Not only do I absolutely love engagement sessions because I get to know my couples better, I feel they are so important in preparing for the BIG day. Also it is a great way for me to get to know you two-how you are together, for y’all to get to know me, and it helps y’all get comfortable with how I work so there are no SURPRISES on your wedding day! It’s so helpful to have a great engagement session before the big day so that you know what to expect. My couples that have an engagement session are PROS by the wedding day and it shows in their photos! This is why we cover the sitting fee in all our wedding collections and may have told you its kind of a mandatory step in being a CBP couple 🙂
When you’re prepping for your engagement session, there are a few things to keep in mind. This is supposed to be FUN! This is the shoot with no pressure, so don’t stress! On the wedding day we’ll be crunched for time, and there won’t be time to chat and get to know one another.
1.When & what time should I book our engagement session?
After you book with your photographer, whether its me or someone else you need to think of when you would like your portraits done. Some couples like to choose a time of year opposite from when their wedding day is keeping in mind your photographers availability. ie. if you are having a Spring wedding, it might be nice to have a fall E-sesh! We book about 2 months out depending on the time of year and only photograph sessions Monday through Thursday, typically 2 hours before sunset or 2 hours after sunrise. 
2. Outfits- What to Wear to Your Engagement Session!?
First and foremost, be comfortable, BE YOU! This is a chance to have beautiful casual photos with your fiancé to hang on your wall and gift your family. Secondly, try to coordinate your outfits instead of matching. Look for colors that are soft and muted or go with neutral colors- ie. something white, off-white, or blush. Tiny, repetitive patterns and flashy colors can drag the eye away from focusing on the intimacy of you and your soon-to-be spouse. Also, bold jewelry, scarves, and colored shoes photograph really well! Check out our PINTEREST wardrobe board for color pallets and ideas! Press wrinkly clothes, hang them, and put them on when arriving to your session.
3. Location & Time!?
As I mentioned the best time of day is typically 2 hours before sunset or 2 hours after sunrise. This can be applied to any time of year. When it comes to picking a location we have a few favorite places that we suggest. We help pick one based on your answers to a questionnaire we send to you! The main thing to keep in mind is y’all are the focus, everything else is background. 
4. Prepare Your Groom!
This is the part that all of you brides need to pay attention to! You know your groom best so only you can help prepare him for this shoot. If your fiance’ is completely unaware of this style of photography, he is going to think it’s really strange when I tell you two to “Nuzzle” or “almost kiss”. He’s may be expecting a few pictures smiling at the camera, showing off the ring and that’s it! So it’s your job to explain to him why you love this style of photography and help him know what to expect! I suggest sitting down with him and showing him a few of your favorite engagement sessions that I’ve shot to give him an idea of what he’s about to experience! 🙂
5. Use Today to Get Dolled Up! Hair, Makeup, nails!
Its not every day you get professional photos done together so use today to get all dolled up! If brides have their make-up artist booked they may use today to have their trial done so they can see what it will look like in photos on the wedding day. Although not necessary, I highly recommend this! Its always fun when a bride gets her hair and makeup done before the shoot, it helps make them feel more confident going into the session! If you do your own makeup I do recommend going a little heavier than normal on the eye make-up. Hands and rings may be in the photos so having your ring and nails looking perrrty is a plus!
6. Relax, Have FUN! Trust Your Photographer
As you are preparing for your session remember it is normal to feel nervous going into the session, and remember we don’t expect y’all to be pros at this! The first 20 minutes is the warm up period, just remember, this is a time when you two are simply spending time together. Be yourselves and enjoy the moment, we have you covered!
7. Can We Bring Our FurBaby?
YES!!! I love fur babies! We will start the session with your pet then move on with the session! We recommend walking/running your pup before the session so they are a little more relaxed for the session!
8. Should We Bring Anything?
As you know, our style of photography has a natural, lifestyle feel so we don’t recommend “props”. However we love incorporating things that fit your personality as a couple, things you like to do together, blankets, etc. The questionnaire we send out helps us plan this as well! Here are a few examples!
Lexi & Cody are fun & playful and what better way to incorporate balloons! Balloons make everything fun!! 😀
How adorable are these two!? Jenelle & Shane are another playful couple, we had so much fun at their e-sesh!! 
Love the romance in this moment between Emilee & Matt. What I love even more is how personal it is to them, one things they love to do together is being outdoors and four wheeling.
9. Be On Time
This is really important. What most couples don’t realize is that sessions are 100% dependent on the sun and if their couples show up late, they will lose that amount of time during their session due to the lack of light the session won’t be extended. Allow time for traffic delays, hair/wardrobe emergency’s, etc. 
I hope these tips were helpful!! Check out some blogged engagement sessions here for more inspiration!
Here Are a Few Amazing Hair Stylists & Make-up Artists In Syracuse Area for your wedding day and/or engagement session!
Meg loveland- hair & make-up https://www.megloveland.com
Green Beauty Bliss – Erica Abdo : https://www.greenbeautybliss.com
MT Makeup & Beauty- Marcela Tobar: http://www.marcelatobar.com
A-List Makeup Artistry – http://www.a-listartistry.com
Cny Beauty By Danielle – https://www.facebook.com/cnybeauty.by.danielle/
Syracuse Makeup Artistry- http://www.syracusemakeupartistry.com
Cylinda B
Cylinda B Photography 
