Why Your Engagement Session Matters
As an Oregon wedding photographer and Oregon engagement photographer, I believe your engagement session is a vital part of your photography experience. This session helps us get to know each other while allowing you to feel comfortable in front of the camera. By the time your wedding day arrives, you’ll be pros at posing naturally and effortlessly!
To help you prepare for your engagement session, I’ve compiled a list of tips and resources to ensure it’s a fun and memorable experience.
Engagement Session Preparation Tips
CLEAN YOUR RING!
Your engagement ring will be front and center during your session! Be sure to have it professionally cleaned so it sparkles in those close-up shots. A clean ring enhances every photo and adds that extra touch of elegance.
HAIR & MAKEUP
Treat yourself! Professional hair and makeup can make a huge difference in your portraits. This is the perfect time to splurge a little and boost your confidence. For an added touch, consider false lashes for a polished and natural look that photographs beautifully.
Quick tip: If you’re worried about looking tired or just want a little something special for your portraits, getting false lashes makes the most impact in portraits! There are all types of lashes that range from looking completely natural to looking like Beyoncé! I would lean towards the natural end of the spectrum!
SKIP THE SPRAY TAN
While it might seem tempting, skip the spray tan before your session. Spray tans often appear orange in photos, even when applied subtly. Trust your natural skin tone for the most flattering and timeless results.
BE ON TIIME
Light is everything in photography, especially for outdoor engagement sessions. I recommend arriving 15–30 minutes early to maximize your session time. If I’m shooting film, we’ll need plenty of light, so timeliness is key!
HAVE A PREVIEW PARTY
Sit down with your fiancé and browse some of my past engagement sessions to get a sense of what to expect. This “preview party” helps ease nerves and builds excitement for your session!
Head here to the ENGAGEMENT BLOGS
RELAX AND ENJOY
No need to stress! The best photos often come from couples who are new to modeling. Trust me—every couple I’ve worked with has walked away with images they love, regardless of their comfort level at the start. I have worked with EVERY personality type and EVERY body type. I always create images that my clients love!! Get excited!
OREGON ENGAGEMENT SESSION OUTFIT INSPIRATION
Choosing the right outfit can elevate your engagement photos. Here are some quick tips to help you decide:
Coordinating Outfits
– Stick with soft neutrals like blush, tan, cream, or light gray for a romantic, airy look.
– Avoid wearing matching outfits or all white to create visual contrast in your images.
Bonus Tip: I have several resources for you to browse through on a Pinterest board if you’re in need of some outfit inspiration! This board is full of color combination inspiration.
– If you’re really looking for a soft, feminine look, I recommend a flowing, maxi-length dress or skirt! The movement of this type of fabric photographs beautifully! Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Especially when juxtaposed with nature. Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully as well. Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body. I recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress!
– I recommend a more formal outfit. I mean… how many times are you going to have a chance to do a session like this?
Quick Tip: There’s no such thing as too dressed up in my opinion
For Him
-Avoid patterns that are smaller than a dime! These small patterns can create strange visual effects in a digital camera.
-Close-toed and dress shoes photograph well and I recommend avoiding graphic tees and tennis shoes!
-Invest in a good suit. Men look most striking in a well-tailored suit. If you don’t have one, now’s the perfect time to invest in something that you’ll wear for years to come! The best part? It’s a lot less expensive than you might think! While custom suits can cost thousands of dollars, some of the most well-known brands have off-the-rack suits in their stores for a fraction of the price. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye.
-layered looks: Next time you walk by a store like J. Crew, you’ll notice the male mannequins and models are always wearing several layers at once. Layers on men look great on camera. Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos. Blazers and vests can up the level of any look. If the temperature permits, he could even consider adding a V-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers!
For Her
I recommend that you wear something that flatters the parts of you that you love the most and also allows you to be extremely confident! If you are uncomfortable when you look in the mirror (having to suck in and only like the way you look from one angle), then that probably isn’t the best outfit choice for you. I want you to be so confident in your outfit because we know that you will love your portraits so much more if you’re not worrying about how your clothes fit!
-Heels elongate women’s legs, making them look fabulous. Closed-toed heels, in particular, look great on camera because they carry out the line of your leg all the way down to your toe. If your toes are showing in a peep-toe heel, you might want to schedule a pedicure before your session so you don’t regret letting your feet show. These little tricks make all the difference!
– Have you thought about rocking a romantic gown but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance to do it up! Remember: There is no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your engagement session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun! If you don’t want to add a new permanent piece to your collection, a lot of my clients love Rent the Runway for their session because it’s such an affordable way to feel like a million bucks. Other clients love having a great excuse to bring a new permanent piece (or two!) into their closet!
Some place to consider shopping
Click here and visit my Pinterest board for more outfit inspiration
Engagement Session Checklist
- Set date, time and location with Me
- Review guide for style tips
- Schedule hair and makeup appointments
- Choose your outfits
- Get your nails done
- Clean your ring
- Pick a fun post-session date night spot
Pack a bag with:
- Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo spots
- (Optional) Outfit two (including shoes and accessories)
- Touch-up makeup
- Water bottle (for warmer sessions)
- Coat or cover-up (for colder sessions)
Bonus tip: Plan a post-session date night to celebrate!
Your engagement session should feel fun, relaxed, and special—just like your love story. As an Oregon wedding photographer and Oregon engagement photographer, my goal is to create photos that you’ll treasure forever. Ready to book your session? Contact me to get started!
Updated January 28th, 2025
