Planning An Engagement Session
Part Two of Two

Planning an Engagement Session that’s perfect definitely takes a little bit of forethought, but with these tips and the ones in part one, you will be a pro at planning an Engagement Session! (See Part One here.)

Preparing your Fiancé for the Engagement Session – Are you stressing out about your upcoming Engagement Photography Session? Not sure if your fiancé is going to enjoy it or want to participate? Check out these tips for preparing your fiance for the engagement session!

Incorporate Hobbies for your Engagement Session – Gearing up for your Asheville Engagement Photography Session? A question I get is if you can incorporate hobbies for your engagement session. And the answer is yes! Some couples like to incorporate things that are important to them, likes sports teams or their car that is also their baby. I adore adding things like this to engagement sessions!

Planning Your Engagement Session Overview – If you want your pictures to really showcase your love story, we have some ideas to help you plan the perfect engagement session. Let us help you prepare for your session by sending us over the answers to the following questions.

Are Save The Dates Important? – I know that you’re planning a wedding, and I know that you are trying to save costs. So are save the dates important, really? Sending out Save the Dates are important for a few different reasons:

Displaying Photos In Your Home – Now that your session is over, it’s time to decide where you are going to put your photos and what will look best in your home. Check out these tips for the best ideas.

I hope all of these tips have helped you planning an engagement session! If you have any ideas you’d like to add comment below!

If you think that I might be the Asheville Engagement Photographer you’ve been looking for, lets chat!

Planning The Engagement Session
Part One of Two

When it comes to planning the engagement session, you know you want it to be perfect, but how do you do that! I’ve got some great tips here to ensure that planning the engagement session leads to perfection!

Finding Your Engagement Style – Finding your engagement session style is one of those things you really don’t need to be stressed about. The key is to look inward and to consider your current life habits, hobbies and interests. From there, you’ll be able to find your engagement session style and incorporate it into your photographs seamlessly.

Engagement Session Outfits – Not sure what engagement session outfits to pick out? We’re here to help! You should bring two to three engagement session outfits to your session so we can get a variety of different looks for you. We suggest the following.

Engagement Session PDA – Engagement sessions are about love and romance and the chemistry between the engaged coupleeagerly awaiting their wedding. It’s only natural that with love comes PDA. That’s right, folks: public displays of affection.
So how much Engagement Session PDA is appropriate?

Timing Your Engagement Session – When timing your engagement session, you want to get it just right and there are many factors to consider during this process. We’re here to help! Here’s a list of things you need to take into consideration when picking a session date.

Tips for Awesome Engagement Photos – Getting ready for your Asheville engagement session? If you need some extra tips, check out this list of 5 Tips for Awesome Engagement Photos I created just for you!

I hope that these tips for planning the engagement session were fantastic. Make sure to read Part Two!

AND if you think I might be the Asheville Engagement Photographer you’ve been looking for, lets chat!

Finding Your Engagement Session Style

Finding your engagement session style is one of those things you really don’t need to be stressed about. The key is to look inward and to consider your current life habits, hobbies and interests. From there, you’ll be able to find your engagement session style and incorporate it into your photographs seamlessly.

1. Think about your respective, and shared, hobbies and passions. For example, do you both love music? Or is cooking every night something you always do together? Maybe you love to go swing dancing.
2. Your respective professions can definitely contribute to your e-session style. Is he a firefighter? A scientist? A farmer? Is she a chef? A kindergarten teacher? A geologist? Whatever the case may be, incorporate your professional lives into your photographs. Maybe it’s as simple as a chalkboard, a hay bale, or a chef’s hat.
3. Are you into sports? Show some team spirit in your photographs with jerseys, sports equipment or something similar.
4. What’s your favorite kind of music? Are you both country lovers? Maybe you’re more into the classical music scene. Don’t be afraid to dress the part.
5. Where do you feel like you’re really in your element? Is it outdoors at your favorite park? In the museum perusing the art? Or maybe you love the buzz of a colorful city.
6. What always makes you two laugh or have fun? Maybe it’s a board game, or a visit to the fair or circus.

If you have any specific questions about finding your engagement session style, I’m happy to help! Just send me an email: jennifer@itsjenagain.com

Are you still looking for an Asheville Engagement Photographer? Send me a message here!

Tips for Awesome Engagement Photos

Getting ready for your Asheville engagement session? If you need some extra tips, check out this list of 5 Tips for Awesome Engagement Photos we created just for you!

1. Dress for the season. Think about the season as you prepare for your e-session. If it’s summer, make sure to dress appropriately so you and your fiancé aren’t getting sweat stains and red faces during the session. If it’s in winter, wear colors that will prevent you from blending into the snow. Just be aware of these things so you are comfortable and your photos will look the best they can be.
2. Choosing the best session time. In the morning and later in the evening are the best times for a session because of the amazing ‘golden hour’ lighting. If you have a session at noon, there is going to be harsh lighting and your photos will ultimately suffer.
3. Be prepared. Make a list of everything you need for your session – brush, lipstick, extra clothes, accessories, etc. Put them in the car and be ready to go. Along with that, get directions and a GPS, or your handy dandy smart phone, and program in the address of the session. You don’t want to get lost and cause unnecessary stress. Leave with plenty of time to spare.
4. Be excited. This is also part of being prepared. If you’re excited, it can’t help but rub off on your fiancé. He or she loves you and gets excited when you’re excited. Your significant other can’t help but get excited, too. So build up the hype and let him or her know how important this is to you and how fun it will be.
5. Relax. Do not, I repeat, do not, stress out about this. This is supposed to be fun. I know you’re worried about what you’re going to look like, if the weather is going to cooperate, etc., but the more you stress, the more likely you’ll read stiff or uncomfortable on camera. The more relaxed you are, the better your photos will be. Do what you can to prepare for the session and leave the rest up to me. That’s what I’m here for, so just take a breath and relax. Hey, maybe this is a prime excuse to spring for that massage?

Still looking for an Engagement Photographer? Send me a message here!

Incorporate Hobbies for your Engagement Session

Gearing up for your Asheville Engagement Photography Session? A question I get is if you can incorporate hobbies for your engagement session. And the answer is yes! Some couples like to incorporate things that are important to them, likes sports teams or their car that is also their baby. I adore adding things like this to engagement sessions!

Here are some things to remember when trying to incorporate hobbies for your engagement session:

Clothing – If you are super into sports, you can dress up in your favorite team’s jerseys or other team swag. If you’re having a vintage wedding, you can go along with that theme with your attire. If you like to dress up and go dancing, you can dress the part in your photos. Use your clothing to express your interests and hobbies as a couple. But always have another outfit that is not themed so that you have photos of both!

Props – Bringing props is going to be the easiest way to incorporate your hobbies into your session. It could be a guitar, a Scrabble game, your bikes, some paint for a colorful, messy session, etc. Bring your pets, take your boat for a spin around the lake, pack a picnic…the possibilities are endless.

Location – Another way that you can incorporate your interests is to think about locations that have significance to you. Where did you meet? Where did he propose? Where is your wedding going to take place? We can go to the lake, a sports stadium, the theater, your favorite bar or park, a hotel, the fair, etc. Think about places you love to hang out together. I’m open to ideas here, so just let me know what you’re thinking!

So really have fun and do what is you to incorporate hobbies for your engagement session.

Are you still looking to book an Engagement Photographer, send me a message here.

Preparing Your Fiancé for the Engagement Session

Are you stressing out about your upcoming Engagement Photography Session? Not sure if your fiancé is going to enjoy it or want to participate?

Check out these tips for preparing your fiance for the engagement session!

1. Make it worth his while. Motivate him in whatever way you think will make him want to participate in your session. If there’s something he’s wanted you to do that you haven’t done, now is the time to play that card. For example, if you don’t like watching football and he’s been asking you to go to a game with him, bribe him with that (or whatever works for your man).

2. In the time leading up to the session, explain to him what’s going to happen that day. He’s probably never done anything like this before and doesn’t know what to expect. He’s not on Pinterest all the time looking up cute engagement photos or anything like that, so he may not know anything about this kind of session, or even understand what it’s for. Tell him that the photographer is going to have you guys probably hold hands, cuddle, hug and kiss. You want to explain the session to him prior so it’s not scary for him and he won’t feel awkward as it’s happening. Let him know that it will be OK because you’ll be there the whole time and it will all be good.

3. He can have a drink during your session to help loosen you up. (Remember the goal is not to get drunk, but to ease his nerves. So one… maybe two drinks at most.) Preparing your fiance for the engagement session includes settling his nerves, and yours as long as you don’t drink and drive!

4. Be extra lovey with him before the session. Picture day is super stressful, so it’s easy to get into a fight beforehand. Make a point to be more loving and patient during this stressful time. This will make the photos better because you’re not upset with each other due to something that happened that morning due to stress. You’ll be able to relax and be more affectionate during the session.

5. Explain the importance of the photos to him. Let him know, “I know this stressful and you don’t want to do it, but I want tomorrow to be all about us. In 50 years I want to look back on these photos. These are important.” This way he doesn’t think it’s just something that is on his checklist that he has to do before the wedding, but that they are important to you. He loves you; he’ll do it for you.

6. Incorporate his ideas in the session. When preparing your fiance for the engagement session, ask him if he has any ideas for the session. If he has something he wants to do, then he will be more excited about them because he will feel involved and like it’s about him too, not just all about you. Think about what makes you guys unique as a couple and incorporate those ideas into the session, whether it be a location, props, clothing, etc. Here is a great article if you want to Incorporate Hobbies For Your Engagement Session.

Are you still looking for an Engagement Photographer? If so, I’d love to chat with you! Contact me here.

Timing Your Engagement Session

When timing your engagement session, you want to get it just right and there are many factors to consider during this process. We’re here to help! Here’s a list of things you need to take into consideration when picking a session date:

1. If you are going to display your engagement photos at your wedding, and you are doing outside portraits, try to plan your engagement session in the season that you are having your wedding. This way, it matches your wedding décor.

2. Keep in mind that whenever you are planning your portraits is probably a busy season for photographers. Be sure to book early so you can get a good spot. You also need to remember that if you’re doing outdoor photos, you have to cater to the weather. Sometimes the weather is crazy and we have to reschedule. We’ve had clients have to reschedule four times before due to rain, etc. Be sure to book a backup date in case your first one gets rained out.

3. Remember that you and/or your fiancé may need to take some time off of work for the session. We may not have any availability when you’re available because, even though we try to be accommodating, we don’t shoot every day or may already be booked on your day off (i.e. Weekends).

4. Book early enough to use your photos for Save the Date cards, etc. Don’t forget about editing, printing, and mailing times. Allow enough time for the whole process and still have them to your guests on time.

5. If you’re doing a slideshow at your wedding and want to use your engagement photos in it, don’t wait until a month before your wedding to take your engagement photos and then stress and worry as you try to hurry to get them back and into the presentation. You have to allow editing time in your schedule.

More Info

Are you still looking for an Asheville Engagement Photographer? If so, I’d love to chat with you. Contact me here!

Even though I’m primarily an Asheville Photographer, I will travel for certain engagement sessions. Contact me for more information.

Engagement Session PDA

Engagement sessions are about love and romance and the chemistry between the engaged couple eagerly awaiting their wedding. It’s only natural that with love comes PDA. That’s right, folks: public displays of affection.

So how much Engagement Session PDA is appropriate?

You are madly in love with your finace right? Your pictures should show your absolute love for each other and intimate ‘lovey-dovey’ images express that best.

Don’t worry, I don’t mean I’m going to have you completely grope each other during your session – those aren’t pictures grandma wants to hang on her fridge.

But during your session, I will ask you to hold hands, hug, cuddle, and even kiss. Maybe even whisper things to each other in order to evoke true emotion from each of you.

This is part of my normal workflow for engagement sessions. I just wanted to give you a heads up before your session so you know what to expect and have time to practice.

And if you’re absolutley not OK with PDA – that’s fine too. Just let me know and we’ll still get some awesome engagement photos :).

If you’re still looking for an Engagement Photographer, I’d love to chat with you! Contact me here.

Engagement Session Outfits

Not sure what engagement session outfits to pick out? We’re here to help! You should bring two to three engagement session outfits to your session so we can get a variety of different looks for you. We suggest the following:

• Bring a ‘Dressy’ Outfit

It’s not every day you get to get all dressed up with your sweetheart and take photos together. Use this session as an excuse to really go all out and get fancied up! I’m not saying you have to wear a gown and tux (unless you want to), but maybe a dress or skirt for you, and a suit or nice slacks and a button up shirt for your fiancé. This outfit will be great for save the date cards, or the announcement in your local newspaper.

• Go Casual

We also suggest you bring a more casual outfit. This outfit is ideal for your more fun, relaxed photos. Tailored jeans and a nice shirt are always a great choice, especially if we are going to be walking around in nature a lot. Make sure to bring shoes specifically for this outfit, too.

• Coordination is Key

The most important thing to remember is to coordinate. You don’t want to be matchy-matchy, but you want to coordinate. Choose similar colors and styles that photograph well together. For example, you don’t want to wear jeans if your fiancé is wearing a suit and tie in the same photo. Also remember to dress for the location. For example, if you are doing a natural, rustic or vintage session, you’ll want to stay away from bright colors and opt for neutrals instead.

• Things to Avoid

Logos, unless we’re doing a sports session and you’re wearing jerseys, etc. Patterns – Try to stick with solid colors or minimal patterns. Plaid shirts are fine as long as your fiancé isn’t wearing stripes or polka dots. It’s a good rule of thumb to only have one partner wearing a pattern at a time. Fluorescent colors – These don’t photograph well and also can cast bright color tones on your skin.

If you have any further questions or want to discuss your outfits, you can contact me at jennifer@itsjenagain.com or via this link.

Still looking for an Engagement Photographer? I’d love to chat!

Planning Your Engagement Session

If you want your pictures to really showcase your love story, we have some ideas to help you plan the perfect engagement session. Let us help you prepare for your session by sending us over the answers to the following questions:

• Where did you first meet?

If you want to add some sentimental value to your session, tell me about how you first met. If it was at a local place, we can stop by during your session and recreate the scene.

• What do you like to do together?

What kinds of activities do you enjoy doing together? This will help us to create memorable photos for you. Do you love riding your bikes together or racing model airplanes? Do you go to the park and push each other on the swings or playing laser tag together? Tell us your hobbies and we will try to incorporate them.

• Where/how did he propose?

We would love to recreate this moment for you during your session. This is the moment you decided to spend the rest of your lives together. This is important, especially if we were not able to capture this moment as it was actually happening. We want you to be able to share your proposal story with photos to go along with it!

• What are your common interests?

By informing us of your interests, we can add a more personal touch to your photos. Are you both fans of the same sports team? Are you really into comic books or video games? Do you work in the same profession?

• Do you have any pets together?

If so, they make a perfect addition to your session. We welcome your pets in your e-session.

• Do you have ‘a spot’?

You know that place where you always wind up going on date night? Where was your first kiss? What is your favorite hang out spot? Tell us your favorite go-to locations and we can check them out to see if they would be good spots for a photo shoot.

Still looking for a Asheville Engagement Photographer? Click here to contact me!