The most meaningful engagement photos don’t come from perfect posing or styled Pinterest boards. They come from comfort, connection, and the kind of energy you only have when you’re fully yourself. Whether you’re sipping cocktails at your favorite bar, hanging out with your dog on the couch, or walking through your neighborhood at golden hour, the most meaningful photos are always the ones that feel like you.

That’s why when it comes to styling your engagement session, I always encourage my couples to start with feeling first. When you choose outfits, locations, and ideas that reflect your real life together (not just what you think engagement photos are supposed to look like!) you’ll end up with images that mean so so so much more. And you’ll actually enjoy the experience of taking them.

Start with what you wear. It might sound simple, but wearing something you feel confident and comfortable in changes everything. The goal isn’t to look perfect, it’s to feel good in your body, to forget about the camera, and to move naturally. If you’re constantly adjusting your outfit or worried something doesn’t fit quite right, it’s hard to relax. Instead, pick clothing that makes you feel like your best self whether that’s a soft sweater, a flowy dress that moves beautifully in the wind, or a well-worn pair of boots that ground you. If you want to bring a second look, consider something a little dressier or more editorial, just to give your gallery some variation. But you don’t need a stylist to show up feeling beautiful. You just need to feel like you.

Next, think about location. The most impactful photos often happen in places that already hold meaning like your home, a favorite bar or cafe, a park you walk through on weekends. I always tell my couples to pick spaces that feel familiar and personal. We can absolutely shoot somewhere beautiful, but “beautiful” doesn’t have to mean epic landscapes or dramatic city skylines. Sometimes, the most honest and cinematic photos happen in a quiet kitchen or on the steps of the apartment you first shared. I’m a huge advocate for in-home sessions even though most people never feel like their home is “fully ready.” When you’re surrounded by places that are already part of your story, whatever state of so-called “readiness” they’re in, your energy shifts. You settle in. You open up. And that makes all the difference.

You can also bring along the parts of your life that matter most… Like your dog (yes, please), that bike or car you fixed up, or even your favorite drink to share. If you two spend Saturday mornings making pancakes, let’s photograph that. If you love bookstores, bring a few of your favorites or let’s browse one together. If you spend summer nights on the porch with a bottle of wine, that could be the perfect setting. These little rituals, the ones you do all the time without thinking, can be the foundation for images that hold real emotion and memory. And because your hands and hearts are already busy with something you love doing together, the camera naturally fades into the background.

At the end of the day, this isn’t about creating a styled version of your life. It’s about documenting the connection you already have with intention and just enough care to make it feel elevated. And here’s the magic in it: if you’re wearing something you love, while you’re doing something you love, with someone you love, in a place you love… there’s a pretty slim chance you won’t love how your photos turn out. Or how you feel when you look back at them.

Your engagement session doesn’t need to follow a formula. It just needs to feel true. There’s nothing I would love more than help you make it happen!