CJ and McKenzie met me for their engagement session just outside Blairsville, Pennsylvania, surrounded by weathered cabins, winding paths, towering trees, and the kind of evening light photographers secretly hope for all week.
The Best Photos Happen Between the Poses
One of the biggest misconceptions about engagement sessions is that they’re supposed to be perfectly posed from beginning to end. They’re not. The photographs people remember years later usually happen somewhere in between. The laugh that sneaks out after someone tells a terrible joke. The way one person instinctively reaches for the other’s hand. The moment they stop paying attention to the camera altogether. Those are the moments I’m always watching for. Because anyone can tell two people where to stand. What I’m interested in is what happens after they forget they’re being photographed.
Your Engagement Session Should Feel Like a Date
I always tell couples to think less about “taking engagement pictures” and more about spending an evening together. Wear something you feel comfortable in. Visit a place that feels like you. Bring your guitar. Walk through a field. Sit on an old porch. Tell stories. Dance if you want. Laugh when something awkward happens. Because those are the memories you’ll actually remember, not whether your hand was positioned perfectly.
Documentary Photography Is About Paying Attention
People often ask how I capture moments that look so natural. The answer is pretty simple. I pay attention. I’m watching the conversations happening when no one thinks I’m taking a picture. I’m noticing who reaches for the other’s hand first. I’m waiting for the smile that only happens after someone whispers something the rest of us don’t get to hear. Those little observations become photographs that feel less like a photoshoot and more like evidence that this season of your life really happened.
Creating Images That Feel Like Home
One day, these photographs won’t just remind CJ and McKenzie what they looked like. They’ll remind them what it felt like. The warmth of a summer evening. The sound of laughter echoing off old wood buildings. The way golden light filtered through the trees. The comfort of simply being together before everything changed and they became husband and wife. And if a photograph can do that years from now, it’s done exactly what it was meant to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should we wear for an engagement session?
Choose clothing that feels comfortable and reflects your personality. Soft, neutral colors and timeless pieces photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your connection.
Do we need an elaborate location?
Not at all. Some of the most meaningful engagement sessions happen in simple places that allow you to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
We feel awkward in front of the camera. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Most couples tell me they’re nervous at first. My approach is centered around conversation, movement, and genuine interaction rather than stiff posing, so it quickly starts to feel more like spending time together than being photographed.
Can we bring something meaningful?
Definitely. Whether it’s your dog, a favorite picnic spot, a guitar, coffee from your favorite café, or anywhere that tells your story, personal touches always make your gallery more meaningful.
