Welcome
We’re so excited to be working with you and can’t wait for your engagement session! It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous—we still do when we’re in front of the camera, and we do this for a living!
Engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable before the wedding day, helping you feel more natural in front of the camera so portraits feel effortless when time is limited. They also allow you to showcase your personalities in a meaningful setting—whether it’s a favorite spot or even including your pets!
There’s a lot to consider when planning your session, so we’ve put together a guide to walk you through everything you need to know, from outfit tips and location ideas to bringing pets and making the most of your session.
Thank you again for choosing Megan Travis Photography and please don't hesitate to let me know if I can offer any additional guidance throughout the engagement session process.
Engagement sessions can take place anywhere from immediately following a proposal to just a few days before the wedding. We’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. We normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” a couple has in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about an hour and a half and when when we can—we love to begin sessions about two hours before sunset. We prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.
We schedule sessions during what we believe will be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.
Time & Light
Inclement Weather
It’s typical for us 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 we’ve found that the best way to make sure our couples get the look they have in mind for their photos is to schedule two dates at the same time.
We’ll check in the week of your engagement session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. We 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 us know what works best for the two of you - but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.
Our dogs are a huge part of our family, which is why we love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
We recommend planning for your pet to be at the end of your session by having a friend/family member bring your pet at a certain time. 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 also!
If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend 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.
Pets
Locations
ENGAGEMENT LOCATIONS
We love it when couples select an engagement session location that harmonizes with the style of their wedding. For instance, if you're planning a chic and elegant celebration, a setting with timeless architecture in the heart of the city may be a perfect choice. Alternatively, a garden or a flower-filled meadow might be better suited for a couple envisioning a more natural and romantic setting. The most meaningful locations are often those that hold sentimental value, but we're always happy to offer recommendations. From scenic ski slopes to charming lavender fields, apple orchards, and wineries, the possibilities are endless! Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
Gardens
College Campus
Vineyards
Cityscape
Coffee shop
Museum
Sailing
Cooking class
The above locations are all beautiful but we also love exploring meaningful locations with our couples!
I typically suggest two outfit options—one dressy and one casual—for variety. Consider the atmosphere of your location when choosing your looks.
As you coordinate, aim for a cohesive color palette rather than matching exactly. Each of you should have a distinct dominant color while staying within the same family. For example, if you wear a blush dress with nude heels, he could opt for a navy coat with gray pants and brown leather shoes—complementary yet unique.
Don't be afraid to send me a whole fashion show to find the perfect outfits. I will always be honest!
Outfit curation
• Avoid small prints—they can be both distracting and hard to photograph. You can’t go wrong with solid colors.
• Avoid pure white (ivories/creams are totally fine), any intense reds/pinks/oranges, as well as super skinny stripes. Bright colors can often reflect back onto your face.
• Jewel tones are also always a good option!
• Most of all, make sure you guys are both wearing something that makes you feel amazing. That confidence will definitely come across in your images!
There are just a few guidelines I’ll offer when it comes to picking out what you will wear.
Need some outfit inspiration? Visit my outfit inspiration board by clicking here:
Date Night
If you're like us, dressing up may not be an everyday occurrence, making your engagement session the perfect opportunity for a special outing. Whether it’s an evening date night or a morning brunch, it’s a wonderful way to extend the celebration of this exciting time. Your engagement session is more than just a photoshoot—it’s a meaningful moment in your journey together.
We'll back up your images as soon as possible after your session is complete and begin the editing process. Unless we have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your edited digital images between two and three weeks after your session. You will receive an online gallery to view, download, and share your images.
When to Expect Your Images
I’d love to see any outfits you’re thinking of—text me photos of outfits you’re considering! My number is 336-420-747
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through the guide!