It goes without saying that being engaged is one of the most exciting, happiest moments in life. Between finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and celebrating this special time with your friends and family, it can be hard to stop smiling! One of the first things newly engaged couples do when planning their wedding is schedule their engagement photo session. Here are a few things to consider for your engagement shoot to help you feel more prepared the day of.

1. Location, location, location

When it comes to picking a location, choose a place where you feel comfortable or somewhere that has meaning to you. If you are shooting at multiple locations, be sure to look into parking ahead of time. If parking is an issue, consider Uber, Lyft, or taxis to save time. Be sure to look into the rules and regulations of your location ahead of time as well. Some location charge a fee to use their property or require a permit. If a permit is needed for your shoot, apply for it ASAP. Do not wait until the last minute. Don’t worry about the location being pretty at every corner. There is beauty everywhere, we just have to find it!

2. Time of day

There is about a two-hour window right when the sun peeks its head above the horizon that is perfect for photos. It creates a calm environment and feel and the light tends to be cooler and less hazy. If you’re an early riser, this time may be perfect for you! Afternoon sessions can be a little tricky because the light is harsher. However, it is still possible to get beautiful pictures at high noon! Lastly, there is the sunset session. If you’re taking your photos during the “golden hour” the light will be more soft and flattering which makes for some trendy pastel images. With that being said, as a natural-light photographer, the sun dictates how long I can photograph you. Please make proper considerations for traffic, hair delays, and fashion emergencies.

3. Day of the week

While most couples are typically more available on weekends, it might not be the best time to have your photoshoot. Locations tend to be busier on weekends and it may be distracting having a lot of people around watching you shoot. You may also end up with people in the background of your photos if you’re at a busy spot. Weekdays are usually less busy than weekends, so if you and your fiancé are able to get a weekday off this may be your best bet.

4. Clothing selection

What you wear to your shoot is the key to getting the most out of your photo session. I recommend sending photos of what you plan on wearing to your photographer to review. Bring a few different outfits so you have several wardrobe options or just in case something rips or gets dirty. If your location demands a lot of walking and you want to wear heels in your photos, bring a pair of flats and change into your heels once you’ve reached your location. Some brides-to-be schedule their trial makeup session for right before the shoot. This is a great opportunity to not only see how your wedding makeup will look photographed but to also help you feel more done up. While this is not a requirement, it can help you feel more confident during your shoot! It’s always fun to bring along props as well. This helps to make the shoot look like it could be in a magazine, so feel free to bring along any items that reflect you and your fiancé’s personalities. Any items that reflect you individually or as a couple is great, such as bikes, polaroid camera, magazines, soccer balls or other athletic gear, etc.

5. Symbol of love

While the location and wardrobe selection is important to the shoot, so is your ring. A lot of brides-to-be want to show off their gorgeous engagement rings in the photos so it’s important to not only bring it with you but to make sure that it is clean and photo ready. You may also want to get a manicure before your shoot. That way when your photographer takes the ring shot, your ring is the focus of the pictures rather than chipped nails. Being photographed can be a little uncomfortable at first, so be sure to check out some of my previous engagement sessions before the shoot. I’ve noticed in that the past that this helps the prospective groom feel more comfortable in front of the camera. This is a great opportunity for you and your photographer to get to know each other before your big day and to spend some quality time with your significant other. Have fun and be yourself!