Updated March 12, 2025


ENGAGEMENT SESSION FAQs


  1. Why should we do an engagement session?
  2. Where should we go?
  3. What time of day should we shoot?
  4. When should we book?
  5. What should we wear?
  6. Can we create a Pinterest board of poses we love?
  7. What should we bring?
  8. Can we include our cat(s), dog(s), or kid(s) in the shoot?
  9. Will both you and Mark be at the engagement session?

1. WHY SHOULD WE DO AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION?


Wondering if an engagement session with your wedding photographer is worth it? Short answer: YES! Here’s why:


  1. Get Comfortable – Meeting your photographer before the big day means we’ve already connected, worked together, and become friends, so you’ll feel totally at ease with me as your photographer and guide.
  2. Trust the Process – During the engagement session, we’ll go through any nerves, find your best poses, and get you confident in front of the camera, so you’ll feel fully assured on your wedding day.
  3. Memories to Display – You’ll have beautiful, personalized photos that fit your wedding theme for decor, guest books, Save-the-Dates, or even to display at home before the big day.
  4. Perfect Timing – We’ll also get a feel for how much time is needed for photos, so on your wedding day, we’ll capture beautiful shots quickly, letting you get back to the celebration.


An engagement session makes everything smoother, more natural, and way more fun on your big day!

A romantic couple in white outfits share an intimate moment in a sunlit forest.

2. WHERE SHOULD WE GO?


Included are up to 400 miles round-trip from Pollock Pines, CA! Here's a list of some of my favorite locations nearby:


Pollock Pines / Camino / Placerville / Apple Hill

  • High Sierra Iris Gardens
  • High Hill Ranch
  • O'Halloran's Apple Trail Ranch
  • Saluti Cellars
  • Cielo Estate Winery
  • Too Good Winery
  • Sly Park Recreation Area
  • Ice House Road
  • Whitehall / American River along Hwy 50
  • Bridal Veil Falls Campground
  • Eden Vale Inn
  • The Davies Family Inn
  • Bella Vista Bed & Breakfast
  • Silverthorn Meadows
  • Smokey Ridge Ranch
  • Apple Ridge Ranch


Sierra Nevada

  • Hope Valley
  • Thunder Mountain
  • Carson Pass


South Lake Tahoe

  • Emerald Bay
  • Upper Truckee Marsh
  • Valhalla Tahoe
  • Edgewood Tahoe Resort


Sacramento Area

  • Tower Bridge
  • Old Sacramento Waterfront
  • UC Davis Arboretum
  • State Capitol Park
  • Austin B. Carroll Heritage Oak Grove
  • Old Sugar Mill
  • Stanford Mansion


Placer County

  • Flower Farm Inn


Amador County

  • Heirloom Inn
  • The Gardens at Sutter Creek


When planning your engagement session, consider choosing a location that matches your wedding colors, venue, and vibe! For example, if you’re tying the knot at a forest lodge, adventurous photos on a mountaintop or in the woods would look amazing on display at your wedding. Or, if your wedding will be filled with florals, a lush garden setting for your engagement photos would beautifully complement that theme. (You get the idea!)


P.S. – If you’re interested in shooting in the Bay Area, Yosemite, the Redwoods, or beyond, I have tons of other stunning location ideas elsewhere in NorCal! Just ask about my favorite adventure spots, and let’s make it happen!

A couple in white clothing embraces on a scenic mountaintop during golden hour.

3. WHAT TIME OF DAY SHOULD WE SHOOT?


For engagement sessions, I love capturing those dreamy Golden Hour moments right before sunset and continuing into the magical Blue Hour just after! (Or, starting just before sunrise!) In my experience, the lower the sun, the more beautiful and flattering the light becomes.


(Pro tip: here’s a great article that explains why photographers love this time of day!)


You can easily Google the sunset time for your date and location to see when it’s happening. Our exact start time will depend on your planned outfits and locations, and we’ll confirm the best timing during our session planning call!

A couple in white clothing walks through a sun-dappled pine forest.

4. WHEN SHOULD WE BOOK?


Weddings are typically booked at least one year in advance. And, during wedding season (from April to October), I’m usually photographing either weddings or sessions nearly every Saturday! So, I recommend booking your engagement session as soon as you reserve your wedding date, even if you plan to shoot your engagement session months later. This will allow you to have your pick of dates, so you can ensure your engagement photos match the vibe of your wedding and you can plan your outfits and locations with plenty of time.


Regarding turnaround, my turnaround time for engagement photos is about 4 to 6 weeks, so if you’re planning to use these images for your Save-the-Dates, you'll definitely want to shoot your session at least a month or two before you plan to send those out! For save-the-date timing, Zola.com suggests sending Save-the-Dates around 8 months in advance for a destination wedding, and 6 months for a local wedding. But, there's nothing wrong with getting them out even earlier!


(Here’s the full article with more details!)

Romantic sunset moment in a golden mountain meadow with warm lighting.

5. WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?


To help create timeless and elegant engagement photos, here are the outfit styles that best complement my photographic style:


For Her:

Consider a fresh look with hair, makeup, and nails done. A white or light-colored dress with matching heels works beautifully for light, clean, and classic images.


For Him:

A classic white button-up shirt with light tan pants, a brown or tan belt, and coordinating shoes (in white, brown or tan) is ideal. For a more elevated look, you can’t go wrong with a blazer, suit, or tux!


A Note on Colors and Styles:

Since these images will be cherished forever, it’s worth investing in a new wardrobe that reflects the timeless look you’re going for. You’re already investing in your photography, so why not have outfits that truly complement the style? I recommend avoiding jeans, flannels, patterns and dark colors (unless it’s a suit). Light, neutral and earthy tones create the clean, cohesive look I love capturing.


(For inspiration, here’s my engagement style board on Pinterest to help guide your wardrobe choices!)

A couple shares a tender moment while relaxing on a blanket in a grassy meadow.

6. CAN WE CREATE A PINTEREST BOARD OF POSES WE LOVE?


Absolutely! A Pinterest board is a fantastic way to bring your vision to life. Feel free to add me as a collaborator so I can easily access your ideas!


Here’s my Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rachelreynoldsco


To balance your favorite Pinterest poses with fun, candid, in-the-moment shots, I recommend selecting no more than 30 poses. This helps us capture your vision while leaving room for natural, authentic moments!

A couple walks barefoot along the beach in white clothing as waves crash behind them.

7. SHOULD WE BRING ANYTHING?


Certainly! Here are some items you might consider bringing to enhance your session and make your photos even better:


• Champagne & glasses for a celebratory touch

• Picnic blanket for cozy, relaxed shots

• A sign with your wedding date

• Personal items that are meaningful to your relationship

• Accessories to elevate your look, like a bouquet, hat, parasol, basket, or fan

• Comfortable slip-on shoes for moving between locations

• A jacket to stay warm between shots if the weather is chilly

• Towels for beach sessions

• A bag to keep wallets, cell phones, keys, and other personal items out of sight during the shoot


These little extras not only add depth and interest to your photos but also enhance your comfort throughout the session—resulting in even better, more natural images!

Two wine glasses held by hands with rings as a couple shares an intimate moment.

8. CAN WE INCLUDE OUR CAT(S), DOG(S), OR KID(S) IN THE SHOOT?


Yes, of course!


For including your cat(s), we can start the session at your home and then move to another location afterward.


For dog(s) or kid(s), I recommend having them join for only half or part of the session. It’s helpful to bring along a friend or family member who can take care of them while I capture couple-only shots. If your dog is comfortable on a leash, we can also have them nearby and take turns photographing with and without them.


Pro tip: Bring treats for your dog(s) (this goes for kids, too)!

A close-up of a hand wearing an engagement ring next to a dog's paw.

9. WILL BOTH YOU AND MARK BE AT THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION?


It’ll be just me (Rachel) for the engagement session! However, if you’re interested in adding drone photography or an engagement video, Mark can join us for those. Just let me know if you’d like details on pricing!