Engagement Portraits in Live Oak, FL
Katie Jo & Jesse
How to Create a Fun Engagement Session That Reflects You | Katie Jo + Jesse’s Session
Engagement sessions are such a special part of the wedding journey—not just because you get cute photos (although, yes please!)—but because they’re a chance to celebrate who you are as a couple, right now, in this moment. I photographed Katie Jo’s senior portraits a few years ago. Over the years I’ve gotten to know her and her family pretty well, so I knew their session was going to be full of laughter, a little bit of sass, and a whole lot of heart.
From the very beginning, Katie Jo and Jesse made it clear: they didn’t want stiff, overly posed photos. They wanted their engagement session to feel like them—fun, flirty, a little bit outdoorsy, and totally down-to-earth. So we built the session around that vibe.
1. Pick a Location That Feels Like Home
For Katie Jo and Jesse, that meant a spot that blended pretty nature with a hint of adventure. We chose to use my family’s property–funny enough I’ve taken Katie Jo’s portraits here multiple times now. It gave us wide open skies, a little bit of flowers, and a place where they could relax and just be together.
2. Let the Wardrobe Show Off Your Vibe
Katie Jo wore a flowy, white dress for the first outfit, while Jesse kept it casual in a button-down and slacks. Their outfits were totally them—just a little dressy, but not fussy. The kind of thing you’d wear on a date night you wanted to remember forever. For their second outfit they chose a casual jeans and cute top option. I always recommend this because it makes you feel more comfortable, but it also gives us more freedom with posing.
Bonus tip: I always tell my couples to choose clothes that feel like a dressed-up version of themselves. If you wouldn’t wear it to dinner together, it’s probably not the right outfit for your engagement session either.
3. Bring the Fun
These two? Total goofballs in the best way. Jesse kept Katie Jo laughing the entire time. The in-between moments are the good stuff. That’s what makes your session feel like you.
I gave them just enough direction to get them comfortable (no worries if you’re camera-shy—I got you!), but the real magic happened when they started being playful and getting lost in each other.
4. Celebrate the Little Things That Make You You
Katie Jo and Jesse brought along a picnic blanket to wrap up their session. They cuddled up in the grass, swapped stories, and I got to snap the sweetest, most relaxed moments of the day. If you have a ritual or little thing you love doing together—coffee dates, hammock hangs, board games on the tailgate of a truck—bring it. That’s what makes your photos different from anyone else’s.
Here’s the thing: your engagement session isn’t just about pretty pictures (though we’ll definitely get those too). It’s about celebrating your connection, your chemistry, and all the quirks that make your relationship one-of-a-kind.
And Katie Jo and Jesse? They nailed it. Their session was full of giggles, sweet forehead kisses, and those “I can’t believe we’re getting married” kinds of looks. It was the perfect blend of fun and heartfelt—just like them.
Want a session that feels like you?
Let’s chat about how we can bring your love story to life in photos. I’m all about creating a space where you can be comfortable, feel gorgeous, and leave with a gallery that makes you say, “That is so us.”
