Many photographers include an engagement shoot in the couple’s wedding package. Whether it’s included or separate, the truth is - your photographer actually really wants to have this session with you. To provide some of the best tips from a professional wedding photographer’s perspective, I partnered with Celia Ragonese, owner of Celia Ragonese Wedding Photography. Not only is Celia incredibly kind and thoughtful, she is meticulous with her attention to details and so talented in her craft.

Jenny & Sean / Longwood Gardens / Photo: Celia Ragonese Photography / Makeup: JKo Beauty

When to schedule your engagement photo shoot…

According to Celia, “engagement photos can be done at any point before the wedding, but it’s great to get them done outside of peak wedding season, which can start in April with a short break during the summer and then starts up again for August through October. My favorite time of year for engagement photos is late October / early November because the foliage combined with golden hour is simply stunning. Having a late fall engagement session means you’re working with temperatures that won’t melt makeup and lower humidity for hair. Guys also like this time of year because they can be comfortable in jackets and jeans. And I love a cute jacket on a bride-to-be with her dress, too! I only recommend not waiting an entire year out, so your memory of how to be in front of the camera stays fresh. It’s so important to get comfortable in front of the camera BEFORE your wedding day.” Yes it’s true, you will most likely need a bit of practice in front of the camera. Celia adds, “When planning an engagement session, it’s best to think about Monday through Thursday because weekends are booked with weddings for wedding vendors. My recommendation for couples is to try to plan a day where work is less busy and leave a few hours early to get hair and makeup done before meeting with your photographer for golden hour photos. We know our clients’ schedules are busy and we appreciate weekday availability immensely! I also have clients who loved doing early morning sessions at popular places like Longwood Gardens during the weekday where we can beat the crowds, which is always helpful!”

How to handle bad weather on your scheduled shoot date…

Celia tells her couples to stay positive and flexible – and to be mentally prepared for weather to not cooperate. “I’ll contact clients a few days in advance once their session is on the 10-day forecast if it looks like the weather will be crazy rainy, hot, or cold.” She adds that in 2018, there were many weekend rainstorms that started Thursday or Friday. As a result, she tried to get a lot sessions done earlier in the week. If you have a hair and makeup appointment scheduled for the day, Celia recommends not being shy about coordinating details with everyone via email.

Jenny & Sean / Celia Ragonese Photography / Makeup by JKo Beauty

Scheduling professional hair and makeup services for your engagement shoot…

“Professional hair and make-up for an engagement session is such a gift! I love it when a bride-to-be can feel extra special and have hair and makeup taken care of so she is relaxed and confident for her engagement session. This confidence boost is a definite bonus – and really shows in photos.” The other bonus, Celia adds is, “seeing how the hair and makeup translates to photos. Many brides are surprised at how natural bridal makeup can look in photos versus in real life, and while makeup is a personal choice for each person, doing a little extra with hair and makeup can really elevate your photos. Make no mistake: professional hair and makeup make a difference!” Brides often inquire about scheduling their wedding day trial for their engagement photos. While I highly recommend having your hair and makeup done, I do not necessarily recommend using the session as a wedding day look preview. A few factors to consider are time, place and attire. Typically your engagement photos are outside, in a place that is more relaxed or less formal and your outfit choice suits your setting. Couples often coordinate their clothes, including denim, pops of color and a more casual, comfortable overall style. My advice is to choose a hair and makeup look to appropriately compliment your engagement shoot style. In addition, your trial should be relaxed with an opportunity to try different styles or options. You may ultimately make a few adjustments or leave your appointment wearing a style to consider for the wedding day. Your engagement shoot is the perfect opportunity to create a baseline to your Big Day look.

Just as you want to have a trial run of your hair and makeup, think of your shoot as a trial as well.

Celia feels that engagement sessions provide an opportunity to best to tell the story of the two of you and how you are together because there’s so much going on during the wedding day. She believes “it’s crucial to get to know your wedding photographer’s style with posing and cues, and for your photographer to learn what is most comfortable for you and how best to guide you. The goal is to make sure you’re both more relaxed on the wedding day.”

To see more of Celia’s beautiful work, visit her website or follow her on instagram.