Engagement Sessions
Most wedding blogs and articles will tell you that engagement sessions will help you “practice” for your wedding, but I personally think one of the best things I’ve seen couples get from engagement sessions is “the great unlearning” of what engagement photos look like.
It doesn’t have to just be hyper-romantic, cheesy and stiff poses. It’s an opportunity:
For us to get to know each other better - for me to pay attention to and capture the way you interact with each other, and for you to see what it’s like when I’m around with a camera.
For you to get photos of the two of you that celebrate this time in your lives together, before being in wedding clothes.
Engagement sessions are not just about posing.
They’re about setting aside some time to focus on each other and be documented together in a way that studies and celebrates your relationship in your own unique way. This means that there is no expectation for you to perform for the camera, no excessive PDA needed if that’s not how you behave normally, and I don’t show up with a preconceived list of poses I make every couple do. No pressure and no performance.
Where should we do the session?
Some place that means something to the both of you. I invite you to ask yourselves:
What is something you both love to do together?
Are there meaningful places like your first date, or a frequented ice cream shop?
If you had a random weekday together to have a mid-day date, what first comes to mind?
I ask these questions instead of sending over a generic list of picturesque locations because the focus is the two of you and what your relationship looks like, not about what’s behind you. Ask yourselves what is most conducive to the both of you having a great time and forgetting that a camera is around you.
Some examples of what my couples have chosen to do their session:
At the site of their first date (and also the proposal), on a hiking trail in Mount Tam
Taking a walk around their old neighborhood where they used to live
Getting coffee at their favorite SF spot, then walking and exploring one of their favorite hidden neighborhoods
Grabbing a drink nearby and then playing on the beach
I also invite you to make this session an experience for the both of you, not just “for photos.” Bring champagne if that’s your thing, write a handwritten note, or anything that’ll make this time a little more special for the two of you.
What can we expect?
Sessions are typically about 90 minutes, and occasionally run a bit longer if we’re hitting a couple places in the area (like visiting your favorite coffee shop or brewery and then walking toward the record store). During our session, I’ll make sure to get a couple straightforward “looking at the camera and smiling” type portraits, and then the rest of the time I’ll give occasional gentle guidance (such as where to stand or sit). I aim for this time to be easy and relaxed. You’ll receive your pictures about two weeks later in an online gallery for you to download!
What should we wear?
Whatever feels true to you. Always, always, always prioritize your comfort. It will be distracting and unpleasant for you if you’re fighting the cold because you really want to wear a certain outfit, or struggling to walk in shoes that aren’t suitable for the environment we’re in.
Should we do an outfit change?
Depending on our plan and if there is an accessible place to get changed, why not! It doesn’t have to be a full wardrobe change either, it can be as simple as changing out of a sweater or switching a top, just to get some variety.
What should we bring?
Your essential phone / wallet / keys, and that’s pretty much it. Because a lot of the imagery comes from the moments of walking and moving, it’s harder to be spontaneous if you have to put down a bag all the time. If you need to bring something larger, I suggest a small backpack that I can wear, because I will end up doing that so that we can walk and shoot!
