Engagement Session Guide
Long Island Wedding Photographer
YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION EXPERIENCE:
Everything you need to know to feel confident, relaxed, and camera-ready. First off, congratulations! I’m so excited to capture this special season of your life. Engagement sessions are such a fun way to celebrate your love, get comfortable in front of the camera, and create some gorgeous memories before the big day. Here are a few tips to help you feel confident and fully prepped for your session:
OUTFITS: DRESS TO FEEL YOUR BEST
- Choose 1–2 outfits (one casual, one dressy)
- Coordinate, don’t match — neutrals photograph beautifully
- Avoid loud patterns, logos, or neon colors
- Dress for the location vibe (beachy, urban, or natural)
- Bring comfortable shoes for walking between spots
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Your session will feel relaxed and natural, not stiff or overly posed
- I’ll guide you with easy prompts and movement
- Expect lots of walking, laughing, and little in between moments
- No pressure to know what to do. That’s my job!
LOCATION TIPS:
- Choose a place that feels meaningful or reflects your personalities
- Beaches, parks, downtown areas, and estates all photograph beautifully
- I’m always happy to recommend locations if you’re unsure
- Permit fees may apply at certain locations. Click here for some location suggestions
TIMING & LIGHTING:
We’ll aim to shoot during golden hour, which is the hour right after sunrise or before sunset. That dreamy, soft light is what gives your photos that beautiful glow!
HAIR & MAKE UP:
If you’re planning on having your makeup done for your wedding, this is a great time for a trial run! Professional hair and makeup can give you an extra boost of confidence on camera.
If you’re considering a spray tan, I recommend skipping it for photos. They often photograph with orange or uneven tones and can be tricky to edit.
BRING SOME FUN PROPS:
Props add personality and a playful touch to your session! Here are a few fun things to consider:
- Champagne (or sparkling water) for a celebratory pop!
- Blanket for cozy sitting poses (especially at the beach or in a field)
- Custom signs, mugs, or date cards with your wedding date or names
- Your pet (if they’re part of your love story and let me know ahead of time!)
- A bouquet or flowers for an elevated, romantic vibe
Props should feel natural to you. Usually less is more, and we’ll only use what feels authentic.
WEATHER & RESCHEDULING:
If weather conditions are unsafe or unsuitable (heavy rain, strong winds, storms), we will reschedule. Overcast days are beautiful and photograph wonderfully, so cloudy skies alone are not a reason to reschedule.
For the months July -November: Weekend sunset sessions require a $300 retainer to reserve the date. The full $300 is applied toward your session balance. As with all sessions, retainers are non-refundable. The difference with weekend sunset sessions is that if you choose to cancel or reschedule, $150 of the retainer becomes non-transferable and is forfeited. The remaining $150 can be applied to a future date. If weather ends up being an issue or I need to cancel for any reason, your full retainer would of course be transferred to the new date.
FINAL PAYMENTS:
Final Payments are due on the day of the session. Payment can be submitted through Cash (preferred), Venmo, Zelle or check. Credit card payments are subject to a 3.5% fee.
IMAGE DELIVERY:
You can expect your proofing gallery within 2 weeks. The proofing gallery are preliminary images and not the final edits, but I will edit a few examples so you can see what the final images will look like. They will clearly be labeled “Edited”. You can purchase additional images at $20 each or the entire album at a reduced price. To select your favorites, simply click the heart icon on the images you love.
Final edits include: cropping, background smoothing, skin smoothing, teeth whitening, and correcting any other imperfections in the image.
You have 2 weeks to select your images, after which the gallery will automatically expire. After this time, a $25 fee will apply to have your gallery re-uploaded.
Please note that during busy seasons, this fee will be strictly enforced.
Your gallery will include a curated selection of the best images from your session, edited in my signature style.
Once your selections are finalized, please share them with me. Within the next two weeks, you will receive a new link containing your fully edited, unwatermarked images.
RELAX & ENJOY:
This session is about celebrating you: your connection, your laughter, and this exciting chapter. Come ready to be yourselves, and I’ll take care of the rest!
LET'S MAKE IT OFFICIAL!
If you have any questions or want help picking outfits or props, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help make this an easy and fun experience!
Can’t wait to see you both soon!