Welcome
A Note ABOUT THIS GUIDE
We’re so excited to be working with you and we can’t wait for our time together during your engagement session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. We always tell people that we still get nervous before having our photos taken - and we do this for a living!
We’re big fans of engagement sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed and understand how we pose. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why we’ve found that wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time.
Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is signficant to the two of you (and even include pets!). While they’re great for save-the-dates, we’ve taken engagement photos anywhere from 18 months in advance to a few days before the wedding.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session and since we get asked the same things over and over again, we thought it would be the most beneficial if we put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know.
We’ll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets & how to manage them, location ideas and more!
5 minute rule
You might have heard of the 5 second rule, but have you heard of the 5 minute rule? We know that it's not every day you're getting in front of the camera for an hour at a time hanging out with people you just met. (I know it's crazy!) We tell all of our couples that it's okay to feel awkward but only for the first 5 minutes. We work really hard to have you guys play games with each other and have fun, so you shouldn't feel too bad once those first 5 minutes are up. It's a warm up time for all of us and if it helps, grab a drink before you come to loosen up!
General Engagement pREP
It's always a little intimidating to have your picture taken .. even if it's just a photo on an Iphone that is taken by a friend. We still want lo look nice, make sure nothing is in our teeth, and that our hair is behaving! I realize that preparing. for your engagement session can he a little overwhelming. Here are some tips for outfits and accessories that will make the engagement shoot preparation a little more manageable.
Timing
Sessions can be anywhere from 45 minutes to an 1.5 hours long depending on the location, walkability and weather.
The sun sets quickly especially if your shoot is not
in the summer months. The later you arrive, the less time we
have to shoot. Once the sun is set, the shoot will be over.
Permit/fees
While we are happy to give location suggestions, any permits or rental fees are the responsibility of our couple to secure and pay. Be sure to do your research and plan in advance if the location you would like to use requires a rental agreement or fee.
Parking
This may not apply to your shoot, but you always want to plan for cash-only parking fees.
Clothing & Shoes
I'll explain more in depth in the next few sections but generally, our couples like to bring one casual outfit and
one dressier outfit. If you are unsure about a few pieces, feel
free to bring all options and I can help you decide.
if you're wearing shoes that are difficult to walk in but look awesome, bring some comfy shoes lo
change to while we walk to each shooting location!
Time & light
Is there a "good" time to take photos?
Engagement sessions can take place anywhere from immediately following a proposal to just a few days before the wedding. We’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. We normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” a couple has in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about 40 minutes to an hour and when when we can—we love to begin sessions about one hour before sunset. We prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.
We schedule sessions during what we believe will be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.
Dec-Mar | 3-5pm
If you’re planning to take your engagement photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. We recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.
Winter
sPRING
Apr-May | Varies
The sunset time drastically
changes through the course of
these two months and so our
shooting times change as well.
You can plan on approximately
5:30-7:30 PM in April and 6-8
PM in May.
Even though Spring begins in March, we typically don’t begin shooting for another 6 weeks because the weather in PA/MD is still pretty chilly. When we schedule spring dates, we typically schedule both a primary date and a backup rain date.
Summer
Jun-Aug | 6:30-8:30pm
In spite of the heat, we’re big fans of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your engagement photos during the summer, we recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
FALL
Sept-Nov | Varies
Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year on the East Coast and because of the perfect weather, our schedules typically book up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall engagement session, we recommend scheduling it as soon as you book!
save the dates
If your wedding is local, save the dates should be sent between 6 and 8 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, you’ll want to send them out 8 to 10 months before the wedding.
If you’re hoping to use your engagement photos for your save the dates, we 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.
locations
Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year on the East Coast and because of the perfect weather, our schedules typically book up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall engagement session, we recommend scheduling it as soon as you book! Engagement Session locations are done within one hour of Gettysburg, PA. Many of our couples choose to do their engagement sessions at their venue or a local location based on how they want their photos to feel. Some couples will choose a downtown location and others want a wide open field.
We recommend choosing a spot that feels like it matches your personality. Please read through our 'Go-To Location Suggestion' post here and keep an eye out on our blog for new engagement sessions as we shoot throughout the year.
pa/md spots
Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year on the East Coast and because of the perfect weather, our schedules typically book up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall engagement session, we recommend scheduling it as soon as you book!
go-to locations
Gettysburg
- Devils Den
- Little Round Top
- Em's Favorite Field
Michaux State Forest
Harrisburg Capitol Building
Pinnacle Scenic Overlook Nature Preserve
Chickies Rock/Breezeway Gazebo
Codorus State Park
Your Wedding Venue
stately locations
Cairnwood Estate *+
Conestoga House & Gardens *+
Tyler Gardens *+
Moon Stone Manor *+
Historic King Mansion *+
Parque Ridley Creek *+
Moonstone Manor *+
*ALL of the stately locations will require a rental fee.*
Locations With Flowers:
Longwood Gardens *+
Historic Shady Lane *
Wildflower overlook *
Historic King Mansion (Seasonal)*
Hershey Gardens *
Hershey Hotel
Philadelphia Locations ($300 Travel Fee)
The Merchant Exchange +
First Bank of The United States +
The Rail Trail +
Cobblestone Streets in Old City +
Second Bank +
Broad Street +
Valley Forge National Park
Need inspiration? Check out our past sessions for some ideas!
*Requires Rental Fee
+Requires Travel Fee
MD Locations
Bakers Field
Carroll Creek Park
Inner Harbor
Fells Point
Mt Vernon Baltimore
Local Parks
(dogs welcome)
Gettysburg National Park
Bakers Field
Fort Hunter Park (Hershey)
Codorus State Park
Michaux State Forest
Long Arm Reservoir Scenic Overview
Destination ENGAGEMENT sESSIONS
While we take most of our engagement sessions in the south central PA area, we’ve photographed sessions everywhere from Pittsburgh to New York City to Delaware. If you have a location in mind that is significant to the two of you, let us know because if our schedules align, we might be able to take your engagement photos outside of our normal area.
Travel fees will apply depending on the location and our availability.
Pets
Our dog is huge part of our family, which is why we love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
We recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then either dropping them off or having a friend take them home. We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s important to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.
Selecting outfits
& Styling your Shoot
Believe it or not. you have so much control over the outcome of your shoot and what it looks and feels
like! What do you choose to wear is a big decision that often causes a ton of stress for many couples
before hand. However. my hope is that with a little education, you will be able lo determine the style and
feel you desire for your shoot and then that will make your outfit selection so much easier and less
complicated.
When picking outfits we recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if the groom-to-be is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the bride-to-be may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.
Generally couples pick two outfits for an engagement session: a more formal outfit and a casual outfit. We recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session, when couples usually feel more comfortable in front of the camera. And don’t forget to bring a few accesories! Statement necklaces, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits.
DECIDING ON YOUR STYLE
WHAT STYLE DO YOU PREFER?
BOLD or NEUTRAL
It's important to me that you look and feel like yourselves. If you're having trouble deciding what to wear, start with the above categories. Do you want your photos to be bold or neutral, dressy or casual, classic or trendy? From there you can achieve a specific vibe or feeling based on some basic color and style choices.
DRESSY or CASUAL
CLASSIC or TRENDY
Some tips
- Neutral Colors: Blushes, tans, light pinks, faint blues and light minty teals, creams, grays, and whites will always result in more of a light and airy look in your images. These colors photograph softer and more romantically.
- Long Flow-y Skirt/Dresses: Dresses and skirts with feminine ruffles, multiple layers of fabric and the ability to blow and move in the wind will always photograph beautifully. You would be amazed at how impactful moving fabric softens an image.
- Khakis vs.Jeans: If you really want your images to be as bright as possible, consider having your partner wear lighter pants instead of dark dress pants or dark jeans.
Bright & Bold: On the flip side, if you want a more bold look - opt. for louder colors (that look good on your skin tone) and maybe one of you can wear a pattern (larger patterns preferred).
Makeup: If possible I always recommend getting your wedding trial hair and makeup on the same day so you can look and feel your best!
Changing Clothes: As much as I would like to say that we always have restrooms for outfit changes, more often than not, our clients might have to do quick outfit changes in their car if there are no other options.
Pockets: Empty your pockets - literally. Take out all items including your phone, wallet, keys, etc. so they won't stick out in your photos. I carry a small bag at all sessions to keep personal items safe.
Shoes: If you're wearing shoes that are difficult to walk in but look awesome, bring some comfy shoes lo change to while we walk to each shooting location.
see past sessions for more inspo
what to do if it rains?
It’s typical for us to schedule two engagement session dates. A primary date and a rain date. Having two dates helps us make sure that your photos happen in a timely manner. Coordinating schedules can be tough and we’ve found that the best way to make sure our couples get the look they have in mind for their photos is to schedule two dates at the same time.
We’ll check in the week of your engagement session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. We know it takes a lot of time to get ready for engagement session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let us know what works best for the two of you - but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.
It can be harder to find an indoor location for weather reasons BUT not impossible. Many of our couples decide to embrace the rain and shoot at a restaurant or with umbrellas if it's not too bad out. Everyone's safety is first priority, but sticking it out can make for some great images and memories!
Inclement Weather
Candids
A lot of people ask us how to make their engagement photos feel more candid. The answer is to plan an activity to do together. A champagne picnic is a great example of getting really cute candids together while also celebrating the occasion. We've seen some people bake together in their kitchen, or go order their favorite drinks at the local coffee shop.
If you’re planning to bring props to your engagement session, we recommend including them only if they’re meaningful to you. Shots of drinking coffee at a local coffee shop would be cute if that’s where you met; however, a trying to fly a kite together when it’s not a part of your relationship may come off as contrived.
PROPS + ACTIVITY = CANDID PHOTOS
posing
"What do I do with
my hands?"
When it comes to posing for your engagement session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If we tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because we know it’s going to make the two of you laugh - and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for.
Throughout your session, we’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place - but do tell us ahead of time if you like your hair a certain way or if you have a specific side. We do our best, but we also just met, so we don't know the ins and outs of your preferences! We want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
date night
If you’re anything like us, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often. Which means that 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!
when to expect your images
As soon as possible after your session is complete, we’ll start culling through your session. Unless we have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your engagement photos between 4 and 5 weeks after your session.