Preparing for Your Engagement Session
Hey there Lexington Kentucky lovebirds! Kat here, owner of Kat’s Photos LLC. All of my wedding packages include an engagement session and style guide. This is a great way to build a relationship with me before your wedding day and get comfortable in front of the camera.
A huge part of making or breaking the final result is your attire. A lot of people struggle picking an outfit which is why I’ve attached my guide below. Dress up or down, or bring multiple outfits for multiple locations. The options are limitless!
I also do in person gallery reveals for engagement sessions if I am doing your wedding too! This way we can analyze what you absolutely loved so I know what prompts you want me to for sure include on your big day.
Choosing a Location
The location of your session is up to you! The first thing to decide is whether you’d like your session to have an urban or natural feel. Are you city people who love culture and architecture? Let’s do some photos in downtown Lexington! Or do you love nature and trees? Queenslake farm or Cove Springs are perfect for that! Want a unique look? Shaker Village, Keenland, and the KY Horse Park are stunning!
Here are a few of my favorite shoot locations where I regularly book sessions. Feel free to choose from among these or make a suggestion of your own. Do you have a favorite spot that’s filled with happy memories? Let’s make it happen.
- Cove Springs – Frankfort
- Buffalo Trace – Frankfort
- Castle & Key – Frankfort
- Keenland – Lexington
- KY Horse Park – Lexington
- The Square Parking Garage and downtown – Lexington
- Queenslake Farm – Georgetown
Your photo session is an opportunity to think outside the box! I encourage you to brainstorm unique locations that you might have special access to that most people don’t. Or maybe you, or someone in your personal or professional network, can secure permission to a location that would otherwise be off-limits, like a beautiful private estate or industrial space. Maybe it’s a family ranch, upscale hotel, or airplane hangar. The sky is literally the limit! You’ll be surprised with what you come up with. Plus, if something seems out of reach, just remember: you never know until you ask!
What to Wear – For Her
DON’T BE AFRAID TO DRESS IT UP
Have you dreamed about rocking a romantic gown, tulle skirt, or flower crown, but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance to do it up! Remember: there is no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your portrait session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun!
Dresses and skirts look most stunning because they really flatter every female body, especially on camera. What’s more, a full and flowy skirt is like a built-in “prop,” giving you something to twirl and swirl, and adding effortless movement and interest to your photos. I recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress instead.
When choosing color(s) for your outfits, I recommend selecting soft, light tones and muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces.
Black, though slimming, becomes very shapeless in photos. Avoid black if you can, but if you must wear it, go minimal. Trust me, no black. You won’t regret it.
A solid-colored fabric with texture is always a winner, but if you don’t want to wear (or don’t have) a solid-colored dress, select a print that is minimalist and understated, rather than bold and design-forward. Think dainty florals, repetitive geometric motifs, or small stripes. Another way to add visual interest is to opt for texture like lace, linen, denim, chiffon, or tulle. Try to avoid smaller patterns and ribbed textures as they can create something called moiré in the images.
Flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos, especially when paired with nature.
Consider a cut that allows for beautiful movement in the images.
If you’re an expecting mother, I always recommend floor-length gowns or maxi dresses. Whether form-fitting or loose and flowy, these dresses create the best silhouettes to flatter your figure and really highlight your bump.
What to Wear – For Him
Long, fitted pants and closed-toed shoes are a very sophisticated look for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on his face. Fitted dress pants or fitted solid-colored pants work best on camera. Denim looks great if it’s nice denim. Pinstripes and plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. I also strongly recommend staying away from graphics and logos.
Feel free to mix a suit coat, blazer or sport coat with a different pant color. It adds some extra visual interest, and breaks up the color tones. This is a fresh take on a timeless classic!
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, watches, and statement rings are sharp complements to any outfit for men and boys alike.
Session Checklist
- Set date, time and location
- Review guide for style tips
- Select outfits
- Schedule hair and makeup appointments (if desired)
- Pack a bag with:
- Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo spots (if you choose to wear heels)
- Touch-up makeup and towels to dab sweat
- Water
One Final Note
I know that all of this is a lot to think about. I created this to help make your session experience something you look back on for years to come. At the end of the day though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together. Your future memories are the most important thing to me, and I want your session to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy. Have fun together. Laugh a lot. And I’ll take care of the rest!
