Engagement Session Guide — Anita Peeples Photography

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Engagement sessions are more than just a photo shoot—they’re one of the first big milestones in your wedding journey. This fun, low-stress session is the perfect way to get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day. It’s also a great chance for us to get to know each other while discovering what types of photos and posing feel most natural to you.

Read through this guide now, and give it another glance about a week before your session. Hopefully you’ll find some helpful tips to make the experience relaxed, enjoyable, and uniquely yours!

Preparing for your session

Proper preparation for your engagement session can go a long way in easing any nerves about being photographed.

For many couples, this is the first time they’ve ever had professional photos taken, and it can feel a little intimidating at first.

I often hear couples say they’re awkward in front of the camera or not photogenic, but I promise that’s not true. I have plenty of tips, tricks, and gentle direction to help you feel confident, comfortable, and genuinely yourselves in front of the lens.

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What to expect

My engagement sessions are designed to be fun and relaxed. Rather than stiff posing, I use gentle prompts that let you and your partner share natural, organic moments together. Of course, I’ll still offer suggestions (like adjusting a hand or guiding your gaze) but I won’t micro-manage every move. The result is photos that feel authentic and true to you.

During our session, we’ll spend time exploring, laughing, and creating together. You’ll walk away with a beautiful collection of images perfect for save-the-dates, guest books, or simply as a keepsake of this exciting chapter in your life.

vibe & Themes

It can be really fun to create a Pinterest board with photos that inspire you—see if you notice a vibe or theme that stands out.

Another way to spark ideas is by thinking about the hobbies and interests you share as a couple and finding ways to incorporate them into your session.

Some theme ideas could include: romantic European, retro, edgy urban, romantic city nights, wildflowers, summer evenings, or cottage core.

Basing your shoot, in whole or in part, around an activity is a fantastic option as well. A trip to the beach, playing guitar together, breakfast at home, swimming, a campfire, a romantic boat ride, or even something bold like getting a tattoo together. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

When couples bring me a vision for their session, it helps me craft a gallery that feels curated and unique to you.

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Have your outfits planned well in advance and make sure everything fits as you'd like it to

Choose outfits that make you feel both comfortable and confident. Aim for looks that coordinate without being too “matchy,” and keep in mind that you’ll want to be able to easily walk, sit, and maybe even lie down in whatever you’re wearing.

Footwear is important too. If you’re comfortable in heels and we’ll be on flat surfaces, that’s perfect! But if heels feel wobbly or if we’ll be outdoors on grass, sand, or rocks, they may not be the best option. A great compromise is to bring a pair of heels along to hold while walking barefoot on the beach, for example.

Feel free to bring two outfits if you’d like—starting with something casual and then changing into something more formal. Just keep in mind where you’ll be able to change if you go this route. If you’d prefer not to do a full outfit change, layers are a great option. Think a cozy jacket or scarf for a fall session, or a light, breezy shawl if we’re shooting at the beach.

And finally, dress for the weather. If it’s winter, a summer dress won’t just be uncomfortable, it’ll look out of place. Similarly, if you’ve planned a cozy fall outfit and the day turns out to be 25°C, it’s best to switch to something lighter. Your comfort always shows in photos. If you’re too hot or too cold, it will come through.

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Don't plan your engagement session at a time when you'll have to rush from work through heavy traffic

If you’re rushing to get to your session, you’ll likely arrive feeling flustered—and that’s definitely not the vibe we’re going for! Build in a little extra travel time and aim to arrive a few minutes early so you can touch up your makeup, adjust your outfit, and do a quick lint-roll. Depending on your session time, this might even mean taking the afternoon off work to keep things relaxed.

Have your hair and makeup done professionally

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Since you’re being photographed professionally, why not consider having your hair and makeup done professionally too? It’s a wonderful way to feel extra confident in front of the camera.

I don’t recommend using your engagement session as the time for your wedding day hair or makeup trial. A trial is exactly that—a chance to test and tweak your look—and you may not want the same style for your engagement photos. It’s best to book your trial as a separate appointment so you can give it your full attention.

If you decide to book hair and makeup appointments for your engagement shoot, keep in mind how you’d like to handle things if the weather isn’t ideal. I’m happy to move forward in most conditions, but sometimes the weather is simply too poor to shoot. Even light rain can change the overall look of your photos—dark, rainy skies create a very different mood than bright, sunny ones—and professionally styled hair and makeup may not hold up as well if we’re caught in the rain. It’s a good idea to think ahead about whether you’d prioritize keeping your appointment or rescheduling for better weather, since beauty appointments are often difficult to move at the last minute.

Be sure to also leave plenty of buffer time between your appointment and the start of our session. Occasionally we can adjust the session time to avoid rain, but that only works if your schedule allows. Plus, hair and makeup appointments can run long, and you don’t want to feel rushed.

And don’t forget, a manicure (for both of you!) is always a great idea. It makes for polished photos and can be a fun pre-shoot date.

Make a rain plan

Is a little drizzle a romantic touch, or a deal breaker for you? It’s worth thinking ahead about how you’d like to approach a rainy day.

If the forecast is calling for rain, or if it’s exceptionally hot or cold, we can absolutely reschedule your session. I always keep a date open each week for this reason, and in most cases we can move your session to the same or following week.

While everyone dreams of a sunny golden-hour evening, I’m not usually able to reschedule sessions just because of overcast skies, damp grass, etc.. The logistics of optional rescheduling simply becomes too complicated during the busier seasons.

Choosing a season

If you’re dreaming of a downtown Ottawa session, the best time is between May and August. September and October are tricky for downtown shoots, since the best light overlaps with rush hour. Traffic is heavy, parking is a challenge, and the streets are crowded. By choosing spring or summer instead, we can start later in the evening when things are quieter, giving us more freedom to move around and capture those iconic city spots without the chaos.

October sessions are reserved exclusively for outdoor locations (usually in Gatineau Park), to take advantage of the incredible fall foliage and the high demand for autumn shoots.

Some couples also like to choose a season different from their wedding, but I don’t think this is something you need to stress about. Engagement photos and wedding photos naturally feel very different, no matter the time of year, so I’d encourage you to simply choose the season that excites you most.

Choosing a location

Are you more outdoorsy, or do you lean toward an urban vibe? The location you choose should reflect your relationship and who you are as a couple.

Whether you’d like your session in nature or in the city, I’m happy to share recommendations that will fit the look and feel you’re hoping for.

And don’t worry about matching (or contrasting) your wedding day or venue. There’s no right choice here, just go with what makes you happiest!

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Don't bring anything extra

We’ll be taking lots of photos in the moment, so try not to bring along anything you wouldn’t want showing up in your photos (like a bag, purse, or bulky coat). Be sure to also empty your pockets of phones, keys, and wallets. I’m always happy to help by carrying a bag for you or tucking your purse into my camera bag while we shoot.

Consider accessories

While I don’t recommend bringing traditional props, per se, there are so many great accessories that can elevate your photos and add variety to your final gallery.

Think about fun additions like a bottle of champagne—popping it and sharing a toast always makes for great photos! A bouquet of flowers (even something simple) can instantly add romance. Clothing accessories such as a hat, jacket, scarf, or cozy blanket bring extra texture and style.

You can also lean into playful ideas: a box of pizza, ice cream cones, a couple of beers, a bottle of wine, or even your favourite bag of chips can be a fun way to personalize your session.

Don’t be afraid to get creative! From a guitar to balloons to a film camera, little touches like these can really take your photos to the next level. If you have a special vehicle (motorcycle, vintage car, bikes, skateboards, anything with meaning) definitely consider including it too.

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Including your dog

Many couples have a fur baby who's a member of the family, and you should absolutely feel free to bring them along for a few photos!

I usually recommend including your dog for just part of the session. It works best if you can arrange for a friend or family member to pick them up afterward, or bring someone along who can take them for a walk once we’ve gotten the photos we need. This way you can focus on each other without the distraction of keeping an eye on your pup or holding a leash the whole time, which really limits our posing options.

Of course, you know your dog best. If you’re confident they’ll stay calm and relaxed, a handler may not be necessary. Just be mindful of their temperament, especially if we encounter other dogs, cyclists, or children. You’ll want to be fully present for your session, not worrying about your pup’s behaviour.

Please also let me know ahead of time if you’ll be including your dog, as many locations unfortunately aren’t dog-friendly. I’ve even had bylaw officers remove a dog from a session before, and that’s definitely not an interruption we want!

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Shooting at a bar or restaurant

Many couples love the idea of doing their engagement session in a restaurant or bar, but it can be a little tricky to coordinate and sometimes comes with an added expense.

If you’re considering this option, be sure to reach out to the venue ahead of time, as it’s never guaranteed they’ll allow photography and many do charge a fee.

I strongly recommend avoiding restaurant sessions unless we’re able to use the space while it’s closed. Shooting in an open restaurant is nearly impossible—there’s no guarantee we’ll get a table, let alone one with good light, and it’s difficult to use the space fully without disturbing other guests. At best, we might manage a quick shot or two, but it’s far from ideal.

For a similar vibe, a fantastic alternative is to rent a stylish Airbnb or hotel room for your session. This gives us privacy, flexibility, and a beautiful backdrop without the stress.

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Capturing your love story