Colorado engagement and couple sessions are my favorite ways to get to know my couples! This is a great chance to get comfortable with your photographer and capture authentic memories of this time in your relationship.

I wanted to share some of my favorite engagement session tips to keep in mind for YOUR dream engagement session.

01. Make a day (or evening) out of your session! This session is all about your love for each other, so taking time to reflect on your relationship beforehand will help you get into the lovey-dovey mood. If timing allows, you can grab a drink or take a romantic walk together before we begin. You can even listen to some of your favorite songs together on the way to the session. I always love when couples write a letter to each other beforehand, and then you are able to read each other these notes toward the end of the session while I capture your reactions. If you aren’t a super PDA-type couple, that is okay too! All relationship styles are celebrated with me, and we will get beautiful photos of what feels authentic to the way you normally interact together. If a pose or prompt ever feels uncomfortable, I have a million more ideas we can move on to.

02. Pick everything out beforehand! You don’t want to have to scramble or stress right before your session, so it’s always a good idea to pick out your outfits and pack your engagement session bag before the day comes. I am here for outfit feedback leading up to your session, and I also have tips on what to bring and what to wear here.

03. Your photographer has your back. You shouldn’t have to worry about how to pose, where to put your hands, or how you will get natural-looking smiles. I promise I am a pro at guiding you into those natural and movement-based photos that elicit REAL reactions instead of stiff fake and cheesy poses! I am all about giving you questions and prompts that let you really interact with each other in an authentic way.

04. Pick a location that is comfortable. I am always here for location recommendations. If you aren’t huge hikers, pick a spot that is easily accessible via a car ride. Many of my suggested locations are only a 5-15 minute walk from the parking lot. If you aren’t a fan of being cold, a summer or spring session might be more of your vibe. If you’re more comfortable closer to home, we can always do a city session or at-home session. Do you have a favorite brewery or spot where you first met? Let’s incorporate that! The possibilities are endless and are catered to your needs.

05. Timing is everything! I will schedule your session approximately 1.5 hours before sunset for the best lighting. Harsh mid-day shadows don’t make for the best photos, so timing is extremely important. Make sure to leave plenty of time to get to your destination and account for delays. I recommend downloading the Waze app which will tell you exactly when you need to leave and will factor in traffic conditions. Arriving at your session on time also guarantees that beautiful lighting before the sun dips behind the mountains.

06. Embrace the weather. I know it can be scary to see rain or wind in the forecast, but I always assure couples that most of my spring-summer sessions have had rain in the forecast and it usually only sprinkles for a few minutes. I am fully equipped with umbrellas to keep your hair and makeup looking fresh, and a sprinkle of rain can make the BEST most colorful skies afterward. We have even gotten rainbows (and double rainbows!) after a moody spurt of weather. Overcast and cloudy days also make beautiful and even lighting that is flattering from any angle. Lastly, wind happens on mountaintops and I will position you in a way that it isn’t interfering with capturing your faces. Those dramatic windblown hair photos are some of my favorites.

07. Bring props! I don’t necessarily mean props in the traditional sense. I mean props like a blanket to snuggle on, which were some of my favorite photos from the session below! This allows a quiet moment for my couples to nuzzle into each other, share memories, and for me to step back and capture the authentic reactions that unfold. You can also bring a bottle of wine, champagne to pop, a snack or charcuterie board to share together, your favorite card game to play, your pet, or sentimental objects from your time together.

08. Dress comfortably. You can bring up to 2 outfits. Many people want to wear heels or formal shoes for their photos, but make sure to bring hiking shoes for us to walk to our location, especially in the winter. Trails can be slippery and icy, and mountaintops tend to get chilly even during the summer. Having a coat to take warm-up breaks in is always recommended. You can always throw on your formal outfit behind a tree or blanket once we reach our destination (which is what most of my couples end up doing).

09. Stay moving. Before we begin, I tell couples to always stay moving whenever possible. If you are hugging, try to keep a gentle sway or back rub going. These slight movements will keep your body from feeling stiff and will keep your photos looking natural and not overly posed.

10. Don’t take it too seriously. Some of the best photos are the ones where you are being yourself and letting your emotions come out. I love to see those big laughs, the hug attacks, and the impromptu dance moves. If you’re enjoying a moment and want to throw in a dramatic kiss or pick each other up, go for it! We will get plenty of variety, including some of those more still portraits and the “shot for the family” (looking at the camera smiling) and then of course TONS of fun vibes. Your session should feel like hanging out and enjoying each other’s company, which helps you forget the camera is even there. I’ve had so many couples come out of their session telling me they were super nervous beforehand, but that it was actually so fun and easy and this is my favorite testament to my style of photographing humans!

For more engagement photography tips and what to expect, visit my engagement page!

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