If the fates delivered you to my blog during your search for engagement photos inspiration and guidance, well, thank your lucky stars! This guide is designed to answer every question you have about engagement photography, session locations, photo trends, poses, outfits, rain plans, and more. If you’re in that exciting phase of planning your engagement photoshoot near Pennsylvania, Delaware, and beyond, I am so stoked for you! This is the one place couples can get every question answered before their session. Keep reading for (literally) everything you could ever want to know.
What are engagement photos, exactly?
Engagement photos are the photos you take to announce your recent engagement! Many couples book a wedding photographer who offers an engagement session as part of their wedding photography package (like me!). Think of your engagement session like a warm up shoot that shakes out the awkward and gives you beautiful save-the-date images. It’s worth the experience to explore your chosen wedding venue, visit a meaningful destination, and interact with your wedding photographer during this shoot!
Visit my Philadelphia Engagement Session guide for more details on how to prepare and what to expect at your session.
When should you take engagement photos?
I advise couples to take engagement photos anywhere from six months to one year before their wedding date. This gives you enough time to receive your edited gallery, choose your favorites, and get save-the-dates printed and sent. Other factors to consider regarding when to take engagement photos are the season, weather, lighting, and wardrobe.
What should you wear for engagement photos?
The best advice for couples dressing for engagement photos is to coordinate without matching, dress for the season and location, and bring multiple looks if the venue allows. But the number one rule of dressing for engagement photos is to choose something you feel confident in! The confidence factor 100% translates on camera, so I can’t overstate that enough. Explore the inspiration in my full engagement outfit guide for an exhaustive list of men’s and women’s styling tips, frequently asked questions, and my favorite stores to shop for engagement photo outfits!
Where should you take engagement photos?
Some of the best places for engagement photos are the ones that hold special meaning in your relationship. Whether it’s your wedding venue, your shared apartment, the bar where you first connected, or the riverfront park where you meet during lunch breaks. If you’re wondering how to pick a location that means something, ask your partner the first place that pops into their head when they think of your relationship.
And if you’re still stuck, I listed 25 engagement photo locations in Philadelphia and some of my favorite spots in Wilmington, DE here! You’ll find we can cover a lot of ground in one session depending on the location you choose!
Looking for a location that straddles the PA/DE line and does half the styling for you? Longwood Gardens is a perennial favorite of mine. Think: seasonal blooms, fountains, and conservatory light that makes everyone look like the main character.
How do you prepare for your engagement session?
The best way to prep for your engagement session is to communicate proactively with your photographer, gather everything you need in advance, and arrive early and relaxed. I highly recommend booking a skilled hair and makeup artist so you can feel camera ready and confident in your final look.
Choose your outfits, shoes, and accessories the night before your session and bring any extras you might need (deodorant, walking shoes, makeup blotter). If you’re feeling scattered on the day of the shoot, don’t sweat it! Just shoot me a text and let me know what you need. I prep like a Type A no matter where we’re headed!
Check out this guide on how to prepare for your session for more concrete tips.
How do you pose (and not look awkward)?
When it comes to posing for engagement photos, I guide my couples towards movement over stiff poses! My job is to comfortably guide you into positions that feel natural and unforced while you focus on each other. Even camera shy couples tell me they didn’t feel awkward on camera because our session was focused on letting their relationship and personalities take center stage.
I put together this list for couples searching for posing ideas and trends to try during their session!
Can you bring your dog to your engagement session?
YES! As a three-time pet parent to the sassiest and most fabulous cats on the planet, I’m a huge proponent of including pets in your session. If you’re including a dog in engagement photos, have a designated petsitter bring them at the start of your session. We will begin with these photos and get the jitters out at the same time! If you’re a cat parent like me, in-home sessions are a great option to make sure your furbabies are included.
I wrote an entire post detailing all the logistics around how to include your dog in this momentous occasion.
What if it rains?
We will always have a plan B when it comes to rain or inclement weather on your engagement session date. Rain or temperatures below 30 degrees or above 95 degrees is what I classify as “bad” weather. The day before your session, when we have the most accurate weather forecast, we’ll confirm the rescheduled session.
If you’re booking a hair and makeup artist, make sure they’re available for both session dates just in case! If the rain catches us off guard, no biggie. My instinct is always to roll with it, and those photos often turn out to be some of my all-time favorites.
How much do engagement photos cost?
An engagement session with a top Philadelphia wedding photographer can run you anywhere from $1,000 – $3,000 depending on the vendor you choose. This includes:
- a 1-hour engagement session on your chosen date
- any location within 45 minutes of Philadelphia or Wilmington, DE
- up to two outfit changes during your session
- a 2 week turnaround time for your final gallery
For a full list of my services and everything included in my wedding photography packages, visit my services page.
Respectfully, if you’re researching wedding photography costs and budgeting through platforms like The Knot, remember to take those stats with a grain of salt. Wedding and engagement photography costs are largely influenced by region and photographer skill level. Make sure to do your own research, go straight to the source, and always ask for a custom quote when booking!
How many engagement photos do you get?
On average, engagement photo galleries include between 100-200 edited photos. I give each of my couples a mixture of candid, black and white, posed portrait, and detail photos to choose from.
How long until you get your photos back?
Your full engagement session gallery is delivered within two weeks of your session date! For your wedding, I’ll deliver a gallery sneak peek within 24 hours and the full gallery four to six weeks later.
Want the full rundown on wedding day timelines and gallery delivery? I answer it all in my wedding photography FAQ guide.
Engagement Session Quick Answers
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| How long is an engagement session? | About 1 hour (a little longer if your location calls for it) |
| When should you book it? | 6–12 months before your wedding date |
| How many outfits can you wear? | Up to 2 outfit changes |
| How many photos do you get? | 100–200 edited images |
| How fast do you get them back? | 2 weeks |
| Can you bring your dog? | Yes — have a petsitter bring them at the start |
| Is there a rain plan? | Yes — we confirm a flexible reschedule the day before |
Ready to book your engagement session?
I’ve been documenting love stories in Pennsylvania and Delaware for over a decade, and I love walking couples through their engagement session step by step. What other engagement photos questions do you have?! Drop a comment below if you can’t find what you’re looking for. When you’re ready to book your session, reach out on my inquiry form to book your wedding photography package and complimentary engagement session!
Lindsey Ford is a Pennsylvania and Delaware wedding photographer capturing engagement photos and weddings all over the East Coast, including Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, and is ready to document your special moments artfully. If you’re ready to book your engagement photos, inquire here!
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