ENGAGEMENT 101
WHAT TO WEAR?
CHECK YOUR SEASON
Depending on when you schedule the engagement session helps determine what attire works best. Fall engagements are great for boots, scarves, and jackets. Summer is perfect for a beach maxi dress and wedge sandals look. What's most important is making sure that you're comfortable.
CASUAL, FORMAL, OR BOTH?
With an outfit change, you can use two separate outfit ideas that you love or bring both a casual and formal look to the session. Whichever style to begin with, casual or formal, is totally up to you and again, comfort is key. You may be sitting on the ground, walking, even getting picked up by your beau for a kiss - make sure that what you're wearing can handle that.
PATTERNS OR SOLID COLORS?
This is your session and it's really up to you what you choose!
Photographically, darker colors like burgundy/wine reds, deep royal blues, forest greens, mustard yellows, neutrals (black, white, tan) mixed with classic patterns give great texture and vibrancy to the photo.
If possible, don't aim to overly match and try to avoid multiple patterns to limit busy distraction or noise in the final image. Avoid colors like neon yellows and bright reds/pinks that reflect badly on the skin.
+ BONUS: If you need ideas, searching "engagement photo outfit ideas" on Google, AI, or Pinterest can give you plenty of examples depending on what season you're photographing in.
MORE CASUAL
MORE FORMAL
PATTERN MATCHED WITH SOLID COLOR
HOW TO POSE?
I am a big believer that too much posing can take the fun right out of any session. The whole goal of the shoot is to enjoy time with the one you love. 100%, just be yourself.
I shoot candidly, capturing you as you are. I bring out what you love about being together by encouraging affectionate and laid back interaction. I don't want you to be afraid to be awkward or shy. I want to see you hold each other like you feel moved to, laugh naturally, to kiss when it feels real. THAT is what deserves to be captured and held onto and the whole reason you've gotten engaged to begin with.
The great thing about being a candid photographer is that I know how to direct natural poses as well as how to hold back and let you be yourselves. When I have a great idea, or when you suggest a pose idea to me, I'll jump right in and make it happen. The main focus is to keep the experience fun, comfortable, and authentic.
HOLDING CLOSE
WALK AND TALK
FLARE THAT OUTFIT
PLAY AROUND
E X T R A T I P S
+ EAT & GET MINTY FRESH
Food cravings can alter your mood easily so I recommend to have a snack or even a nice light meal before the session and plenty of water - especially if your session is in the warmer months. Plus, with all that up close interaction and kissing, you'll want to be minty fresh. ;)
+ CLEAN YOUR RING
Whether you choose a professional or at-home method, try to give your ring a quick clean-up before the engagement session. Every engagement session guarantees ring-specific photos and eliminating dirt and scuffs always helps the final image come out flawless.
+ BRING WATER, CHAPSTICK, AND LAYERS
Water is great to have on hand with all that laughing, talking, walking around during your session. Chapstick helps clean up the lips with more up close photos of kissing and smiling (and is harder to edit in post than you think!). And layers are helpful in case the weather is a bit breezier than you expected.
+ HAIR / MAKEUP / NAILS (optional)
If you're wanting to see what your wedding makeup and/or hair style will look like in photos, this is a great way to check if you truly like the style before deciding on it for the wedding day. (I highly recommend this for natural/lesser makeup wearing brides because full-on makeup will be different than what you're used to.) Also, simple manicure cleaning up the cuticles and moisturizing the hands brings a softer look to those up-close ring shots.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER?
+ SESSION PREVIEW
After we wrap, I’ll send an edited session preview of 5-10 images via email. This helps with online announcement websites, save-the-dates, or prints for bridal shower/wedding props if needing them sooner than later.
+ FINAL DELIVERY & ONLINE GALLERY
The full gallery will be sent via a private online gallery three (3) weeks after the session date. The gallery is where you can download in web-size resolution (best for phones) as well as high resolution (best for printing, sharing, etc.). This gallery will remain online for 3 months before being archived in BNP’s records.
+ SHARING
If posting online via social media, feel free to tag @brittneynestle for photo credit!