1. What exactly is an engagement shoot?

An engagement shoot is beneficial for many reasons! First, professional photo shoots are not common for most people. It’s a great opportunity for you and your fiancé to get some non-selfie/cell phone pics together in a more relaxed setting prior to your wedding day. These can be used for Save The Date announcements, for your wedding website or social media, and to decorate your home! Second, your engagement shoot is a great way for us to get to know each other prior to the craziness of your big day. Think of it as practice—you’ll get a feel for my style while learning how to become more comfortable in front of the camera. Third, wedding planning is stressful so use your engagement shoot as an excuse for a date. It’s easy to get lost in all the preparation, so finding time that the two of you as a couple can take a break from it all is important. Dine out at your favorite restaurant and grab some ice cream afterwards! Treat yo’ self!!!

2. What should I wear?

When deciding what to wear, the most important thing to remember is that comfort and coordination are key! Are you the jeans and t-shirt type? Are you most confident getting dressed up for a night out? Stick with something that fits you and your partners’ personality. Keep in mind the location and season of your shoot as well. If we’re shooting in a park in winter, opt for boots over high heels! If it’s summer at the beach, a flow-y dress for her and loose button down for him works best! The more comfortable you are with what you are wearing, the more you’ll be able to relax in front of the camera.

It’s essential to coordinate as a couple with your outfit choices as well. Wear complementary, not matching, clothes. If one of you is wearing a print, have the other go more neutral. Have a fashion show together beforehand to see how the ensembles mix together –my wife and I had a blast doing this before our shoot!

3. Can I bring my dogs? Props? Outfit changes?

Nothing makes me happier than when a couple asks if they can bring their dog! As someone who is obsessed with dogs, I welcome any opportunity I can get to capture their adorableness on film and give so many belly rubs. For the safety and comfort of your dog, I always advise you bring a friend or family member along to watch after them, as most pups get bored after 5-10 minutes in front of the camera.

As for props and outfit changes, feel free to bring items that you want to incorporate into your shoot. I do suggest keeping props to a minimum as the time spent posing with items can encroach on the time spent capturing candid moments of you two together. If you want to change outfits (my wife and I did for our shoot!) just be aware of where the session is taking place, as privacy and timing may be an issue. I’m here to coordinate with and guide all of my couples to ensure that your vision is realized and, most importantly, that your engagement shoot is fun!

4. Where to go?

When choosing a place for your engagement shoot, it’s important to find somewhere that works with your distinctive style. Are you the beachy type or are city sidewalks more your thing? Do lush, green parks appeal to you? I’m so lucky as a photographer that I get to shoot in so many of the beautiful locations that Connecticut and New York have to offer. If you don’t have a place in mind already, here are some of my favorites:

Engagement Shoots FAQ