Engagement Session Tips | Ivory Grove
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engagement session
tips

Congratulations on your engagement!  We are so excited to shoot your session.  Your photographer will be reaching out soon (if they haven't already) to get it scheduled.  It's such a fun time for us to get to know you and your love story, and we love capturing fun moments in photos that you will always treasure!  It's also a great chance for us to practice for the wedding day!  We can play around with different poses and angles and be all that more prepared to take amazing photos on the big day!  Here are our favorite tips to make your engagement session a success:​

 

golden hour

If there is one thing that can make or break a photograph more than anything else, it is lighting! Great lighting is the foundation of every great session.  That's why we aim to schedule your engagement session right before sunset.  This is absolutely key to getting those dreamy tones we all love! Golden Hour, also referred to as "magic hour" is the hour right before sunset.  The lighting is strong and soft at the same time, allowing for the most flattering and appealing photographs with natural colors and tones.  And then of course those sunset photos with the dreamy orange tones are great to have in your gallery as well, and we'll capture those just after the sun dips below the horizon.  With these principles in mind, your photographer will work with you to find the perfect time!

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wardrobe

"What are we going to wear?"  You're already asking that question, right?  No need to worry!  Just keep a few things in mind:

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  1. Coordinate, don't match.

  2. Choose one fancier outfit and one casual outfit (avoid shorts for guys).

  3. Avoid neons or extra bright colors. Stick to neutrals/earth tones (creams, charcoals, softer versions of stark colors) - they will look good in any location and age well. 

  4. Avoid multiple patterns (plaid with stripes, stripes with polka dots). One pattern with a solid works well.

  5. Avoid thin stripes or mesh (they can warp on camera).

  6. Make sure you like the way you look from the front, the side, and behind.

  7. Avoid large logos, baseball caps, and transition lens glasses. All of these things can be distracting in the photo.

have fun!

Nothing to be nervous about! Your photographer will guide you through everything. Think of it as a fun date night being captured for you to relive!  We love to capture those candid moments where you forget the camera is there, and you are enjoying a good inside joke or soaking up the peaceful happiness of being in the arms of the one you love.

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location

We love to hear your ideas on the location of your shoot!  It can be super fun and personal if there is a place that has meaning and significance to you.  Maybe it is the farm that's been in your family forever, the place you first met, your favorite brewery, your spot downtown, or the park you love to hang out at.  Think about what you do as a couple and where you feel the most comfortable.  We also have a list of favorites if you'd like some ideas.  Keep in mind that if the location you choose is more than 25 miles outside of one of the four cities below (& where your wedding will be closest to), there may be a travel cost.

Columbia

Kansas City

Springfield

St. Louis

Chicago

  1. Shooting Star Trailhead

  2. Devil's Icebox in Rockbridge Memorial State Park (and the whole area has so many different spots to explore for photos)

  3. Pinnacles Youth Park

  4. Les Bourgeois Vineyards (in Rocheport but not too far from Columbia at all)

  5. Capen Park

  1. Black Hoof Park & Lake Lenexa

  2. Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

  3. Downtown Kansas City

  4. Crossroads (in particular - Kauffman Center)

  5. Loose Park (requires a permit)

  6. Liberty Memorial

  7. Union Station

  8. 12th Street Bridge

  9. Downtown Lee’s Summit Main St.

  10. I-Lan Park in Leawood

  11. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

  12. James A. Reed Memorial Park Wildlife Area

  1. Springfield Lake

  2. Springfield downtown

  3. Fellows Lake

  4. Branson

  5. Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park

  6. Commercial Street

  7. Dogwood Canyon

  1. Forest Park

  2. Kiener Plaza

  3. Tower Grove Park

  4. Lafayette Square

  5. Grand Center Arts District

  6. Klondike Park 

  7. Shaw Nature Reserve

  8. Cliff Cave Park

  9. Bee Tree Park

  10. Lafayette Square Park

  11. City Garden

  12. Castlewood State Park

  13. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

  1. Chicago Riverwalk + Wrigley Building

  2. Montrose Beach

  3. Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park

  4. The Art Institute of Chicago (requires tickets if going inside)

  5. Union Station Outside of Chicago within 30 minutes:

  6. Fabyan Forest Preserve

  7. St. James Farm

  8. Peck Farm Park

  9. Wilder Park Conservatory

we can't wait to see your gallery!

For real!  We love to turn around engagement photos quickly, and although we guarantee 30 days, it's often within a couple of weeks.  So be on the lookout for a text and email from us soon!

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