What to Know for an Engagement Photoshoot

When you hire a photographer for your wedding, you want them to capture your ceremony, reception, and all the little details. Because most couples are not used to being followed around by cameras all day (unless you’re a celebrity, who would be?) it’s often recommended that you have an engagement photoshoot session with your photographer. This way, you can get comfortable with each other before the big day. We spoke to professional Twin Cities event photographers to get the inside scoop on everything from when to book and what to bring — here is what to know for an engagement photoshoot.

TIMING OF AN ENGAGEMENT PHOTOSHOOT

There’s no hard and fast rule on when to book your engagement session. But as Grace Stillman of Grace Stillman Photography says, if you time it right, you can then use those images on your save the dates. Allie Specht of Alexandra Robyn Photo + Design agrees, “Typically, we schedule your engagement session about 7-8 months before your wedding day. This is so you can send out your Save the Dates with at least 6 months notice. But you really can schedule it any time before that. Especially if there is a particular season you would like to photograph in!”

Melanie Gullixson of Eliza Rae Photography recommends booking your engagement shoot as soon as possible to capture your initial excitement, “I think the session should be one of the first things you do after you get engaged! The excitement of being newly engaged shines through on the pictures and capturing that moment forever and sharing it with your friends and family is so important.” But, she does say it’s really up to the couple. And if you’re looking for your engagement photos to look strikingly different from your wedding, time the session accordingly, “For example, we’ve had couples wait until there was snow on the ground, because they were having a summer wedding.” 

CHOOSING A LOCATION

Depending on the vibe that the couple wants, and whether they want a city or more natural background, Anna Kostochko of Anna Ko. Photography likes to use locations that have special meaning to the couple, such as parks or coffee shops. Gullixson turns right to the ‘gram to get inspo for location, “We ask our clients to create a dream board on Pinterest or Instagram to share it with us. (*Most brides already have one!) It helps us to learn their style for editing, also giving us ideas for location and time of day based on what they’ve sent. We also ask if there is any place that is meaningful to them that they would like to incorporate, like the place of the proposal or first date?” 

WHAT TO BRING TO AN ENGAGEMENT PHOTOSHOOT

Stillman says location can often dictate what to wear and what to bring, “Sometimes the location helps make the deciding factor on what to wear. If you’re outdoors then make it more casual. Or if you go to a garden, maybe more romantic and a dress. If there is hiking, then definitely plan on bringing a change of shoes for that venture.” Stillman works to assess the vibe that the couple is going for in order to figure out what the couple should wear, “Do you like moody? Airy? Do you like candid poses? How does their work make you feel? You go from there and work together to come up with attire that suits both parties.”

Gullixson advises that it’s not just clothes you should think about bringing, “Whatever props they would like to incorporate; if their wedding is going to have a specific theme, bring something fun to include. Nothing is too weird! We’ve had a couple bring fishing poles because he caught the one! Bring a couple of different outfits if you’re unsure. A good photographer will help you chose the right coloring for the location. I also believe you should bring clothes that you are comfortable in!”

And Kostochko brings up some practical items to bring, like bug spray if it’s mosquito season, and a water bottle to stay hydrated. And to give the bride a preview of the wedding day, “I always ask girls to bring at least one long dress, it will give them the idea of moving and the flow of being in the wedding dress.”

INCORPORATING YOUR PET

“Your furry friend is a huge part of your family and life together, which is why we love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their engagement session,” says Specht. She also suggests ensuring that your session is at a pet-friendly location and having a friend on-call to pick them up since they won’t be in every photo. Another helpful tip she suggests is “If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pet’s favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.”

OTHER BENEFITS TO AN ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SHOOT

Besides getting comfortable with your shooter prior to your wedding day, an engagement photoshoot gets you comfortable with the camera itself, “I will help them pose and will always guide them and relax them, I am a really shy person in front of the camera and I know how it feels, to feel awkward in front of it, [but] I know some tricks,” says Kostochko. See Anna’s work on this stunning real Minnesota wedding here.

And for photographers that have different styles, the engagement photoshoot is a great time to decide which style is right for you, says Gullixson, “At Eliza Rae Photography we shoot two very different styles. One of us is more candid shots, while the other is more portrait style. The engagement session is a great time for our Bride and Groom to see how we shoot differently and how we work together as a team to get you a classic and timeless photo.”