Engagement Session Guide

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ENGAGEMENT SESSION

PLANNING YOUR

choosing the perfect time, location, outfit & More!

Welcome

A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE

I'm so excited to be working with you and I can’t wait for our time together during your engagement session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. I always tell people that I still get nervous before having my photos taken - and I do this for a living!

I'm a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed and understand how I pose. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why I've found that wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time.

Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you (and even include pets!). While they’re great for save-the-dates, I’ve taken engagement photos anywhere from 18 months in advance to weeks before the wedding.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session and since I get asked the same things over and over again, I thought it would be the most beneficial if I put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know.

I’ll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets & how to manage them, location ideas and more!

- Nicole

We get it. Having your picture taken for 1-2 hours might not be in your top-10 favorite things to do during your downtime. And at first you might feel sort of awkward being in front of the camera. But I think you’ll find that by the end of the session, it’s a lot easier than you thought, and you even had a little fun. I look forward to it because it’s a great opportunity for us all to hang out a bit before the wedding day!

The Guys

A NOTE TO

Engagement sessions can take place anywhere from immediately following a proposal to just a few days before the wedding. We’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. We normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” a couple has in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules.

Sessions typically last about an hour and a half and when when we can—I love to begin sessions about two hours before sunset. I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.

I schedule sessions during what I believe will be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.

Is there a "good" time to take photos?

TIME & LIGHT

While I shoot most of my engagement sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of our couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.

A few things to keep in mind during each season:

Seasons

Winter

snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats

If you’re planning to take your engagement photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. We recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.

Spring

fresh flowers and sunny days

Even though Spring begins in March, we typically don’t begin shooting for another 6 weeks because the weather in Virginia is still pretty chilly. When I schedule spring dates, I typically schedule both a primary date and a backup rain date.

Summer

walks on the beach hand in hand

In spite of the heat, I'm a big fan of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your engagement photos during the summer, I recommend bringing extra makeup, a towel, a small fan, and water to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.

Fall

colorful leaves and snuggling close

Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year on the East Coast and because of the perfect weather, my schedule typically books up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall engagement session, we recommend scheduling it as soon as you book!

If your wedding is local, save the dates should be sent between 6 and 8 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, you’ll want to send them out 8 to 10 months before the wedding.

If you’re hoping to use your engagement photos for your save the dates, we recommend scheduling your session at least two months before you plan to send out your save-the-dates. Between inclement weather, editing, designing your save-the-dates and printing, two months is generally a safe amount of time to make sure your images and cards are ready.

Save-the-dates

Locations

We love when couples choose a location for their session that complements their wedding. For example if you’re planning a chic, elegant wedding, it may be fitting to take your engagement portraits among the classic architecture in downtown DC, while a local park or flower-filled fields may be more fitting for a couple planning a more rustic affair. The best session locations are often meaninful places to the couple; however, I'm also happy to make recommendations. From ski slopes to lavender fields to apple picking and college campuses, the options for engagement session locations are endless!

Virginia House
Agecroft Hall
Great Marsh Estate
An old mansion

CLASSIC & ELEGANT

Downtown Fredericksburg
Downtown Alexandria

URBAN

A Vineyard
Tree & Flower Farms

RUSTIC

Cooking class
Hiking
Sailing / Boating

ADVENTURE

The above locations are all beautiful but we also love exploring meaningful locations with our couples!

Destination Engagement Sessions

While I shoot most engagement sessions in the Virginia area, If you have a location in mind that is significant to the two of you, let me know because if our schedules align, I might be able to take your engagement photos outside of my normal area.

Travel fees may apply depending on the location and availability.

My dogs are a huge part of my family, which is why I love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.

I recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then either dropping them off or having a friend take them home. I won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots.

If you’re going to bring a pet, I recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.

Pets

Outfits

TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST

for the gents

find it fast

Rent the Runway
ASOS
J. Crew
Nordstrom
H&M
Urban Outfitters

Wardrobe

WHERE TO SHOP

Outfits

for the gents

Inclement Weather

what to do if it rains

It’s typical for us to schedule two engagement session dates. A primary date and a rain date. Having two dates helps us make sure that your photos happen in a timely manner. Coordinating schedules can be tough and we’ve found that the best way to make sure our couples get the look they have in mind for their photos is to schedule two dates at the same time.

We’ll check in the week of your engagement session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. We know it takes a lot of time to get ready for engagement session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let us know what works best for the two of you - but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.

When we can, we always try to take a photo of your ring during your engagement session - so it’s a good idea to have it cleaned or clean it yourself before your shoot! To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.

Ring Cleaning

Props

champagne is always a good idea

If you’re planning to bring props to your engagement session, we recommend including them only if they’re meaningful to you. Shots of drinking coffee at a local coffee shop would be cute if that’s where you met; however, a trying to fly a kite together when it’s not a part of your relationship may come off as contrived.

When it comes to posing for your engagement session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If we tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because we know it’s going to make the two of you laugh - and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for.

Throughout your session, we’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. We want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!

"What do I do with
my hands"?

"What do I do
with my hands"?

POSING

Date Night

If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often. Which means that the day of your engagement session is the perfect occasion for a date night (or brunch if your session is in the morning!)

The engagement session is another part of celebrating your love and heading off to dinner is a great way to end the session!

As soon as possible after your session is complete, I'll start editing. Then it takes us about a week or two to edit your images. Unless we have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your engagement photos between 2 and 3 weeks after your session.

When to Expect Your Images

I know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your engagement session! However if there is something I missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email
Hello@NicoleBallardPhotography.com