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ENGAGEMENT SESSION
PLANNING YOUR
choosing the perfect time, location, outfit & More!
Welcome
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
YOU'RE ENGAGED! I'm so excited to be sharing this time with you guys and I cannot even wait for our time together during your engagement session! If you're a little nervous, don't worry! It’s completely normal. I always tell people that I STILL get nervous before having my photos taken - and I do this for a living!
I'm a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable with me as your photographer AND in front of the camera. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed! Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why I’ve found that wedding day portraits turn out SO much better when my couples do engagement sessions ahead of time!
Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is signficant to the two of you (and even include pets!). While they’re great for save-the-dates, I’ve taken engagement photos anywhere from 18 months in advance to a few days before the wedding.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session, so I made this guide as a helpful tool for you both - packed with every single tip I know on how to make your engagement session the best it can be!
I’ll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets & how to manage them, location ideas and more! Sit back, grab a glass of wine, and let's engagement session prep!
xo, Demi
I totally get it. Having your picture taken for 1-2 hours might not be in your top-10 favorite things to do during your downtime. And at first you might feel sort of awkward being in front of the camera. But I PROMISE you - by the end of the session, it’s a lot easier than you thought, and you even had a little fun :) I look forward to it because it’s a great opportunity for us all to hang out a bit before the wedding day!
The Guys
A NOTE TO
I photograph engagement sessions the way I like to be photographed myself: outdoors, in natural light, because I love images that are clean, bright, fresh and timeless. Images that look and feel like you! That’s why I begin all of my sessions 1-2 hours before the scheduled sunset – during the magical “golden hour” – when the light in the sky is the softest, dreamiest and most flattering.
I always use a sunset calculator online to determine the scheduled sunset for the date and location you’d like to do your session. If you’re wearing one outfit, we’ll start your session about 90 minutes before sunset. If you're wearing two outfits, about 2 hours! When scheduling your date, it’s important to remember that the sun sets much earlier during the colder months of the year and much later during the warmer months, so make sure to factor that in when choosing your engagement session date – especially if you’re taking off work or have evening plans afterward. I always recommend going out for a fun date night afterward since you’re already dressed up!
My weekends fill up fast and far in advance, but my weekdays are much more flexible. So if you’d like to do your session sooner rather than later, scheduling mid-week is the way to go!
Scheduling your Session
TIME & LIGHT
While I shoot most of my engagement sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year long! Most of my couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Seasons
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Winter
snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats
If you’re planning to take your engagement photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset! I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.
Spring
fresh flowers and sunny days
Even though Spring begins in March, North Carolina's weather can always be a bit unpredictable! We sometimes never know when the flowers will begin to bloom and it will warm up, so my spring sessions usually start more towards April. But when I schedule spring session dates, I typically schedule both a primary date and a backup date in case of rain!
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Summer
walks on the beach hand in hand
In spite of the heat, I'm a big fan of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your engagement photos during the summer, I always recommend bringing extra makeup and a few hand towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
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Fall
colorful leaves and snuggling close
Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year on the East Coast and because of the perfect weather, my schedule fills up during this season the fastest! If you have your heart set on a fall engagement session, I recommend scheduling it as soon as you book!
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If your wedding is local, save the dates should be sent between 6 and 8 months before the wedding! For a destination wedding, you’ll want to send them out 8 to 10 months before the wedding.
If you’re hoping to use your engagement photos for your save the dates, I recommend scheduling your session at least two months before you plan to send out your save-the-dates. Between inclement weather, editing, designing your save-the-dates and printing, two months is generally a safe amount of time to make sure your images and cards are ready!
Save-the-dates
Allow yourself more time than you think you'll actually need! When you’re planning "getting ready" time before your session (scheduling your hair, makeup, etc.) please give yourself a lot more time than you think you'll need. Make sure to account for things like traffic, getting lost and parking, so you can prevent unnecessary stress, arrive a few minutes early to your session and be ready to start on time. We’re only able to shoot when light is still in the sky, so we’ll want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down!
Planning Your Time
getting ready
Locations
CHARLOTTE AND DESTINATION ENGAGEMENT LOCATIONS
I LOVE when couples choose a location for their session that complements their wedding or their relationship. For example, if you’re planning a traditional, southern wedding, the Duke Mansion gardens is the perfect location! If your favorite place to vacation is Charleston, wandering the streets together for your engagement session would be a perfect fit! The best session locations are often meaningful places to you! However, I'm also happy to make recommendations. From ski slopes to lavender fields to apple picking and college campuses, the options for engagement session locations are truly endless!
Charlotte Convention Center (outside)
"The Green" in Uptown
First Ward Park
Midtown Park
Romare Bearden Park
Target Parking Deck (skyline)
urban charlotte
The Andrews Farm
The Duke Mansion
Fisher Farms
Freedom Park
McGill Rose Garden
Park Road Park
Wing Haven
GARDEN & Greenery
Jetton Park
North Harbor Club Marina
Sailing / Boating on Lake Norman
lakeside
The Biltmore Estate
asheville
*pro tip: if there is a wedding venue that you love, oftentimes they are willing to let couples pay a small fee to use their grounds for their shoot! DREAM BIG!
Downtown Charleston
Folly Beach Nature Preserve
Magnolia Plantation
Sullivan's Island
charleston
Childress Vineyards
Raffaldini Vineyards
LOCAL(ISH) VINEYARDS
Destination Engagement Sessions
While I do take most of my engagement sessions in the Charlotte area, I also take a fair share of destination engagement sessions! I've photographed couples everywhere from Atlanta to New York City, Jacksonville Beach to Phoenix. If you have a location in mind that is significant to the two of you, let me know because if our schedules align, I'd LOVE to take your engagement photos outside Charlotte!
*Travel fees may apply depending on the location and my availability.
Our pup, Winston, is an obvious part of our family, which is why I love when my couples choose to incorporate pets into their session! Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
I recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then either dropping them off or having a friend take them home. I won’t use your fur baby in every single photo, so it’s also nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to bring your pet, I recommend exercising your pet before the session if you can and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.
Pets
Outfits
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST
When picking outfits I recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if your man is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, you may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It is also a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones!
Generally couples pick two outfits for an engagement session choose a more formal outfit and a casual outfit. I recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session! That way, you'll usually feel more comfortable in front of the camera by that point in our session! And don’t forget to bring a few accessories! Statement necklaces, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits.
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There's nothing more romantic than a long, flowy dress. Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body —which is probably why the red carpet is always full of so many dresses and not very many pantsuits! I recommend choosing long, flowy dresses or skirts because they’re flattering on all body types, look amazing on camera and bring extra movement and dimension to your photos. Maxi (or floor length) skirts and dresses will give us the best “twirl factor,” add more romance to your walking photos, and look especially gorgeous when juxtaposed with nature, like the desert, forest, fields or beach. Cute, shorter cocktail-length dresses or midi skirts photograph beautifully as well. My brides who choose to bring two dresses will sometimes choose one of each! I recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress (or skirt!) or two! You won't regret it!
Say Yes to the Dress
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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Most of my brides who choose two outfits will bring one “wow” dress, and then another shorter cocktail-length dress or midi/maxi skirt for a more casual “us on a date” feel. But if you want to bring two “wow” dresses and forego the more relaxed dress altogether, give yourself permission to do it! The camera loves runway-esque apparel and so do we! Remember, though, you don’t have to bring two looks if it’s too stressful. If you’d rather just stick to one fabulous outfit, that’s fine, too! One look that you love will be so much better than one outfit you love and another you’re not very excited about. So, whether it’s one or two
is really up to you! If you’re having a hard time making up your mind, feel free to shoot me an email with pictures! I’d be happy to help you narrow down your options or give you my opinion about what will look best on camera!
Number of Outfits
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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When choosing colors for your outfits, I recommend selecting lighter, neutral tones and more muted shades. Bright, bold or neon colors are distracting and take the focus away from where it should be: you two and how much you love each other. You can never go wrong with light neutral colors like cream, taupe,
camel or light gray. The camera loves shades of soft pinks and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light-colored neutrals. That softer, more pastel-leaning color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments –– and especially complements the almost all skin tones!
Colors
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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As you're coordinating your outfit with your fiance's, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don't actually "match." You should each wear a different dominant color, but stay within a similar color palette family. So if you’re wearing a blush dress and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. Now he has his own dominant color (navy) while still incorporating a few touches of your color palette. Most of my brides choose their dress first, and then put together their fiance’s outfit based on that. That’s why I have a section for each of you!
Coordinating Looks
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images! Whether it’s a necklace, belt, bracelet, earrings, hat, or scarf, bringing an accessory or two can bring great visual interest to your photos, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention when paired together. For example, if you go with bolder earnings, you might want to choose a more humble necklace, or maybe even no necklace at all. Fresh florals in a crown or bouquet can be a really
romantic touch as well!
Accessories
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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Rent the Runway
ASOS
Morning Lavender
J. Crew
Anthropologie
Free People
Francesca’s
Jessakae
ModCloth
Hazel & Olive
Favorite Shops
Shop Ruche
Lulu's
H&M
Shabby Apple
Vici Dolls
Nordstrom
One Loved Babe
Arden
Filly Flair
Confeté
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
If you are local to Charlotte, make sure to check out the Borrowed and Blue Boutique. If not, check out these stores:
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Professional hair & makeup is at the top of my bride's engagement session checklist! It looks amazing on camera and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. You’ll have these photos forever, so this is the time to pamper yourself! Whether it’s lash extensions or blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. If you’re working with a makeup artist, have her apply your makeup in natural light (if possible) so that it looks fresh and not too heavy. Plus, that’s the type of light we’ll be shooting in, so it’ll give you the best expectation of how it will translate on camera. Most of my brides feel like their makeup is “too much” at first, since it’s more than they would wear on a normal day, so if you feel that way at the beginning, don’t worry! Good makeup artists know how to get it just right for the camera — and my brides always love the final result. I'm more than happy to send you my recommended vendors or connect you with others in different cities if your session isn't in Charlotte!
Hair & Makeup
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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There will definitely be times during your session when I'll be shooting your hands holding or the engagement ring on your hand - which means it’s a good idea to clean up your nails before your session (this applies to the guys too!). An additional tip: get that ring cleaned before our time together so it's just as sparkly as the second he gave it to you!
Manicure
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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TOPS & BOTTOMS
The same way that a dress is the most flattering silhouette for the female body, a blazer, sport coat or suit jacket has the same flattering effect for men. You can’t go wrong with a dress shirt, slacks and a blazer, or a well-tailored suit.
COLORS
For colors, I recommend neutrals and soft, warm tones that complement your bride’s look. When selecting your pieces, I recommend choosing a different “weight” for the pants and coat. So for example, navy pants (darker) and a heather gray coat (lighter). Or gray pants (darker) with a soft powder blue shirt (lighter). If your groom is wearing a suit, solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye, so stay away from too strong of prints, and opt for solids instead.
Wardrobe
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the gents
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SUITS
When selecting a suit for photos, the most important part isn’t the price. It’s the fit. For men, it’s critical to have a suit jacket that fits snugly (but not too tight), and pants that are the correct length and don’t have too many breaks. Just like high heels make women look taller than they are, bunched up fabric stacked on top of a man’s shoes makes him look physically shorter than he really is. If you already have a suit that you like and want to wear at your session, make sure to try it on a few weeks beforehand (with the shoes you’ll be wearing) so you have time to make alterations if needed. If you don’t have a suit, now’s the perfect time to invest in something you’ll wear for the rest of your life! The best part? It’s a lot less expensive than you might think! While custom suits can cost thousands of dollars, some of the most well-known brands sell really nice off-the-rack suits for a fraction of the price that, with a few alterations from a good tailor, can be made to fit like a glove.
Wardrobe
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the gents
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Long pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet, and place it where you want it: on the face you fell in love with. So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts and sandals at home. Suit pants, dress pants or colored pants work best. Brown leather dress shoes complement almost every look, whether he’s wearing a full suit, or a blazer and colored pants. Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests, and watches are sharp complements to any suit. If you bring two suits to the session, you can start with a traditional necktie and belt, then switch to suspenders and a bow tie for your second look. If two suits are too stressful, no problem! One look will do the trick! A lot of my grooms wear one suit and just change their dress shirt and/or pocket square/tie. Other guys wear one pair of pants and change their jacket. You can still mix and match accessories to complement both of her dresses without doing a full change during the session. So, either way, you win.
Details
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the gents
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Express
ASOS
Suit Supply
J. Crew
Zara
Leather & Cotton
Jack Threads
Frank & Oak
Nordstrom
H&M
Urban Outfitters
Jos. A. Banks
OMJ Clothing
Wardrobe
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the gents
Inclement Weather
what to do if it rains
As your engagement session is approaching, I always make sure to keep an eye on the weather! I'll check in the week of your session to confirm the time and location where we're meeting. During this check-in, I'll also mention the weather!
If for whatever reason it's looking ominous and like rain, I like to wait until as close as we can to call it! However, to avoid you having to get entirely ready on the day of, we will always make a collective decision together the night before so we can go ahead and pick a new date and get hair and make-up rescheduled.
If I am traveling for your engagement session, regardless of the weather, we do have to push through and cross our fingers for no rain, as I'm traveling and can't always reschedule that! We can usually find pockets of time where it's not raining, though! Just remember - this is all worst case scenario!
When I can, I always try to take a photo of your ring during your engagement session - so it’s a good idea to have it cleaned or clean it yourself before your shoot! To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed. A trick I learned from a jeweler - works every time!
Ring Cleaning
Props
champagne is always a good idea
If you’re planning to bring props to your engagement session, I recommend including them only if they’re meaningful to you! Shots of drinking coffee at a local coffee shop would be cute if that’s where you met; champagne to celebrate if you both love it; however, trying to fly a kite together when it’s not a part of your relationship might get weird ;)
The first question of every session - haha! I PROMISE - when it comes to posing, you don't need to worry! I'll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural that lead to those precious, candid moments. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, (I'm known to make you say "ha-ha-ha!!"), it’s probably because I know it’s going to make the two of you laugh - and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for.
Throughout your session, I promise to double as a hair and makeup artist, too! I'll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy our time together!
"What do I do with
my hands"?
"What do I do
with my hands"?
POSING
Date Night
If you’re anything like me and the hubs, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often. Which means that the day of your engagement session is the perfect occasion for a date night (or brunch if your session is in the morning!)
Your engagement session is another part of celebrating your love and heading off to dinner is a great way to end the night!
As soon as possible after your session is complete, I’ll ship your film off to my lab in Utah. It normally takes them about 10 business days to send the digital files back to me - and then it takes me about a week to edit your images! Unless I have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your engagement photos between 3 and 4 weeks after your session.
When to Expect Your Images
I know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your engagement session! However, if there is something I missed or you need a recommendation, feel free to email me!
info@demimabry.com