Preparing for your engagement session | Jenn Terrell Photography |Arkansas And Beyond

Let’s be real; for most of us having our photo taken can be a little intimidating. I totally get that because I feel it too! As soon as the camera is pointed in my direction I clam up and think “Oh my gosh, what do I do with my hands???” and I am a dang professional! This is where the photographer’s skill comes in. My first task is to make you feel comfortable and I love doing that. Seeing clients feel good about themselves in front of my camera is one of the greatest things about this job, truly! Seeing your face light up when you see the photograph we have just created is the ultimate reward! I have a few methods for making you feel and show the best version of you. Part of it is jokes and easy-to-follow instructions so you don’t ever have to worry about where to put your hands. Part of it is helping you build confidence by seeing yourself in the photos we create together. There are a few other things but you will see when we work together 😊 Once you arrive at your session I will take care of everything there but there are a few things, listed below, you can do and keep in mind while preparing for your session.

Choose an outfit that you feel best in. Choose an outfit that you both love and feel great it! It will give you a little boost of confidence that will shine through your images. It is usually best to stay away from large prints or big printed words unless there is a specific reason for it. Feel free to bring a couple of outfits. If you are really struggling to decide reach out to your photographer. I always encourage clients to send me photos if they are narrowing down outfits or need advice. Your photographer should be able to help you decide on the best outfit for your location(s). Certain colors will stand out based on location.
For outfit ideas visit my Pinterest board.

Prepare your outfit and accessories at least a day ahead of time. Taking that extra time to prepare will have you thanking yourself on the day of the engagement session in case you have any setbacks. Traffic might be slower than usual. You might get out of work late. Lots of things tend to happen when we are in a hurry so being super prepared helps to avoid being in a rush. My mind is also really scattered when I am rushing so having that extra bit of preparation helps to keep you calm and at ease to be yourself during the session. *Also, as a super over achiever tip: You can consider having a back up outfit in case you spill anything on your current outfit it while getting ready or on the way to the session.

Arrive early. Get there early. Assess the location. Get comfortable there. If your photographer is there early too this just gives you some extra time to chat and get comfortable before the session begins. Arriving early also gives you some wiggle room if you get stuck in traffic, spill your coffee, lose your phone under the seat of your car (like me way too often 😁) or any random unforeseen setback.

Maybe grab some coffee, a drink, or do something fun before the session. Maybe have a coffee date, grab a local beer, or cuddle up in front of the TV and watch a couple of Office episodes. If you have any pre-session jitters do something fun to help you relax and get ready to have some fun during the session. Plus, it is always nice to take some time together - why not make an entire evening out of! :)

If you are planning on doing a make up trial have it done for the session. Some clients use this an opportunity to test out their wedding looks. This is a great way to see how your wedding make up will look and photograph to make sure it is what you want for your wedding day.

If there are things or places that are sentimental to you and your boo use them. This can be in your outfit, accessories, the location, etc. It is nice to incorporate things that are important to you. Maybe you have a necklace that your grandmother gave you or a sweater that your dad passed down to you. Maybe you would like your engagement photos to be taken at the first place you met or had a date. Sentimental items can bring back memories and make you feel more at home. They also make for a great story! I love including bits like this in blog posts about your session 😊

Do you boo-boo! Have fun and be you! This session is supposed to be fun! You get to slow down for a moment and cuddle with your boo. You get to laugh, dance a bit (if you want to!), and just be with your love for a little bit. I often have my couples just embrace each other with a good, long hug. This brings the sweetest and most genuine smiles to their faces.