If you’re here, you’re probably planning your engagement session and wondering how to make the most of this special experience. Engagement photos aren’t just about capturing beautiful images—they’re about documenting your love in a way that feels authentic to you. You want your session to reflect who you are as a couple, and that’s why I’ve put together some tips to help make this experience as seamless and memorable as possible!

Let’s Start with Location

Your location sets the tone for your session. I always encourage couples to choose places that are meaningful to them. Think of spots that hold memories or that represent your story. Is it the cozy café where you had your first date? A scenic trail you love to hike together? Or even your home, where you feel most yourselves? If not a specific place, think about the dates you love to go on together! Do you tend to go to the beach? Stroll around a specific neighborhood? Grab drinks at a dive bar? Picnic at a park near your place? This is your moment to celebrate your story, so don’t be afraid to pick a location that makes you feel comfortable and connected.

For those who want a more adventurous feel, we can venture into nature, do an activity (like cooking, sailing, rock climbing, etc), or even explore somewhere new. If you’re looking for an intimate vibe, a home session could be perfect. Just imagine yourselves snuggled up on the couch, cooking together in the kitchen, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee. These everyday moments can be the most beautiful when captured through a lens.

Locations on Long Island

Rustic/Natural

Islip Grange Park

Robert Moses Lighthouse

Prosser Pines

Sunken Meadow State Park

Planting Fields

Peconic River Herb Farm

Beach

McAllister’s Park (Pirate’s Cove)

Captree State Park

Long Beach

Bayshore

Indoor activities

Coffee shop (anywhere)

Home

Airbnb/Cabin

“Urban”

Popular villages (OTB, Huntington)

Your own neighborhood!

NYC

Mansions

Old Westbury Gardens

Sands Point Preserve

Vanderbilt Museum

Creating Your Vision

This session is a blank canvas for you to paint with your personalities and preferences. Do you want to bring your favorite activity into the session, like hiking, baking, or even lounging with your pets? Or maybe you’d like to try something new together? This is all about celebrating your connection in a way that feels uniquely yours. The more of your vision you share with me, the more personalized and fun your session will be.

Choosing Your Outfits

Your outfits should reflect your personality, your style, and, most importantly, your connection. When choosing what to wear, think about how you want to feel during your session. Do you prefer a more dressed-up look, or are you most comfortable in jeans and a tee? There’s no right or wrong answer—it’s all about you.

Here are a few outfit tips:

• Stay True to You: Pick clothes that make you feel amazing. If you wouldn’t normally wear it, don’t feel pressured to now. You’ll look your best when you’re comfortable and confident.

• Coordinate Without Matching: Think complementary colors and tones rather than matching head-to-toe. Soft, neutral colors and earth tones tend to photograph well and keep the focus on your connection.

• Layers and Textures: Adding layers (like a cozy cardigan or a denim jacket) or incorporating textures (like knits, lace, or linen) can add depth to your photos.

• Skip the Logos and Busy Patterns: Bold logos and complex patterns can distract from the most important part of the session—you! Keep things simple to let your love shine through.

Want some inspiration for your outfit? Here are some visual examples for what to wear for engagement photos!

Also, if your looking for something fun to wear just for your engagement session, consider something like Rent the Runway.

Shop Your Closet vs. the Store

When you look back on these photos in 30 years, do you want it to feel like a memory?

Or an old photo of you in a random dress that you have no connection to at all?

Things that evoke memories: smells, tastes and the feeling of an old t-shirt you wore that night. Clothes have feelings and emotions attached to them. I want you to look at these images and see… you. To feel how you felt in that moment when you were so emotional and in love. Buying a random outfit to fit the “trends” might look cute today, but in 30 years you want to look back and see you, as you really were.

Ditch the store and shop your closet for your most beloved, neutral toned pieces and let’s see what you come up with.

There is no right way to do this, we all have our personal style and taste. I just want to encourage you to stay true to who you are. Long story short, wear something that makes YOU feel pretty, comfortable, and at HOME.

Let’s Talk: Comfort Over Style

Choosing clothing that adds movement to your images is key. It’s not just about comfort, it’s also about bringing life to your images. You want your clothes to flow with you as you move. Picture the wind catching your sleeve as you wrap your arms around each other, your hair billowing in the wind, a sweater falling off your shoulder, or a dress dancing around you. Movement can bring such vibrant energy to the session.

You are going to be moving… a LOT. The last thing I want you to feel is uncomfortable because your jeans are tight + pinching your skin. I don’t want you saying “I CAN’T DO THAT, this outfit won’t let me move.”

Photographs may be moments frozen in time, but details like this help create a more powerful story. For the gals, flowy dresses are always a great option. For guys, wear clothing that you’re able to easily sit down and move your arms around in without feeling constricted in any way. The more comfortable you are, the more you can focus on each other and making every minute count.

Color

Rule of thumb with color is to keep it neutral. WE WANT THE FOCUS OF THE IMAGES TO BE the emotion in your face, so the less distracting your clothes are, the better. BOLD colors can also reflect back onto your skin so the more muted or neutral the tone, the better.

Think rust instead of bright red, forest green instead of neon, and peach instead of hot pink.

Keep in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if partner A is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, partner B may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.

A good rule of thumb: pick 3 or so colors and spread them throughout your attire. Don’t be afraid to mix a few subtle patterns or textures (such as linen). 

And always keep the location in mind. If we’re shooting in a green field, light green dresses might blend in too much with the surroundings!

Patterns

SMALL PATTERNS PHOTOGRAPH BETTER THAN LARGE ONES.

Be aware of pattern mixing. It can work when done right, but to be safe I recommend sticking to one when choosing between tops or bottoms. If one person is wearing a pattern, then the other should stick with solids.

Graphic tees are always a yes.

Where to Shop

1. Madewell

3. Everlane

2. Urban Outfitters

4. Anthropologie

5. Oak + Fort

6. Zara

7. And Other Stories

8. Topshop

9. Lulu’s

10. Nordstrom

11. Rent the Runway

12. ASOS

13. Princess Polly

Accessories & Props

Bring options! Jackets, sunglasses, layers, hats, jewelry, hair accessories oversized jackets, fringe AND anything that creates movement.

Once again, if this is not true to you then don’t stress, but if you have options to play with, bring them!

Accessories & props can really make your session feel more like you. If you enjoy date nights with picnics, you could bring a blanket and a bottle of wine to incorporate that into your session. If you go for nightly bike rides around your neighborhood, let’s grab some photos of you two doing just that! Love stargazing in the back of your truck? I’m in.

Hair & Makeup

I want you to feel like the most beautiful, confident version of yourself, but also want you to look like YOU. If you don’t normally wear heavy makeup or styled hair, I strongly suggest you stick to your natural style. Your hair is going to get MESSY anyway with all the movement. I honestly love when people bring a hair tie and throw their hair up when they feel like it! Keep in mind there’s a time and place at your wedding to go glam. Let these images feel like you.

Show Up as Yourselves

Your couple session isn’t about looking perfect; it’s about capturing the real, honest connection you share. So laugh, hold hands, dance a little, and just have fun! We’ll document the candid moments—the shared glances, the inside jokes, the way you make each other laugh. These are the photos that will bring back memories and remind you of how you felt at this moment in time.

As your photographer, my job is to create a space where you feel free to be yourselves. You won’t need to worry about posing or making everything look “just right.” We’ll go with the flow, embracing the moments as they come. The less we focus on the idea of “posing,” the more natural and authentic your photos will be.

Timing is Everything

When it comes to timing, natural light plays a big role in creating beautiful, soft images. I love shooting during the “golden hour”—the hour just after sunrise or before sunset—when the light is warm and flattering. If you’re up for an early morning or an evening session, we can make the most of this magical light!

That said, it’s your session, and I’m here to work with you to find the time that feels right. Whether it’s early morning, mid-day, or late afternoon, we’ll capture your story in a way that’s true to you.

Making It a Date

This is more than just a photo session—it’s a chance for you to spend quality time together. I always encourage my couples to make a date out of it! You can even take the questionnaire I send you before our session and fill it out over dinner or a cozy night in. Let it be a time to reconnect, reflect on your relationship, and just have fun together. Think of it as a celebration of your love, documented in a way that’s unique to you.

Be Present and Have Fun

The best photos come from moments where you’re fully present, forgetting the camera is even there. Let go of any nerves and enjoy the time together. Treat it as a little date—a time to reconnect, laugh, and just have fun. The more relaxed and in-the-moment you are, the more your photos will capture the love and connection between you.

So let’s make some memories together! Your session is all about celebrating who you are as a couple. We’ll document your unique love story in a way that feels true to you, creating images that you’ll cherish for years to come. I’m beyond excited to capture these moments for you.

After the Session

01. SNEAK PEEKS

I’ll always send a few sneak peeks within a day or two of our session! Every shoot, I head home bursting with excitement to work on the photos–as stoked as you are to see them, I’m equally itching to share the magic we created.

02. FULL GALLERY

You will receive the full gallery within 3-6 weeks. I’ll keep you in the loop so you know exactly when to expect the photos. When they’re ready, you’ll receive a link to an online gallery where you can download and share with friends/family.

03. BUYING PRINTS

Photographs aren’t meant to just live on our screens, which is why I recommend printing your photos. Through the online gallery you’ll be able to purchase prints and products, so you can have tangible reminders of the love you share!

THANK YOU

I know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your engagement photos! However if there is something I missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email me at info@danielladiazphotography.com.