Planning your
choosing the perfect time, location, outfit & more!
We’re so excited to be working with you and we can’t wait for our time together during your engagement session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. We always tell people that we still get nervous before having our photos taken - and we do this for a living!
We’re big fans of engagement sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera. You learn our go-to directions like "Barbie Hands" or "Belly-button to Hip" so on the big day, there are no jitters. Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is signficant 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, which is why we put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know.
We’ll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets and how to manage them, location ideas and more!
Engagement Session
When do we schedule?
Engagement Photos
Typically, we schedule your engagement session about 7-8 months before your wedding day. This is so you can send out your Save the Dates with at least 6 months notice.
But you really can schedule it any time before that. Especially if there is a particular season you would like to photograph in.
I personally am always a lover of field photos or a cozy beach session in the fall.
That totally depends on you and your vision! What makes you the happiest or what time of year lets you wear your favorite outfit?
Click the arrows to learn more about the benefits and limitations of each season.
What is the best season to take engagement photos?
With sunsets as late as 9:00 pm, even our 9-5 couples have plenty of time to make it to their 7:00 pm engagement session! Minnesota has the best summer weather, making it the most common choice for many of our couples.
Consider locations like open fields, beaches, and gardens as well as waterfalls.
Although we’ll spend much of the first half of every engagement session in the shade, sometimes it’s hard to avoid working up a good sweat.
Summer
engagement
Peak fall foliage typically is mid September through the first two weeks of October. Now that the heat of summer has broken, the fall can be the perfect time to get out and shoot outside!
Consider both urban locations or apple tree farm as well as open fields and forests.
This can be a busy time of year, so be sure to secure your weeknight as soon as you are able to.
Fall
engagement
Spring is short lived in Minnesota. Spring sessions are typically scheduled between May-June. However, during the first two weeks of May, you get some beautiful early tree blooms.
Consider urban locations like parks with crab apple trees, gardens and even the beach.
Spring
engagement
I will not lie to you. Winters can be very cold in Minnesota, but that doesn't mean you can't have the perfect winter session. While timing fresh snow fall can be tricky, it is safe to say January through February will always have clean, white snow. During this session, we will take additional warming breaks.
Consider Pine forests, Christmas Tree Farms or places like Taylors falls
For most of the winter, the sun will set here in Minneapolis sometime between 4:00 and 5:00 pm. This means our engagement session will have to begin sometime around 2:00 or 3:00 pm!
Winter
engagement
I have a few favorite go-to spots, but I love to hear your vision as well. Sometimes a meaningful place you can revisit, or an activity you love is the perfect way to capture your session.
If your home is your comfort zone, choose an area like your living room or a cozy nook. You can even cook up some waffles in the kitchen together.
If you love the water, consider a beach session, boat ride, or maybe end the session on the docks.
When surrounded by nature, the possibilities for memorable shots are endless. You can visit a nearby arboretum, local park or botanical garden. There are also spots like Taylor's Falls, the bluffs or waterfalls.
Finally, a city stroll with your beloved always makes for chic photos. Whether we explore the city, grab a cup of coffee together or have a picnic at Boom Island Park, I promise you stunning photos.
What is the best Location to take engagement photos?
Planning
Some Ideas
engagement session
Field
Tamarack Nature Preserve
Ritter Farm Park
Theodore Wirth Regional Park
Boom Island Park (a little bit of everything)
Gardens & Fountains
Arenson Acres
Lakes
Excelsior Beach + Docks
Bde Maka Ska Beach + Sailboats
Urban
St Paul Capitol Building
George Latimer Central Library
Mill City Museum
Downtown Excelsior
St Anthony Main
Basillica + Loring Park
Congrats on your upcoming nuptials! We are thrilled at the possibility of working together.
Every design is expertly crafted to match your specific style and personality. Each of these Stationers create something that your guests will “ooh” and “ahh” over.
Ivory Isle Designs
Hunt Wright Design
Wild Rose Stationery
Save the dates and stationery
as custom as your love
At first you might feel sort of awkward being in front of the camera. Everyone thinks this, but I promise you’ll find that by the end of the session, it’s a lot easier than you thought. And probably will find you even had a little fun. I look forward to it because it’s a great opportunity for us all to hang out a bit before the wedding day. Until then, feel free to reach out with any questions!
The Guys
A Note to
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.
Fine Art WEDDING + Milestone Photography
Is there a "right" time to take photos?
Time & Light
Your Furry friend is a huge part of your family and life together, which is why we love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their engagement 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 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, we 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.
Should we bring pets?
Furry Friends
Approach
our signature
From the moment we connect, it’s my goal to make you completely comfortable. I know just where to take you, how to plan your day, and will surround you with the kind of energy that makes you actually excited to be in front of the camera.
What's unique to my craft is the focus on small details to tell the complete story of your love. From your newborn's tiny toes to the way your grandmother's eyes well with tears when she sees you walk down the aisle - no detail is too small.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
read the blog
Tips for What to Wear
engagement session
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 muted tones.
Read my Blog on What to Wear To your Engagement Session Below
Date Night
It's Time to celebrate
The day of your engagement session is the perfect occasion for a date night (or brunch if your session is in the morning!)
The engagement session is another part of celebrating your love and heading off to dinner is a great way to end the session!
Click on the link to read more on the Photo Blog
Rain On Your Wedding Day
What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos
Three Emotional Reasons To Have a First Look
5 things to do the night before your wedding
- More helpful tips -
As soon as possible after your session is complete, you'll receive an email with what's next.
It normally takes them about 10 business days to edit your engagement gallery. Unless we have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your engagement photos about two weeks after your session!
Once you get your preview gallery, you get to pick your favorite images. These will then have fine art retouching so they are perfect for print and your guest photobook!
The gallery will be set up for purchasing fine art prints and we can talk about guest books, albums, and other keepsakes!
What's next?
Hopefully this guide covers everything you need to know to prep for your engagement session! However, if there is something we missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email
hello@alexandrarobyn.com
