Your Guide to Perfect Engagement Photography Session

Engagement photography is a beautiful way to capture the love and commitment between a couple as they prepare to embark on a lifelong journey together. These photos are more than just images; they are memories frozen in time, reflecting the joy, excitement, and anticipation of the big day. With the right photographer, location, and creative touch, your engagement photos can become timeless keepsakes that tell your unique love story.

Engagement photography involves taking professional photos of a couple who are engaged to be married. These sessions often take place after the proposal and before the wedding day, serving as a prelude to the wedding photography. The goal is to capture the couple’s chemistry, personalities, and shared excitement about their future together.

Engagement photos are important for several reasons:

1. Memories: They preserve the special moments and emotions leading up to the wedding.
2. Personalization: They allow couples to express their unique style and relationship.
3. Comfort: They help the couple get comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding day.
4. Announcements: They can be used for wedding announcements, save-the-date cards, and social media.

For us, as wedding photographers, we love the opportunity to get to know our couples so that when we show up on the wedding day, they relax. Not only do they know that they’ll look good because they’ve seen the results of the engagement session, but they know us too. They also know what to expect when it comes to how to pose because they experienced it through their engagement poses.

Selecting the right photographer is crucial for a successful engagement shoot. Consider these tips:

• Portfolio: Review their portfolio to ensure their style matches your vision.
• Experience: Choose someone with experience in engagement photography.
• Connection: Find a photographer you feel comfortable with and can easily communicate your ideas to.

The location of your engagement shoot can significantly influence the final result. Here are some popular choices in Edmonton, Alberta:

• Parks: Hawrelak Park, Emily Murphy Park, and Rundle Park offer beautiful, natural backdrops.
• Gardens: The Muttart Conservatory and the University of Alberta Botanic Garden provide lush, green scenery.
• Urban Settings: The historic buildings in Old Strathcona and the modern architecture downtown offer a mix of historic charm and contemporary flair.
• River Valley: The North Saskatchewan River Valley provides stunning views and picturesque spots for romantic photos.
• Sherwood Park: Smeltzer House Centre For Arts & Culture is a beautiful location with artistic charm.
• City of St. Albert: Grandin Pond and St. Albert Botanic Park are perfect spots for nature-filled, serene photos.

The timing of your shoot can impact the quality of your photos. The golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, provides soft, warm lighting that is flattering for portraits. Discuss with your photographer the best time for your chosen location and desired aesthetic.

Your outfits should reflect your personal style and the overall theme of the shoot. Coordinating colors, but not matching outfits, usually work best. Here are some tips:

• Comfort: Choose clothes you feel comfortable and confident in.
• Colors: Neutral tones or soft pastels work well in natural settings, while bold colors can pop in urban environments.
• Accessories: Subtle accessories can add a personal touch without distracting from the main focus.
• More than One Outfit: If your engagement session includes an outfit change, it can be so much fun to do one more casual, everyday outfit & then something more dressed up! I always suggest wearing a long dress, pants, or shorts for one outfit, so we can do some sitting shots (short skirts don’t always work well in seated photographs).

A skilled photographer will guide you through poses that feel natural and comfortable. However, some of the best photos often come from candid moments. Relax, be yourselves, and let your connection shine through. Don’t be afraid to laugh, kiss, or simply look into each other’s eyes.

Props can add a fun and personalized touch to your photos. Consider incorporating items that are meaningful to your relationship, such as:

• Signs: Customized signs with your wedding date or a special message.
• Pets: Including your pets can make the shoot more personal, but be prepared to have your pet to the side for some one-on-one shots without distractions.
• Hobbies: Items related to hobbies you share, like books, musical instruments, or sports equipment.

Choosing a theme can add a cohesive and creative element to your photos. Here are some popular ideas:

• Vintage: Classic cars, old-fashioned outfits, and retro settings.
• Seasonal: Incorporate elements of the current season, such as fall leaves or spring flowers.
• Destination: Travel to a meaningful or picturesque location for a unique backdrop.

Extra Edited Touch-Ups: My editing style enhances the natural beauty of your photos while maintaining authenticity. For additional fees, I offer enhanced editing such as blemish removal, glare reduction in eyeglasses, and additional pet hair removal. Please reach out after receiving your online gallery to discuss further.

Once you have your beautiful engagement photos, there are many ways to use and display them:

• Save-the-Date Cards: Share your excitement with friends and family.
• Home Decor: Frame your favorite shots to decorate your home.
• Guest Book: Create a photo guest book for your wedding day.

Finally, probably the easiest and best part of this whole list…. Make a whole date out of your engagement session!! Before you head out to the shoot, sit down and have a coffee or a cocktail, and talk about how stoked you are to finally be engaged and getting freaking married! After the session, plan to head to your favorite restaurant and make a reservation somewhere, or take a walk down towards the water!! You are still engaged, take all the time to enjoy it. Wedding planning is crazy stressful, plus date nights are always needed.

• Heels and Slip-Ons: If you plan on wearing heels, be sure to bring an extra pair of comfortable slip-on shoes to walk between locations, we will be doing more walking than you think.
• Wrinkle-Free Attire: Steam/iron your outfit before the session to make sure it is wrinkle-free! If you have a long drive to your session location, change when you arrive!
• Clothing with Movement: Clothing with movement only adds to photos!! Long skirts in the wind & hats that can be thrown in the air are always perfect.
• Side Angles: Remember, when photographing engagement photos, more than any other kind of professional photos, many of the photos will be taken from side angles, of the two of you facing each other. Make sure your outfit not only looks good from the front, but also compliments you from side angles.
• Clean and Stain-Free: Make sure your outfit is clean and stain-free. I have had clients show up to sessions and not realize there is a big stain on their shirts from makeup or something that happened during a previous wear. You want to make sure things are fully clean. Try them on and check them out before the shoot.

Here are a few additional tips to ensure your engagement shoot goes smoothly and you get the best possible photos:

• Be on Time: Don’t be late! You’ll lose out on great images, as many times the sun sets quickly and the moment is gone. If you expect to be late, please let us know in advance. Sometimes we have other schedules to adhere to.
• Haircuts: If you plan to get a haircut, do it one to two weeks before your shoot. This allows your hair to settle and look more natural.
• Nails and Ring: Consider getting your nails done if you fancy them, and make sure your engagement ring is shiny and clean for those detailed shots.
• Lint Roller and Brush: Bring a lint roller and a brush. Pet hair, especially, can be very visible in high-resolution photos. We recommend giving your outfit a quick once-over before the shoot.
• Furry Friends: If you plan to include pets, remember that fur clumps or stray hairs often show up in high-resolution images. While light editing is included, extensive pet hair removal is not part of the standard package. Bringing a brush or comb for your pet can help, and a lint roller for yourselves is a great idea.

An engagement photoshoot with us is not just about getting great photos; it’s about creating a memorable experience. We understand that posing for photos can feel awkward at first, which is why we focus on making the session fun and relaxed. Our clients often describe the experience as “organized chaos” – a term that perfectly captures the blend of spontaneity and structure that characterizes our shoots.

From the first shot, we work to make you feel at ease, capturing natural, candid moments that showcase your unique connection. By the end of the session, you’ll find that it wasn’t stressful at all but rather an adventurous and enjoyable event. Many of our clients leave the shoot excited and thrilled with the experience, discovering a side of themselves they didn’t know they had and feeling confident in front of the camera.

At Catriona Hope Photography, we specialize in capturing the essence of your love story through stunning engagement photos. Our approach is personalized and professional, ensuring that every couple feels comfortable and relaxed during their shoot. With years of experience and a keen eye for detail, we create timeless images that you will treasure forever. We shine in creating an engaging, fun, and comfortable atmosphere where our clients feel at ease.

Many couples and families have expressed how much they enjoyed the session, finding it to be an exciting event filled with laughter and natural poses. Our ability to adapt quickly and direct with ease ensures we capture those perfect candid moments. This “organized chaos” helps our clients feel loose, natural, and confident, revealing a side of themselves they didn’t know they had.

Choose outfits that reflect your personal style and complement each other. Comfort is key, and coordinating colors without matching works best.

Our popular engagement photo session is an hour long, but we do offer extended time to tailor-fit your goals and vision.

Absolutely! We encourage couples to select locations that are meaningful to them or fit the desired aesthetic of their photos.

The golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, provides the best lighting for engagement photos.

You can expect around 15 to 20 edited images from a standard engagement session.

Engagement photography is a wonderful way to celebrate and document your journey to marriage. With careful planning, the right photographer, and a touch of creativity, your engagement photos can become treasured memories that beautifully capture the essence of your love and commitment. Whether you’re planning a simple, intimate shoot or a grand, themed session, the key is to enjoy the experience and let your love story shine.

Hi, I’m Catriona Hope, and I’m thrilled that you’ve taken the time to learn about engagement photography with me. These sessions are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create stunning, authentic images that capture your love story, frozen in time for all the years ahead. The takeaways from your engagement photoshoot will be cherished memories that beautifully encapsulate your unique bond and excitement for the future.

For immediate inquiries or to discuss your photography needs, feel free to call or text me at 780-868-9525 or email me directly at catriona@catrionahopephotography.com. For more detailed information or to submit an inquiry form, please visit my contact page.

I can’t wait to create beautiful memories with you!

Warm regards,
Catriona Hope