Perhaps the most important decision you make after saying “I do” is choosing your wedding photographer. After all, the photographer captures and records all those important details from the dress to the first kiss right down to the last dance, and they are who you will spend most of your time with on your big day! It’s important that you love their style, trust their skills, and enjoy working with them.

Take some time to look at previous wedding coverage of the venue you chose or your family and friend’s wedding portraits, and then interview your top candidates. Once you’ve chosen the right photographer for you, taking advantage of an engagement session is a great way to celebrate your impending nuptials while also getting to experience how the photographer works, and of course, have a little fun!

Location is everything. Some couples use their engagement session location as a juxtaposition to their wedding space. For instance, a couple saying “I do” at a local farm might opt for a West Loop engagement session steeped in industrial textures and city lights. Or, you could have your portraits taken where you had your first date or even your first kiss. Consider selecting an engagement session location that helps tell part of your love story and that will really personalize the experience and the photos!

When selecting a location, think about the atheistic you’re hoping for. If you want to hang a large canvas in your hallway, think about the textures, colors, and styles which would look best featured in your home. Even consider doing a bit of coordinating, like heading to your favorite coffee shop and then using a fun candid from your session to hang in your kitchen or coffee nook at home.

Always take into consideration the time of year and the time of day when planning your engagement session. If you’re hoping for a fun, snuggly session in the snow, like the one I recently did of the future, Mr. & Mrs. Murphy, we can work together to come up with some great locations around Chicago!

Weather is also a consideration when it comes to wardrobe. In this session, the weather was moderate enough to have a fun casual look and then ended with fun ear muff, scarves, and warm coats. Having their engagement portraits taken at the Chicago Botanic Garden meant fantastic backgrounds for their portraits and meant being flexible for the public, which sometimes wandered through the frame.

When you’re planning your wedding, an engagement session is a fabulous way to make most of your budget. The portraits created from the session can be used in countless ways helping you to stretch those precious wedding dollars. One popular option is using them in a signature book.
I have several styles to choose from, and guests love getting to flip through the pages enjoying your love story while carefully choosing which page they want to leave their message on. Couples also love to use their favorite portrait from their engagement session for their Save the Date card, on their wedding website, and sometimes as part of the wedding invitation itself.

Whatever you choose, I love capturing this chapter of your love story. Engagement photography allows couples to showcase a different side of their relationship or focus on their lifestyle or personalities more casually and candidly.

When you’re ready to book your session, get in touch. I’d love to hear your ideas and help you chose the right date and time to have your engagement portraits done!

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