When couple’s reach out to me and ask me for engagement session tips about how to feel, ahem, not completely awkward, we usually start by getting to know each other. A lot initial time together is spent building that connection right away so they love their engagement images no matter what the weather conditions are!

So while you snag some inspo from Erika and Sam’s Boulder Engagement session, I’ll be sneaking in my 4 favorite engagement session tips throughout this post.

Let’s get started! Shall we?

Engagement Session Tip 1: Bring Props!

The best part about a lifestyle session is that it’s all about capturing real, honest moments and emotions. Although so many of my sessions include direction and prompts, I always try to encourage couples to bring something with them that they love to do together, or to bring their dog!

If you don’t have a dog, or don’t want to include that sweet little bugaroo with you during your session you can always bring a prop. I’ve had couple’s bring blueberries to toss into each others mouth, eat ice cream at a local ice cream shop or drink coffee or bring a blanket.

Other ideas of non-cheesy props to bring: blanket, books, a vintage coffee mug with cute cups, build a fire (if those are allowed), or even change the scenery and head indoors.

Engagement Session Tip 2: Find a place for your hands.

This is the number one question I get asked about either before or during an engagement session and you can read more tips here. My goal is to always coach you through this because sometimes PDA is what really makes this whole thing awkward, but it doesn’t have to feel that way.

So here are a few great places to start (if you feel comfortable, of course!).

• Hold hands

• Grab each other’s faces— my favorite is a great chin grab

• Butttttt (speaking of butts)… I also love a great butt grab 🙂

The goal of an engagement session is to capture your connection. So much of how we portray that is through physical touch (love languages, anyone?)

It doesn’t have to be serious or even go as far as butt grabs, but what really matters is that these gestures are authentic to your relationship and that’s what’s caught on camera!

Engagement Session Tip 3: Dress Confidently

I can’t stress this enough. In order to feel confident before, during and after your shoot, show up wearing something you love!

To me, body confidence isn’t having the perfect body or hiding all the imperfections, but it’s showing up feeling like your look your damn best.

If you have jeans that are your favorite, but have become a little snug and make you feel insecure, run out and grab a new pair. If you want to wear a dress, but the straps keep falling off and you’re worried about them the whole time, maybe find something that won’t cause you to worry during your session.

My point is, your body is already beautiful and perfect the way it is. When you wear the right clothes for you during your engagement session, you’ll feel it, too!

Follow these four quick guidelines:

1. Create a clear vision of outfit inspo and choose items to wear that reflect that. My favorite place to create a vision is Pinterest. But duh. You already know that.

2. Invite a trusted friend to help you pick out what to wear!

3. Coordinate, don’t match. We’re not trying to recreate the 80s (at least not yet).

4. Plan ahead of time. If you plan on buying something new, carve out time to go shopping plenty of time before your engagement session!

Engagement Session Tip 4: Hire the Right Photographer for YOU!

Shameless plug, of course, but… is it?

I’ve had tons of couples tell me they’re having a friend with a nice camera take their engagement photos. This is okay… but when it comes to the wedding day, I can tell they aren’t nearly as confident as my couple’s who’ve had an engagement session with me.

Not only does this add excitement to your big day, but it’s also one less thing to worry about!

When you are hiring a photographer for your engagement session, elopement or wedding, make sure you have a connection and have seen their work before (with real couples)!

Okay, so now here’s the shameless plug (because of course, I couldn’t resist, hehe). You can get in touch here if you think we’d be a great fit!

Quick recap of the 4 engagement session tips:

• Bring fun, non-cheesy props!

• Find a place for your hands.

• Wear something that makes you feel confident for your engagement shoot.

• Hire someone you trust to capture this special time in your life!

So, now I need to know… What’s helped you rock your engagement session?