You’re engaged! What an absolutely magical time in your life! As you get ready to say “I do”, it’s easy to neglect your engagement session. With the seemingly endless tasks you need to complete before your ceremony, adding one more thing can feel overwhelming. However, I’m here to share my top reasons why you don’t want to overlook your engagement session and advice on when to book, featuring images I took from the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge!
Why engagement sessions are important
An engagement session is a photoshoot with you and your fiancé after you’ve both said YES! They are super easy and usually only last a couple of hours. Here are my reasons why having an engagement session is important.
Better know your photographer
An engagement session gives you a great opportunity to get more comfortable with your photographer. You’ll have a better understanding of their personality, style, and how they work. Plus, having a clearer idea of what your wedding or elopement photos will look like makes your big day less stressful!
As a Portland engagement photographer, I love engagement sessions because I get to know my clients more intimately. Seeing what makes them light up helps me add more meaningful touches to their marriage photos.
Gorgeous photos that capture everything about you
While having professional photos of you on your special day is obviously amazing, an engagement session allows you to truly showcase your personality, interests, and story. Travel to a special location! Bring fun props! It’s an opportunity for you to have gorgeous photos that authentically represent YOU! They also make fun photos for save-the-date cards and wedding invitations if that’s something you want.
A chance to celebrate
You and your partner just got engaged! That’s amazing and absolutely worth celebrating! An engagement session is a perfect opportunity to live in the moment and commemorate your love for each other. They’re a low-pressure and fun way to capture this special and unique time in your life, especially before your wedding or elopement planning kicks into high gear.
When to book your engagement session
Now that you’ve said yes to an engagement session (congratulations!), you might be asking yourself when the best time to book is. For those looking to include their photos in their save-the-dates, I recommend scheduling your photo shoot at least 10 months before your ceremony. For wedding invitations, I suggest 6 months prior. However, if you only plan on sharing your photos online or keeping them for yourself, then the timing is a little more flexible. Also, based on the look you’re going for, here are a few things to keep in mind.
The specific time of day (or night!)
The time of day of your engagement session can have a major effect on how your photos look. Early mornings and late afternoons are perfect for couples looking for gorgeous golden hour or blue hour shots. You also have the added bonus of having the sunrise or sunset in the background!
During the middle of the day, the sun is directly overhead and the lighting is strong. For couples wanting high-contrast, bold photos, this is what I recommend.
While most photo shoots take place during the day, those hoping for a truly unique look can have their engagement session at night! They usually look best in a well-lit, urban setting and will give your photos a modern, original look.
Choosing the right season
Another thing to consider when booking your engagement session is the time of year! Each season has its own unique qualities that will affect the look and feel of your photos.
With the changing leaves and shorter days, fall is great for those wanting cozy and warm photos. In the winter, expect a snow-covered backdrop that will look straight from a dream! And if you want to capture the holiday spirit, December is the perfect time to book.
Springtime is ideal for those looking to feature blooming flowers in their session! I absolutely love taking engagement photos among Oregon’s daisies, lupines, and rhododendrons. In the summer, couples can enjoy long days with plenty of light. There’s also something absolutely dreamy about a summer sunset!
It’s easy to skip over your engagement session. However, I hope I’ve convinced you to embrace this opportunity to mark a special time in your life! If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out my Top Portland Engagement Photo Locations. Once you’ve picked out a spot, head over to my tips on Rocking Your Engagement Photo Session to make sure your day is a success!
Ready to book your own engagement session? Click on the link below to inquire!
