Engagement photos aren’t just an opportunity to get one step closer to sending off your “save the dates” — they’re the perfect way to bond with each other (and your photographer). Since you’re already making a lot of decisions for your wedding day, the last thing I want is for your engagement photos to add any stress to your plate. Here's a little guidance from yours truly to make the process a little easier, and a lot more fun. 

One important thing to consider first

We may have already discussed this a little or at length, but for a lot of people, getting their photo taken is super uncomfortable. A lot of people decide to work with me because they enjoy how comfortable, joyful, and real people feel, which I find incredibly flattering. But a lot of that has nothing to do with me.


I'll toot my own horn—I'm really good at my job. But even as a bomb photographer, I cannot make you look lovey-dovey, giggly, or happy if you are truly feeling uncomfortable. Or if that's not who you are as a couple. That's why picking locations/activities that make you feel like yourselves is so important. If you're worried about having people looking at you while you get your photos taken and know it'll make you feel self conscious, picking someplace public might not be the right choice. If you are wanting super romantic photos but you and your partner aren't comfortable with touching each other more intimately out in the open, again, a public location might not be an ideal situation. Really take some time to decide what feels right for you two.


If you want to try something new or fun or weird together, that's awesome! I love fun and weird! But it's also okay to snuggle on the couch or hang out in your backyard. You don't have to prove anything to anyone with your engagement photos. They are a representation of your relationship, so you do you.

Where should we go?

Items with a ** are places I've been dying to do photos at!


Grab a sip or nibble

Maybe I’m projecting, but food and drinks are my love language, so I’d be remiss not to suggest we hang out someplace we can kick back and fill our bellies. This is a great idea for folks who have a favorite spot in town, shared a special date, or celebrate big life moments out. (Click the links below for galleries I've shot at that particular location—otherwise be the first!)


Some of my favorite places in Des Moines:

Do something you love

Not only is this great if you and your partner not only have a hobby or activity you love to do together, but it's perfect for folks who are a little anxious about being in front of the camera. (Solves the eternal problem, "What do I do with my hands?!")


A few things I love that you might too:

ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS

You don’t have to be “outdoorsy” to enjoy time outside. I always find time with loved ones in nature to be one of the best ways to connect, and I’d love to share that experience with you and your partner in whatever way feels most NATURAL to you. (…hehe, get it? Nature dad jokes for days.)


A couple favorites around Des Moines:


Epic scenery around Iowa:


Give yourself permission

Have you always wanted to get super dressed up and take fancy-as-hell photos? Engagement photos are an excellent way to get fancy, the way movies always led you to believe you'd have opportunities to as an adult. (I thought I'd be wearing a LOT more floor-length gowns than I do thanks to rom coms.)


Just a few ways to treat yourself:


*If you'd like to view this gallery, reach out and I'm happy to share the password with you!


What should I wear?


Be comfortable 

Don’t get me wrong, engagement photos are an excellent excuse to buy or try something new. Just be sure you feel comfortable in whatever you pick—and I mean fit and feel. Not only should you be able to dance and run around in whatever you pick—because trust me, we’ll be doing all sorts of fun, weird things—but you should feel like the best version of yourself. We'll have time for at least two outfits, so something a little more casual and then a dressy number are what I usually recommend.


A few things I do suggest you avoid, though, just to be safe:


  • For the bra wearers out there: be sure we can’t see any straps or cups. Strapless bras and boob tape are great options for looser fabrics/materials! 
  • Avoid tiny prints or tight checkers/lines—they can create something called chromatic aberration. (Here's a link to the science behind it if you're a nerd like me.) You may have seen it in some of your own photos—sometimes it looks like purple-pink blobs, sometimes weird, neon outlines around people or objects. It's not impossible to edit out, but it's easier to do what we can to avoid it.
  • Items with large brand names/logos on them. Words and graphics—unless meaningful to you—can be distracting.
  • Neon colors—especially in natural environments—can be overwhelming for the eye and cause some skin tone issues.
  • Something that shows off tan lines, especially if they're super pronounced.
  • Anything you don't feel amazing in. It's totally normal to try on something and be like, "Oh, this is kind of fancy/wild/out of my usual," but if it's followed by an, "but I love it!" then wear it! But if it's followed by a, "but I don't feel very good." then it's probably a no.



Think about the environment

Comfort goes along with this, but there are a few other things to consider. Let the vibes and color of where we’re headed can help influence your decision making. For example, if you’re taking photos in the woods during the spring or summer, green may not be the best color option unless you want to blend in with your surroundings. Or if you want to hit up a fancier cocktail spot, joggers and a t-shirt might look a little out of place. If you need any suggestions, you are always welcome to send me outfit ideas, but looking on Pinterest for inspiration is super helpful. Try searching phrases that relate to your vibe, like "dive bar engagement photos" or "outdoor couples photo shoot."



HAVE OPTIONS

Feel free to throw your favorite pieces in your car for us to play with day of! It's also really easy to use layers and accessories as a way to get variety, so don't hesitate to bring something that will change your outfit quickly, like a jean jacket or scarf. If you're planning on doing a more dramatic change halfway through, let me know in advance so we can be sure we plan time for your change. Keep in mind, though, that if we're out in the middle of nowhere, you'll most likely have to change in your car or a public restroom!



Do whatever you want

Everything said and done, you were whatever the hell you want. Seriously. Feel free to use Instagram, Pinterest, or my feedback as guidance, but take it all with a grain of salt. Want to wear an epic, flowy gown? Get it. Jeans and your favorite t-shirt? Bring it on. Matching onesies? Hell yeah. You do you, friends.

WhEN SHOULD WE Schedule?


The sun will have some sway

Typically photographers will suggest you shoot an hour before sunset—what's known as "golden hour"—not only for the pretty, warm light, but since the sun is closer to the horizon. That means more even lighting, really dreamy colors, and more flexibility with locations since you're not fighting shadows quite as much. That said, I've shot at all times of day, and utilizing natural light to tell a story is one of my favorite parts of my job. But a few things to keep in mind:


  • If you're planning on doing photos in really heavily wooded areas, doing it when the sun is closer to the horizon (sunrise or sunset) will mean you're less likely to have to fight pesky shadows and pockets of light.
  • If you're thinking of taking photos in an area that's wide open, any time of day will work, but the light will be harsher/more intense in the middle of the day. That means we might have to play with what directions we can shoot in to get the best results...or we can lean into the creativity of it all and see what cool things we can come up with.
  • If you have your heart set on a certain backdrop, we'll want to plan around when the light looks best in that spot. Otherwise it can limit the types of photos that will really look stellar in that particular location. (Ex: you want a really epic wide shot of a natural area, but half of it is in shadow by 5:00pm.)


There's always ways to make light

While the sun is a mass of incandescent gas, it's not the only source of light we can work with. I'll always bring my flash equipment we can play with, but if you're really wanting to have fun picking spots/activities with ambient lighting can really make your photos special. Whether that's relying on the light of a bonfire's glow or the low-lights of a cozy restaurant, there are lots of ways to utilize external lighting sources in the places we're working to fight off the dark. That's why indoor locations or urban areas can really shine when natural light is limited.


Don't forget the weather + time of year

Working outside can cause some anxiety when it comes to photos—we are absolutely at the mercy of Mother Nature, especially in the Midwest. Please be aware that just because it's not a perfect day weather wise does not mean we will cancel/reschedule. I will always communicate with folks throughout the day (and usually leading up to, depending on the weekly forecast) to see if adjusting our start time can help with days that might be a little darker. (Though, this is your friendly reminder that overcast days are awesome for photos.) I also always bring bug spray and spare tweezer to make our lives a little easier during the hotter months when mosquitoes and ticks can be pesky. But if the weather isn't keeping us from being outside—aka, it's not so cold, rainy, windy, or hot that we can't stand to be outside for more than a few minutes—the show will typically go on.


That said, please note that there are very few indoor locations in Des Moines that don't require advanced notice or cost additional money to rent, so if the weather really is bad we most likely will have to reschedule for another date unless you are open to renting a studio or paying for a private space that can accommodate us last minute.


Also, don't forget how early the sun sets in late fall and winter! If you are hoping for an evening session but book for a Tuesday, know you'll probably have to take off work because it'll be dark by 5:00pm!