the Engagement session guide

We're here to ease all of your indecisive tendencies.

Here’s what we’re aiming for,
Interpreting moods and personalities through outfits and locations

We get it. have you ever had something super special planned, picked out an outfit, put it on a few moments before it's time to leave and you hate it? You scream and clench your fists because just nothing looks right? well, (thats happened to us too many times to count) but yeah, this is what this guide will help you avoid. we want you to feel like you. Maybe this means renting a tux or gown, or maybe this means pulling out your favorite ripped jeans and crop top. or maybe this means throwing on those 10 year old vans, or dressing in that all sequin gown. Every person is different. Every style is different. And we want nothing more than for you to feel like you. What you decide to wear for your engagement session truly sets the tone for your location. It helps accentuate your personalities, refines your styles and the most vital part, your relationship and connection.

There is no right or wrong for this. there is no one judging you when you show up. We aren't forcing you to devote yourselves to a certain style. Heck, you could start in hardcore fancy and finish in pajamas! we don't care. as long as you feel comfortable!

So use this guide as a guideline, of course! Take this and use this as your base and run with it. get fun with it! There are zero rules!

Faq's

HOW MANY OUTFITS SHOULD WE BRING?

Our answer varies depending on how many locations we’re shooting at. So the average answer is 2, SOMETIMES 3. But 2 is a good number to aim for. Gives you the option to do something more formal and/or more casual.

Where do we change our clothes?

This is all depending on where we’re photographing. Some people change in the car, or maybe in a bathroom if we’re at a state park. If we’re in a city, generally a Starbucks or something along those lines.

How long is a session?

This also varies on how many locations we’re photographing at. So let’s say we’re in a city, you can amount for a longer session because we’ll be doing a lot of walking around. But if we’re in one outdoor location it’ll be a bit shorter. On average, sessions last between 1.5 - 2 hours.

How far do you travel for a session?

We happily travel! We will travel up to 1.5 hours travel fee FREE. Anywhere past that, a travel fee will be added. We will charge what the current mileage rate is.

How long until we receive our photos?

At max, 2 weeks! And remember, once you receive the gallery, just download away! You have full printing rights.

Do we need to bring anything besides outfits? Any props?

This is up to you! The “props” that we see on average are more like a picnic set up with wine, or a 6 pack of beer. But when it comes to signs and things like that, no. I’ll get into a section about “styled” engagement sessions below.

What if it rains?

So we're always looking at the weather, but the unfortunate thing is that it can change even within a 24 hours. So we always make a final decision within 24 hours. If a rain date needs to be made, we’ll make a new date when we make that decision to move the session at the 24 hour mark. IF we’re photographing at a location that offers indoor options, then we’ll communicate about that prior. But photographing at only indoor locations can be limiting and not offer variety to your session.

HAIR & MAKEUP

Let’s chat about this. Is it necessary? We get asked this often. The answer will always be, YES!

When it comes to photos and makeup, even if you don’t wear makeup, you always want to have a little extra something on your face to accentuate your features. It will make a difference. Plus, treat yourself! It’s important.

With hair, you could totally get it done. It’s not necessary if you feel comfortable doing it yourself. But if you want something special or want to treat yourself to a blowdry, go get it!

Here are a few hair stylists and makeup artists we highly recommended contacting!
*these are of course local to Harrisburg, PA*

The artists

for both hair & make-up

MAKE-Up

Vero leigh

Mash Up Look

Looks by delaney

HAIR

Sara k beauty

TOP CHOICE. She’s Sarah’s best friend, so obviously we’re biased.
*professional makeup and subtle hair like soft curls. No braids or updos*

TOP CHOICE. She’s Sarah’s best friend, so obviously we’re biased.

*professional makeup and subtle hair like soft curls. No braids or updos*

Mkup the Beauty Studio

lets go!

outfit planning tips & tricks

There are 7 things you’ll want to keep in mind when it comes to picking your outfits.

01. Movement & flow

When planning your outfits, consider movement in your clothing for both of you. Does it blow in the wind? Will it flow while walking?

Because even if there isn’t wind, your outfit will still move because of the movement poses we do through the session. It adds so much character.

02. Colors

This is a big one. This can make or break, so pay close attention. Colors should be decided based upon location.

So you want to think, what are the colors of the location we’re photographing at. You want to always be wearing complementing colors.
Let’s chat examples:

A CITY:
So for a city, honestly anything goes because there are multiple neutral colors and sometimes vibrant colors. You have multiple options when it comes to city sessions so you can go as vibrant or as neutral as you’d like.
However, if we’re photographing at a location in a city that we KNOW will have cement colored walls, don’t wear grey. Wear a complementing color.

A DRY, BROWN FIELD:
You want to wear complementing colors. Neons would NOT go, as they are the literal opposite of brown. Stick with neutral warms and cools.

A FOREST (changing with each season):
If we’re deep in a lush green forest, think earth tones. What cools or warms would go with the lush green and brown.

THE BEACH:
This is the one place where pastels thrive! However, we’re playing with the sky and water here. So generally those are more cool colors. So think vibrant cools, or neutral cools.

And so on. Make sense?

TIPS ON COLORS

1. Avoid both of you wearing white. White doesn’t always photograph well.

2. A void both of you wearing blue jeans at the same time. It’s too matchy.

3. Do not match top colors either. Remember to think, “what colors will complement each other”?

03. Texture

Think of textures when planning your outfits. A velvet blazer? Yes. A sequin gown? Yup. Silk pants? Absolutely. If you love it, go for it!

We’re all about the extra flair over here.

04. Patterns

So we don’t want to take away from the beauty of the location of you and your partner. So be sure to keep patterns to a minimum, UNLESS:

It’s a subtle pattern. Small polka dots. Little stars. Etc.

We’re photographing in the city where we won’t be competing with patterns.

You wanna go ALL out with a killer loud pattern, do it!

05. accesories

Big big big fan of accessories. This is where personalities flourish and shine! This session is supposed to showcase your personalities all together so don’t shy away from wearing things you’d normally wear!

EXAMPLES:

Sunglasses
Hats
Jackets
Jewelry
Fun shoes

06. COMFORT

Above all else, just make sure that your outfits are comfortable!

Do not wear anything that’s going to potentially make you worry about if it’s fitting you properly, versus just loving on your partner. TRY ON YOUR OUTFITS PRIOR.

Do not just assume that things will fit you comfortably day of!

And, HAVE FUN!

07. Pets

We often get the question if pets are welcomed at sessions. I think if you know us at all, the answer will never be no! It’ll always be YES YES YES! We have 6 cats, so quite the animal lovers here.

The only tip we have, is that IF you’re looking to incorporate your dog that you do bring someone along to help you with your pup. We’ll start your session with the dog, and then we’ll go on with the session. TIP: BRING TREATS. Lots of them. Or your dogs favorite toy.

If you have cats, different story. Cats do their own thing. So we can incorporate the cats at anytime.

blog posts

in-home sessions

steamy in-home session

I’m sure you’ve seen options of these before, but this is an indoor option in the safety of your own home, or an airbnb. I’ll attach a few blog posts of in home sessions for you to browse. This is a super intimate way of cozying up with your partner and maybe doing something you’d normally do together like: watch a movie, make cookies, snuggle on the couch etc.

cozy & playful in -home session

STYLED Sessions