When Should We Have Our Engagement Photos Taken?

You’re engaged – congratulations!! For many couples the first few steps in wedding planning might include finding (and booking) a wedding venue, beginning the ever-popular bridal dress search, and booking an engagement session! One of the most frequent questions I receive from recently engaged couples is: “when should I book our engagement photos?”

This is a great question, but really, there is not one-size-fits-all answer. I always recommend couples book their session sooner rather than later, but truthfully, the question of when to book your engagement session comes down to how you plan to use your engagement photos. For example:

• Will you be using your engagement photos for an engagement newspaper announcement? (If so, you might want to schedule them within the first few weeks of being engaged!)
• Will you be using your engagement photos for save the dates? (Save the dates typically get sent out 6 to 8 months before the wedding date, so it would be best to schedule your session 8 to 10 months out from your wedding date.)
• Will you be using your engagement photos for bridal shower décor? (The bridal shower typically occurs 1 to 2 months before a wedding, so 4 to 5 months should give you enough time!)
• Will you be decorating your wedding with your engagement photos? (If you’re really only planning on using your photos to decorate your wedding, you could probably time your engagement session just a couple of months out from your big day!)

Other points to consider that may affect the timing of your engagement photos might be…

…if you have your heart set on getting your photos done during a certain season.

 …if you have your heart set on a certain seasonal location (for example – if you’re from Pittsburgh and you want the fountain at the Point in the background, scheduling during the summer time would be best, as it turns off as the months grow colder!).

…if you would like to have a destination engagement session in a different city (your photographer’s availability might be varied for sessions that require further travel).

Caroline + Grayson: North Shore Engagement Photos

I loved having the opportunity to hang out with Caroline, Grayson, and their pup Rigsby in downtown Pittsburgh not too long ago! Congratulations on your engagement, Caroline and Grayson!

Madeline O: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

Is anyone tired of seeing Hartwood sessions yet?! I have to be honest - I'm definitely not tired of photographing them! I think every time I go (which has been a lot this spring/summer!) I fall a little bit more in love with it. (Plus, I feel like I need to get in all of these brightly colored flower photos before winter time hits!). But beyond all that - I had the complete pleasure of photographing Maddie yesterday evening! Her sweet, outgoing personality made her a dream to photograph (and her love for grapefruit and Conley cookies from Monte Cello's is out of this world!!). Check out a few of my favorite photos from her session below!

Cailey K: North Park Senior Photos

Cailey is a hockey-playing senior from Pine Richland who is just the cutest! Even though it sprinkled throughout about half of Cailey's session, she was a trooper and didn't let the rain dampen her spirit! We had so much fun hanging out with her - congratulations on your last year of school, Cailey!

Sam M: McConnell's Mill Senior Photos

I have to give MAJOR props to Sam - she spent her last morning before her senior year with me... at McConnell's Mill... at the crack of dawn. And she had a smile on her face the entire time! We were able to hit up some BEAUTIFUL morning light, and Sam jumped right into posing with ease - I couldn't believe she had never had her photos taken professionally before! Sam is an avid reader, and reads more books in a month than I read in a year. She's just an all around awesome person to be around! Congratulations on your last year of school, Sam!

Twesha M: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

Ohhh do I love this girl! I know I say that all of my seniors are the sweetest - but they all truly are, and Twesha was no exception! This girl is naturally gorgeous, incredibly talented, and if it tells you anything about her dedicated, hard-working personality, her name means "intelligent." For her wardrobe, Twesha brought two street outfits along with an authentic Indian dress, which was SO much fun to photograph! Never be afraid to incorporate something that represents your personality or your background into your shoot. The results are always awesome!

Thank you so much for an amazing time, Twesha! You are a rockstar!

Melissa B: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

If there's one thing you need to know about Melissa, it's that she LOVES Chick-fil-A (I always tend to bond with my seniors over food ;) ) - so of course, we hit it off when I told her I was the cow once for a Christmas special at our hometown Chick-fil-A! (Funny side story - I unknowingly had walking pneumonia while I was in the suit and scared a lot of kids with my coughing - ha!). Melissa was the absolute SWEETEST to work with, and to match her personality we had some gorgeous, sweet light! Hartwood really never disappoints. Check out a few favorites below - thank you Melissa for being so much fun to work with!! :)

Lauren + Bill: McConnell's Mill Anniversary Photos

Anniversary sessions are quickly becoming a favorite of mine, and Lauren and Bill's anniversary session is no exception! Lauren and Bill came ready to have an amazing time at their session, and we had the BEST time hanging out around McConnell's Mill with them!

As you might be able tell from just the first photo on this blog post, Lauren and Bill are a married couple who genuinely love one another and work amazingly well together as a team! They laughed their way through their entire session, and gave me some solid marriage advice along the way. One of my favorite parts of any anniversary session is asking for the couple's best marriage advice - and Lauren and Bill's was some of my favorite, ever: "Keep God at the center. He's the only thing that can keep you together!" And man, do I believe that, because marriage can be so tough sometimes! But knowing that my spouse isn't the enemy and that God brought us into each others lives for a reason is what gets me through.

So without further ado, here are a few of my favorites from Lauren and Bill's anniversary session! :)

Chelsea + TJ: Irons Mill Farmstead Wedding Photos

What an absolute JOY it was to be a part of Chelsea and TJ's wedding day, from start to finish! These two threw a wedding as beautiful as their sweet relationship and I could not be more excited to share these images!

For a little background, I actually worked at my local YMCA as a lifeguard with the bride's twin sister for several years, so when Chelsea reached out to me to photograph her wedding, I was over the moon excited! You might remember these two from their spring McConnell's Mill engagement photos a few months back (see them here!).

For their wedding day, Chelsea and TJ incorporated so many beautiful, bright colors and unique details! My favorite of all of Chelsea's bridal details were her shoes, which, coincidentally, she bought on super sale for six dollars at Macy's (you would never EVER be able to tell!!). You'll also notice some antlers incorporated into the bridal details and reception details - those were added as a nod to TJ's love for hunting, which was the perfect addition to their rustic barn wedding!

Chelsea's twin sister's daughter, Alivia, made her way into quite a few photos, too! She was one of two incredibly sweet flower girls who were a part of the wedding ceremony.

Reception details included the most beautiful cake stand and cupcake stand (all made by the groom himself!), along with lots more antlers, wild flowers, and even a #Nine lit up sign behind the head table. After a little bit of dancing, we took this dynamic duo out into a field for sunset photos at the perfect time. We're so thankful to have been a part of this wedding day! Congratulations on your marriage, Chelsea and TJ - we love you guys!

Vendors:

Ceremony & Reception: Irons Mill Farmstead

Bride’s Dress: Mary’s Bridal (Beaver Falls)

Bride’s Shoes: Macy's

Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstroms; Eliza J (Ross Township)

Hair & Makeup: LUSH Custom Spray Tanning and Makeup

Tuxes: Men's Warehouse (Cranberry Township)

DJ: Faraone Brothers (New Castle)

Flowers: Posies by Patti (Ellwood City)

Caterer: Medure's Catering

Cake/Desserts: Tin Man Sweets (Zelienople)

Honeymoon: Maine; Bar Harbor; Acadia National Park

Irons Mill Farmstead Photos by: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Kate S: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

Kate is a gorgeous senior who is graduating this upcoming spring! I had the privilege of taking her senior photos not too long ago at Hartwood Acres Mansion - which is quite the popular spot for my seniors this summer (for good reason!). With so many backdrops to choose from and with Kate's lovely outfits, her senior photos were a breeze! We had so much fun working with you, Kate! Congratulations on your senior year!