This is a great example to show you what you can expect during an Engagement Session with me! I’ll walk you through the process, outfit changes, and location changes.

We’ll start off the session easy! Generally we’re just walking and talking. Getting used to being in front of the camera, getting used to following directions (did Simon say lead? hahah). I’ll start out these engagement sessions a little bit further away. This is generally one of the first or second times I’m meeting my couple, and I’m not going to get straight in your business right away!

We’ll start out with the easy photos- just lookin’ at the camera and smiling! And this point, you’re still pretty nervous and these are the easiest photos to take! You know how to look at a camera and smile. Plus, the parents and grandparents always want these 😛

Most of the images in the beginning are going to be very focused on eachother (other than those first couple ‘look at the camera and smile’). I’ll have you lean into eachother and get close and snuggly. We’ll interact with your surroundings, change up some poses to get different angles. But for the most part I want you to lean into your partner to get to your happy and comfortable place

Once we’ve been photographing for a while, I want to make sure to get solo portraits of each of you! By this time, you’re a little bit more comfortable in front of the camera. I’ll usually ask your spouse to get behind me and make silly faces 😛

For engagement sessions, I’ll usually have you choose the location! Of course I know all the great spots (basically) in Southern California. But it’s no fun just to go to a pretty place. These engagement sessions are a reflection of you and your relationship. The location(s) should be a place that’s special to you or your relationship! For Laura and Lang, they make this hike once or twice a week, and live just two blocks from the beach!

For this reason, I’ll also grab landscape shots and photos without you in them! Not only does it make for a great blog post, it makes for excellent colors and textures to play off the portraits. I’ve had some of my couples use these landscapes in their albums, save the dates/invitations, and even as instagram posts 😛

Once you’re feeling more comfortable I love to get a lil’ experimental! Generally I’ll feed off of your vibes as a couple and try to create some fun art. I might change up the editing for a couple images, or break some ‘rules’ in portraits.

This photo is technically underexposed… I shoot film so when I say underexposed I mean it literally! I can’t exactly fix this to make it look like every image. But I threw it in the gallery because it just reminds me of a photo of my dad in the 70’s. Not every photo is perfect, but I think that makes them more fun!

And on to the second location!

In the second half of the engagement session, I love to get a little bit more romantic. By this time you’ve got the lay of the land and know how to be in front of the camera. I’ll start asking for more intimate poses and closer up photos of you!

I also usually recommend having two outfits! I always recommend starting off with the more casual outfit like Laura and Lang/s jeans and shirts.
Then we’ll transition into the more formal attire! I think there’s just something amazing about dressing up a bit for your engagement photos. Some clients wear high end gowns and heels, others wear a simple linen sundress and a button down (: