Wedding Photography Blog | Joshua Gene » Wedding Photographer | Available for weddings anywhere | Based out of Portland Oregon & Seattle Washington

Click here to see their slideshow

Click here to see their engagement slideshow!

These two rocked it for the camera.  They were awesome to work with.  We did a marathon engagement photo session that started at Ballard Locks (where they had a memorable date), hurried over to Kerry Park (overlooking the space needle where they got engaged) while we still had some daylight, then finished at Pike Place Market (because it’s fun) and to the famous gum wall in Post Alley.

Congrats on your engagement, Walker & Alicia!

I often get asked for suggestions on what to wear to an engagement photography session. So in addition to my article on places for engagement photo shoots in seattle, I thought I would add an article on what clothes to wear, along with a couple other thoughts.

Engagement sessions are a great way to get to know me. It helps out a lot on the wedding day if you already know me and my style and how I interact with the two of you. Plus if you know me, and I know you, you’ll be a lot more comfortable around me on your wedding day, and I can get images that better show your personalities and relationship.

Suggestions on what to wear:

• Wear something you are comfortable in. If you’re not comfortable, it will show in the pictures. 2-3 outfit changes are welcomed, and they give variety to the pictures.
• Think about layering clothing.
• It’s best not to wear tight jeans or other clothes that are overly tight and restrict movement. Or show curves you don’t want shown.
• Wear something you love, and make sure it’s ‘you’. It’s best not to wear something you are going to wish you didn’t wear in a few weeks.
• A touch dressier than a normal night can be fun, just make sure it’s still you.
• Wear clothes that are complementary in style and color. Don’t be too matchy. For example, you could both wear fall colors or both wear different shades of blue.
• Wear clothes that are the same level of dressyness. Don’t dress up and have your fiance wear their everyday street clothes.
• Have the clothes match the location and season for the shoot. Shorts and flip flops probably are not the best on a cold day (this goes back to being comfortable, if you are not warm it’s harder to look warm and happy)
• Darker colors are slimming and they are also easier to photograph. But if you have something in white or off white, don’t be afraid to wear it.
• Patterns go out of style quickly, and the background usually has enough texture that patterns can sometimes make the photos too busy.
• Wear shoes you love.
• Wear shoes you can comfortably walk in.  If I’m your photographer we usually walk a fair bit.
• Leave your purse behind, unless you want it in the photos. (You can be more free and fun without it) I can carry your keys and a few necessities in my camera bag. I don’t like to carry sunglasses so leave those behind or plan on wearing them. We can go back to the car for clothing changes or change when we switch locations.
• If you want to have your dog in some of the photos, it would be best to have a friend come along to watch him/her while we are taking other shots.

Other Things to Remember:

• Plan on having a good time. Think of it more like a date, and less of smiling to the camera.
• The best time for photos is in the evening when the light is soft, and we have the chance of getting a sunset.
• If there is something you want me to avoid photographing it helps if you let me know. That way I can work with you to keep the scar, tattoo, part in your hair, or whatever you want me to keep out of the pictures out.

Brad and Jordane’s engagement session got split into two days because of rain on our first try. Part one was at the Ballard Locks and part two was at Kerry Park and Pike Place, Seattle.

See their engagement slideshow here

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about engagement sessions recently so I thought I would cover some of them here. My engagement photo sessions usually last 1.5-2.5 hours and can be at any location or locations of your choice. The best time for taking pictures is in the evening when sun is not directly overhead.

Think of a session more like a date with your fiancé, and less of smiling and looking directly at the camera (smiling is still a good thing, in fact smile lots, and laughing, flirting and joking are all acceptable too!). You can take a picnic basket and blanket to the park, a canoe to the lake, or just bring yourselves and we’ll stroll around town and get an ice cream cone. The options are unlimited. Choose a place with a special meaning, a scenic location, or a spot where you just love to hang out.

It’s important to wear clothes that you love and feel good in. 2-3 outfit changes are welcomed, and they give variety to the pictures. It’s best to leave any bags or purses in the car so they’re not in the photos. Also leave sunglasses behind unless you plan to wear them in the pictures.

Location ideas for photo sessions in the Seattle area (click on links below to see engagement sessions and weddings done at these locations):
• Pike place market | Post Alley
• Kerry park
• Alki
• Snoqualmie Falls
• Snoqualmie train museum
• The Peirs
• Gas works Park
• Pioneer Square
• University of Washington
• University of Washington Arboretum
• Rose Garden at Woodland Park
• Lincoln Park In West Seattle
• Ballard Locks
• Volunteer Park
• Sculpture Park
• Seattle Center – Space Needle
• Downtown Seattle
• South Lake Union Park
• Capitol Hill
• Magnussen Park
• Luther Burbank Park
• Seward Park
• Seattle Art Museum
• West Seattle
• A Cool Hotel
• A place that’s special between you, or where you spend a lot of time, a park, Home Depot, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, etc.

These spots also make for great bridal session locations as well as good spots to go for some fun shots if your wedding is in the area.

Use the contact link on the top of this page to find out more about engagement sessions outside of Seattle.

If you know of a place that I should have included, leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list.

I met Claire and David the this week to see their wedding venue in Seattle and to take some engagement pictures at Gas Works Park.