Choosing a Location For Your Engagement Session

As with real estate and purchasing a new home, the location of your engagement session is a key ingredient in the success of your session. It’s not THE most important detail of your engagement photo session, but where you have your pictures takes can have a huge image on how your images turn out. Choosing the ideal location that works for you two as a couple will require some thought and compromise, but I promise that it is definitely worth the consideration to get the pictures you will love. Here are some pointers for choosing a location for your engagement sessions:

• Pick a place that suits you as a couple

• So what are you planning to wear?

• Draw inspiration from your love story

• Head to your hometown

• Choose a favorite date spot

• Keep the time of day in mind

• Plan for the season

• Visit your venue

Pick a place that suits you as a couple

Rebecca and Stephen chose to have their engagement session in Newport because they loved the classical New England feel of Newport's architecture and its access to beaches. Think about the lifestyle you lead and how you both like to spend time together when selecting a location for your engagement photos. Do you both love exploring new places and going on adventures? Consider choosing one of your favorite spots in town or even go hiking! Heads up, if you plan to go hiking, please make sure you inform your photographer, so he/she can prepare accordingly - like writing out their will in the event they don’t make it back! I kid! I kid!

Do you both like to visit local restaurants or coffee shops? Definitely order a latte and settle in at your favorite haunt. This is an excellent option for engagement sessions that take place in the cooler times of the year. There’s nothing like having a, or maybe you’re just homebodies, and you feel most comfortable on your couch. Opt for a lifestyle session in your home then! This is another excellent seasonal option that takes out the effects of the elements on your engagement session. At the end of the day, your engagement photos should encapsulate the love you feel for each other and showcase what makes your relationship unique to the two of you.

So what are you planning to wear?

If you’re not sure where to have your engagement session but you absolutely know what outfit you’re going to wear, then let your clothes guide you. For example, you wouldn’t wear a formal dress to the beach or a flowing gown in an urban environment. Consider where your clothes would fit in best, and if you’re unsure, talk to your photographer. They’re likely to have plenty of great locations in mind!

Draw inspiration from your love story

Think about the places that have been part of your relationship: where the two of you first met, the location of your first date, where you or your partner proposed. If you attended school together or met at a local event venue, consider incorporating this location into your engagement session. It’s a sentimental touch that reminds both of you of where it all started and how far you’ve come together.

Head to your hometown

Whether you both share a hometown or you’ve made your home in a new place together, the place your love story blossomed and grew can be the perfect spot for your engagement photos. Maybe you met in college and want to incorporate your alma mater into your session. Think about the places that matter most to you and how they can help you tell your love story.

Choose a favorite date spot

Do you have a favorite local restaurant or coffee shop? Maybe you have a museum you like to visit. If there’s a nearby spot that you love to enjoy together, it can be the perfect location for your engagement session. You’ll already feel comfortable in a familiar place, so you can focus on each other and worry less about the camera pointed at you. This is one of the reasons why I don’t mind traveling for a client’s engagement session. It’s a win-win situation for all concerned - I get to learn about somewhere new, and you get beautiful pictures in one of your favorite places. Another treasured memory to be had.

Keep the time of day in mind

When it comes to photography, lighting makes all the difference in the world. Now, I am a wedding photographer that is very versed in working with artificial light. This means it doesn’t matter what time of day we hold your session in, we will be just fine when it comes to your session. But, if you have a sunset or golden hour shoot in mind, make sure to communicate this to your photographer. This way, the two of you can brainstorm the best places to capture that specific type of lighting. And if you’re just not sure what time of day has the best light, I guarantee your photographer will know!

Plan for the season

One of the things I love about New England is that the seasons affords you so many different looks. From the budding trees in spring, to the fiery trees in the fall, we can make so many gorgeous images in the same place. However, if you want the gorgeous fall photos with changing leaves or spring photos with blossoming trees you’ve always imagined, you have to do some research to find out where the best natural colors are in your area. And don’t forget to plan your outfits accordingly! New England’s Weather is notoriously finicky, and sharp weather changes are not unexpected. Make sure to check the weather before your engagement session to know what clothes you need to wear, and don’t be afraid to bundle up if it promises to be cold out. Cozy photos can be very cute! Everyone looks cute when they snuggle together.

Visit your venue

Consider your wedding venue! If you’ve already chosen a wedding venue, it definitely can be a romantic location for your engagement session. Many couples often ask me if I’ve ever shot at their venue. I always respond - “it doesn’t matter - I’m going to make fabulous pictures regardless!” And it’s true. Using your wedding venue for your engagement session is an especially good idea if the venue is especially picturesque or has a beautiful garden or outdoor area that you can walk through. You could recreate some of your favorite engagement pictures on your wedding day too!