ENGAGEMENT SESSIONÂ GUIDE For Anna Kardos Photography Couples
style & Location When you close your eyes and imagine your engagement photos. what do you see? Are they dreamy and romantic? Or maybe they are cozy and intimate? Or adventurous and wild, open and free? This vision you have for your session will help us narrow in on a consistent style (or look) for your photos. And it will affect every decision we make for your session including the location, outfits, etc. To get you started, I have a few different styles for you to consider on the next page and the types of location that fit each style.
Ethereal: sunlight, greenery, natural, flowing [Gardens, Vineyards, Parks, Riverside] Classic: formal, clean, timeless, neutral [Manor Home, Landmarks, Landscaped Areas] Romantic: intimate, sweetheart, timeless, warm [Vineyards, Gardens, Riverside, Mansions] Cozy: intimate, informal, authentic, dark [At home, Coffee Shop, Museum] Adventurous: epic, wild, carefree, golden [Mountains, Vast Landscapes, Fields, Cliffs] Homegrown: familiar, sentimental, ageless [At home, Local, Sentimental/Childhood spots] Coastal: wild, barefoot, breezy, blue, neutral [Beach, Oceanside, Coastal town, Boardwalk] Destination: once-in-a-lifetime, epic, foreign [Tropical, European, Foreign lands] Urban: brick, stone, cement, architecture, populated [Downtown/Main Street, Bridges, Buildings, Local spots] Quirky: fun-loving, unique, colorful, vibrant [Theme Park, Museum, Ice Cream Parlor]
Stylish clothing is always the way to go and dressing in layers would be a very quick way to change the look of an outfit without doing a full outfit change.
Try complimenting one another instead of matching. Please avoid colors that clash or colors that are just a slightly different shade of the same thing. A neutral tone for one of you and a color for the other works well.
No blue jeans please (white, black, khaki, pink, etc. are fine) and avoid loud colors or patterns on the clothing that might be too distracting.
Tips for Choosing Your
outfits
Remember to choose something seasonally & location appropriate. You wouldn't wear flannel in the middle of the summer or a spaghetti strap dress in the winter.
Keep in mind that these are professional photos. That means, absolutely no logos or slogans, no neon colors, and nothing with holes, tears, or stains.Â
For The Bride Choose two outfits you love - One formal and one a little more casual (but still nicer than everyday wear). Use this as an excuse to buy a few new outfits for yourself and have fun with it! A couple of dresses or a dress and a nice pair of pants with a cute top work great. I suggest heels for at least half of the shoot and please bring a change of shoes that are comfortable to walk in. Don't forget to accessorize!
For The Groom I recommend nice pants (navy blue, black, khaki, etc.) and a shirt you feel fancy in. A button up, collared shirt works great. If you want to do a quick outfit change, I suggest a light sweater over the button up or a suit jacket and wearing the same pants for the entirety of the shoot.
hair & makeup I recommend professional hair & makeup for your engagement session (but it is not a requirement). I treat this shoot as importantly as the wedding day itself! Some clients will use the images for save the date card, and some will display it at the wedding. I want to make sure you look and feel your best! Brides, feel free to plan your hair and makeup trial for the same day.
Shooting for the Best
lighting To get the best lighting for your session, there are two options for when we would start shooting: Sunrise or Sunset. I do not schedule sessions for midday because the light is too harsh and high in the sky causing dark shadows and squinty eyes.
Sunrise Session: The light right at sunrise is so warm and breathtaking it makes for really dreamy images. Plus, at that time of day, we won't have to fight any crowds to get our pictures no matter what location we choose.
Golden Hour: About 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset, the sun is low on the horizon causing a beautiful golden hue. This makes for stunning, timeless images.
If it turns out to be cloudy on the day of your session, don't fret! Clouds actually work to disperse the light in a lovely, soft way.
All About
POSING My posing style is simple and don't worry, you will catch on very quickly. We will start the session getting the two of you comfortable in front of the camera. I will have you focus on one another instead of looking right into the lens. We will do a lot of natural movement and I will guide you through each set of poses so you aren't feeling lost and confused. If there's anything you aren't comfortable with such as kissing and PDA, please let me know so I can be mindful of this.
If you are bringing props, remember to be context appropriate. If we are planning on shooting outdoors, feel free to bring a blanket where you guys can sit on so we can create more variety of poses!
Pets & Props
Feel free to bring your Four-Legged friends!! Please make sure you can hand off your pet to a friend/family member while we take some shots of just the two of you or you may want to consider tying  your pet to a tree/post. Also keep in mind that beloved pets do act out from time to time and the best way to deal with that during the shoot is with patience and flexibility.
Check out my Style Guide for Engagement Sessions on Pinterest for more inspiration and outfit ideas:Â
https://www.pinterest.com/annakardosphoto/the-styleguide-engagement-session/