Welcome

A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE

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. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed and understand how we pose. Timelines can be pretty tight on wedding days and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits, which is why we’ve found that wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time!

Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant 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 just a few days before the wedding!

There's a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session and since we get a lot of the same questions over and over, we thought it would be the most helpful if we put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know!

We’ll cover what to wear, when to bring pets and how to manage them, location ideas, and more! We hope this guide helps you feel more prepared for your engagement session!

- brittney & caleb

We get it ... having your picture taken might not be in your top 10 favorite things to do during your downtime. And at first you might feel sort of awkward being in front of the camera. But we think you’ll find that by the end of the session, it’s a lot easier than you thought, and you even had a little fun! I look forward to it because it’s a great opportunity for us all to hang out and get to know each other before your wedding day!

The Guys

A NOTE TO

There isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos, but we normally plan sessions based on the particular “look” our clients have in mind - spring flowers for example - or based on schedules!

Sessions typically last about 45 minutes, and when when we can, we love to begin sessions about an hour before sunset! We prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches on your faces. The first two hours after sunrise are also an ideal time to shoot.

We schedule sessions during what we believe will be the best light of the day, which means 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. 

Is there a "good" time to take photos? 

TIME & LIGHT

While we shoot most of our engagement sessions between May and October, sessions can take place all year! Most of our couples choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot. 

Seasons

A few things to keep in mind during each season:

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Winter

snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats

If your session takes place during the winter, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up! Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case anyone's nose starts running. Pocket warmers and thick socks hidden in cute boots can also help keep everyone warm without showing up in images! 

Spring

fresh flowers and sunny days 

Even though spring technically begins in March, we typically don’t begin shooting portraits outside for another 6 weeks because the weather in our area is still pretty chilly and various shades of brown/grey, which is not ideal! When we schedule spring dates, we typically schedule both a primary date and a backup rain date because April showers (or snowstorms!) 

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Summer

walkING AT SUNSET hand in hand

In spite of the heat, we're big fans of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 8pm. If you’re taking your photos during the summer, we recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session!

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Fall

colorful leaves and snuggling close

Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year in the midwest and because of the beautiful leaves, our schedule typically book up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall session, we recommend scheduling early!

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If your wedding is local, save the dates should be sent between 6 and 8 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, you’ll want to send them out 8 to 10 months before the wedding. 

If you’re hoping to use your engagement photos for your save the dates, we recommend scheduling your session at least two months before you plan to send out your save-the-dates. Between inclement weather, editing, designing your save-the-dates and printing, two months is generally a safe amount of time to make sure your images and cards are ready. 

Save the dates

Locations

OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOOT

We love when couples choose a location for their session that complements their wedding. For example if you’re planning a more laid-back celebration, it may be fitting to take your engagement photos in a grassy field or local park, while a downtown setting with classic architecture may be more fitting for a couple planning a more elegant celebration.

At the end of the day, the best session locations are often meaningful places to our couples; however, we’re also happy to make recommendations if you don't have a particular spot in mind! From breweries to hiking trails and college campuses, the options for engagement session locations are endless! 

When you live in the land of 10,000 lakes, why not have photos on the place that we all love to spend our summers?! Be ready to get a little sandy (and possibly wet) at the end of your session!


THE BEACH

THE ABOVE LOCATIONS ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL BUT WE ALSO LOVE EXPLORING MEANINGFUL LOCATIONS WITH OUR COUPLES!

We've got favorite parks and nature preserves all over the lakes area. Here are just a few of our favorites!

Sucker Creek
Tamarac
Dunton Locks
The City Park
Grass fields

NATURE

Love the look of downtown for photos?
Let's go! We'll stay in areas with good light and fun backgrounds. The textures of buildings old and new look great in photos!

DOWNTOWN

Your home may be a great place for your engagement session! A cozy in-home session or an adventure around your property will make for memorable photos you'll cherish forever, even if you're not yet in your forever home. 

YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY

Within a 15-mile radius of Detroit Lakes - no travel fees
Within a 30-mile radius of Detroit Lakes - $25
Within a 60-mile radius of Detroit Lakes - $50
Anything over a 60-mile radius - custom quote

TRAVEL FEES

Destination Engagement Sessions

While we take most of our engagement sessions in the Lakes area, we’ve photographed sessions everywhere from Fargo to Minneapolis to the Grand Canyon! If you have a location in mind that is significant to the two of you, let us know because, if our schedules align, we might be able to take your engagement photos outside of our normal area.

Travel fees may apply depending on the location and our availability.

Our dog and cats are huge parts of our family, which is why we love when couples choose to incorporate pets into their sessions! Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet-friendly location, so if you have your heart set on a specific spot, just make sure pets are allowed! 

We recommend planning for your pet to be part of the beginning of your session and then either dropping them off or having a friend take them home. We won’t use your pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a family member or friend available to hold your pet in between shots. 

If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising them before the session and bringing their 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

CHOOSING Outfits

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 jewel tones.

 Generally, couples pick two outfits for an engagement session: a more formal outfit and a casual outfit. We recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session, after you feel more comfortable in front of the camera! And don’t forget to bring a few accessories! Statement necklaces, cute shoes, and classic watches are great ways to add interest to your outfits. 

TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST

FOR THE LADIES

FOR THE gENTS

on to the next

find it fast

Heels lengthen legs, but if your heels aren’t comfortable for walking (or we'll be in grass), bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between shots!

I love the way larger patterns and textures (like linen) photograph, just be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small because it may accidentally make your photos look a little too busy.

Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors can reflect on your skin. I love bright dresses, but I don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion! 

Wardrobe Tips

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

MANICURE

Outfits

for the ladies

find it fast

Statement jewelry is a great way to add color or pattern to a simple dress. Lace and tulle also look amazing in photographs!

And dresses with sleeves are a great way to help slim arms. Depending on your location, you might want to consider a fit and flare or flowy dress! They look great in walking photos and shots with movement. Choose an outfit you feel comfortable in, but don’t be afraid to dress up a little more than usual!

Accessories

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

MANICURE

Outfits

for the ladies

find it fast

We think it’s so important that you look and feel your best for your photos! Investing in professional hair and makeup can go a long way towards creating photos you love for years. 

Professionally done hair and makeup last longer than typical hair and makeup, and they also tend to hold up better in humidity and wind.

If you go this route, we recommend staying a bit “classic”. Now probably isn’t the best time to try out that new contouring technique you saw on TikTok!

If you’re planning to do any spray tans or waxing, schedule those a few days before the session to give your skin time to recover. 

Hair & Makeup

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

MANICURE

Outfits

for the ladies

find it fast

There will probably be times during your session when we’re shooting your hands holding or the engagement ring on your hand - which means it’s a good idea to clean up your nails before your session (this applies to the guys too!)

Manicure

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

MANICURE

Outfits

for the ladies

find it fast

You can’t go wrong with a suit and tie! Consider pulling out that suit you had to wear last time you were a groomsmen. You can never go wrong with crisp button up. Layer it with a blazer or sweater over the top and style with jeans or your favorite khakis or chinos! And bowties are always a good idea!

Be careful not to choose a pattern that's too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.

Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. Cozy sweaters layered over button ups are a great way to stay warm and stylish during the cooler months!

Wardrobe

WHERE TO SHOP

Outfits

for the gents

Inclement Weather

what to do if it rains

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 and location we’re meeting and the forecast! We know it takes a lot of time to get ready for engagement pictures, 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! 

When we can, we always try to take a photo of your ring during your engagement session, so it’s a good idea to have it cleaned (or clean it yourself) before your shoot! To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.

Ring
Cleaning

Props

champagne is always a good idea

If you’re planning to bring props to your engagement session, we recommend including them only if they’re meaningful to you! Shots of you drinking coffee at a local coffee shop would be cute if that’s where you met; however, a trying to fly a kite together when it’s not a part of your relationship may come off as forced.

When it comes to posing for your engagement session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If we tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because we know it’s going to make the two of you laugh - and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for! 

Throughout your session, we’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. We want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together! 

"What do I do with
 my hands"?

"What do I do
 with my hands"?

POSING

Date Night

If you’re anything like us, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often, which means 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!

As soon as possible after your session is complete, I'll back up your images and begin the editing process. Unless I have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your edited, digital images between 3 and 4 weeks after your session. Typically previews are up within 5 days.

When to Expect Your Images

We know that this guide is long and hopefully it 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 us!

THANK YOU!

brittney@brittneyandcaleb.com