Roseanne Murray, La Fleur Edits

You’re engaged; congratulations! A new engagement is worth celebrating, and there’s no better way to cherish this joyful stage of your life than with an engagement session.  

For many couples, this could be the first time you’ve had photos taken together. We completely understand it can be intimidating, but don’t worry; our shoots are very relaxed and fun!

We’ve compiled some tips to keep in mind when preparing for engagement sessions, as well as pointers for the day of. From wardrobe ideas to tips on calming any nerves; we’ve got you. We want you to be relaxed, at ease, and most importantly, to enjoy yourselves!

Be Yourselves

If you’re feeling a little nervous, take a deep breath, and try to forget the camera is there. Be natural and silly, talk to each other, focus on what excites you about this new chapter of your life together, and everything you love about your fiancé.

The best photos are caught when you are relaxed and focused on each other. Don’t worry about posing, or adopting a photoshoot persona; we’ll give you some gentle cues if you’re not sure what to do. You’ll be surprised how quickly you relax into it.

Dress To Feel Your Best

Don’t be afraid to get fancy; it’s a special occasion, so why not dress up? Be sure to wear something which still feels like yourself. If you love throwing on a gorgeous dress and heels, or killer suit; do it! It’ll help boost your confidence and make you feel extra special.

Alternatively, if you’re after a more relaxed and cozy vibe for your photos, keep it casual and smart. You want to feel comfortable, and if wearing your favourite smart jeans and a lovely sweater is more your vibe, we’re here for it.

Be Intentional With Colours

Whether you’re going for a formal or casual wardrobe, be intentional with your colours. Plan what you’ll each wear beforehand, and try placing the outfits together. You want to make sure you aren’t wearing any contrasting patterns or clashing colours. Also, keep in mind the season, and your location.  You want to stand out in your photos, not blend into the surroundings. If you’re struggling for inspiration, take a look through our gallery for some inspiration.

Pre-Shoot Preparations

There are a few things we recommend doing to prepare for your shoot. Because you’ll most likely want to show off your engagement ring, we recommend having your ring professionally cleaned.  Treat yourself to a manicure too!  Your ring will be beautifully clean and sparkly, and your hands neat and tidy.

Regardless of your preferred look, we recommend having hair and makeup done professionally before your shoot. It makes all the difference in how you feel, and ensures everything is perfectly done and set to last the entire shoot! Be sure to book your hair and make-up an adequate amount of time before your shoot. We can recommend artists local to the Calgary area if needed.

This is such an exciting time in your life, and we’re thrilled you’ve chosen us for your engagement session.

I’m thrilled to have Roseanne from La Fleur Edits helping with wedding content here on the blog.  Roseanne got married last summer.  Here’s her engagement session at Lake Minnewanka, if you’d like to see.

Engagement sessions captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker