Tessa and Michael’s relaxed engagement photos at home and at Nicollet Island

I’m so excited to welcome Tessa and Michael to the blog today! Tessa and Michael were referred to me by another couple I’m working with (my very favorite way to meet new clients -- I love it when people share their friends with me, it’s the best!). 

When we first talked about wedding photography, Tessa and Michael shared that they hadn’t planned to do an engagement session, as it wasn’t a top-of-the-list priority for them. I shared with them that most of my wedding packages include an engagement session, and while they were totally welcome to save the included session for a wedding anniversary, I always recommend an engagement session for a few reasons. 

The three reasons I always recommend doing an engagement session 

I think engagement photography is often associated with awkward, stiff pictures -- we’ve all seen a few engagement photos that feel sort of corny or uncomfortably posed! My couples usually don’t identify as super traditional or formal people, so it makes sense that they don’t think of doing stereotypical, potentially-somewhat-cheesy engagement photos (which I totally get -- that’s why I focus on taking natural, documentary-style photos). 

With that in mind, I’ve found that an unexpected reason that engagement sessions are helpful is that doing an engagement session helps both members of the couple feel super comfortable with the photographer. It’s really common that at least one person in a couple feels a bit nervous in front of the camera (full disclosure: in my partnership, that person is 1000% me!). My couples who have chosen to do an engagement session have told me afterwards that it really calmed their nerves in front of the camera to have already taken a few pictures with me, and then on their wedding day, they felt way more relaxed and at ease. I think doing an engagement session for that reason alone is so worth it! 

I also find that couples rarely have pictures or art of them in their normal, everyday life together. Wedding photos are priceless and super special, but it can also be really lovely to have pictures that feel authentic to what your day-to-day life is like with your partner! Engagement pictures are a great way to capture this little slice of your life together and help you remember it forever. 

Finally, I’ve found that doing an engagement session together helps me really hone in on what my clients’ preferences are in photos before their wedding day. I show all of my engagement session couples their pictures in person (or on Zoom if that’s preferred!), just like I do with wedding pictures. This gives couples a chance to give me feedback directly as well as help me observe what pictures they’re most drawn to. When the couple’s wedding day comes around, I’m ready to create pictures that are exactly what they’re looking for because we’ve already worked together and figured out what types of poses, expressions, and pictures the couple likes best! 

Tessa and Michael’s engagement pictures

After I talked through these three reasons with Tessa and Michael, they felt excited to do an engagement session together, and I'm so grateful that they did! Being a month out from their wedding day, they knew these pictures would be just for them, with no pressure of using them for a wedding website or save-the-dates. We planned the photoshoot to feel like a little time capsule of what their life is like right now, and there's so much life and personality that came through in these pictures. 

We began the session at their home in Northeast Minneapolis. They moved into this home last year, so it’s a new and exciting place for them! They’ve really made it their own through lots of painting and yard work. Taking photographs at their lovely home also allowed us to include Anita, their adorable, super sweet rescue dog, in their engagement photos!

I took some pictures of Tessa and Michael hanging out in their backyard while having a drink, snuggling in the living room with Anita, and relaxing on their front porch. These pictures turned out really chill with happy, cozy vibes! 

We then ventured to Nicollet Island right as the sun was beginning to lower in the sky. Tessa and Michael chose to change into slightly dressier outfits for their outdoor pictures. 

I loved being able to explore the park and take in the beautiful nature with these two - they have such a calm, lovely presence and these pictures are a great mix of adventurous and romantic.. Some portraits feel really tender and sweet, while others capture their goofy and lighthearted sides! It ended up being a really lovely mix of happy, uplifting pictures that Tessa and Michael can cherish as they look back on this time in their lives together. 

Tessa and Michael, it was such a joy to work with you! Thank you for allowing me to photograph the love, home, and family you’ve created together. You are such easy and fun people to be around -- your kindness and thoughtfulness have been present in every step of our work together, and I am so excited to photograph your wedding next month.