Engagement Session Guide
What it's for, and how to approach it
Most couples tell me some version of:
“We’re not very comfortable in front of the camera.”
That’s normal, and honestly, it's part of why the session exists.
The goal isn't to teach you how to pose. It's to show 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.
How I Approach It
We'll spend the session moving through a space together, walking, pausing, talking, letting things settle into a rhythm that feels natural. I'll offer simple prompts when they're useful and step back when they're not. The best images usually happen in the spaces between, when you've stopped thinking about the camera entirely.
By the time your wedding day arrives, this will all feel familiar. That familiarity is the whole point.
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 where to go, we can figure it out together.
What to Wear (High-Level Guidance)
Wear something that allows you to move comfortably and feel like yourselves.
Some suggestions:
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.
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 (close-by)
let moments deepen rather than feel rushed
After the Session
Your gallery will be delivered within a month. When it arrives, I'd encourage you to look at it together and notice how the images feel, not just how they look. For a lot of couples, this is the moment the camera stops feeling like something to worry about.
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.
A Final Thought
You don’t need to prepare.
You don’t need to rehearse.
Just show up as you are.
I’ll take care of the rest.
— Carol
