1. where to start: once you're ready to start planning your engagement session, fill out the "engagement planning survey" in the vip area. this will help me cater to you, your vision and style, and your wants and needs. i will never stick 2 couples in the same box. this survey will help me customize the who, what, why, when of your session. do you have a crazy idea? Do you want a session in the spring? Winter? have a special place in mind or need help finding the perfect spot? the survey will help me figure it all out! 

2. What to expect: The session lasts between 90-120 minutes. The first 10 minutes you may be a little nervous (it’s part of the anticipation and fun!), so I’ll start out with you two doing easy/basic poses to get acclimated and comfortable in front of the camera. After that, you'll be good to go! OF COURSE I WILL BE THERE TO DIRECT AND GUIDE YOU the entire time, BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU TO MENTION YOUR OWN IDEAS AND SPEAK UP IF I HAVE AN IDEA YOU DON'T LOVE. YOUR FEEDBACK WILL BETTER HELP ME FIGURE OUT YOUR STYLe and what you're comfortable with :).

3. LOCATION: ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS MUST BE HELD IN THE PEORIA AREA. TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE AREA MAY BE POSSIBLE DEPENDING ON THE SEASON AND WILL REQUIRE A FEE (IF INTERESTED, PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL!). have a place already in mind? great!! or maybe you have a setting in mind but aren't sure where to find it? LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AND I’LL SEND YOU LINKS TO SESSIONS HELD IN AREAS I THINK YOU might like. ONE LOCATION IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE 90-120 MINUTE SESSION, BUT IF ANOTHER AREA IS WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF THE FIRST SHOOTING LOCATION, I’M HAPPY TO VENTURE THERE, TOO :).


4. CLOTHING:

-YOU GET 2 OUTFITS IN YOUR SESSION. I AM ALWAYS PRO-VARIETY, SO POSSIBLY CONSIDER DOING ONE MORE CASUAL AND ONE MORE DRESSY. AND ON THE FLIPSIDE OF THAT, DON'T FEEL PRESSURED TO DO TWO OUTFITS. IF YOU LOVE LOVE LOVEEEE ONE OF YOUR OUTFITS BUT ARE KINDA "EH" ABOUT THE OTHER, it NEVER FAILS YOU WILL DO ALL YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOS IN THE "EH" ONE, SO DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND JUST LEAVE IT HOME IF THAT'S THE CASE :).

-Please, please please be weather appropriate. if it's 90 degrees out, don't wear a sport coat/blazer. If we are shooting in winter, do not wear short sleeve shirts (or the EQUIVALENT of). if you are miserable, trust me, it will come through on your face. And let's be real - - coats, hats, gloves are totally cute and unique! have fun with it! 

-MOST BACKGROUNDS ARE NATURALLY BUSY, THEREFORE CLOTHING WITH BOLD PATTERNS, neon colors, and/or LARGE STRIPES ARE HIGHLY DISCOURAGED AS THEY WILL MAKE YOUR EYES GO buh.nan.nuhs. IT IS ALSO NECESSARY THAT WHAT EACH OF YOU WEAR COMPLiMENTS ONE ANOTHER IN TERMS OF COLOR AND PATTERNS. IF ONE OF YOU WEARS A PRINT/PATTERN, IT’S RECOMMENDED THE OTHER PERSON WEAR A SOLID COMPLIMENTARY COLOR. always feel free to email/text me outfit inspiration/ideas or things you are considering... happy to help! 

-WHILE SHOOTING ON LOCATION, IT'S LIKELY YOU'LL HAVE TO CHANGE IN THE CAR and/or we will be super far from a bathroom. BRING APPROPRIATE items you may need, i.e. MIRROR, BRUSH, LINT ROLLER, MAKEUP, bug spray, water, ETC. 


5. don't be basic. This is probably the most important tip I can give. read on:

most couples do 2 outfits during their session. let's assume you do the same...

outfit number 1: this is the outfit that we will get you warmed up in. we will do nice, cute, in-camera, traditional, relaxed, photos. The backgrounds will be pretty calm (park, field, water, etc). Send me some pinterest pose/location inspiration if you'd like! 

outfit number 2: this is your awesome outfit and/or awesome location. iF YOU'RE GOING TO INVEST THE TIME TO PLAN FOR AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION, MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE EVERYONE ELSE'S. y'all get to do this One time. LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACk: ONE TIME!! there's only one relationship like yours. it's one of a kind. special. unique. be original! don't do whatever everyone else is doing. don't do what's safe. don't go where everyone else goes. do you love playing pool? let's go to a bar. do you love your house? let's do some pics there (and imagine how much it will change over the years or if you move... your photos here will be a "remember when?" time capsule). pool party = cute suits/coverups, suntan lotion fight, hats, sunglasses, cocktails. Did you meet on tinder? looks like we are having a CAMPFIRE (flame, get it! lol). Feeling dangerous? let's go  roller skating (ha!). Love being on the water? do photos on a jetski, waterskiing, or on a boat (I'm on a boat!). have a fun vehicle? they make the best props. love winter? let's build a snowman. meet in a cute place? let's go back! artistic? Let's have a paint fight. sky is the limit (literally... i've done photos in planes and on runways, and i approve). 


6. Practice. this is probably the 2nd most important tip I can give:

-practice by role playing. most of my couples have never taken professional photos together. my advice, pretend ahead of time! have fun with it! it's so much easier to get in front of the camera if you role play it a bit before hand. imagine the things I'll tell you to do and then act them out. pick out some poses you like on pinterest and REENACT them together. you can laugh and get all the jitters out... plus maybe even come up with some cute ideas :).

-practice your style. what looks are you trying to achieve in your photos? are you mostly FUN? GOOFY? MODERN? EDGY? TRADITIONAL? ROMANTIC? candid? IT'S GOOD TO DISCUSS together WHAT YOU bouth WOULD LIKE YOUR PHOTOS TO CONVEY. A MIX OF STYLES IS FINE, OF COURSE! BUT MAKE SURE YOU TALK ABOUT HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO INTERACT WITH ONE ANOTHER TO achieve these looks (and of course let me in on which styles are your favorite so I can better direct you).

-practice improvising. i give you an idea, make it your own. for example, if I ask you to walk together, maybe you have the idea to do a mid-air heel click, or maybe throw your girl over your shoulder, or maybe you dance. who knows! The best photos I have taken are the ones where my clients are just being themselves/natural. I'm just in the right place at the right time with professional equipment and a creative eye to capture it. throw your inhibitions to the side and caution to the wind. don't be afraid to feel/act/look/be silly... in fact, i encourage it! this is a judgement free zone.

7. Fill me in: THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION IS LIKE A PRE-TRIAL TO YOUR WEDDING. after you see your images you can submit the "post engagement session survey" (link is back in the vip area). YOU CAN TELL ME LATER WHich images were your absolute favorite, and which images you were maybe not so crazy about. I'LL REVIEW YOUR ANSWERS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING SO I CAN DO MORE OF WHAT YOU LIKE AND LESS OF WHAT YOU DON'T :).

7 tips for a flawless engagement session

(or if you're not much for reading, i got you. just check out #5 & #6, as those are my favorites :) )