Let me tell you, I am THRILLED that we get to have a session together. Engagement sessions are so important, but there is another blog post for that. I want to make sure that you are as ready and prepped as you possibly can be for your engagement photos. The following tips are all about the little things that help make the finished photo that much better.

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LIP COLOR & HAIRSPRAY | You may need to apply more lip color after one outfit change and a few kisses. (If you have a bold lip color, try to have a matte finish so it won’t transfer to your fiancé as intensely!). Hairspray and a brush will be helpful if your hair struggles in the humidity! I strongly recommend bringing some extra hair supplies for touchups. It also helps to get a mirror! Sometimes the lipstick wants to be the star of the show in your smile, and a personal hand mirror can help put that lipstick in its place.

HAIR | While we are on the subject of hair, if you’re thinking about getting your hair trimmed, I always recommend doing that 1-2 weeks before the session so that your style has time to settle. Engagement sessions are a great way to test out your hairstylist, too.

MAKEUP & SKINCARE | Test out the makeup artist that you hired for your wedding! It’s a perfect time because you’ll get to see the results in action. You don’t even have to wear an entire face full of makeup; a good lip stain or lipstick and even some eyeshadow can be all you need. If you are not big on makeup, I suggest having a good skincare routine and using moisturizer to help give your skin a natural glow behind the camera.

NAILS | I love doing close-ups of hands and, of course, the rings! Consider having your nails done professionally a day or two before. Once you have your outfit picked out, choose a color that goes with all your outfit choices. Or go with the classic French tip. Don’t like wearing nail polish? No problem! Trimming down your nails and cleaning them up will make a big difference in your final images.

RING CLEANING | Clean the ring! I love to shoot a few ring shots while you change outfits! The cleaner, the better.

FLIP FLOPS | If you’re wearing shoes that are difficult to walk in but look fabulous, bring some comfy shoes to change to while we walk to each shooting location! Speaking of shoes, bring some disposable wipes to keep them clean, especially if you know you’ll be someplace with dirt or mud.

CHANGING CLOTHES | As much as I would like to say that we always have bathrooms for outfit changes, more often than not, they are unavailable. I have a pop-up changing tent for you to use! Keep in mind that, on average, an outfit change can take about 15 minutes, especially with hair and makeup touchups.

CLOTHING | Check out my other blog posts that help explain this in more detail, but generally, my couples like to bring one casual outfit and one dressier outfit! If you’re unsure about a few pieces, feel free to bring all options, and I can help you decide.

POCKETS | Empty your pockets! Literally, you don’t want to have key chains or phones showing through your pockets. (This is for anyone wearing pants especially!)

PARKING FEE | This may not apply to your shoot, but you always want to plan for a cash-only parking fee that we may encounter or any tolls. I’ve had instances where this has caused some stress, and stress is what we want to avoid!

TIMING | The sun sets quickly, especially if your shoot is not in the summer months. The later you arrive, the less time we have to shoot! Once the sun sets, the session will be over.

DEEP BREATHS | I’m going to help you along the way, and it’s going to be a blast! Enjoy this time together, and make a date out of it! Plan dinner afterward and celebrate!!

I cannot wait to get you in front of my camera. Let’s do this!

TM Grey Photo is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer, as well as a Private Editor in the New Jersey area. TM Grey Photo focuses on bright and bold stories and genuine smiles. Check out more weddings, portraits, and engagements in the gallery. Want TM Grey Photo to tell your story? Let’s chat.

Did you find this blog helpful? Chese these out, too:

Styling Tips For Your Engagement Session

Picking The Best Color Palette For Photos