ENGAGEMENTS

Engagement sessions are one of my favorite things to photograph. These are relaxed, personalized shoots built around you as a couple — your dynamic, your energy, the way you actually are together. If you’re a wedding client who wants a session before the big day, or you’re simply ready to celebrate this chapter, I’d love to make it happen. Sessions outside Connecticut may be subject to travel fees.

Engagement Photography

Why Book an Engagement Session?

Think of it as a practice run — for both of you and your photographer. Before your wedding day, you’ll have spent real time in front of the camera. You’ll know what to do with your hands, how to move naturally, and what angles you love. That comfort carries directly into your wedding photos.

It’s also one of the only times in your life you’ll have professional photos taken as just the two of you. No wedding party, no family, no timeline pressure. Once you’re married and life picks up speed, that window closes fast. An engagement session captures this specific chapter — newly engaged, excited, just the two of you.

Will our engagement session help our wedding photographer?

Significantly. Every couple has their own dynamic — the way you laugh together, how you stand, what makes you both relax. An engagement session lets your photographer learn all of that before the wedding day, so they’re not figuring it out during the twenty minutes you have for portraits between the ceremony and reception.
What if we’re not comfortable in front of a camera?

That’s exactly why you do this first. Most couples feel awkward for the first ten or fifteen minutes of any shoot. An engagement session burns through that awkwardness in a low-stakes setting, so by the time your wedding day arrives, you’re already pros.

When should we book our engagement session?
Sooner rather than later — especially if you want seasonal photos or have a specific location in mind. If you’re also a wedding client, booking early means your gallery is ready to use for save-the-dates and wedding websites.

Where do sessions take place?

On location, wherever makes sense for you. Connecticut has no shortage of great settings: shoreline spots, open fields, wooded trails, historic architecture, downtown streets.

If you have a place that’s meaningful to your relationship, that’s always the first conversation worth having.

How long is a session?

Most sessions run between one and two hours. That’s enough time to work through a couple of locations, let you settle in, and capture a range of moments without it feeling like a marathon.

Are travel fees involved?

Sessions within Connecticut are straightforward. If you’re interested in a location outside the area, travel fees may apply — just ask and we’ll figure out the details together.

Frequently Asked Questions

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As soon as you know you want one. Popular seasons like fall foliage, spring blooms, and golden summer evenings fill up fast. If you have a specific date or location in mind, don't wait. A signed contract and retainer are what actually hold your spot.
Most engagement sessions run about 90 minutes. That's enough time to work through one or two locations, let you settle in and forget the camera is there, and capture a real range of moments without the whole thing feeling exhausting.
Choose something you'd feel confident and comfortable in for a nice evening out. Coordinating colors photograph better than perfectly matched outfits, and solid tones or subtle textures tend to hold up better on camera than busy patterns or large logos. If you'd like to incorporate a second outfit for a change of look mid-session, just mention it ahead of time and we'll plan accordingly.

Clothing:

Horizontal stripes add visual width and pull the eye in the wrong direction. Loud or neon colors overpower the frame and compete with your faces. Busy prints and large logos create visual noise that's hard to edit around. Head-to-toe white can blow out in bright outdoor light, and all-black can flatten the image. When in doubt, earth tones, muted jewel tones, and soft neutrals photograph beautifully across most settings.

Before the session:

Skip the spray tan or tanning bed in the days leading up to your shoot. Fresh tan skin often reads as orange or red on camera, and that's a difficult correction in editing. If you want a little color, give it at least a week to settle. Same goes for dramatic haircuts or color changes — right before your session is not the time to try something new.

On the day:

Avoid scheduling your outdoor session in the middle of the day when the sun is directly overhead. Harsh midday light creates unflattering shadows and causes squinting. Early morning and the hour before sunset are ideal. Also, skip the heavy lunch right before.
Start with what feels like you. A spot that's meaningful to your relationship will almost always produce better photos than a generic pretty backdrop. Connecticut has plenty to work with: shorelines, open fields, wooded trails, historic neighborhoods. If you're unsure, that's part of the conversation we'll have before your session.
As a general rule, budget 2 to 4 weeks. Turnaround times vary by season. Engagement sessions during a busy wedding season may take longer. If you need images by a specific date for save-the-dates or a wedding website, mention that at booking so it can be factored in.

They are not. The high-resolution files do not bear any watermarks. We only watermark images that we post on social media.

Show up a few minutes early, eat beforehand, and leave the shot list at home. The best images come from genuine moments, not choreography. Plan to feel a little awkward at the start — that's completely normal and it passes quickly. If smiling on command isn't your thing, just tell us ahead of time. Getting a natural smile out of you is part of the job, and we're good at it. The goal is to walk away with photos that actually look like the two of you.