Your engagement session isn’t just another item on your wedding to-do list.
It’s not something to check off between venue tours and seating charts.
It’s a pause.
A moment where everything slows down and you get to exist together- before the timelines, before the decisions, before the day moves too fast.
And the way you prepare for it?
That’s what shapes everything.
Start with how you want it to feel
Before outfits. Before locations. Before anything else.
Ask yourself:
How do I want this to feel when I look back on it?
Grounded.
Connected.
Playful.
A little electric.
Because your photos won’t come from poses.
They’ll come from the way you show up with each other.
The day of your session matters more than you think
The best sessions don’t start when I lift my camera.
They start hours before.
Slow morning.
No rushing.
No last-minute errands.
Have a good lunch.
Drink water.
Put on music.
Take your time getting ready.
Sit together. Talk. Laugh. Be close.
Treat it like a date you’ve been looking forward to- not something you’re trying to squeeze into your day.
Connection isn’t created on camera- it’s built before
If there’s one thing I wish every couple understood, it’s this: Your connection doesn’t magically appear during your session.
It’s something you bring with you.
Spend the day pouring into each other. Be intentional. Be soft. Flirt a little.
Yes… I’m giving you homework.
Because when you show up already connected, everything else flows effortlessly.
Nerves are normal- but we move through them quickly
Every couple shows up a little nervous.
That’s expected.
But here’s what most people don’t realize: Those nerves? They usually disappear within the first 10 minutes. In fact, I tell my couples all the time- the beginning isn’t about perfection. It’s about settling in.
So you don’t need to “be good at photos.”
You just need to show up.
I’ll take care of the rest.
A few simple rules that change everything
I like to give my couples something to anchor into so they’re not stuck overthinking.
So here are your “rules”:
- Stay connected- physically. Always touching.
- If you don’t know what to do with your hands:
- him → pockets
- her → hold them softly, like you’re carrying something delicate
- And if you still don’t know what to do… you don’t need to.
That’s my job.
Let go of doing it “right”
The biggest thing I see when couples don’t feel prepared? They overthink everything.
Outfits. Hands. Where to look. What to do next.
And it keeps them from actually being in the moment.
You don’t need to perform. You don’t need to impress me. You just need to be with each other.
What you wear should feel like you (not like Pinterest)
One of the biggest mistakes I see is couples choosing outfits based on what they think they should wear.
Buying something brand new.
Trying to match someone else’s session.
Wearing something that doesn’t feel like them.
Instead:
- Start with your own closet
- Choose pieces that feel natural and comfortable
- Think in textures, movement, and structure
If you want more guidance on styling, I break it all down here:
👉 What to Wear for Your Engagement Session
You don’t have to figure this out alone
Part of my process is helping you prepare.
After getting to know you, I create:
- three custom concepts
- three moodboards
- three different directions you could take your session
From:
- simple and true to you
- to slightly elevated
- to something a little unexpected
We refine from there- outfits, locations, overall fee- until it all clicks.
Give yourself permission to enjoy it
This isn’t about perfect photos.
It’s about:
- a night together
- a memory
- a version of you that you’ll get to come back to years from now
Sometimes that looks like:
- music playing in the background
- walking with no real direction
- laughing more than you expected
Sometimes it looks like:
- taking a deep breath
- letting go
- even taking a quick shot before we start if you need it
No pressure. No expectations. Just space.
For the one who “isn’t excited about photos”
I already know.
And I promise- by the end of it, you’ll be the one asking if we can keep going.
This is your reminder
This isn’t just about photos.
It’s a date.
A moment.
A pause in the middle of everything.
And when you approach it with intention, connection, and just a little bit of trust- That’s when the magic happens.
Ready to plan your session?
If this feels like the kind of experience you’ve been wanting,
I’d love to create something with you.
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