Engagement Session New York – How to Prepare for Your Session
We totally understand that this is your first engagement session! Read though this blog post for all the information you need to know to have an amazing experience and to make the most out of your engagement session in New York. Our goal is to reduce stress and to communicate what to expect. We want you to feel fully prepared so that when you come to your engagement session, be ready for some fun and feeling completely comfortable!
Tip #1 – Take the Day Off
We never regret the time we spend with the ones we love. Our engagement sessions are for you to grow closer, an opportunity to speak the love language of quality time. One fun idea is to commit the whole day to your relationship. Get a good night’s sleep, take the day off from work, and go on a breakfast date. Start your day in remembrance of when you first met each other; the excitement, the honeymoon feels, and the joy and exhilaration of the proposal day. Then meet up with us for your engagement session. Could you imagine how relaxed you would feel if the whole day was about you two?
Bonus: After the session, have a fun dinner date focused on only that, fun. No wedding planning stress, no pressure. Just fun with the one you love.
Click here to see our list of our favorite date night activities! (Coming soon)
Tip #2 – Bring the Right Mindset
Our mission here is to bring you freedom when it comes to the wedding experience, this includes the engagement session. What we recommend is to bring the right mindset to the session. Think of the engagement not as a photography session but as date between you two. We bring a unique (calm & positive) energy, helpful prompts, and music to help you connect with your partner. All you have to worry about is living in the moment for that time. Forget about making everything look perfect, remember to take the time to stay present.
Tip #3 – Wear the Right Clothes for the Season
It’s important to know the seasonal vibe you’d like to achieve for your engagement session. Do you want more of a relaxed in the field on a warm spring day? Or do you want a winter wonderland? Or something more adventurous like a hike, arcade, or city-scape?
General Clothing Tip
Photographs look best with either neutral colors or bold colors. Patterns should be subtle and not distracting. Comfortable and casual, or cocktail casual is recommended. Check out ideas below (with photos) for each season for your engagement session in New York.
Spring
Finally shaking off the winter chill, flowers are growing, the air is light and new life is blooming. Gleams of sunshine through the full clouds with the sweet smells of flowers.
Brides-to-be; a long to mid-length dress or skirt, dress shoes or tennis sneakers, light natural makeup and some light hair curls.
Our grooms-to-be, a fun colored patterned dress shirt, polo or solid color v-neck. Dress pants and new shoes.
Summer
Imagine a calm summer’s day, the birds are singing and the trees have a light wind breathing through their leaves. The air is a warm hug and the sun is shining brightly.
Brides-to-be a mid-length flowing sundress or skirt, dress sandals, light natural makeup and some light hair curls.
Our grooms-to-be, a light colored dress shirt, polo or nice v-neck. Our trusty black or tan dress pants, and comfy dress shoes.
Fall
The air is calm and sweet, getting ready to bring out the sweaters and put away the shorts and t-shirts. The pumpkins are coming out and the birds are starting to fly south. The best part of fall is the leaves are starting to change to their beautiful rich colors.
Our brides-to-be have some possible options for long dresses or skirts, a nice pair of those handy high waisted jeans or leggings, brown or black booties, ankle or calf boots, some fun accessories, a cardigan or jean jacket.
Our grooms-to-be, a neutral colored polo, dress shirt or flannel. A nice pair of dress pants or dark jeans.
Bonus Tip: Bring a nice jacket, just in case the temperatures are colder than expected.
Winter
The air is cool, cold and calm. A winter wonderland, a frozen pond, a snowy sunset, all a dream to those who love snow.
Our brides to be, a good pair of thermal lined leggings, or jeans. A warm knit sweater, a pair of cute calf high boots, and of course the accessories. Light curls or straight hair, natural makeup and some great moisturizer.
Our grooms to be, a light or dark colored jacket or flannel. Dark jeans, and a good pair of boots.
Pro Tip: Hand-warmers in your pockets!
Tip #4 – Choose the Right Location for Your Engagement Session in New York
While the season is important, so is the story that is unique to you. Are you and your fiancé avid hikers (like us)? Chasing waterfalls? Love the openness of a field with mountains in the background? Or are you more adventurous with a hot air balloon ride, canoe exploration in Lake Placid, wandering a city-scape, enjoying your favorite coffee spot, or a twilight picnic on a cool fall night.
Our first bit of advice when it comes to location, is consider your personal story together, and choose a location that is special to you two. Then consider your hobbies together or places that you both enjoy.
We send out a questionnaire that asks all those right questions so that we know what you may be interested in. Then we either pull from our list of the best locations we have been to, or go explore for a new spot just for you. We want to guide you though it all, and before the session we create a plan.
Check out some of these fun locations that we love:
Adventure Session Locations
- Whiteface Mountain (Lake Placid)
- Lake Placid Area (Canoe, Hiking, Overlooks)
- Prospect Mountain (Lake George)
- Shelving Falls & Mountain (Lake George)
- The Pinnacle (Lake George)
- Adirondack Balloon Festival (Lake George Sept 20-24, 2023)
Saratoga Area
Albany Area
- John Boyd Thacher State Park
- Empire State Plaza (New York Capitol)
- Arcade – Apex Entertainment
- Bowling – Spare Time (Clifton Park)
Click here to see our top list of engagement session locations in New York (Coming soon)
Recap of Engagement Session in New York
Thats it all of our recommendations for your engagement session. The overall goal and most important tip, is to have fun! We want to get to know YOU and you get to know US. Crack some jokes, tell us stories, laugh with us, and overall have a good time! We’re here to be excited about your engagement and prepare you for your upcoming wedding!
Looking for your Upstate New York Wedding Photographer? Click the link and start the conversation.
Need more help with planning your wedding in Upstate New York? Click the link to read the full guide.
