An engagement session is only as memorable as the effort you bring to it, let's make it count.
Show up feeling confident and truly loving the way you look. These are the things that make the biggest difference between a nice engagement session and an unforgettable one.
Attire Matters
- Go bold, think vibrant colors like red, royal blue, emerald, or black
- Skip the patterns, solid colors photograph best and keep the focus on you
- Dress it up, yes, you can wear a ball gown or a suit, and you'll be happy you did
- Fit matters, make sure your outfit fits well and makes you feel confident
- Coordinate with your partner, complementary styles create a cohesive look
- Wear heels, they lift your posture and lengthen the whole frame
Wear the Heels
This is the one piece of advice couples underestimate most. Heels change your posture before you even think about it — the line of the leg lengthens, the hips settle, the shoulders come back, and everything reads more elevated in the frame.
A gown hangs differently over a heel too. The hem clears the ground instead of pooling at your feet, and the fabric falls and moves the way it was cut to move.
It also matters because of how we shoot. The poses I use during an engagement session mirror the ones we’ll use on the wedding day, and those poses are built around formal attire: a gown with weight, a jacket with a clean line, and a heel holding your posture. In flats and casual clothes, the thing the pose was designed to flatter simply isn’t there.
- Wear the heels for the photographs
- Keep a comfortable flat pair in the car for walking between spots
- Break new heels in beforehand so you’re not thinking about your feet
- Consider a block heel or a wedge for grass, gravel, and cobblestone locations
Make It Your Hair and Makeup Trial
Book your hair and makeup trial for the same day as your session. It’s the single best use of the trial, because your session is the only chance you get to see the look photographed — in real light, on a real camera — before the wedding day.
A look that reads beautifully in the salon mirror doesn’t always translate. Foundation can go flat, a smoky eye can go heavier than expected, a style can loosen once you’re moving. You’d much rather learn that now than in your wedding gallery.
Seeing it in your engagement photos means you can adjust with your artist while there’s still plenty of time. By the wedding morning, nothing is a surprise, and you already know exactly how you photograph.
- Schedule the trial in the morning and the session in the late afternoon, when the light is best
- Ask your artist to photograph the finished look on a phone before you leave
- Bring the images from your session back to your trial notes so you both know what to change
- If you’re still choosing an artist, this doubles as a real test run before you book
Stunning Backdrops
- Mountains, beaches, and historic architecture add depth, texture, and visual interest
- Don't sacrifice on location, choose one that elevates your photos
- Go the extra mile and pay a permit fee if needed; it's worth the investment
Plan for the Attire Change
- Factor in the time it takes to walk to and from the car, about 10 minutes each way
- Add at least 5 minutes for the outfit change itself
- In total, an outfit change can easily take 25 minutes out of your session
- Plan accordingly so it doesn't cut into your photo opportunities
Are Engagement Sessions Worth It?
Build Chemistry
Spending time with your wedding photographer helps you connect and build trust, making the wedding day feel more relaxed.
Practice Makes Perfect
It's like a rehearsal, get used to being in front of the camera so posing feels more natural and effortless later.
Boost Confidence
You'll see how great you look in professional photos, which helps you feel more confident on your big day.
Preview the Style
It's a chance to preview your photographer's style and give feedback if needed, so you're aligned before the wedding.
Create Keepsakes
Engagement photos are perfect for save-the-dates, guest books, or even décor at your wedding.
Wardrobe Recommendations
For Men
- A well-tailored suit or tuxedo in black, navy, or charcoal
- Dark, well-fitted dress jeans and a blazer for a more relaxed yet polished look
- A crisp white or deep-toned dress shirt
- Dark dress shoes in polished leather
For Women
- A dress or gown in a dark tone such as blue or red
- Minimal patterns, solid colors photograph best
- Timeless jewelry such as pearls or diamonds
- Heels in a coordinated tone, with flats in the car for walking between spots
- Hair and makeup done professionally, ideally as your wedding trial
Need Help Picking the Perfect Spot?
Don’t settle when it comes to your engagement session location. Explore my favorite photo locations in New Jersey, Long Island, and Brooklyn, then reach out with any questions about planning your session, I’m always happy to help you choose a spot that fits your story.
Frequently Asked
What should we wear for our engagement session?
Go bold — vibrant colors like red, royal blue, emerald, or black photograph beautifully. Skip patterns; solid colors keep the focus on you. Dress it up more than you think you should: yes, you can wear a ball gown or a suit, and you’ll be happy you did. Make sure everything fits well, and coordinate with your partner so your styles complement each other.
Should I wear heels for my engagement session?
Yes — heels lift your posture before you even think about it. The line of the leg lengthens, the hips settle, the shoulders come back, and the whole frame reads more elevated. A gown hangs differently over a heel too: the hem clears the ground instead of pooling, and the fabric moves the way it was cut to move. The poses I use during a session mirror the ones we’ll use on the wedding day, and those poses are built around formal attire and a heel holding your posture. Bring a comfortable flat pair for walking between locations.
Should I book my hair and makeup trial on the day of my session?
It’s the best possible use of the trial. Your session is the only chance you get to see your hair and makeup photographed — in real light, on a real camera — before the wedding day. A look that reads beautifully in the salon mirror doesn’t always translate: foundation can go flat, a smoky eye can go heavy, a style can loosen once you’re moving. Seeing it in your gallery first means you can adjust with your artist while there’s still time. Book the trial in the morning and the session in the late afternoon.
How much time does an outfit change take during a session?
More than people expect — about 25 minutes in total. Factor in roughly 10 minutes to walk to the car and 10 minutes back, plus at least 5 minutes for the change itself. Plan for it deliberately so it doesn’t quietly eat into your photo opportunities.
Are engagement sessions worth it?
Genuinely, yes — for five reasons. They build chemistry, because spending time with your photographer before the wedding creates trust and makes the wedding day feel more relaxed. They’re practice, so posing feels natural later. They boost confidence when you see how you look in professional photos. They let you preview your photographer’s style and give feedback while there’s still time. And they create keepsakes for save-the-dates, guest books, and wedding décor.
Does the engagement session location really matter?
A great deal. Mountains, beaches, and historic architecture add depth, texture, and visual interest that a generic park simply won’t. Don’t sacrifice on location — choose one that elevates your photos, and go the extra mile to pay a permit fee if one is required. It’s worth the investment. You can browse my favorite photo locations across New Jersey, Long Island, and Brooklyn.
What jewelry and shoes photograph best?
Timeless pieces — pearls or diamonds rather than anything heavily trend-driven — and coordinated footwear that enhances rather than competes with your look. For men, dark dress shoes in polished leather, and a crisp white or deep-toned dress shirt. The goal is that nothing in the frame pulls attention away from the two of you.