‘Tis the season for family and holiday cheer! What better way to celebrate the holidays then getting engaged!? Yay, he proposed! The ring is puuuuuuuuuurfect!
You’re off to get a mani because you’re going to be flashin’ that bling to all your besties. Once the dust settles from all of the new and exciting-ness of being engaged, and you’ve decided on a date for the BIG day, AND then you’ve picked your photographer, you will soon be scheduling you’re engagement session.
But, oh no, what do I wear? Are my fiancé and I supposed to coordinate? What about the hair situation? Don’t we look like goobers kissing? Ahhhhhh!
Ok, first of all, let me just preface this post by saying, “Relax, I LOVE engagement shoots, and you should too!” Here’s why. I love the casual feel of them, and the honest-to-God love that y’all have for each other in them. I’m very sentimental when it comes to couples getting married. Ah, just so cute! The kisses and love are still fresh with the “we just got engaged” hoorays. The wedding plans aren’t stressful yet, and your joining families haven’t decided they hate each other…at this point. Life is gooooooood, and all of that goodness shows through your pictures. Also, the engagement session is like the guinea pig session before the big day. You do NOT want the first time your photographer meets you to be on the day of your wedding. I mean, do what you gotta do, but that is definitely not ideal. The awkwardness shows through the pictures, and even having one little session or a nice chat with each other before hand helps ease that tension.
If you are super nervous for your engagement session, I’m just going to give you some tips on what to wear and how an engagement session with us typically goes.
First of all. If we schedule the engagement shoot over email and the first time we meet is for the actual shoot, I will probably ask you some questions on the style you are interested in. I am not one of those photographers who gets really offended when you show them pictures someone else has taken that you really like. There are definitely different styles of photography. Maddie Moree does all different kinds, so if you have particular tastes, you should voice these so we know what to expect from you and vice versa. Of course, that being said, if you like a style that you see zero examples of on our website, you probably shouldn’t hire us (And that goes for any other photographer you’re looking at). I may not be a good fit for what you are looking for.
For the session, if you have an idea for a pose, show me! I won’t copy it, but we will definitely create our own version of it that communicates the same thing. People, Pinterest was created for a reason! Use it. Oh, and you also will want to think about your save the dates. Are you going to use a picture from this session? Do you know the layout and design? Not a huge deal, but it’s something to think about and let me know IF you know.
When we first start, everyone is really nervous, and that is totally normal. But the engagement shoot is about having a good time and being yourselves!
We will shoot at a couple of locations that we previously discussed, and then I recommend a clothes change. I would recommend doing two different types of outfits, like one pretty casual and the other fancy or snappy casual. Or one southern, and the other glitzy. One that is completely your personality to a T, and the other is something fun or random or your personality dressed up! Haha
See how much fun they’re having???
This topic leads me into the what to wear section. Bring as many outfits as you want to. I would rather you bring too much than not enough. We can decide what outfit looks best at which location! I must say though…be prepared to change clothes in your car or in a public restroom.
Pick out your outfits the night before, or give yourself some time to find the perfect “we’re engaged” outfit. Don’t leave it till the last minute when you’re all busy and stressed with x, y, and z stuff that keeps randomly popping up. And this means for the guys too, ladies. They will leave this till you are walking out the door, “Uh, what did you want me to wear again, hun?”
1. Something you’re comfortable in. If it’s tight, and you feel like it’s not highlighting the best areas of your body AND you have to suck in when I take the pictures, don’t wear it. Give yourself the freedom to move and laugh and not be constantly worrying about the weight you plan on losing with the crazy bridal diet. Also, if there’s something you hate showing, then cover it up! ie. “Ew, I don’t like my arms.” Wear a sweater. My point is this. You are PERFECT the way you are, and we are going to make beautiful pictures! I just want you to feel confident, comfortable, and lovely.
2. No bras showing! This is a pet peeve of mine, and you’ll be bummed when you see the pictures too. The first thing you look at is your face, the second thing, you will zero in on your bra strap. It’s not exact science, but close…So bring a strapless or test out the bra you plan to use before hand. Make sure a strap doesn’t randomly pop out all the time.
3. Make-up touch ups. I will make you kiss each other…often! Your lipstick will come off. 🙂 Bring some extra for touch ups.
I know this may make you feel uncomfortable to be kissing each other a lot in (a) public (b) in front of me. Obviously I want you guys to be comfortable, but do you really want to be worried about what everyone thinks on your wedding day? That is your day! And you shouldn’t be embarrassed to kiss your new spouse. If you get in the habit of kissing each other in front of a camera now, just think of how happy and kissy-filled your wedding pictures will look. Better to practice now, and be ready on the wedding day than to be all shy and awkward on the day that counts. It also helps to practice kissing each other the day before and take a selfie of it so you know where to position your head. It sounds stupid, but you don’t get a theatrical and photogenic kiss by luck. 😉
4. Semi coordination with the outfits. In my opinion, you can coordinate with each other, but not too much. That looks gooberish. What I mean by that is you can both wear spring colors or whatever season. The man should probably wear like a polo or nice button-up with shorts or khakis or jeans. It’s obviously very “whatever” for them. Girls, y’all can wear skirts, dresses, rompers, shorts, jeans…whatever you want. Colors can semi coordinate, as in don’t clash. For a more extensive What to wear, feel free to reference my guide here.
Love their spring colors!
5. Bring props if you feel like it! Again, I’m not one of those photographers who thinks it’s silly to bring props. Especially if it’s for the save the date, or whatever else. You bring it, we will incorporate it. Plus props are great to include in the ring shot photos.
6. Shoes. Yes your shoes will be in the picture. Bring the ones that are cute and stylish, yet semi comfortable because we will be walking around a bit moving locations. And bring a few pairs just to be safe. It may require some additional shopping. 😉
7. Clean your bling. Clean the ring before the shoot if you can find time to do it. It really makes it pop in the couples shots, and it does wonders for the ring shot as well!
Here’s a bonus trick!
8. If it’s cold or chilly outside, bring nicer outerwear (pea coats and scarfs). It makes for better outdoor pictures that can be classy! If it’s raining, you can bring a swanky umbrella or rainboots…
Ok, did I miss anything?? If so, let me know.
I hope this helps in your engagement session frenzy!! Remember to keep Maddie Moree in mind for your big day! 😀
**If you are wanting professional hair and makeup for that day, here are my recommendation! I love these two ladies, and I have ultimate faith that you will look gorgeous!!!
- Hair: Marcie Keech at Salon 387 (901) 288-6208
- Make-up: Alexandra Nicole w/ Adel Amor (901) 628-9599
xoxo
maddie
