Choosing a Location for Your Engagement Session

Location, location, location. It is not the most important part of your engagement photography session, but it can have a big impact on how your images turn out. Choosing the right location for you as a couple may require some thought and compromise, but it will be worth it to get images you love.

Pick a place that suits you as a couple

When choosing a location for your engagement photos, think about your lifestyles and how you like to spend your time. Do you love exploring new places and going on adventures? Choose one of your favorite spots in town or even go hiking! Do you like to visit local restaurants or coffee shops? Order a latte and settle in. Maybe you’re a homebody and you feel most comfortable on your couch. Opt for a lifestyle session in your home then. Maybe a place that is special to you such as where you went on one of your first dates or even a place that represents where you met. Your engagement photos should encapsulate the love you feel for each other and what makes your relationship unique to the two of you.

Think about what you want to wear

If you are not sure where to have your engagement session but you absolutely know what outfit you’re going to wear, then let your clothes guide you. For example, you would not wear a formal dress to the beach or a flowing gown in an urban environment. Consider where your clothes would fit in best, and if you are unsure, talk to your photographer. I would be happy to help with outfit choices as well as locations that suit you as a couple and to make the session as personalized as possible.

Draw inspiration from your love story

Pictures are meant to tell a story. My goal as your photographer is to tell the beginning of your forever story. Getting married is a big step and capturing these moments is a precious and special time because I am capturing the beginning of your love story; the emotions, your personalities and who you are as individuals as well as as a couple. Think about the places that have been part of your relationship: where the two of you first met, the location of your first date, where you or your partner proposed. If you attended school together or met at a local event venue, consider incorporating this location into your engagement session. It is a sentimental touch that reminds both of you of where it all started and how far you have come together.

Head to your hometown

Whether you both share a hometown, or you’ve made your home in a new place together, the place your love story blossomed and grew can be the perfect spot for your engagement photos. Maybe you met in college and want to incorporate your alma mater into your session. Think about the places that matter most to you and how they can help you tell your love story.

Choose a favorite date spot

Do you have a favorite local restaurant or coffee shop? Maybe you have a museum you like to visit. If there’s a nearby spot that you love to enjoy together, it can be the perfect location for your engagement session. You will already feel comfortable in a familiar place, so you can focus on each other and worry less about the camera pointed at you.

Keep the time of day in mind

When it comes to photography, lighting makes all the difference in the world. If you have a sunset or golden hour shoot in mind, talk to your photographer about the best places to capture that specific type of lighting. And if you’re just not sure what time of day has the best light; I guarantee your photographer (me)  will know!

Plan for the season

If you want fall photos with changing leaves or spring photos with blossoming trees, do some research and find out where the best natural colors are in your area. And don’t forget to plan your outfits accordingly! Be sure to check the weather before your engagement session to know what clothes you need to wear, and don’t be afraid to bundle up if it promises to be cold out. Cozy photos can be very cute!

Visit your venue

If you have already chosen a wedding venue, it can be a romantic location for your engagement session. This is an especially good idea if your venue is picturesque or has a beautiful garden or outdoor area that you can walk through. You can even recreate some of your engagement photos on your wedding day!