Your Engagement Session Planning Guide
If you’ve heard it twenty times, you still haven’t heard it enough—congratulations on your engagement! It’s a special time that will only happen once, so I’m all for leaning into it.
I’m excited that you’re here, ready to plan a session that celebrates who you are in this moment in time. Your engagement session isn’t just a photoshoot; it’s a chance for us to get to know each other, explore your story, and create images that will matter to you for a lifetime.
In this guide, you’ll find everything that I have to tell you about picking the perfect time, place, and vibe for your engagement session. I’ll share my own thoughts about what to wear and ideas on incorporating special details that reflect your personalities.
As with all of my sessions, the goal is for you to have a relaxed, feelings-first photography experience—one where you can be yourselves and hopefully have a lot of fun.
Scheduling and Timing
BEST TIME OF DAY
I love scheduling engagement sessions during golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset, because the light is softer, more flattering, and adds an ethereal, romantic glow to your images. If you’re morning people, sunrise sessions can be magical—and they often mean fewer crowds, if we’re shooting in a public space. For morning sessions, we’ll typically start about 15 minutes before sunrise. And for evening sessions, we’ll typically start about 45 minutes before sunset, so we can capture the warmest moments before sunset and the just-after-sunset twilight.
DAYS OF THE WEEK
To accomodate weekend weddings, I generally schedule engagement sessions from Monday to Thursday. This also helps us avoid the busiest times at popular spots. If you have a specific weekday in mind, let me know as soon as possible so we can lock in your date.
COORDINATING WITH HAIR AND MAKEUP TRIALS
If you’re planning a hair and makeup trial for your wedding, scheduling it for the same day as your engagement session is a fantastic way to get the most out of the trial and test out your wedding day look. Let me know if this is something you’re considering, and I’ll be happy to try to coordinate with your hair and makeup artist’s availability.
SEASON & WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS
In Southern California, we’re blessed with mild weather year round, and each season has its charm—some natural greenery after the rare winter rain shower, super blooms in the springtime, long evenings in the summer, and foliage in the fall. If it rains (which is rare but not impossible), I’m flexible about moving your session date. Or if you want to brave the rain because of schedule concerns, I have cute clear umbrellas (and sometimes rainy days make for beautiful photography!).
LEAD TIME & BOOKING
To ensure plenty of scheduling options, I recommend reaching out and scheduling your session 4 - 6 weeks in advance, especially if you have certain days of the week that work better than others.
Engagement Location Ideas & Inspiration
MEANINGFUL PLACES & ACTIVITIES
Some couples take inspiration for their engagement session from places and things that are particularly significant for them—maybe doing an activity that they normally do, like getting coffee at their favorite café, skateboarding at their favorite beach, or getting burgers at their favorite fast food joint.
URBAN & CITYSCAPE LOCATIONS
For a more modern or editorial vibe, you could seek out a cityscape or architectural place, maybe the downtown arts district, a rooftop bar, or a historic building. We can capture you exploring city blocks, browsing a bookstore, or grabbing ice cream from a vendor. You could also choose an iconic landmark, such as the Griffith Observatory or Pasadena City Hall, for an instantly recognizable engagement session.
If you’re having a tough time deciding on the aesthetic you’re looking for, my biggest recommendation is to head to Pinterest, type in “engagement session,” and start scrolling and pinning what stands out to you. After a little while, you may start to see patterns in what you’ve pinned, and that may help narrow it down!
What to Wear to Your Engagement Session
WARDROBE & ACCESSORIES
First and foremost, be yourself. My greatest goal in taking photos of you is for you to feel and look like your authentic self. Engagement and wedding photography is about preserving memories and yourselves in this moment in time. I think that your clothes should reflect who you are. And if you want a couple of different vibes, you could bring a quick-change option to switch into halfway through the session.
Coordinate, don’t match. I’d recommend choosing a color family or palette that complements your location and each other’s outfits, without being “matchy.” Subtle, cohesive color shades always photograph beautifully.
Consider the location. At beaches and coastal settings, I usually recommend light, flowing fabrics that move beautifully in the wind and compliment a laid-back atmosphere. Soft, muted colors, like creams, earthy neutrals, and pastels, echo the coastal tones without clashing. At parks, mountains, and in nature, earth tones and textures can blend seamlessly with natural surroundings. Soft textures like knits and light sweaters can add a touch of coziness (and can help if the outdoor locations are chilly at sunrise/sunset). In cityscapes, you could definitely choose a more polished or bold outfit—fitted clothes, chic dresses, and leather jackets, for example, might fit in against an industrial or architectural background. (* All of that being said, rules are made to be broken! I’ve seen couples wear leather jackets in mountain valleys, and the juxtaposition was gorgeous. Remember rule #1: be yourself!)
Comfort matters. It can be hard to stay in the moment and have fun when you’re giving yourself blisters. Consider whether your shoes or outfits are comfortable enough for you to really enjoy wearing them and feel your best. You can always wear practical footwear that slips on and off easily and switch into prettier shoes for the photos.
Accessories and props can be fun! You could pack a picnic, carry lanterns (I have lanterns—if you want to incorporate them, let me know and I can bring them!), or bring a bouquet of flowers.
Pets are welcome! I’m obsessed with animals and always welcome a furry friend with enthusiasm. If you do bring a dog, though, I’d recommend making plans for taking some photos with and without them. Some folks bring a stake that they can put in the ground to leash their dog for parts of the session, and some bring a friend along to help out with their dog while we take other portraits. You know your pet best, so just consider what would make the day easiest for you and them. (Also, if you do want to bring your pet along, we’ll also need to consider whether the location you choose is pet-friendly.)
HAIR & MAKEUP
If you’re already planning to book a trial with your hair and makeup artist for your wedding day, consider scheduling your engagement session to coincide with that trial, if possible! It’s a great opportunity to really test the look out and see if you like how it photographs.
If you’re doing your own makeup, remember that the camera can absorb a little bit more makeup than real life (meaning, a day-to-day subtle look may not show up in the photos). But ultimately, you should choose a style that feels true to yourself.
Remember your hands & nails. I do take some close-up shots of your hands, especially when highlighting your engagement ring. A manicure is never a bad idea (no matter your gender!).
How to Prepare for Your Engagement Session
PACK A “PHOTO-SHOOT BAG”
You’ll want comfort essentials (water, maybe a snack, and comfortable walking shoes if you’re planning to switch between dress shoes and walking shoes), a touch-up kit (blotting sheets or powder, lipstick, a travel-sized hairbrush, and extra bobby pins and hair ties are a good idea), and any props.
THE DAY BEFORE
You’ll get an email from me the day before your session with the timing and location details, so it should be toward the top of your inbox when you’re heading out the next day. I’d recommend laying out your outfits the night before the session, including making sure any jewelry or accessories are untangled. This is also a good time for self-care: drinking plenty of water, watching an episode of your favorite show (maybe not America’s Next Top Model, though 😂), and getting a good night’s sleep.
THE MORNING OF
Don’t overthink it! Eat your normal meals, pretend the session is 30 minutes earlier than it is so you get there on time (a Southern California life hack), and listen to your favorite music on the way. We’re going to have fun!
After the Engagement Session
My usual turnaround time for full engagement photo galleries is 15 days, with a few sneak peeks sent the day after your session just for fun. I deliver all of my galleries via an online gallery system called Pic-Time, where you’ll be able to download full-sized images, share the gallery with friends and family, and purchase albums or any prints you’d like.
Thank you for considering me to document this special season in your lives. An engagement session is more than just taking photos—it’s a chance to pause to celebrate your love story and reflect on the life you’re about to build with each other. My hope is that when you look back on these images, you’ll remember not just what you wore or where you took the photos but mainly how you felt in the moment.
I’m excited to meet you!
HI THERE, I’M PAMELA!
I’m the owner and lead photographer at Pamela Tatz Photography, a Los Angeles wedding photography studio specializing in documenting love stories authentically and candidly.
With timeless, true-to-color aesthetic and a warm, feelings-first approach, my goal is to create photos that are honest, nostalgic, and truly reflect your day.
