session guide for couples
engagement sessions +
Whether you're newly engaged and looking to capture this stage of your life, or you're planning a surprise proposal that will include portraits, or you're just a couple looking for some cute photos together, this is your everything-you-need-to-know guide to your session!
When to Do Your Engagement Session
There are a few things that go into deciding when to do your engagement photos - season, time of day, and relation to the wedding. Let's start with the seasons:
Winter in Colorado and Moab offer a very different side to the area. Mountains covered in snow...the opportunity for hot cocoa and bonfires...snowball fights... the desert red rocks draped in white... There's a lot of obvious pro's, so let's dive into the con's to be sure to consider:
Timing - winter sessions for sunset begin around 3:30 or 4pm, which can be nice to get the photos done before dinner reservations!
Temperature - it can be COLD in the winter, even in the desert. You'll likely be bundled up, even in the photos, prepare to wear sweaters or coats, or be okay with the session ending more quickly.
Accessibility - Some of those iconic spaces you love might become inaccessible in the winter. Consider how remote or accessible the spaces you want will be when snow impacts the area. Consider even just traveling to your location - would a highway closure affect your session? Should we have a backup date?
Spring in Grand Junction/Palisade offers orchards full of blossoming trees, and the Colorado National Monument along with Moab are beginning to be snow-free and beautiful warmer temps again! You need to be quite strategic with sessions in the spring, as it comes to different areas of the state at different times.
Timing - spring sessions for sunset begin around 5 or 6 depending on the time change, which can be nice to accommodate more sessions after the workday than you can during the winter.
Temperature - it can be cold in the spring in the mountains or it can be quite warm in the desert. You can begin to get warmer temps for your photos but still get those snow-capped mountain peaks.
Accessibility - Some of those iconic spaces you love might still be inaccessible in the spring. Spring is famously Mud Season in Colorado as well, so if you're set on the mountains in the spring, be prepared to deal with mud.
Summer is a less popular time for engagement sessions, mostly because that's when the most of the weddings are happening. One benefit, though, is sometimes photographers will add this kind of session on to travel while they're headed to unique places for weddings or elopements!
Timing - Summer sessions for sunset begin around 7 or 8pm, which does mean you'll be headed to photos after dinner or else dealing with quite a later meal time. Sunset or sunrise are highly recommended to avoid the heat of the day and the very harsh light as well.
Scheduling-wise it's a good idea to have a rain backup date in case of summer monsoons.
Temperature - It can be too hot to enjoy having photos done in the desert this month, even at sunrise or sunset. Oppositely, it can become a little bit chilly on the mountaintop locations for sunrise or sunset! Decide which weather extreme you'd rather deal with.
Accessibility - Most locations will be accessible in the summer months, but you can be dealing with wildfire smoke or fire closures. There's a good chance of fire bans in the summer if you were hoping for photos around the campfire.
Fall is the most popular time for photos, regardless of the occasion, so be sure to get on the calendar early!
Timing - Fall colors begin at higher elevations around the second week of September or so, and can last until early October sometimes. In lower elevations like Grand Junction and Moab the colors begin more in October and can last into early November. Sunset sessions begin around 6:30/7pm still until the clocks change.
Temperature - Generally it is just beautiful temperatures in the fall! You might need a light layer or something to wear between photos at higher elevations but overall nothing to note.
Accessibility - Most locations will be accessible in the fall, but some places can begin to get snowed out.
Winter
Fall
Summer
Spring
When should you schedule your session?
Most couples will use these photos on their Save the Dates, which means you should aim to have them done at least 6-12 months before the big day to send those out on time.
If you're not concerned about the timeline for those, you can really do them any time! Consider if you love a certain season or a certain location during a particular time of year. Some couples purposely choose a season different than their wedding to get some diversity in backdrops. It's up to you!
Choosing a Location
The engagement session included in a wedding package includes travel up to 2 hours away from Grand Junction. Most couples opt for places like Ouray, Crested Butte, Moab, the Grand Mesa, Aspen, or right here in GJ! If you're hoping for a location outside of those areas, I will sometimes offer sessions where I'm already traveling without any additional travel costs, or I am also always happy to travel to you but there can be added travel fees! I'd love to shoot in the Tetons, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Sedona, Great Sand Dunes, or Las Vegas some day! Let me know if you've got some ideas!
If you need help finding a location, I got you! Tell me all about what things you love (book stores? Mountains? Desert? Arches? Horses? Fall colors? Waterfalls? Christmas lights? Anything you can think of!) and I'll create a guide with lots of ideas and options! We'll schedule a quick call over Zoom so I can tell you all about the pros and cons and we'll line one up :)
What to Wear
When it comes to what to wear for engagement photos, I recommend a maximum of two outfits to ensure that there’s plenty of time to capture both looks before the sun goes!
Neutrals and jewel tones (such as blush, blues and teals, olive or emerald greens, maroon, and grey) will almost always result in good tones in-camera. These colors photograph well with the way I use light and the areas I work!
If you’re someone looking for a soft, "feminine" look, I recommend a flowing, maxi-length dress or skirt. The movement of this type of fabric photographs beautifully! If you're someone looking for a more typically "masculine" look, aim for dark jeans or khakis, a suit, or some boots and a flannel if that's your vibe. Fun ties are always welcome, too!
It is nice to plan a more formal outfit and a more casual one, so that you have some variety to choose from! Even if that's just your "good jeans" - the goal is just to have different looks to pick from.
From a photographer’s perspective, I recommend that you avoid tiny patterns that are smaller than a dime. These tiny patterns are usually found in men's dress shirts and can create a strange visual effect in a digital camera that I will have to edit out later. Similarly, avoid any neon colors as these will reflect color up on your face and make you look a little crazy haha.
Ultimately you should wear something that feels comfortable or you feel confident in! No one looks their best when they're worried about their clothes fitting weird. If you feel more comfortable, you'll look more comfortable!
Outside of clothing, consider if you want to get your nails done or have them cleaned/trimmed. Some people will want this but forget in advance!
If you've got a ring for the session, consider if you want to take your ring to get it cleaned beforehand as well.
How many outfits should we bring? What do we wear?
Outfit inspiration:
Including your dog in your session
Your Instagram bio includes the phrase “dog mom” or “fur baby” and will fight anyone who says pets aren’t family, right? Now that you’re engaged you’re thinking about ways of including your dog in your elopement day. Read on for some tips if you're including them in the plans!
CHECK THE POLICIES
While I do a happy dance when I find out you’re bringing your pup, it’s important to check with the policy of your elopement location. Some parks and venues don’t allow dogs (like the Colorado National Monument, for example! However I've found dog-friendly spots if you're wanting photos there and want just a couple of photos with your dog there.)
BRING BACKUP
The first possibility when including your dog in your session is to bring backup. Whether your pup is an only child or you have a whole pack, bringing someone along to dog-sit through the session is a great option. They can help keep them entertained or distracted while we do photos without them, which takes a lot of the stress and worry off of you! They even have small businesses now who you can hire to babysit your pup/be their handler for the session, which can be a huge relief to know your fur babies are in good hands.
Your "backup" can also just be a good leash or a slow-eating bowl of food or a favorite toy to accompany them in the car. I've seen all sorts of babysitters haha!
BRING TREATS
This might go without saying, but bringing backup also means bringing treats! Having a treat bag or squeaker toy to get their attention my way can be so useful, and being able to reward your dog for good patience and listening can help them stay on good behavior for more time.
EMBRACE THE CANDID
Dogs won’t always be smiling for the camera. It’s important to know that from the start. But if you embrace the in between moments and spend some shots cuddling with them, walking with them, or kissing them, you’ll end up with some ridiculously cute images that will give you variety and probably some of your favorites of the whole session!
The Experience -
What to Expect
I know what it’s like to stress over what to wear, to worry about what to do, and to be excited but mostly terrified of having your photos taken. Whenever I have my photos taken I experience alllll the same emotions, the fears and the excitement. Your shoot is going to be incredible because you’re not there for me, I’M there for YOU! Forget the intimidating “photo shoot” - I’m there for you to document your love. The objective isn’t just to take pretty pictures, but to capture an exciting stage in your life, while spending time together in a beautiful place!
Here's a few tips and things to know:
Spend Time Together. Relax, unwind, choose to do what you love. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a shoot absolutely frazzled and rushed and disconnected. If you’re able to take the morning off, do it. Sleep in, have breakfast together, go to your favorite coffee shop. If you can’t take the day off, take time before you arrive at the session to simply be with each other and reconnect. Grab a coffee or a drink before the session if that's your jam.
Dress Like You. Wear something you feel awesome and beautiful in. If you really want to know, it does help the photos become more timeless if you avoid bright and distracting patterns or logos, but ultimately if you wear what you love that’s going to be the most beautiful of all. Don’t stress too much over it - it’s your connection that matters most!
Leave Your Expectations in the Car. I know how many expectations can come along with a shoot - I’ve been on the other end too. But honestly, what is most helpful is to let them all go as you get out of the car. Embrace the spontaneous, the wind, the rain, the laughter, whatever unfolds. Every shoot is unique, and we have no set pattern. It’s all about YOU and capturing your love exactly how it is on the day of your shoot.
What Do We Do With Our Hands? When it comes to posing for your engagement session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to make the two of you laugh - and that’s the photo I'm actually looking for. The weirder it feels the better it usually looks!
Throughout your session, I'll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
How to Leave No Trace during your session
Why should I care about Leave No Trace?
If you’re getting photos done outside, it’s probably because you’re drawn to nature’s beauty.
And the way we keep nature beautiful, so that we can continue to come back to these gorgeous spots time & time again, is to make sure that we enjoy them sustainably and responsibly.
Weddings, elopements, and photo sessions can have a big cumulative impact on the environment—and without following Leave No Trace, this is what could happen:
Locations that are currently available for photos could become off-limits—meaning it could become impossible to come back to a location for any further sessions.
The spot that you love and now holds some meaning to you could get so badly damaged, destroyed, or trashed that it needs to be closed for restoration, and won’t look the same at all when you want to come back in the future.
The prevalence and costs of photo permits could spike, causing it to become very difficult to have any kind of sessions on public lands in the state.
So whether you find the outdoors peaceful, serene, awe-inspiring, or whatever’s drawing you to get in nature, we’re all in this together.
And together we believe it is possible to have the BEST session, while also protecting our natural world for future visitors.
By reducing our impact as we visit, photograph, and celebrate outdoors, we can protect these places we love! You don’t have to limit your session to reduce your impact–this guide will help you each step of the way as you plan and prepare.
