Preparing for your engagement session can be overwhelming! You’ll want to make sure you look your very best in your photos. After all, you’ll be sending out some of these on your save the dates to all of your closest family and friends! Here are my top 5 tips to help you prepare for your engagement session!

Dress to impress

The biggest question I get from engaged couples is “What do I wear?!” My answer? Dress it up! A long flowy dress, a suit, or khakis and sport coat will never go out of style! If you don’t have something that makes you feel like your best self, then why not use this as an occasion to add a few new staple pieces to your closet. And the best part is you don’t have to break the bank. This skirt on Amazon is only $35! For women the most flattering outfits will hug at the waist and then flow outwards. Dresses with sleeves are very flattering on your arms, like one of these dresses here. For men, layering a sweater on top of a collared shirt looks classy if you don’t want to wear a suit. Light pinks, light blues or neutral colors will bring all of the attention to the most important part in your photos – your face! 

Location, location, location

Selecting your location for engagement photos can be tough when there’s so many great places to go! I advise all of my couples to consider the vibe they want in their session first. Do you want a beachy session? Why not find somewhere by the lake like Bradford Beach or Lakeshore State Park! Do you want an urban session? The Milwaukee Riverwalk is an awesome place to get some shots downtown.Do you want a natural session with a lot of greenery? Look for a local park! Or maybe you’re a more sentimental person and you want to get photos at a location that is important to your relationship. How about where you first met? Or where you went on your first date? Maybe it’s where you got engaged! Don’t be afraid to get creative here. You could also do a fun activity like ice skating or kayaking! Pick a location that feels true to you as a couple and you can’t go wrong.

Make things pop – bring a prop!

Bringing a prop to your session can add a lot of variety to your photos. Think outside of the box here! It could be a fresh bouquet, a vintage bike or car, some mugs. Maybe you two love to read together – bring your favorite books! Do you like to go on picnics? Bring a picnic basket and a blanket! If you really want to add something fun you can bring a bottle of champagne or some confetti! You can keep it simple too – bring a few accessories like a scarf or a cute hat. It doesn’t take much to bring your personality to life in your photos!

It’s all in the details

Just like your wedding day, you’ll want to consider details for your engagement session too! Don’t forget to give your nails a fresh manicure or coat of polish. Consider your jewelry to complete the look – wear a chunky necklace and sparkly earrings! For guys, pick your favorite nice watch. Don’t forget to pair your outfit with a nice pair of heels or dress shoes. The details make a big difference when it comes to your photos!

Hair and Makeup – Go Pro!

Professional hair and makeup looks amazing on camera! If you can, schedule a blowout before your session. Even if you feel comfortable doing your own makeup, why not have a professional take care of it for a day to ease your stress? If possible, have them apply the makeup in natural light. At first it might feel too heavy for you, but I promise that it will photograph beautifully. If you do choose to do your own makeup, apply heavier eye makeup than normal to make your eyes pop! 

Bonus tip: Day-of Emergency Kit

Just like you’d want to pack an emergency kit for your wedding day, you’ll want to do something similar for your engagement session. Bring along some snacks, water, and comfy shoes! Nobody wants to smile for photos when they are hangry or their feet are hurting! Wear comfy shoes when you’re walking between spots to give your feet a break. If you’re wearing two outfits, take the chance to rehydrate between outfits. Don’t forget to bring your lipstick along to reapply if you’re going to eat a snack!

I hope your engagement session is so much fun! Take the opportunity to go on a date afterwards – you’re already dressed up! Cheers!