How to Prepare for Your Michigan Engagement Session: A Complete Guide
You’ve picked your creative team, we’ve chatted location and timing details, and now your engagement session is quickly approaching! When it comes to taking engagement photos, a few small details can really enhance your experience.
Your engagement session is one of the most exciting steps on the road to your wedding day. It’s a time to capture the joy, love, and connection between you and your partner in a setting that reflects your relationship. As a Michigan engagement and wedding photographer, I've seen firsthand how preparation can make all the difference in creating stunning, meaningful images. Here's how you can get ready for your engagement session to ensure the best possible results.
1. Choose the Perfect Outfits
One of the most important aspects of your engagement session is choosing outfits that complement each other and reflect your personal style. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Coordinate, Don’t Match: A bit of variety adds visual interest, so we suggest coordinating your outfits with your partner rather than matching exactly. For instance, instead of both wearing a white shirt and jeans, choose a color palette that works well together. Stay true to your personal style, wear something comfortable, and make sure you feel confident and happy in your outfit. An engagement session is the perfect reason to treat yourself to a little shopping!
Dress for the Setting: Whether you’re shooting in a Michigan park, downtown Detroit, or along the shores of Lake Michigan, your outfits should match the vibe of the location. Casual settings call for more relaxed attire, while urban or formal settings might require something more polished.
Comfort is Key: You’ll be moving, sitting, and standing in different poses, so wear something you feel comfortable in. Avoid anything too tight or restrictive, and make sure your shoes are broken in.
Layers and Textures: Adding layers and different textures can create depth and interest in your photos. Think about scarves, jackets, or jewelry to add a little extra flair.
Check out my outfit guide
2. Practice Your Expressions
Engagement sessions are all about capturing the authentic connection between you and your partner. I pride myself on getting authentic reactions from my clients. However, in order to help you feel more relaxed in front of the camera, it’s a good idea to practice your expressions ahead of time.
Mirror Practice: Spend some time in front of a mirror practicing different expressions. Smile, laugh, and even try a serious look. The goal is to see how your face moves and to get comfortable with your most natural expressions.
Engage with Each Other: Think about how you interact with your partner daily. Do you laugh a lot together? Share sweet, quiet moments? Reflect those interactions in your session to keep things authentic.
Trust Your Photographer: I’ll guide you through poses and expressions, but practicing ahead of time can help you feel more confident and natural on the day of your shoot.
3. Be Coachable
As your engagement photographer, my goal is to capture the best version of you and your partner. Being open to direction and feedback will help ensure your photos turn out beautifully.
Listen to Guidance: I might ask you to adjust your posture, tilt your head a certain way, or try a different pose. These small adjustments can make a big difference in the final photos.
Try New Things: Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and try poses or expressions that might feel a little different. You might be surprised at how great they look on camera!
4. Maintain a Positive Attitude
Your engagement session should be a fun and enjoyable experience. A positive attitude can make all the difference in how your photos turn out.
Focus on the Moment: This session is about celebrating your love and commitment. Keep the focus on each other and enjoy the experience.
Stay Relaxed: It’s normal to feel a little nervous, but try to relax and go with the flow. The more at ease you are, the more natural your photos will look.
Embrace the Unexpected: Sometimes, unexpected moments make for the best photos. Whether it’s a sudden breeze or a playful interaction, embrace it and enjoy the moment.
5. Get in shape or accept where you’re at
How you feel about yourself will shine through in your photos, so it’s important to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.
Feeling confident about your appearance plays a role in the success of your portrait session. Taking care of your physical well-being can boost your self-confidence. Therefore, prioritize regular exercise, maintain a healthy diet, and practice self-care leading up to the photoshoot. Once you come in, there is no way to change how you look physically. Therefore, once you come in to the studio, accept where you are at and make the most of the fantastic photos you will get you.
6. Confidence is everything
"We're not photogenic and we don't enjoy being in front of the camera."
Many of our couples say something like this—and honestly, I’ve been guilty of it myself. But here’s the reality: you’re all wrong. Whether you believe you're photogenic or not, everyone can shine in photos. Two things make that happen: your photographer and your confidence. You’re going to look amazing because we’ll capture your authentic self. Just relax, enjoy the moment, and everything else will come naturally.
7. Tell us what you envision!
If you have ideas, we’re all ears! Don’t hesitate to share them—you're not going to disrupt our creative process. Our role is to be artists, but also to ensure you're thrilled with the results. If there are specific shots you adore or a location you've been dreaming about, let us know. We’re here to bring your vision for the engagement session to life.
8. Empty those pockets!
Before your session, please make sure your phone, keys, wallet, kitchen sink, and whatever else is out of your pockets! Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
9. Other Important Tips
Schedule Your Session Wisely: Michigan weather can be unpredictable, so we will choose a time that works best for the location and the season. Early mornings or late afternoons offer the best lighting.
Get Enough Rest: Make sure you’re well-rested before your session. A good night’s sleep will leave you feeling refreshed and looking your best.
Bring Essentials: Pack a small bag with essentials like a hairbrush, makeup for touch-ups, and a water bottle. This can help you feel prepared and keep you looking fresh.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for your engagement session in Michigan is about more than just choosing the right outfits—it's about getting ready to capture the love and connection between you and your partner. With these tips, you'll be set for a session that’s both fun and memorable, resulting in stunning images that you'll cherish forever.