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Is there anything more romantic than a photoshoot to capture your love? I don’t think so! Whether you want to practise posing before your wedding day or simply enjoy a fun moment together, here are five tips for a successful engagement session.
Wear comfortable clothes that fit your lifestyle
Choosing the right outfits can feel tricky, but it’s truly worth the effort since they have a big impact on the overall look of your images.
While we aim for something a bit more elevated than your everyday style, comfort should always come first. If you usually wear jeans and t-shirts, would you really feel at ease in a tight dress or a formal suit and tie? It’s a good idea to try your outfits for a full day before the session to make sure they feel right. If the fabric doesn’t breathe well, wrinkles easily or highlights things you’re not comfortable with, you’ll notice quickly and still have time to adjust.
Try to choose outfits that complement each other without being identical, since you don’t want to look like twins. Soft and natural tones are always a great choice. Not only do they photograph beautifully compared to darker or very saturated colours, but they also create timeless images that won’t feel dated over time. I also cover this more in depth in my article “Five photography mistakes and how to avoid them”.
If you’d like, you can also bring two outfits: one more elegant and one more casual. The first can be perfect for classic portraits often used for invitations, while the second reflects your everyday connection more naturally.
Pick the location carefully
Your session location plays an important role and should be chosen with intention. Some couples are drawn to beautiful scenery or architecture, while others prefer a place that holds personal meaning.
If you love nature, a park or outdoor setting will likely suit you better than an urban downtown vibe. If your ideal moment together is cozy and relaxed, an in-home lifestyle session might be perfect. Most places can work beautifully for engagement photos. For outdoor sessions, I usually recommend locations that are easy to access but still offer variety, so we can make the most of our time together while capturing different moods and backgrounds.
If you’re considering a private location such as a café or an orchard, make sure to contact the owners in advance for permission. Most are happy to accommodate when asked ahead of time. It also helps avoiding busy hours. Some public spaces, like the greenhouses at the Botanical Garden, require a pricey photography permit, so it’s important to factor that into your planning.
Plan your session around the light
Good light makes all the difference in photography. The most magical time for outdoor sessions is the “golden hour,” which occurs roughly 90 minutes before sunset. The light is soft, warm and flattering, and it helps avoid squinting while adding a dreamy feel to your images.
Living in a northern climate means the timing of golden hour changes a lot throughout the year. In summer, it can be around 7PM. In spring and fall, closer to 5:30PM. On the other hand, it can even happen as early as 2:30PM in winter.
Contrary to popular belief, midday is usually not ideal for outdoor sessions unless the sky is overcast. Between 11 M and 2PM, the light is at its harshest, which creates strong shadows and makes people squint. We can work around it by staying in open shade, but it limits our options. If possible, a golden hour session is always the best choice.
Bring props
While not required, props can help you feel more relaxed and give your hands something natural to do. This can be as simple as enjoying a coffee on a terrace or having a picnic in the park. It helps create more candid, authentic images since you’re not constantly thinking about the camera.
You can also choose props that reflect your relationship. For example, a canoe session on a lake can be perfect for a couple who loves cottage weekends. We can capture moments in the boat, then continue on the shore or dock to complete the story.
Seasons can also inspire ideas: a campfire with hot chocolate in winter, maple taffy at a sugar shack in spring or pumpkin picking in fall. The possibilities are endless!
Be natural and yourself
Most people are not used to being professionally photographed, so feeling a bit nervous is completely normal. This often leads to stiff poses or focusing too much on the camera, which can make the images feel less natural.
The best thing you can do is simply be yourselves. I will guide you throughout the session with gentle prompts, but your connection is what truly brings the photos to life. Laugh, talk, cuddle, kiss, walk hand in hand, whisper to each other or simply enjoy the moment together. Act as if no one is watching, and I promise you’ll love the results so much more this way!
Last update: April 2026
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