6 Tips For How to Prepare for Your Engagement Session

May 27, 2026

Grand Rapids engagement photographer

If you’re worried about feeling awkward… Read this

Almost every couple tells me the same thing before their session: “We’re awkward in photos. And honestly… That’s completely normal. Most people are not used to being professionally photographed. You’re not supposed to show up already knowing how to pose or what to do with your hands. That’s my job.

Instead, your engagement session is not about performing for the camera. It’s about slowing down, being present with each other, and creating space for real moments to happen naturally.

The biggest thing you need to bring to your session is simply yourselves.

Everything else? I’ll guide you through. Now, let’s help you prepare for your engagement session!

6 Tips To Help You Prepare For Your Engagement Session

1. Start With the Right Location

Your location sets the tone for your entire session.

Some couples want something romantic and elegant. Others want something playful, adventurous, cozy, or laid back. Choosing a location that feels true to you makes such a HUGE difference in how your photos feel.

The way I explain it is this:

Your location is like a painting that already exists, and now we’re choosing where your story fits inside of it.

A few examples:

  • Downtown Grand Rapids feels energetic, stylish, and full of movement
  • Lake Michigan beaches feel emotional, soft, and romantic
  • Open fields and trails feel relaxed and airy
  • Places that already mean something to you often create the most meaningful photos

When you feel connected to your environment, it becomes so much easier to relax into the experience.

If you’re still deciding where to take your photos, here are 7 Best Engagement Photo Locations in West Michigan.

2. Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time

One of the biggest confidence boosters is simply giving yourself enough time to prepare.

When outfits are rushed at the last second, stress follows. But when you intentionally choose outfits that feel comfortable, flattering, and true to your personalities, you’ll naturally feel more confident in front of the camera.

I always recommend choosing outfits that:

  • Feel like you
  • Complement your location
  • Allow movement
  • Coordinate without perfectly matching
  • Photograph naturally and timelessly

Neutral tones, earth tones, textures, and layers tend to photograph beautifully while still keeping the focus on your connection.

And most importantly:
Wear something you genuinely feel good in.

If you’re unsure what photographs best, head to my engagement style guide where I help you figure out What to Wear for Engagement Photos in West Michigan. 

3. Plan Around the Light

Lighting changes everything.

The reason so many engagement photos feel soft, dreamy, and emotional is because they were taken during good light.

I typically recommend scheduling sessions during golden hour, which is the hour before sunset. This is when the light becomes softer, warmer, and more flattering.

That soft evening light helps create:

  • Natural skin tones
  • Creamy highlights
  • Softer shadows
  • A more romantic, documentary feel

And honestly, it also helps couples relax because the atmosphere feels calmer and slower.

If you’re unsure when your session should happen, I share the nitty-gritty details about the Best Time of Day for Engagement Photos in Michigan.

4. Trust the Process

You do not need to know how to pose.

You do not need modeling experience.

And you absolutely do not need to worry about looking “perfect.”

My approach is very guided, but in a way that still feels natural. Instead of stiff posing, I use movement, prompts, conversation, and interaction so your photos actually feel like you.

A lot of the session simply feels like the two of you hanging out together while I document what naturally unfolds.

I’ll guide you every step of the way so you never have to wonder:
“What do we do with our hands?”

5. Focus on Each Other

The best engagement photos do not come from perfect poses.

They come from connection.

The couples who end up loving their photos most are usually the ones who stop focusing on the camera and start focusing on each other.

Laugh together.
Move around.
Talk.
Hold hands.
Lean into the little moments.

Those are the images that end up feeling honest and emotionally true years from now.

6. Give Yourself Time to Settle In

I always tell my couples this because it matters.

The first few minutes might feel awkward (That is completely normal!).

There’s usually a small adjustment period where everyone is warming up to being photographed. Then something shifts. You stop overthinking. You relax with each other. The session starts feeling natural.

That’s why I encourage couples not to put pressure on themselves right away.

You don’t need to “nail it” immediately.

You just need to show up willing to be present with each other.

Let’s Make This Easy

My goal is for your engagement session to feel effortless from start to finish.

I help guide you through the entire process, including:

At the end of the day, this experience is about more than just photos, it’s about documenting this season of your life in a way that feels real. Reach out here to start planning your own engagement session!