Planning an engagement session is something most couples have never done before, so it’s completely normal to feel unsure about where to start. As a Philadelphia and New England engagement photographer, I’ve put this guide together to make planning your engagement photos simple and stress-free. The information below will walk you through each step—from choosing the vibe and location to picking outfits—so you can feel confident and relaxed going into your session. My goal is to make the process easy and enjoyable so you can focus on being yourselves and having a great experience while creating natural, timeless engagement photos together.
THE VIBE
Your engagement session should feel like a reflection of who you are together. The location and overall vibe play an important role in telling your story in a way that feels natural and personal—whether that’s along the water, wandering through a small town that holds memories for you, or surrounded by the quiet beauty of the mountains. As a Philadelphia and New England engagement photographer, I always encourage couples to choose a setting that feels meaningful or reflects the kind of atmosphere they want for their engagement photos. Some couples select places tied to their relationship, while others simply choose a location that matches the feeling they want their photos to have. The most important thing is choosing a vibe where you feel comfortable and connected, because when a place feels right, the moments we capture during your engagement photo session will feel genuine and timeless.
THE LOCATION
Once you’ve chosen the vibe you want for your engagement session, the next step is selecting a location that naturally supports that feeling. The setting plays a big role in the overall atmosphere of your engagement photos—whether that’s the calm openness of the water, the charm of a quiet town, or the peaceful beauty of the mountains. As a Philadelphia and New England engagement photographer, I always encourage couples to think about locations that reflect their personalities and the experience they want their engagement photo session to have. When the location matches the vibe you’re drawn to, everything feels more effortless and cohesive, allowing your engagement photography to capture genuine moments and the mood you want to remember from this season of your life.
THE OUTFITS
Your engagement session should feel like a reflection of who you are together. The location and overall vibe help tell your story in a way that feels natural and personal—whether that’s along the water, wandering through a small town that holds memories for you, or surrounded by the quiet beauty of the mountains. As a Philadelphia and New England engagement photographer, I always encourage couples to choose a setting that reflects their relationship and the atmosphere they want for their engagement photos. Some couples select locations that have personal meaning, while others simply choose a place that matches the feeling they want their engagement photo session to have. The most important thing is choosing a vibe where you feel comfortable and connected, because when a place feels right, the moments we capture together will feel genuine, relaxed, and timeless.
GREAT NEWS – We can help with that.
Below you’ll find inspiration boards for a few different vibes to help you visualize the feel and style you might want for your engagement session. I’m always happy to hop on a call to talk through your ideas, look at inspiration together, and help refine the vision. Feel free to send over outfit ideas or location ideas anytime—I love collaborating and planning the details with you.
*The photos below are not all taken by me. This is just for inspiration of outfit ideas.
When planning what to wear for your engagement photos, try to keep patterns minimal so the focus stays on the two of you. If one person chooses a patterned dress or shirt, it usually works best if the other wears a solid color to keep the overall look balanced in your engagement photography. In most cases, long pants tend to photograph better for men and help create a more polished, timeless look. Most importantly, choose engagement session outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident—when you feel good in what you’re wearing, it naturally shows in your photos. ✨
FORMAL FLAIR
CASUAL COOL
