9 Tips for Picking an Engagement Session

LOCATION, LOCATION, outfit

The Location

I don’t want to be a downer, but if you’ve been looking at photographs of San Antonio Texas, matching the style isn’t going to be ideal, but that doesn’t mean you should give up and tell your photographer to meet you at the next local park.

As a photographer, I’m always willing to assist my clients in finding a location, especially those who are unfamiliar with the area, but time and time again, I’ve been shown that my clients are truly amazing at this. If you’re looking for a venue for your engagement photos and feeling a little lost, I have some basic principles that I’ve found useful, and I wanted to offer the 9 suggestions to keep in mind when looking for your engagement session location.

Nine Tips to Consider When Choosing a Location

1- CHOOSING A LOCATION THAT SUITS YOU

The purpose of an engagement session is to get to know your photographer, to share prompts that will help you both feel at ease on your wedding day, and to personify your relationship.

Consider what works best for you as a couple. It doesn’t have to be a conceptual art project, but I think it’s a good idea to pick something you’re interested in. Do you like coffee? Find a coffee shop with tall windows on both sides of the building where you can cuddle. Homebodies? Consider having an in-home session where you cook a dinner together. A shared love of terrible horror films?.

Engagement Session Couple green Carpet Epic floor Dog Doglover SanAntonio Dogs Apartmenet Brick wall Downtown

2- The Sunset Light

I hope this doesn’t come as a surprise, but the problem about glowy, lovely sunset images is that they only occur at sunset. If you traveled to a spot and were blown away by the magnificence of a colored sky, picking that location and showing up with your photographer at 2 p.m. isn’t going to work out.

I live on central Texas, and I would estimate that 50% of my sessions take place at the sunrise and 50% at the sunset. If you went on a morning hike and observed a stunning sunset from the side of a mountain, a sunrise session (with the sun on the opposite side of the mountain) might not be appropriate for that location in that same area. Keep in mind that if you’ve chosen two venues that require travel between them, the commute time may necessitate you to start a little earlier than golden hour and lose a portion of it to travel between the two.

Amanda and Matthew Engagement Photos at Laredo Texas
Amanda and Matthew Engagement Photos at Laredo Texas

3- MATCHING CLOTHING

If you want to reflect an autumnal, outdoor session, choose a time when the foliage is at its peak and head into the woods with plaid, boots, and coats. If you want something romantic and warm, consider a flowing garment with a lot of movement and a place with a little of breeze, such as a beach or a field.

Engagement Photos at San Antonio Botanical Garden by San Antonio Wedding Photographer
Engagement Photos at San Antonio Botanical Garden by San Antonio Wedding Photographer

4- BUSY LOCATIONS

Really, though, a crowded outdoor market with hundreds of people can provide for really interesting movement and atmosphere in the images, but a random stray person giving you stink eye while wandering into your photos isn’t always what you’re looking for. A park session sounds convenient until someone parks under your favorite tree. While you may have a favorite park in mind, keep in mind that others enjoy parks as well. It’s crucial to avoid locations with heavy traffic on weekends, although some places, The Pearl, Downtown, and coffee shops, may be crowded in the afternoon on a weekend.

This is one of the reasons why getting out into nature can be so beneficial, and state parks often have sunrise to sunset hours. Keep in mind that, while some state parks are vast and you may not see anyone the entire time you’re exploring, others have a singular draw, such as a waterfall, and specific views. This is also a HUGE advantage of sunrise sessions! You normally only come across a few joggers.

San antonio downtown engagement session
San antonio downtown engagement session

5- BE AWARE OF RESCHEDULING POLICIES

If you had to obtain a permit to take pictures in your dream location. In case of rain, check if it can be moved to another day. ASK YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ABOUT THEIR POLICY!

Also, consider what you are comfortable with. If the photographer refuses to change the date and you require an indoor backup plan, seek for picture policies at local museums, or pick a coffee shop or library. If your photographer says, “Let’s grab some umbrellas and wellies and do this thing,” that’s fine, too.

Engagement Photos at the pearl brewery san antonio
Engagement Photos at the pearl brewery san antonio

6- DOG FRIENDLY LOCATIONS

Parks on a bright day are a veritable feast of dog butts and barking distractions.

If you want to bring your dog, choose a site that doesn’t have a lot of dog traffic. And, if you want to explore into locations that may be a little busier for portion of the shoot, having a friend or family member pick up your pet halfway through the session can be a tremendous help.

Engagement Session Couple green Carpet Epic floor Dog Doglover SanAntonio Dogs Apartmenet Brick wall Downtown
Engagement Session Couple green Carpet Epic floor Dog Doglover SanAntonio Dogs Apartmenet Brick wall Downtown

7- SHOES

When scouting a location, keep in mind the effort required to get there, which could include moving miles up a mountain or standing in mud.

8- Opened FIELDS

if you come across a field you like along the route, pay it a brief visit a few days before your session to ensure no cutting has occurred!

Engagement session at a ranch in San Antonio Texas. Photos were taken outside and inside the barn. A couple wearing matching country style outfits.
Engagement session at a ranch in San Antonio Texas. Photos were taken outside and inside the barn. A couple wearing matching country style outfits.

9- WEDDING BLOGS FOR INSPIRATION

Wedding blogs are a terrific source of inspiration for people preparing their wedding day since they provide an up-to-date planning checklist for this massive event that goes above and beyond whatever you may have prepared previously. An event at which all of your closest relatives, friends, and plus ones gather to celebrate your love and commitment while drinking, eating. Wedding blogs might be useful in guiding you when you’re feeling lost in that area.

Austin Engagement Session by San Antonio Wedding Photographer
Austin Engagement Session by San Antonio Wedding Photographer