Downtown Stillwater
Loring Park
Burwell Park
Arneson Acres
Millennium Gardens
Rice Creek Park
Como Park
Wayzata Beach
Excelsior Beach
Lake Harriet
Minnehaha Falls
Harriet Island Park
Airbnb Rental***
Tiny Home Rental***
Minneapolis Studio***
Your home
***May cost extra
Step two
Not sure what season you are wanting engagement photos in? A few examples are listed below along with great color combos to choose from. Typically I like to encourage clients to choose a season opposite of what time they are getting married in to have some variety in their photos!
Step three
Getting ready for your engagement session doesn't have to be stressful. Here are some simple tips to have a stress-free and fun engagement session.
Select an outfit that makes you feel confident and beautiful. When it comes to your portraits, your attitude will reflect greater than your actual outfit. When you feel beautiful and confident in your own skin, the other style details will all fall into place. Choosing solid patterns and not being to matchy/ matchy goes a long way!
So don't get overly stressed about your outfit selection. Go with your gut and what makes you feel like you! Here are some general tips for getting ready:
If you're hiring a hair & makeup artist for your wedding then consider doing a trial run for your engagement session. This is a great opportunity to test if you like a specific style of makeup or preference of hairstyle.
If you're like most guys, then you dread taking photos. I challenge you to throw out all your doubts, and frustrations toward taking photos because this is NOT your average portrait session. I have worked with many men over the years (and I have a husband and son who dread photos) so I know how to make this session fun for the gals AND guys.
If you promise to have an open mind I promise that I will do everything in my power to make you feel comfortable and excited during your portrait session.
Step three
Personalizing your session is how you make your images feel unique to you. I would welcome and encourage you to bring items and props that feel like you. If you're not sure what to bring just ask, I'm happy to provide some ideas.
Do you have a furry pet that feels like family and you want to include? Feel free to bring your pets along to your engagement session.
Please note: some locations work better for pets. Please notify me that you will bring your animal so we can pick an appropriate session location.
Do you have a location that is significant to you? Where he proposed? Your first date? Or a place that you call your own? Let's include that in your session! Coffee shops, breweries and restaurants have been some of my favorites to photograph at!
Let the champagne pop! Consider bringing fun props to your portrait session. Sparklers, bubbles, ice cream...whatever your ideas, I'm open!
Let me know what your prop ideas are so that I can prepare a plan to photograph them.
Step four
Please take a moment to tell me about your engagement session plan. Within 24 hours of submitting your session plan, I will reach out via email to confirm your session plan and location details. I am so excited to connect with you very soon!
