It was an absolute pleasure for me to photograph Taylor and Will’s Oregon Coast engagement session!  As you’ll see in their photographs, this couple truly embraced the joy in their moment throughout this engagement session.  Their photos show their genuine love and admiration for one another and the fun they have together too! Taylor and Will, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this special moment in your lives!  

If you’re looking to get the most out of your engagement session, like Taylor and Will did, here are some of my favorite engagement photography session tips for you guys:

Choose an Engagement Session Location That is Meaningful to You Both

When you’re selecting your session location, try and pick a spot that holds a special meaning to you both, as a couple!  Maybe it’s the spot you met, or the spot you got engaged, or it’s a spot that you had a random but incredible date.  If you’re taking pictures somewhere that is special to you both, that will come through in your engagement session photographs!! What I love about this engagement session on the Oregon Coast is the depth you see within the photos because of the trees and the lighting behind the trees.  I also love the warmth of the lighting!  It all complimented Taylor + Will perfectly.  

And, if you’re just not sure where to take your engagement session photographs, that’s okay, too! Trust me when I say, do not hesitate to ask your photographer for location suggestions!  Explain your likes and dislikes best that you can.  Your photographer has likely visited all potential locations and has probably visited these locations many times.  Your photographer is the perfect person to ask.   

I personally love the Oregon Coast as an Engagement Session location because you have so many choices.  The Oregon Coast allows for both intimate backdrops and vast scenic backdrops and can accommodate all different kinds of styles and people!

Plan ahead… but not too much!

When I say this, I’m talking about your outfits for your engagement session! As you compliment one another in life, you’ll want to pick outfits that do the same!! (Without being overly matching of course -that’s where you don’t want to plan ahead too much haha).  

Also, when you’re selecting outfits for your engagement session, try to choose something that expresses who you both are (individually and as a couple, too)!

Taylor’s choice to wear a flowy, white, bridal outfit was romantic and fun! And Will’s outfit truly showcased his own personal style. Together, it worked out beautifully for this Oregon Coast engagement session. I always like to say, if your outfit is an authentic expression of YOU, then it’s always the right choice!

And, as I mentioned, a spot like the Oregon Coast is great for both intimate pictures and vast scenic backdrop pictures, which is also perfect for outfit changes, ladies! So, if you’re looking for a chance to showcase your style and wardrobe, a location like the Oregon Coast may be for you. I have shot engagement sessions without any outfit changes and engagement sessions with several outfit changes, it’s entirely up to you and what you’re looking to get out of the session and the photographs!  

OUTFIT PRO TIP:  DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE ANY HAIR TIES OFF YOUR WRIST BEFORE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION BEGINS!

Schedule your wedding hair/makeup trials for the same day as your engagement session

Your engagement session is a great “trial run” for so many things leading up to your wedding day! If you’re curious how your hair and makeup will photograph, your engagement session is a great way to utilize the outdoor lighting, your photographer, and your hair and makeup to see how all these elements “marry” together.

It’s best to try and schedule your hair and makeup as close as possible to your session time as you can, while allowing enough time to travel from one place to the other.  Doing your hair and makeup trial the same day as your engagement session will also allow for you to find out how long your hair and makeup will “stay” (as it first was) and how often you’ll need touch ups throughout your wedding day! Once you have that figured out, tell your Maid of Honor ASAP and let her know to keep that timeframe in mind!

You might also want to schedule your session the same time of day that you will be taking photographs on your wedding day.  This will give you an indication as to what to expect with lighting in the area that time of day.  It will allow for you to gain a discernment for what works great and what might not work as well for you!

Don’t stress, have fun!

Just like Taylor and Will did: have fun!  The more you relax at your engagement session, and the more you’re authentically enjoying yourself, the more it will show through in your engagement session photos!  There is nothing more beautiful than photographs of two people in love enjoying a genuine moment together, just like Taylor and Will’s Oregon Coast engagement session! 

Again, I want to thank Taylor and Will for allowing me this great opportunity to take their spectacular Oregon Coast engagement session photos. I feel so honored to capture real life happiness like theirs!

Want to start planning your own Oregon Coast engagement session?

If you have any questions about your upcoming session or if you’d like to schedule your own engagement session, I’d love to hear from you!! You can contact me here.