Engagement Session Guide
What it’s for — and how to approach it
Your engagement session isn’t about creating a highlight reel.
It’s about slowing down, getting comfortable, and experiencing what it feels like to be photographed without pressure or performance.
This session sets the tone for how we’ll work together — not just aesthetically, but emotionally.
Why Engagement Sessions Matter
Most couples tell me some version of:
“We’re not very comfortable in front of the camera.”
That’s normal.
The engagement session exists to remove that discomfort — not by teaching you how to pose, but by showing you how little you actually need to do.
This session helps:
reduce anxiety around being photographed
build trust in the process
let you see yourselves as you are, not as you think you should look
By the time your wedding day arrives, the experience will already feel familiar.
What This Session Is (And Isn’t)
This session is:
relaxed and unforced
lightly guided, not directed
focused on interaction, not instruction
This session isn’t:
a test
a performance
about “getting it right”
There’s no expectation to be anyone other than yourselves.
How I Approach the Session
I work quietly and attentively.
Rather than placing you into rigid poses, I’ll offer simple prompts and let moments unfold. We’ll move, pause, talk, and settle into a rhythm that feels natural.
I pay attention to:
how you interact with each other
how energy shifts as you relax
light, movement, and space
The best images often happen between prompts — not during them.
Choosing a Location
The best locations are places where you feel at ease.
This might be:
a neighbourhood you love
a quiet outdoor space
your home
somewhere tied to your story
A location doesn’t need to be dramatic to photograph beautifully. Familiarity often matters more than scenery.
If you’re unsure, I’m happy to guide this decision.
What to Wear (High-Level Guidance)
Wear something that allows you to move comfortably and feel like yourselves.
A few general notes:
choose clothing you can walk, sit, and move in easily
avoid anything that feels overly restrictive or unfamiliar
neutral tones and simple textures tend to photograph timelessly
Most importantly, wear something that doesn’t require constant adjustment. The less you think about your clothing, the more present you’ll be.
What to Expect During the Session
We’ll spend the session moving through a space together — walking, pausing, and allowing moments to happen naturally.
You won’t be asked to hold stiff poses or perform for the camera. If guidance is needed, I’ll offer it quietly and clearly.
There’s no rush. Silence is okay. Laughter is welcome. Everything doesn’t need to be filled.
How Long the Session Takes
Most engagement sessions last 60–90 minutes.
This allows time to:
settle into the experience
move through one or two locations
let moments deepen rather than feel rushed
After the Session
Your engagement gallery will be delivered within one month.
When you receive it, I encourage you to:
view it together
take your time
notice how the images feel, not just how they look
For many couples, this gallery becomes the moment they realize they don’t need to worry about the camera anymore.
A Note on Expectations
The strongest engagement photos don’t come from trying to create something.
They come from:
being present
trusting the process
allowing moments to unfold
If something feels quiet or understated in the moment, that’s often where the most meaningful images are made.
Where This Leads
This session isn’t separate from your wedding day — it’s part of the same story.
It builds familiarity, trust, and ease so that when your wedding day arrives, you can focus on your people, not the camera.
→ For a broader view, return to the Experience at a Glance.
→ For what comes next, see the Wedding Day Flow Guide.
