a golden hour engagement session in raleigh, nc:

This Raleigh, NC Engagement session was the best with Daniel & Faith! Besides these two being such a cute couple, their love is so fun too. These two are so fun. We took photos in front of every cool backdrop we found. This session boosted my creativity immensely! We went to an amazing location with lots of Downtown Raleigh charm and got the dreamiest golden hour. Clearly, this made for one of my favorite engagement sessions.

Faith reached out to me to photograph her wedding months before she and Daniel were even engaged. From the initial email, I knew we were a great fit. Here’s what she said in response to my first email and I was in tears:

“I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR PHOTOS! You are so talented. I 100% want you to take our wedding photos if possible. I am so so picky about my pictures when it comes to special things like this. Pictures are what will be your memories and the things you show your children! And you are everything I have been looking for. I appreciate your kindness and fast response.”

Daniel and Faith are getting married at Wilkins Farm near Dunn, North Carolina in April and I can’t wait to be there to capture it all. Check out their engagement session for their amazing outfit combination (I love neutral colors.), the adorable interactions they had, and my favorite urban location in downtown Raleigh for engagement photos!

engagement photo tips:

Engagement photos aren’t just fun photos of you and your significant other. They can be a wedding day trial run, the building of a relationship between you two and a wedding vendor, and an amazing milestone in your relationship. PLUS the photos can be used for save-the-dates, invitations, and wedding day decor!

How to choose your photographer?

Typically this answer comes down to two things: the photographer’s editing style and personality. Think about what style of photo you’re naturally drawn to. All photographers do a mix of everything from portraits, formals, and candids, but their own editing style is what sets these photographs apart.

The personality of your photographer is important! Especially for your wedding day. Did you know you spend more time with your photographer than your significant other on your wedding day? I mean it barely checks out, but while you’re on the sidelines waiting for your turn your photographer is taking photos of your groom/bride with the people standing for them, their families, etc. You want to enjoy your photographer’s company so it’s important to know that your personalities mesh well!

Read about me and see if we’d get along! I always schedule a call via zoom for discussing packages so we can get to know each other outside of the inbox.

How much do engagement photos cost? Most photographers build packages and include engagement photos. We all want the time to get to know the couples before their wedding day, which helps get the personal and meaningful images at the wedding. If you’re looking for a photographer solely for engagement photos, I can only speak for myself, it’d cost around $400 for a 60-minute session. You can read more about the details for pricing/packages here.

Where (in Raleigh NC or anywhere) to get your engagement photos taken?

Choose a location that portrays you as a couple. Let’s go to your first date location, a spot you’ve spent a lot of time together as a couple, your hometown, a city that held many date nights, a local park, or a lake you spent summer days at. This will add sentimental value to your photos. When you look back at them you’ll be reminded of the memories you made together.

Getting photos at a sentimental location, I also love when my couples lean on me for inspiration. I have many locations that I’m dying to shoot at but just waiting for a couple to try them with.

What to wear for your engagement photos?

Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in! I can’t stress this enough. If you wear something you’ve never worn before, it can show. You want to feel comfortable and as much like yourself for these photos. Not only will this help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera, but your confidence will also show as well. I have a guide on what to wear to your session and you can read it here.

Hot tip for a bride-to-be: if you’re using a vendor for your makeup on your wedding day, use your engagement photos for a trial run! That way if there are changes you’d like to have made before your wedding day, you’ll know beforehand and your big day will be perfect.

When to take engagement photos in Raleigh NC/anywhere?

Depending on the length of your engagement, this can vary. If you have a shorter engagement, I’d suggest getting them done as soon as you and your photographer have a similar date that would work. This way, you can use the photos for your save the dates or wedding invitations.

If you have a longer engagement, you can be more flexible. I’d suggest getting your photos done in the spring or fall, this is because of the extreme temperatures that winter and summer can bring plus you get pretty, colorful foliage in both seasons.

As for the time of day, typically photographers recommend doing engagement sessions during the evening or early morning so you can get that golden hour we all talk about! I start sessions between one and two hours before sunset for the best lighting.

LASTLY, just be yourselves!

Back to the photos … Here’s Daniel and Faith at their Raleigh NC engagement session!

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Recently engaged, wanting a Raleigh, NC engagement session that shows your unique story as a couple? Message your hopes and dreams for your wedding day and love story. I’d love to chat!