The Engagement Session
Everything I could possibly think of to write about an engagement session.

I absolutely love engagement photos! Like LOVE LOVE! They also have a very important dual purpose. First and foremost, you will end up with great photos of you and the person you love the most! Secondly and to me just as important, we can get to know each other a bit. Not many couples I know are initially completely comfortable in front of the camera. I know I’m not! This shoot is kind of like a warm up. You can see how I shoot, some of the silly prompts that I have, and get a feel for my work. I, in turn, get to know you a little bit more! Some couples are more or less comfortable with PDA or being super silly while other couples are not. No matter how you are as a couple, it’s perfect!! The engagement session helps me figure out how to photograph you in a more genuine way!

Not to mention it makes such a difference on your wedding day! We will be excitedly saying “Hello! How are you?! So great to see you!!!” instead of “Hi! My name is Kristin! It’s been lovely emailing with you!” You won’t be worried about your posing, or feel uncomfortable, because you will be a pro! You can be completely in the moment which is exactly where you should be!

Other Fantastic Benefits of the Engagement Session

You can choose an amazing location. One that is sentimental or one that is just incredibly beautiful.

There are no time constraints. A wedding day can be busy with so many things going on and we will have a very specific amount of time set aside for photos. During an engagement session we can take our time.

You can have outfit changes and show different parts of your personality, not wedding attire.

It’s a chance to capture moments that tell your story, embrace individuality, showcase creativity, and illustrate the love you share.

What to Do with Engagement Shoot Photos

Make a book / album

Save the dates or invitations

Perfect for if you are going to have a wedding website

Print or use them for your wedding in some way - they can be a great way to make your venue and decorations unique to you - table numbers, on the wall, part of favors, guest sign in album, slide show, near the cake or card table, print it on a t-shirt for your bridal party

Include them in the wedding album

Booking Your Engagement Session

It is really never too late or too early to book your session unless you are using them for Save the Dates. If so, you should set a session at least 4 months before your wedding.

Time of Day

Lighting is the number one most important element in creating photos! The best light is at sunrise & two hours before sunset! So ideally we’ll be shooting in the evening or early morning.

Season is just personal preference and depends on when your wedding is. If you want Autumn, which is very popular in the Catskills, you really need to plan ahead because those dates go very quickly!

Rain date: It’s also good to pencil in a rain date, just in case!! Be prepared!

Location

The location of your session depends on the kind of vibe you’d like for your photos! I do most of my sessions outdoors, but the main thing is finding a beautiful spot where you feel comfortable to hang out and take some great photos.

Choose locations that speak to who you are as a couple, places you love to spend time together.

OR

Let me send you a list of beautiful locations and you can pick from there.

OR

If you’ve heard of a place or want to explore a new place, the answer is yes!

Tips for Your Shoot

Relax and have fun! Take a deep breath and be you.

Engagement sessions are SO MUCH FUN - There is absolutely no need to be nervous.

Come ready to be affectionate, laugh, and have a great time. When it gets right down to it, this is YOUR session. Make it personal. Make it about YOU!

Be honest, dare I say brutally honest with your photographer. If I give you a prompt or a posing idea and you are thinking in your head, that’s ridiculous there is no way!! Then just tell me!!
(Sometimes! You might just need to trust me, and go with it, because sometimes the silliest things end up being fantastic fun photos) BUT if you aren’t feeling it and don’t want to try it! It's OK!

Hair cut / shave, I will have some close up shots :)

Lint roller! I try to keep one in my car, but sometimes I forget to bring it out, so I’m saying it so someone will remember!

You can make a date out of your session. Go out to dinner or a movie afterwards.

Plan the makeup trial the same day. Depending on where we will be shooting and where your makeup artist is located, sometimes this is a great way to see your makeup in photos.

Bring your dog… please… I love dogs.

A Word on Pinterest

Using Pinterest or other sites to look for ideas is wonderful! Outfit ideas, the overall vibe. If you want to share a board with me, go for it! I definitely want to see it!

BUT!!! Disclaimer….

I will never be able to copy someone else's work or even my own photos and honestly I don’t want to. There are so many things that go into a photograph; lighting, time of day, camera lens, editing style, off-camera flash or not, location and so much more. I don’t mind seeing what catches your eye, or a fun idea to try, but I cannot copy it completely. As I mentioned, I don’t want to, because I really try my best to have creative different shots of each couple (yes I have a couple go to photos that never ever get old for me), but my goal is for your session to be all about you! And different! And unique!

What to Wear

Comfortable clothes are great, no need to match, but coordinating colors work nicely. If you want your photos to be more formal, no problem. If the location has a place to change (or you don't mind changing in a car or parking lot) having a change of outfits is definitely a YES! It can give some variety to your photo session, but it’s just something that needs to be planned out ahead of time.

- Many photographers say to dress in neutral colors / pastels. I love neutrals and pastels and these colors don’t create a color cast. I also love bright colors and cool prints. I like seeing your personality in your clothes.

- Layers are your friend! They add interest and texture to your photos, and can be helpful with changing weather.

- Most of all, aim for clothing that fits you well and you feel like a million bucks in!

Clothing movement is also a huge factor in creating romance and drama in your photos – dresses, flowy shawls/ scarves, etc. are amazing. If your shoes are a little hard to walk in, bring along a pair of flats so you can get around to different locations with ease. I also think that sneakers or boots can be really cute with a dress; I am not super fashiony though.

Accessories are nice– a simple necklace, floppy brimmed hat, a scarf, a set of bracelets etc. something sentimental or a gift is something nice to think about too! All of these things will work together to create a look that is both timeless and beautiful!

For guys, it's always better to air on the side of overdressed, try to match the dressiness of your significant other. Try your best to be at the same level of casual or dressy.

If you’d like, bring a blazer for a more dressed up look.

Guys avoid anything too baggy- jeans, shirts, polos.

If you have any questions or need some help deciding on options, I’m happy to lend a hand!

Once you’ve planned out your location, lighting & wardrobe, all that remains is to get together and have a great time!

Receiving Your Photos

You will receive an online gallery of all of your edited engagement session photos, usually around 50 photos. From this online gallery you will be able to download high-res (for printing) and web-sized (for social media) photos. Editing time will vary depending on the time of year. Generally for summer/fall months, our delivery time is 4-6 weeks. For off season months, we can usually get them done in 2-4 weeks. We’ll do our best to have your photos for you as soon as possible, but I also never want to rush through editing and I want to take the time they deserve.