As the leaves start to change, it becomes a popular time for couples to do their engagement photo session. I am gearing up for my engagement session on Wednesday and thought I would share some of the advice that I have gotten from other couples, Pinterest, and my photographer.

When is the best time to take engagement photos?

This is really all about the preference of the couple. Fall seems to be a popular time for engagement pictures in the Midwest as the leaves begin to change and create the perfect natural backdrop for the session. Others prefer spring and summer with green grass and sunny skies as the setting for their engagement shoot. I have seen some do winter shoots with fun hats scarves, fluffy coats and lots of snow. It really does depend on the preference of the couple. However, I would recommend taking pictures at least 5-6 months before the wedding. This allows you to enjoy your engagement photos and use them for "save-the-dates," invites and/or programs for the wedding.

What the heck should we wear for engagement pictures?

Trust me, I know this is a daunting task. My fiance and I are getting our pictures taken in two days and we just figured out what we were wearing yesterday. Here are a few tips I have.

Don't wear obnoxious colors. They will take away from you and your fiance and they are...well... obnoxious.
Don't wear things that you wouldn't normally wear. Be yourselves.
Dress for the season. I wouldn't recommend a sundress in a winter session, or a sweater in a summer session. You get the point.
If you wear a pattern, your fiance should wear a solid or something pretty subtle. Likewise, if your fiance chooses a patterned shirt, you should choose something a bit more calm to balance out the outfits.
Don't bring your whole closet to the shoot. Two to three outfits is more than enough for the engagement shoot. Chances are, you are only going to order a few shots so it doesn't make sense to bring too many outfits. Plus, it is not convenient to be changing clothes every five minutes.

Where should we take engagement pictures?

This is another thing that totally depends on the preference of the couple. I would recommend choosing a location that fits your personality. It is also nice to choose a place that is meaningful to you two as a couple. If you are struggling to choose a location, ask your photographer. They are the expert and they know which places are good and which ones just don't work.

Here are some of my recent "pins" that I think are great examples of poses, locations and outfits that work well for engagement photos. Enjoy!