Let me guess: you booked your engagement session, felt really good about it, and then approximately three days later started spiraling.
What do we do with our hands? What if we’re both awkward? What if the photos look stiff and posed and nothing like us?
I hear this from almost every couple I work with, and I’m here to tell you it’s completely normal, and also: it’s going to be fine. Better than fine, actually.
Here’s an honest, no-fluff breakdown of what your engagement session will actually look like from start to finish.
The First 15 Minutes Are Always a Little Awkward
I don’t care how photogenic you think you are (or aren’t), the first stretch of any session has a learning curve. You’re getting used to having a camera pointed at you, figuring out how to stand, wondering if you’re smiling too much or not enough.
This is normal. It happens with literally every couple I’ve ever photographed.
My job during those first few minutes isn’t to get perfect shots, it’s to get you out of your head. We’ll walk, I’ll talk, I’ll give you something to do or react to, and before you know it, you’ve forgotten I’m there.
The best photos from your session? They almost always happen in the second half, once you’ve settled in.
You Don’t Need to Know How to Pose
Here’s something nobody tells you: posing is my job, not yours. You don’t need to show up with a Pinterest board of poses you want to recreate (though you’re welcome to have one if it helps you feel prepared).
What I’m looking for are real moments: the way you lean into each other mid-laugh, the way one of you reaches for the other’s hand without thinking. My whole approach is documentary at heart. I’m not staging a photo shoot; I’m creating the conditions for something genuine to happen and then capturing it.
I might ask you to walk together, whisper something to each other, or just ignore me entirely. That’s intentional. The goal is always authenticity over performance.
What to Wear (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)
You don’t need to match perfectly, but you do want to coordinate. Think about it less as “a look” and more as a color story, choosing tones that complement each other and fit the vibe of your location.
A few things that always photograph beautifully:
- Solid colors and soft textures over busy patterns
- Outfits you actually feel like yourself in, not just “dressed up”
- Layers, jackets, or accessories that add visual interest
- Shoes you can actually walk in, especially if we’re in a field, park, or venue with uneven ground
Avoid: matching head-to-toe in the same color (it reads a little flat), logos, and anything you’ve never worn before. The last thing you want is to be distracted by uncomfortable shoes or a waistband that digs in.
Location Shapes Everything
If you’re not sure where to do your session, I’m happy to make suggestions based on your wedding venue, your personalities, and the aesthetic you’re going for.
Northern Virginia has incredible options, from historic estates to golden fields to tree-lined trails that go full autumn magic in October. If you already have a meaningful spot in mind (where you got engaged, a neighborhood you love, somewhere that just feels like you), even better.
The most important thing is that the location feels true to you. Not the most Instagrammable backdrop, but the one that actually makes sense for your story.
How Long Does It Take?
Most sessions run about an hour to an hour and a half. That’s plenty of time, especially once you factor in that first 15 minutes of warm-up. We won’t need to be anywhere for hours; we’re just moving through a space together, reacting to the light, and letting things unfold.
If you have dogs, bring them. If there’s a specific time of day you love (golden hour is chef’s kiss, just saying), let’s plan around it. The session should feel like an experience, not a task.
The Bottom Line
You’re going to be awkward for a minute. Then you’re going to forget I’m there. Then you’re going to end up with photos that actually look like you two; candid and warm and real.
That’s the whole goal.
Ready to book yours? I’d love to hear where you’re thinking and build a session around your story.
