How to Prepare for Your Engagement Photos

What to expect working with Tessa Klingensmith Photography 

Most of my elopement & wedding packages include either a complimentary engagement session or discounted engagement photos. I love offering engagement sessions with my wedding packages because this gives us time to get to know each other a little bit better before your wedding day. Not only does this give you a chance to get used to my style and poses but it also helps you are prepare and relax a little more when it comes to the portraits on your wedding day. 

My engagement sessions are typically 90 minutes long. I love this length because there is enough time to include 2-3 outfit changes, as well as 2-3 locations without feeling rushed or stressed. (More on multiple locations later.) Having multiple outfits and locations means that you will get a variety of images in your final gallery.

My overall goal with every session, besides providing beautiful images that you will cherish, is to also inspire you to feel empowered and confident after your session and delivery of images. I want you to look like you on your best day. So if you have any makeup smudges or zits that day, no sweat. I am a wizard in photoshop and can remove any unwanted blemishes, just let me know what you are concerned about and I will make it disappear. Please note however, this doesn’t include any body modifications. It only includes temporary alterations, such as makeup or blemishes. I want you to look like you, on your best day. Not a highly photoshopped version of yourself. 

Nothing is worse than getting your photos back and not even recognizing who that person is. Whether it’s the poses, or the clothes or how you did your hair that day. I want you to look and feel like YOU.

Another thing I encourage my clients to do is put together a vision board on Pinterest for their session. This just gives me a better idea of your style. You certainly don’t have to do this step, but I am a very visual person and I find a lot of my clients are too and already have a Pinterest board started for their photo session / wedding. You can find me on Pinterest here! Feel free to pin some of my photos too so I know what attracts you to my work! 

Location Ideas for Engagement Photos

Once your engagement session is booked, now is the fun part of picking your location! I always have some great ideas in mind for photos. But some of my favorite sessions are ones that include something personal to you and your relationship. Anything from your prospective wedding venue, first date location, or even proposal. Nothing is off limits in this initial planning stage! 

Please note: If we are doing an indoor public location, I will need to reach out to the business to check on their policy regarding photography. This isn’t to deter you, but it might just take a little longer to plan, so please keep that in mind. 

Other locations that are great for engagement photos in the greater Boston area:

• Arnold Arboretum 
• Boston Public Garden 
• Middlesex Fells Reservation
• Plum Island
• Seaport District

As I mentioned early, the length of my engagement sessions includes multiple locations, please note however, these locations do need to be in close proximity to each other as travel time counts in your session time. My travel is included within 30 miles of 02155.

Outfit Ideas for your Engagement Photos

After the date and location is picked out, now comes the fun part! Picking your outfit. While you certainly don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe just for your engagement photos, it can also be a fun excuse to treat yourself too! I go into more depth in this article What to wear in your engagement photos, so check that out too. 😉

The cliff notes version of that guide is:

• Dress for the season. 
• Choose a color scheme
• Accessories
• Bring options
• Wear something you feel confident in

Most importantly: Keep it authentic to you.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, choose clothes you love, that you rock, that you feel confident in. I want you to be able to recognize yourself in these photos.

Pro Tip: Pick your outfit out a couple days in advance and wear it around your house. This is especially helpful if you just bought something new or have had that piece in your closet for awhile. Make sure it still fits and you like the look of it.

Poses

If you have ever felt like Ricky Bobby in Talledega Nights, I feel you! I know how awkward it can feel in front of the camera, especially if you have never had your photos taken professionally before. That is why I always have a variety of poses and ideas to help get you comfortable in front of the camera. 

I strive to make my sessions feel relaxed and “unposed”. I do this by capturing in between and candid moments, but also adding movement and finding a balance between the two. My favorite photos are ones that feel genuine and capture authentic moments. If you have an activity that you two like to enjoy together, consider including that in your session! This will help it not feel like a photoshoot and just you two hangin out, with me third wheeling. 😉

I genuinely believe that as a couple, you two already know how to sit and pose and hold hands. You know each other better than anyone. You know what is comfortable for each of you. My job is to just bridge that gap and make you feel comfortable in front of the camera. Cause when you are comfortable and confident, that is when the best photos will happen.

One of the ways that I help my couples feel comfortable in front of the camera is through constant communication. Another way is by giving my couples the power in their poses. All of my poses are suggestions so if something doesn’t represent who you truly are, or capture your authentic relationships, just let me know! Feel free to say something doesn’t feel like you. You wont be hurting my feelings. There are more poses where that one came from. These photos are for you, and I want you to see yourself in these photos.

I do this by wording all of my poses as questions to help you feel empowered and give you the opportunity to say “no”. EXP: “Would it feel more comfortable to hold her hand this way” “Would you like to give him a kiss on the cheek?” Those are some of the posing suggestions that you will hear from me on your session. But again remember, these are suggestions. 

Conclusion

I hope this guide helped you as you prepare for your upcoming engagement photos! Remember, every photographer is different, so ask yours their process when you start planning.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! If you would like to schedule your engagement session, feel free to contact me today!

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