Welcome

a note about this guide

I’m so excited to be working with you and can’t wait for our time together during your engagement session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. I always tell people that I still get nervous before having my photos taken too - and I do this for a living!

I am a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera...BEFORE your big day. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed and understand how I pose. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why I’ve found that wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time. I want you to walk into your portrait hour on your wedding FEELING confident and so comfortable, and practicing beforehand is definitely going to do that for you! (plus, we're going to have so much fun!)

Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you (and even include pets!). While they’re great for save-the-dates, we’ve taken engagement photos anywhere from 18 months in advance to a few days before the wedding. There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session and since I get asked the same things over and over again, I thought it would be the most beneficial if I put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know. I’ll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets & how to manage them, location ideas and more!

Seasons

While I shoot most of our engagement sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of Toni Marie Photo couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot. A few things to keep in mind during each season:

Winter : snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats.

If you’re planning to take your engagement photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up (if you’re planning on taking photos outside). Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running. If you do not want to brave the cold and take photos outside, that’s ok, too! A great indoor option for winter is right in your own home! These are called in-home sessions, and they are a really great option for a cozy, intimate, and personal touch to your engagement photos. Here’s a blog post on why I love in-home sessions!

Spring : fresh flowers and sunny days

Summer : walks on the beach, hand in hand

In spite of the heat, I’m a big fan of summer sessions! Summer is my favorite season, mainly because I loooove the beach and the warmer weather! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your engagement photos during the summer, I recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.

Fall : colorful leaves and snuggling close

Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year on the East Coast and because of the perfect weather, my schedule typically book up very quickly this time of year! If you have your heart set on a fall engagement session, I recommend scheduling it as soon as you book! Fall dates are most popular and fill up quickly. Little piece of location advice for fall shoots: the beach isn’t just for summer time! The light in fall is so amazing, warm, and beautiful, and I personally just love the tones of fall beach sessions! But of course, PA has some of the most gorgeous trees in fall, so going to the park and somewhere where you will KNOW it’s fall just by looking at your photos is beautiful, too! I also love going to unique, seasonal locations for shoots; in fall, for example, a pumpkin match or apple picking!

Locations

PA + NJ Session Locations

I love when couples choose a location for their session that is meaningful to them. For example, my husband and I grew up together spending our summers down the shore in Ocean City, NJ for as long as I can remember. So we had photos done there- on my father-in-law’s boat, on the boardwalk, and on the beach. All locations that are very sentimental to us. I encourage you to think outside the box when thinking about a location, and do something special to you guys and your story/what you love. I do have a list of my most popular spots for couple/engagement sessions in case you want to check it out!:

Longwood Gardens
Ocean City New Jersey
Tyler Park
Core Creek Park
Washington Crossing Park/ the Canal
New Hope
The Inn at Barely Sheaf Farms
Park Chateau 
Tyler Gardens
The Art Museum in Philadelphia
School House Studios (indoor studio with white walls)
Bowman's Nature Preserve
Hurtulus farm
Meadowbrook Farm
Churchville Nature Center
The Old Mill Rose Valley
Cairnwood estate
Morris arboretum
Terrain Gardens

While I take most of my engagement sessions in the PA area, I’ve photographed sessions everywhere from Hawaii to New York City to Texas to Oregon. If you have a location in mind that is significant to the two of you, let me know because if our schedules align, we might be able to take your engagement photos outside of our normal area. Travel fees may apply depending on the location and our availability.

Pets

Our dogs are a huge part of our families too, so I get it! Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location. I recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then either dropping them off or having a friend take them home. We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots. If you’re going to bring a pet, I recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.

Outfits

tips for looking your best

When picking outfits we recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if the groom-to-be is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the bride-to-be may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones. Generally couples pick two outfits for an engagement session: a more formal outfit and a casual outfit. We recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session, when couples usually feel more comfortable in front of the camera. And don’t forget to bring a few accessories! Statement necklaces, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits. I’ve created an outfit inspiration board for my couples HERE if you’d like to take a peak!

for the ladies

Wardrobe Tips:

• Heels lengthen legs but if your heels aren’t comfortable for walking, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between shots.

• I love the way larger patterns photograph - just be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.

• Softer, neutral colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. We love bright, neon dresses, but we don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion.

• Accessories : Statement jewelry is a great way to add color or pattern to a simple dress. Lace and tulle look amazing in photographs. And dresses with lace sleeves are a great way to help slim arms.

• Depending on your location, you might want to consider a fit and flare or a flowy dress! They look great in walking and photos with movement. Choose an outfit you feel comfortable in, but don’t be afraid to dress up!

  
  

  
  

  Favorite Shops:

• ASOS

• Morning Lavender

• J. Crew

• Anthropologie

• Free People

• Francesca’s

• ModCloth

• Lulu's

• H&M

• Vici Dolls

• Nordstrom

• One Loved Babe

• Roolee

• BHLDN

  
  

  Hair & Makeup:

  Engagement sessions are the perfect time for a hair and makeup trial! Professionally done hair & makeup last longer than typical hair & makeup. They also tend to hold up better for humidity and wind. I think it’s so important that you look and feel your best for your engagement photos - and if you’re planning to do a hair & makeup trial anyways, the engagement session is a great time to test how your hair & makeup look on camera.

  Manicure:

  There will probably be times during your session when we’re shooting your hands holding or the engagement ring on your hand - which means it’s a good idea to clean up your nails before your session (this applies to the guys too!).

for the gents

Wardrobe

You can’t go wrong with a suit and tie. Consider pulling out that suit you had to wear last time you were a groomsmen! Layer with a blazer and a fun tie - you can even wear jeans with this look. Bowties are always a good idea. Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy. Softer, neutrals colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. Cozy sweaters layered over button ups are a great way to stay warm and stylish during the cooler months. Of course, if you want to go with a more casual look, you can totally do that too! There are lots of guys who feel comfortable in just a cool, casual, yet spiffy outfit that, of course, will match whatever the future Mrs. is wearing! Make sure you coordinate with her before the session on outfits. ;)

Favorite Shops:

Rent the Runway

ASOS

Suit Supply

J. Crew

Zara

Leather & Cotton


Jack Threads 


Frank & Oak 


Nordstrom

H&M

Urban Outfitters

Inclement Weather

It’s typical for me to schedule two engagement session dates. A primary date and a rain date. Having two dates helps us make sure that your photos happen in a timely manner. Coordinating schedules can be tough and I’ve found that the best way to make sure my couples get the look they have in mind for their photos is to schedule two dates at the same time. I’ll check in the week of your engagement session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. I know it takes a lot of time to get ready for engagement session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let me know what works best for the two of you - but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, I typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.

Props

Champagne is always a good idea! If you’re planning to bring props to your engagement session, I recommend including them only if they’re meaningful to you. Shots of drinking coffee at a local coffee shop would be cute if that’s where you met, or maybe at a winery if you love drinking wine together. I do recommend keeping the props to a minimum though, as my main goal, style, and focus is to just capture you two and your love! When it comes to props if you’re asking me, less is more.

Posing

"What do I do with my hands"? When it comes to posing for your engagement session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If we tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because we know it’s going to make the two of you laugh - and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for. Throughout your session, we’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. We want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!

DATE NIGHT

When to Expect Your Images

As soon as possible after your session is complete, you can expect to get your engagement photos back in 2-4 week. Is I have a holiday closure, it could take up to 6 weeks to get your images back. You will receive an email from me when you photos are ready for delivery. My email will include a link to view your private, online gallery with your images inside, a download link to all your images, and an online print shop so you can purchase professional prints from our sessions right away!