How to prepare for your engagement or couple photo session

A session that's prepared in advance, to stay spontaneous on the day

A successful engagement or couple session feels completely natural. Paradoxically, it's often the preparation beforehand that makes that spontaneity possible: once outfits, location and timing are thought through in advance, all that's left is to live the moment, without overthinking it. Here are all my tips to prepare your session in the best conditions.

Outfits: aim for casual chic, never overdressed

The first question most couples ask is about what to wear. My recommendation is always the same: dressy but casual outfits, somewhere between everyday clothing and evening wear. Skip the full suit for him and the evening gown for her, these choices are too formal and create distance from the camera.

For her, a flowing dress that moves with the wind and light almost always works better than a structured piece. For him, a shirt or polo with chinos creates an elegant silhouette without looking stiff. Choosing linen is particularly smart: the fabric wrinkles naturally, giving a lived-in, textured result in photos, unlike overly smooth fabric which can look rigid on camera.

Colors: favor light, pastel tones

For the color palette, light and pastel tones are best: off-white, beige, sand, powder blue, sage green, pale pink. These colors blend naturally with Provence's golden light and never compete with the setting. Overly saturated colors or busy printed patterns draw the eye away from the two of you, and tend to date visually faster than neutral tones.

Accessories: coherence above all

Accessories add character to a session, as long as they stay coherent with the chosen theme and location. Sunglasses, a straw hat, a raffia bag: perfect for a seaside session or a session in the hills. A bottle of champagne, a linen blanket and a checkered tablecloth for a picnic aperitif: ideal for a session among vineyards or a lavender field. The idea isn't to pile on accessories, but to choose one or two that tell a story and anchor the session in a specific place.

Light: aim for golden hour

Timing is arguably the single most decisive factor in image quality. I almost always recommend the end of the day, to take advantage of golden hour: that hour before sunset when the light turns soft, low and slightly orange. It flatters skin tones, softens shadows, and gives images that warm, timeless quality characteristic of the Fine Art style. Midday light, by contrast, is harsh and vertical, creating unflattering, hard-edged shadows.

Makeup and hair: understated always wins

For brides-to-be, I recommend light, nude-toned makeup that lets natural features show through rather than covering them. In photos, heavy makeup tends to harden features and date the image more quickly. The same logic applies to nails: it's best to avoid bright, flashy nail colors, which draw the eye to the hands at the expense of the rest of the composition. A French manicure or a nude shade remains the safest choice.

For hair, aim for a style that holds up over time but keeps some movement: a slightly loose updo or natural waves respond better to wind and motion than an overly stiff hairstyle.

Get inspired, without copying

Before your session, take the time to browse Pinterest and Instagram to gather images that speak to you: a pose, a lighting mood, a staging idea. This moodboard doesn't need to be exhaustive, a handful of images is enough to guide the conversation beforehand. What matters most is sharing what genuinely inspires you, rather than what's simply trending: a successful session should look like you, not like someone else's.

Choosing the location and the moment

A good spot for an engagement session isn't necessarily the most spectacular one, but the one that means something to you: where you met, a place you love to walk, a landscape that feels like you. In Provence, the rocks of the Côte Bleue, the lavender fields of the Valensole plateau, the perched villages of the Luberon or the vineyards of the Alpilles each offer a different mood. The choice of location also shapes the outfit and accessories, so it's worth thinking about them together.

What to expect from a couple session

A couple session usually lasts around an hour, delivering roughly thirty to forty photos. That's enough to explore several moods (posed portraits, candid moments, a possible highlight like a swim or a picnic) without the session becoming long or tiring. Bring a change of outfit if you'd like, but one well-thought-out outfit is plenty.

Looking for real examples? Read the story of Nancy and Lucas's engagement session in Sausset-les-Pins, where most of these principles come to life in real conditions.

Planning your wedding in Provence and still unsure about an engagement session? Let's talk about your project, it's often one of the simplest and most joyful parts of the whole planning process.