Stand In Event Planning

From an engagement session

Tips for Engagement photo sessions

Tip # 1: Location, Location, Location

For your engagement photos, pick a spot meaningful to you and your fiancee. If no places come to mind, ask us for recommendations. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box to find a location that will suit your style and personalities. We love shooting in places that have interesting elements, color, and textures. Some ideas: the beach, a used book store, an industrial city area, a carnival, a train station, a park, an open field, a farm, an arcade, buildings with interesting architecture, a coffee shop, a castle, the woods, a vineyard, a racetrack, a bowling alley- whatever suits your style!

Tip # 2: Hair & Makeup
Consider wearing matte makeup (it photographs best) or getting your makeup applied by a professional. Not only will you look amazing, but the extra confidence will shine through your photos. Also, on hot days carry oil blotting tissues (makeup safe) available for $5 at your local drug store to avoid shine in your photos. A smart thing to do is to schedule a wedding hair & makeup trial run appointment for the same day as your engagement session to kill two birds with one stone. If you are confident about styling your own hair, then wear it however you’d like. If you’re not- it’s totally worth it to work with a stylist who will know what’s going to photograph best. We have a list of recommended stylists if you need help.

Tip # 3: Wardrobe

Our goal for your photos is to keep them fresh, modern, fun, and real. For the best results, we recommend for you to appear as the best versions of yourselves. We give you permission to look as hot as possible! Be you, be bold, and express your style. Plan your outfits to be appropriate for the locations you’ve chosen- if the location is casual, dress casual. If it’s trendy and fun, play up your outfit up as well. For the best photographs, we suggest that you think of each of your outfits as one large ensemble. If you were to lay both your outfits out on the bed would they go or would they clash? Do not match each other exactly- instead, coordinate within a color palette or choose one signature piece and build off that. Avoid an excess of loud distracting prints. Skip boring monochromatic outfits and wear colors that look great on you. Adding in fun accessories and pops of color take an okay outfit to an extraordinary one. Also be sure to avoid extra baggy or too- tight clothes, writing or logos, and lots of light colors. Darker, saturated color photographs best. Searching for inspiration 

Tip # 4: Be mushy gushy

We promise to never say ‘get a room’. We are used to it- and we love it. These photos are for you. Let your guard down and show each other some love! We’ll do all that we can to help you feel comfortable, and from there it’s up to you to let loose. Hold hands, make each other laugh, give hugs and kisses, look into each other eyes. Stop to think why you are doing all of this- the photos, the wedding, everything. Those emotions will shine through your photos- and those will be the ones you’ll treasure and look back on through the times that are to come.

Tip # 5: Props & themes
 If you’d like to take your session to the next level, there is nothing more fun then doing a themed session. Now drop the cheesy images your mind is conjuring and think outside of the box. If you are looking for more natural, candid images we suggest creating a story or scenario to give you something to interact with rather than just smiling at the camera. These types of sessions are especially awesome for camera shy couples.
Think of something that represents your couple style, something you love to do together and incorporate that into your session. Some ideas:- Travel themed. Stacks of vintage suitcases. Old globes. Paper airplanes made of maps.- Music themed. Musical instruments, your favorite vinyls set beside your record player. - A picnic. A handmade quilt in a forest clearing. A picnic basket of yummy things. - A beach adventure. Swimuits and sunglasses. An old rowboat. Sandcastles and beach balls. - Vintage style. An old vintage car. Pin up girl/ greaser style. Milkshakes in a diner. - Fun & whimsical. Dozens of balloons. Kite flying. Big lollipops. Vintage bikes.
These are just a few ideas. We can do anything you imagine!

Tip # 6: Down and Dirty

Be prepared to walk, climb, sit, lay down, laugh, and just get down and dirty. Dress comfortably! I am all for wearing crazy, impractical high heels for photos- but throw a pair of flip flops in your bag too just in case we have to walk.

Tip # 7: Surprise ‘em! 
Schedule a surprise engagement session and pop the question with your “engagerazzi” along. You can show all your friends the marriage proposal and have documentation of that special moment! If you aren’t officially engaged yet, you can hire us to hide out and snap photos discreetly while you pop the question- and then stage a quick session after.

Tip # 8: Stay stress free

Try to have everything ready days ahead of time so that you won’t be stressing out about details. Allow extra time to get ready and arrive to your shoot on time. Get plenty of rest the night before so you won’t be tired out. On the drive to your session, loosen up to your favorite cd and crank it up! Make each other laugh and have fun together.

Tip # 9: Grooming

Be prepared to be photographed head to toe- don’t neglect details! Girls, make sure your hair, nails, toes, and eyebrows are done. Guys, get a haircut a week or two before hand and make sure your nails are clean and facial hair is the way you like it. In the days leading up to your engagement session make sure to drink extra water to hydrate your skin for the photos.


Tip # 10: Be Yourself

Just be yourself. Play, cuddle, kiss, laugh. Work it. Girls- channel your inner Tyra and be fierce. Guys, get your swag on. You are going to rock your session.