New Styling Consulting Service For Engagements | Live Lovely Photography

I noticed there is a big need for engagement session styling. When it comes to weddings, couples are given so much advice and they already know they’re going to be dressed sharp. But when it comes to engagements, couples become overwhelmed when thinking about how to “match without looking like we’re trying to be twins.” I hear that one a lot. Nervous couples ask me what they should wear and some couples really go for it while others become paralyzed from too many decisions and end up wearing whatever they happen to pull together that day. The result is a lack of confidence and lackluster photos.

I give a lot of advice to my couples when suggesting locations and styling for an engagement session and it comes for free with my complimentary engagement sessions. This new service does not change that. I recommend hair stylists and makeup artists I have worked with in the past, make prop suggestions, and recommend certain locations. I tell couples what types of clothing to avoid for the best images and what details really make or break a photo. However, I have noticed that many couples are looking for more guidance for even more of a visual impact than the typical engagement portrait. This service is designed to address those needs. 

I have many couples who are confident in their own personal style and who already know exactly where they want their photos taken as well as what they’ll be wearing. They have a list of photos they like and have all the details figured out. These consultations were not designed for them. But if you need help picking out exactly what to wear, where to go for your hair appointment, who to hire for makeup, and you would like some more one-on-one guidance to create the engagement of your dreams then a styling consultation is for you.

Because of my experience as a wedding photographer for nearly eight years  and for all of the blog posts I make for my New England and travel blog, I have developed quite the skill set when determining what clothing, accessories, and props goes with each location for the best possible photos. I know that the elements of an incredible photo include the type of lighting, what the backdrop (location) looks like, what the couple is wearing, how all the styling details such as makeup and hair styling impacts an image, and what props or theme is being used to make the image stand out. There are many elements to create a great photograph and even one detail out of line can make an epic photo shoot turn into a so-so photo shoot. 

With the Engagement Styling Consultation, each session is completely customized so that it fits your personal style and aesthetic. This engagement planning service is also ideal for couples who want to go above and beyond with their engagement session to include a theme, such as The Notebook themed engagement with the row boat posted here, which required access to a private pond, a row boat for a prop, and flowers for the back of the boat.

The goal is to remove the stress of the engagement shoot planning and to help you choose a location and styling that makes you feel like the best version of you, not like you’re playing dress up or acting like somebody else (unless that is the look you’re going for with a themed photo shoot). My goal is to help you feel your most confident so that your photos come out the best they can be. 

For many people, engagement portraits are the only professional portraits they will have in their lives besides their wedding photography. The stress can be overwhelming. There are so many choices to make when it comes to clothing, shoes, accessories, hair, makeup, and props depending on the time of the year, the weather, and the location. You’re not going to wear a ballgown to a farm and you’re not going to make waves with your jeans and a t-shirt in a fancy location either. You want to pick a location and then dress accordingly. I’m happy to help with that.

Who is the consultation service designed for?

• Couples who do not have the time to plan out all the details of their engagement session on their own.
• Couples who do not like planning their portraits or shopping for clothes. 
• People who have no idea where to start. They don’t have any idea of where they want their photos taken or what to wear. 
• Couples who have too much going on with the wedding planning and would like their photographer to handle all of the engagement planning details from styling to print. 
• Couples who want to go all out and plan a big creative theme for their engagement photo shoot and need help turning that vision into a reality. 
• People who do not feel confident in photos and would like recommendations to look and feel their best. 

So what does the styling consultation come with?

• Before the consultation I will send out a questionnaire for your engagement session. 
• A one-hour consultation where we go over your vision for your dream engagement using the answers from your questionnaire as a starting point. 
• During the consultation we will choose the theme or mood of your engagement session as well as the location.
• Once the type of location you’re looking for has been squared away, we’ll discuss styling and props.
• After the consultation, I have an idea of what you are looking for. I take that information and do research of my own. I’ll create a mood board with examples of the types of locations, clothing, and props that we will be using in your photo shoot. 
• If you approve the direction of the photo shoot, I’ll go ahead and research some possible locations, outfits, hair stylists and makeup artists in your area, and props and send that information to you. 
• It’s up to you whether or not you book the hair stylist and make up artists that I have recommended. 
• For the clothing recommendations, you can order the clothing I have recommended or use the suggestions I have sent as inspiration for your own clothes shopping experience. 
• Live Lovely Photography is not responsible for booking any appointments or ordering any of the clothing or props recommended from the styling session. 
• Live Lovely Photography will help you secure photography permits for locations that require a permit, but it is not the responsibility of Live Lovely Photography to cover the cost. 
• After the post-planning has been fulfilled, you will receive a personalized and itemized to-do list and day-of packing list to help you stay on top of all of your tasks and items needed for your engagement session. 
• The session also comes with a pamphlet of styling tips, advice for engagement sessions, and recommended services such as a clothing tailor. 

The total investment of this custom service is $175.00. There is a discounted price of $125.00 for Live Lovely couples who have booked the Charlotte Collection or who are military or first responders.