If you’re anything like most of my couples, you’re probably wondering a few things right now:

What should we wear? Where should we go? What if we’re awkward in front of the camera? What do I do with my hands?

I promise, engagement sessions are way less complicated than they seem! My biggest goal is for your session to feel less like just a photoshoot and more like a fun date together that just happens to be documented.

At the end of the day, I want these photos to feel like you. Not a version of you that wants to look a certain way or wear certain clothes. Not a version of yourselves that feels overly posed or polished. Just photos to bring you back to this season of life years from now. Here are some tips to keep in mind!

Pick a Place You Actually Enjoy Being

When couples ask me where they should do their engagement session, my answer is almost always the same: somewhere that feels like you.

Beautiful mountain views are amazing! But so is the neighborhood where you walk your dog every evening. Or your backyard. Or your favorite brewery. Or your favorite hiking trail.

Some of my favorite sessions have happened in places that weren’t necessarily the most dramatic, but they felt personal. When you’re somewhere comfortable and familiar, it’s easier to relax and focus on each other instead of worrying about the camera. It’s good to keep in mind how you’ll feel if there are crowds when taking your photos. If you don’t like the idea of people being nearby, let’s choose a quiet spot! When it comes to popular locations like Sparks Lake or Smith Rock, scheduling for a weekday can make all the difference, too!

Wear Something That Makes You Feel Good

Truly. That’s the advice. I could give you a long list of outfit rules, but the biggest thing I tell every couple is just to wear something you’re comfortable in.

If you’re constantly pulling down a dress, adjusting a shirt, fixing a strap, or wondering if something looks right, you’re going to be distracted and probably a bit annoyed. And if you don’t feel comfortable, I can bet you that it will show in your photos. Alll that to say – just wear something that feels like you. Something you can move around in and makes you feel confident.

Most couples bring two outfits, which is always a great option if you’d like a little variety. A casual outfit and a dressier outfit tends to be a popular combination, but there are no rules here. If you’d like a little more direction, I generally recommend sticking to neutral, earthy, or muted colors. They tend to photograph beautifully and keep the focus on the two of you rather than the clothes. That doesn’t mean you have to avoid patterns or personality, though. Flannels, textured sweaters, flowy dresses, fun jewelry, hats, or a bold lip color can all photograph really well. If you’re someone who wears allll the color and funky outfits, I’m not about to tell you to tone it down!

The biggest thing is making sure your outfits feel cohesive. You don’t need to match, but you should look like you’re headed to the same place together.

You Don’t Need to Know How to Pose

I hear some version of “We’re awkward in front of the camera” at almost every engagement session.

The good news is that you’re human! It’s normal to feel uncomfortable. You don’t need to show up knowing what to do, that’s my job. I’ll guide you the whole time, but I’m much more interested in how the two of you interact than having you stand perfectly still and smile at the camera.

We’ll walk around, chat, move, laugh, and probably make a few bad jokes along the way. Some of my favorite photos happen in the in-between moments.

One Last Thing

Don’t put too much pressure on this.

Wedding planning comes with a million decisions, timelines, and things to keep track of. Your engagement session gets to be different. It’s a chance to slow down for an evening, spend some time together, and celebrate this season before the wedding day arrives.

Show up as yourselves. Wear something that makes you feel good. Trust the process.

I’ll take care of the rest.

Looking for a Location?

If you’re still deciding where to have your engagement session, I put together a guide with some of my favorite engagement session locations around Central Oregon.

Engagement session location guide