ENGAGEMENT SESSION FAQs
- Where should we go?
- What time of day should we shoot?
- When should we book?
- What should we wear?
- Can we put together a Pinterest board of sample shots we like?
- What should we bring?
- Can we shoot with our cat? Can we bring our dogs and/or our kids?
- Will it be both you and Mark at the engagement session?
WHERE SHOULD WE GO?
Complimentary Engagement Sessions include up to 120 miles round-trip from Pollock Pines, CA. Here's a list of some of my favorite locations within this area.
Note: If you'd like to shoot in the Bay Area, I also have lots of Bay Area locations I love! Inquire for travel rates, and let's chat!
Pollock Pines / Camino / Apple Hill / Placerville
- High Sierra Iris Gardens (early May)
- High Hill Ranch (Spring to October)
- O'Halloran's Apple Trail Ranch (Summer to late October / early November)
- Saluti Cellars (Summer to late October / early November)
- Cielo Estate Winery (Summer to late October / early November)
- Too Good Winery (Summer to late October / early November)
- Other Wineries / Ranches / Orchards (especially Fall)
- Sly Park Recreation Area
- Ice House Rd (especially Winter)
- Whitehall / American River
- Bridal Veil Falls Campground
Sierra Nevada
- Hope Valley (especially Fall)
- Thunder Mountain
- Carson Pass
- Foresthill
More Gold Country
- Coloma
- Auburn
- Sutter Creek
South Lake Tahoe
- Emerald Bay
- Upper Truckee Marsh
- Valhalla Tahoe
- Edgewood Tahoe Resort
Sacramento Area
- Tower Bridge
- Old Sacramento Waterfront
- UC Davis Arboretum
- Capitol Park
- Austin B. Carroll Heritage Oak Grove
WHAT TIME OF DAY SHOULD WE SHOOT?
For engagement sessions, I love to shoot during sunset's Golden Hour, and, 10-15 minutes into Blue Hour (after the sun sets)! (This also counts for morning shoots - but just the opposite!) Because, in my professional opinion, the lower the sun is, the better the images are!
But, when you'll have multiple outfits and/or multiple locations, we should start a little earlier (or, for sunrise shoots, continue shooting a little later).
Here's are some helpful timing guidelines that take these factors into account (just flip it around for sunrise):
1 Outfit + 1 Location
- Shoot 45 Minutes before Sunset through 10-15 Minutes after Sunset (1-Hour Session)
- Meet 1 Hour before Sunset to have time to teach basic posing tips and get to the first shooting spot
2 Outfits + 1 Location
- Shoot 75 Minutes before Sunset through 10-15 Minutes after Sunset (90-Minute Session)
- 40 Minutes with 1st Outfit
- 10-Minute Outfit Change
- 40 Minutes with 2nd Outfit
- Meet 90 Minutes before Sunset to have time to teach basic posing tips and get to the first shooting spot
2 Outfits + 2 Locations
- Shoot 105 Minutes before Sunset through 10-15 Minutes after Sunset (2-Hour Session)
- 40 Minutes with 1st Outfit
- 20-Minute Location Change (this can be adjusted based on the distance between locations)
- 10-Minute Outfit Change
- 40 Minutes with 2nd Outfit
- Meet 2 Hours before Sunset to have time to teach basic posing tips and get to the first shooting spot (this can be adjusted based on the distance between locations)
- 1st location should have plenty of shade (i.e. among tall trees or tall buildings)
You can "Google" the sunset time for your date and location to find out when sunset will "officially" occur.
But, if we are restricted by a particular venue's hours, then we will need to adjust the start and end times accordingly. :)
WHEN SHOULD WE BOOK?
During wedding season, from April to October, I shoot every Saturday. Engagement sessions can be booked on a Friday or a Saturday, but if you want a Saturday, I recommend reserving your engagement session at least 2-3 months in advance, if it's during wedding season.
My turnaround time for engagement images is typically within 2 to 4 weeks, so, schedule your engagement session to take place at least a month before you plan to send out your save-the-dates, if you plan on using your images for that purpose. According to Zola.com, "Within the grand timeline of wedding planning, sending your Save the Dates lands around 8 months for a destination wedding and 6 months for a local wedding." Here's the full article for more.
(And Wedding Invitations typically go out 6 to 8 weeks prior to your wedding day.)
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
When it comes to color, white, neutrals and light colors photograph very well. With regards to style, here are some general, gender-specific style tips:
Her
Wear a white or light-color dress (or two) with heels (but bring comfy slip-on shoes for walking in between spots if needed). Be sure to wear something that will help you with any insecurities (not make you feel more insecure). For example, if you hate your upper arms, I'd recommend wearing a slightly longer sleeve - or, a cute jacket!
Him
Wear dress pants, a white button-up shirt, nice shoes, a belt that matches the shoes, and a blazer that matches the pants. For "two outfits", the blazer can be off for the first outfit and on for the second! For an even more elevated look, you can also include a tie with the blazer.
As a visual aide, here's my engagement style board on Pinterest!
But, if we're shooting on a beach or doing a mountain hike, there may be exceptions! I typically recommend avoiding jeans or shorts, but, rolled up jeans or shorts with a white or lightly colored shirt, and barefoot, is a great beach "guy" look. With a beach shoot, it tends to be better to start with the more elegant look and then change into the more casual look, so you can get wet in the 2nd one!
On a mountain hike, boots might be an essential for both of you! Of course, you can always wear something more comfortable until we get to that epic spot; just bring a blanket to change behind!
Overall tips: Make sure you love how you look in the mirror in whatever you plan to wear for the shoot! And if you want to go bold with color - or anything else that doesn't match my style guide - then just be true to yourselves, and go for it!
CAN WE PUT TOGETHER A PINTEREST BOARD OF POSES WE LIKE?
Yes! Creating a Pinterest board is a great way to help your vision come to life. You can add me as a collaborator so I can have easy access!
(Here is my Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rachelreynoldsco)
In order to capture both your Pinterest poses as well as some fun, in-the-moment, naturally candid shots, I just recommend putting together no more than 10 to 20 Pinterest poses. :)
SHOULD WE BRING ANYTHING?
Here are some things you might consider bringing:
- Champagne & glasses
- Picnic blanket
- Wedding date sign
- Items that are meaningful to your relationship
- Items that enhance your look, like a bouquet, hat, parasol, basket, fan, etc.
- Comfortable slip-on shoes to wear in between shooting while moving to other areas
- Jackets that you can put on in between shooting if the weather is cold
- Towels for beach sessions
- A bag for your wallet, cell phones, keys and other items so they are not in your pockets / hands during shooting
CAN WE SHOOT WITH OUR CAT(S)? CAN WE BRING OUR DOG(S) AND/OR OUR KID(S)?
Yes!
To include your cat, we can start at your home and then go to another location afterwards!
To shoot with your dog(s) or kid(s), I recommend that we shoot with them for part of the session, and then have someone take them for the other part of the session, so I can also get the chance to work with just the two of you alone!
WILL IT BE BOTH YOU AND MARK AT THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION?
It will just be me (Rachel), unless you want to add drone photography or an engagement video! If those interest you, just ask me about pricing!
Let's Go!
Please feel free to ask me if you have any other questions, and I can't wait to work with you!