Bringing Your Dog: How to Create the Best Possible Engagement Session Ever!

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Obviously, not everyone is comfortable being in front of the camera so I wanted to share some strategies to make your session the best it can be because great moments with beautiful styling and storytelling is a tall order if everyone just shows up for the pix.  Here are some tried and true tips for success.
1. SHARE.  Share something about the both of you that can lead to a creative collaborative effort between you and your photographer (eg. you both met playing tennis).  This sharing could lead to the right props, the right location and a better understanding of what relaxes you both.  Maybe bringing your pet along is a great strategy?   If for nothing else, the relaxing effect that pets can have.  Just make sure you know the location rules for animals @ the place your pictures will be made.
2. PREPARE.  Work with your photographer to prepare the best styling for your clothing, accessories, hair & makeup.  Streamline your clothing with simple solids, patterns used sparingly, and quirky or unique accessories.  Have extra outfits in the car just in case.  And consider having an anchor color or two that pulls everything together...for the both of you.
3. LIGHT.  For outdoor sessions, make sure that you are aware of the weather, and when the sun rises and sun sets in various parts of the location(s) you will be.  The best pictures are often made on the edges of the day when the sun is rising, or the sun is going down.  If your photographer knows where the best light is when, then you will definitely have an advantage.
4. EAT SOMETHING LIGHT.  My big dream for many years has been to have an Italian restaurant where a family shares dinner and then gets their picture made.  Maybe not the best idea now in retrospect, but no one likes to go to anything feeling hungry.  I would recommend bringing some bottled water and a light snack so that you can keep up your energy and enjoy.
5. LISTEN TO YOUR HEART.   Sometimes in the hurry-up aspect of planning we forget how much we truly enjoy those times when no one is looking.  Ironically, those are the very moments we want to capture...eg. how our loved one has that certain grin, or how we burst into spontaneous laughter....how couples uniquely love each other.  The suggestion is this:  take mental notes of these looks and request those of your photographer.  Whether it is something simple like the way your hands look together, or the way he pulls you close...whatever it is, take some time to reflect on what those moments might look like and then ask for them.  With good planning, those images that tell your story will look easy because all the pre-work is done. 

Engagement session shot in #NashvilleTennessee @EllingtonAgriculturalCenter.  Photo:  Cathy Lyons/Lyons Photography, Inc. thephotomakery.com