to THE WEDDING GUIDE
ENGAGEMENT SESSION GUIDE
Megan Kerns PHOTOGRAPHY
CHOOSING THE PERFECT TIME, LOCATION,
OUTFIT & MORE!
Welcome
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
I'm so excited to be working with you and I can’t wait for our time together during your engagement session! It’s normal to feel a little nervous about your session. I always tell people that I still get nervous before having our photos taken - and I do this for a living!
I'm a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed and understand how posing works. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and thirty minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why I've found that wedding day portraits turn out better when couples book engagement sessions ahead of time.
Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you. While they’re great for save-the-dates, I've taken engagement photos anywhere from eighteen months in advance to a few days before the wedding.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session. Over the past years, I have accumulated photo advice gathered into one handy little resource. My guide is written to help you get the most out of your investment in photography and maximize what we're capable of creating together. It’s complete with tips for choosing the perfect time, location, outfits, and more!
I get it. Having your picture taken for one to two hours might not be in your top-10 favorite things to do during your downtime. And at first you might feel awkward being in front of the camera. But I think you’ll find that by the end of the session, it’s a lot easier than you thought. It’s a great opportunity for us to hang out and get to know each other before the wedding day.
The Guys
A NOTE TO
Engagement sessions can take place anywhere from immediately following a proposal to just a few days before the wedding. I've found that there isn’t a 'good' or 'bad' time to take your photos. I normally plan sessions based on a particular aesthetic a couple has in mind.
Sessions typically last about 1.5 hours. Ideally, I love to begin sessions about two hours before sunset. I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two and a half hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.
I schedule sessions during what I believe will be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.
Is there a 'good' time to take photos?
TIME & LIGHT
While I shoot most engagement sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of my couples choose a season based on the location and where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Seasons
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Winter
snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats
If you’re planning to take your engagement photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case of a runny nose.
Summer
walks on the beach hand in hand
In spite of the heat, I'm a big fan of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your engagement photos during the summer, I recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
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If your wedding is local, save the dates should be sent between six to eight months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, you’ll want to send them out eight to ten months before the wedding.
If you’re hoping to use your engagement photos for your save the dates, I recommend scheduling your session at least two months before you plan to send out your save-the-dates. Between inclement weather, editing, designing your save-the-dates and printing, two months is generally a safe amount of time to make sure your images and cards are ready.
Save-the-dates
Locations
Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill ENGAGEMENT session LOCATIONS
I love when couples choose a location for their session that complements their wedding. For example if you’re planning a chic, elegant wedding, it may be fitting to take your engagement portraits among the classic architecture in downtown. While a local park or flower-filled fields may be more fitting for a couple planning a more rustic affair. The best session locations are often meaningful places to the couple; however, I'm also happy to make recommendations. From ski slopes to lavender fields to apple picking and college campuses, the options for engagement session locations are endless!
State Capitol Building
Duke Gardens
Duke Campus
Coker Arboretum
UNC Campus
North Carolina Museum of Art
Your wedding venue
CLASSIC & ELEGANT
Boone
Asheville
Reynolda Gardens
Day Trip Options
Downtown
A local coffee shop
American Tobacco District
City Market
The Dillion
Your home
URBAN
Beaufort
Topsail Island
Wrightsville Beach
Airlie Gardens
BEACH
Raleigh Rose Garden
Doretha Dix Park
Merritts Pasture
JC Arboretum
WRAL Azalea Garden
Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park
Pullen Park
Fred Fletcher Park
Natural
Eno River
Hiking
Sailing/Boating
ADVENTURE
The above locations are all beautiful but I also love exploring meaningful locations with my couples!
Our dog is huge part of our family, which is why I love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
We will plant to include your pet in the first 10 minutes of the session. After that, he or she is free to go! It’s nice to have a friend available to hold and take him or her after we're finished.
If you’re going to bring a pet, I recommend exercising your pet before the session, bringing your pets favorite toy or treats, and brining a lint roller.
Pets
Outfits
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST
When picking outfits I recommend using complimentary colors. You should each aim to wear a different dominant color, but stay within a similar color palette family.
Generally couples pick two outfits for an engagement session: a formal outfit and a casual outfit. I recommend saving your favorite outfit for last, because that is usually when you feel most comfortable in front of the camera. And don’t forget to bring a few accessories! Necklaces, earrings, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits.
-Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos.
-There will probably be times during your session when we’re shooting your hands holding or the engagement ring on your hand - which means it’s a good idea to clean up your nails before your session.
-Engagement sessions are the perfect time for a hair and makeup trial.
-Long, flowy dresses look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos.
-Heels lengthen legs.
Tips
for the ladies
-You likely have lots of photos and selfies of you and your fiancé wearing casual clothes. Instead, make this a unique experience and dress it up!
-You can’t go wrong with a suit. Consider pulling out that suit you had to wear last time you were a Groomsmen.
-Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small, it may accidentally make your photo look a little busy.
-You don’t want your photos to look like an advertisement for your favorite clothing store so stay away from graphics.
-By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other.
TIPS
for the gents
Inclement Weather
It’s typical for me to schedule two engagement session dates. A primary date and a rain date. Having two dates helps us make sure that your photos happen in a timely manner. Coordinating schedules can be tough and I've found that the best way to make sure couples get the look they have in mind is to schedule two dates at the same time.
I will check in the week of your engagement session to confirm the weather, time, and location. If rain is in the forecast, I typically try to make the call at least twelve hours in advance. I can shoot when it's overcast, but not raining. I cannot jeopardize damaging my gear.
What do we do if it rains?
When I can, I always try to take a photo of your ring during your engagement session, so it’s a good idea to have it cleaned or clean it yourself before your shoot! To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for twenty to forty minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.
Ring Cleaning
Props
coffee is always a good idea
If you’re planning to bring props to your engagement session, I recommend including them only if they’re meaningful to you. Pictures of drinking coffee at a local coffee shop would be cute if that’s where you met or popping a bottle of champagne to celebrate the occasion are both great ideas.
When it comes to posing for your engagement session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I'll guide you through the entire process beginning with 'poses' that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to make the two of you laugh - and that’s the photo I'm actually looking for.
Throughout your session, I'll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together.
"What do I do with
my hands"?
"What do I do with my hands"?
POSING
Date Night
If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often. Which means that the day of your engagement session is the perfect occasion for a date night (or brunch if your session is in the morning!)
The engagement session is another part of celebrating your love and heading off to dinner is a great way to end the session. I am giving you full permission to treat yourself.
treat yourself, you deserve it
You can expect to receive your engagement photos between two to three weeks after your session. Your photos will be delivered through an online gallery. You will have the option to download, share and print your photos straight from the gallery.
