Spring is here! And that usually means one thing for us – engagement sessions! I know we’ve said it before, but we so love engagement season [insert all the heart-eyed emojis here]! At HLLP, we use this time to get to know our couples better, both on a personal level and as a way to see how they interact in front of the camera. It’s a great way to learn how a couple poses naturally and find ways to help them pose as well. All of this also serves to help everyone feel more comfortable when we get to the wedding day!

We typically set aside 1-2 hours for a session, which includes an outfit change and a location change if the couple wants it. If you haven’t had professional photos taken before (like us before our wedding!), it’s easy to feel a little nervous about smiling for the camera for that long. So today, I thought I would share 3 easy tips for preparing for your engagement session.

1. Pick a location that means something to you.

Many of our couples will ask us for location suggestions, which don’t get me wrong, we are happy to do! However, I always encourage them to think about a place that has special meaning to them as a couple. A first date location, a favorite spot to visit, or an activity they like to do together (for example: visiting a winery or hiking in a favorite park). If the location feels somewhat familiar then you will already start out with a level of comfort the day of the shoot. And by choosing a place with meaning, your photos will be that much more special.

2. Put some thought into your outfit choices.

Coordinate your outfits, but don’t try to match! Look for complimenting colors and styles. Some ways to do this include: (a) pick one color that you both wear, for example, one person wears jeans and the other a blue shirt. Then the other colors can accent each other. Or (b) one person wears a brighter color and the other wears neutral colors that coordinate. Or (c) one person wear a solid and the other a pattern in the same color.

Also remember that whatever you wear, you want to be comfortable. Don’t use your e-session as a way to try out a new style. Just be you! If you want to take photos in a more “dressed up version” of you or as a more “everyday version” of you – either and both work! If you are comfortable in what you are wearing, that will come through in the pictures. And you’ll love the result, I promise!

3. Have fun!

You guys, this is not meant to bring you stress. This is meant to be fun! So while you can do a few things to prepare ahead of time, everything else will work itself out. At the end of the day, we get to hang out, chat and share some pretty photos. All good things!