A couple dancing together on a rooftop parking structure with urban buildings in the background.

woods + co. ENGAGEMENT GUIDE

how to make your session run smoothly

Romantic couple embracing in a dimly lit barn, with a close-up of them holding hands in cozy autumn outfits.

A romantic couple shares a tender kiss outdoors during golden autumn light near a serene lake.

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LET'S TAKE YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION to the next level

This season of your life is monumental, and your engagement session should reflect that. Elevate your session and experience with these simple yet effective tips.

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Collage of four polaroid-style photos showing a couple holding hands, hugging, walking downtown, and sitting on steps.

INDIANA STATE

Several of my clients take advantage of ISU’s scenic campus. Ashley and Tyler strolled along the tree-lined sidewalks to give their engagement session a classy, urban vibe. Being an ISU alumna myself, I took them to several of my favorite places that were perfect for photos.

WHERE TO GO for engagement photos

Stumped on where to take photos for your engagement pics? These are a few of my favorite local places to take photos at!

Couple smiling and toasting with beer bottles outside Mecca Tavern, with vintage film strip style black and white photo below.

WHERE YOU FIRST MET

Sarah and Luther’s session took us to the Mecca Tavern where we threw back some long necks and reminisced their first date here. They were so happy to have included this location because of the sentimental factor (and I totally agree!).

Three polaroid-style photos of a couple in autumn outdoor settings, including a lakeside lift pose and cozy embraces.

STATE PARKS

Turkey Run State Park is a goldmine for photos, and how lucky are we to have it right in our own backyards? Let’s go hike some trails, cross the suspension bridge, or go take a dip in Sugar Creek. Any place you go, you’re bound to score great photos.

Collage of four romantic couple photos in urban settings, featuring brick buildings, golden hour light, and black-and-white film style.

DOWNTOWN

Terre Haute has a broad range of locations for photos. From historic brick alleys to parking garage rooftops, the urban atmosphere adds an edgy vibe to galleries. Downtown Rockville is a smaller, quieter alternative that does great as well!

Vintage film strip photos of a couple walking by a river in autumn and along a rural path in sepia tones.

FIELDS and CREEKS

Whether it’s a freshly bloomed sunflower field or a calm creek, these are my go-to locations for engagement photos. I always like to make sure these Parke County spots are easily accessible for us to get to.

A couple smiles and embraces on a dock by a reflective lake surrounded by autumn trees and rocky cliffs.

Couple standing in a shallow river surrounded by autumn trees, captured in a vintage film strip style with multiple poses.

01. Don't forget extra clothes and some slip on shoes if we are doing creek shots in the warmer months. Having a towel on hand to dry off is also a good idea. Trust me, you don't want to be sopping wet on your ride home!

things to remember FOR YOUR SESSION

These little tips can make all the difference for your engagement session.

Couple sharing a romantic kiss against a rustic red brick wall with iron staircase in urban setting.

Couple in black formal attire holding hands on a tree-lined brick pathway during golden hour.

Couple sharing a romantic kiss in a wildflower field, man wearing a white cowboy hat and brown jacket.

Couple sharing a romantic moment by a brick pillar in an urban alley with colorful graffiti murals in the background.

Couple sitting together in tall green meadow grass, sharing a tender moment during an outdoor engagement photo session.

Couple sitting closely on a wooden bench submerged in a calm lake, surrounded by lush trees at golden hour.

A couple embraces warmly at golden hour, woman smiling softly at camera while man holds her with eyes closed.

Two people walk through tall grass near an ivy-covered abandoned barn and grain silo on a rural farm.

A couple shares a romantic kiss at golden hour, with the woman tenderly holding the man's face in her hands.

A couple sits closely on a bench outside a brick building, sharing a romantic moment with fall flowers nearby.

A young couple embraces in a green field, woman resting her chin on man's shoulder, both wearing olive toned shirts.

Couple sharing a romantic embrace and almost kissing against a rustic building wall outdoors.

Couple sitting on blanket by autumn river, surrounded by golden fall foliage, sharing a romantic embrace outdoors.

Couple holding hands wading in a shallow lake surrounded by autumn trees and rocky cliffs.

Couple sharing a piggyback ride by a autumn river, surrounded by golden fall foliage trees.

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02. Have your ring cleaned just before the scheduled shoot. The extra shine really makes a difference!

03. Take a moment to explore locaitons that interest you and are meaningful. Fromo an urban, trendy setting such as downtown to a classic, timeless country location, I'm down for whatever you are!

04. Next, pick muted or neutral colors. Earthy tones can contribute to that dreamy, creamy feel that can make photos look so magical. Very bright colors can be distracting and don't always edit well. Neutral tones always complement everyone!

05. Be careful with patterns. It’s perfectly okay to add outfits with patterns on it, but just be conscious of the types of patterns you are choosing. Patterns with very small dots tend to run together in photographs.

06. Stay away from obvious branding logos on your clothing. They will subtract from the image. Yes, they are super cute, but they don’t always photograph well.

Couple lying on rooftop at sunset, romantic urban engagement photos on Kodak Portra film in a city setting.

09. If you're considering incorporating pets, make sure they are going to be manageable. It's always a good idea to have someone on hand to take the animal over when we are finished with it.

07. Don’t hesitate to dress up! Plan to dress up a little more than your every day wear. Consider higher quality fabrics – they will translate better on camera…avoid t-shirt or athletic dry fit material.

08. Try your clothes on in advance. Make sure they fit – and cover you in all the right places at all times. You may be standing, sitting, or walking. Make sure your outfit allows for those activities.

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If you've gotten this far, it's time for you to mark "photographer" off your wedding to-do list. If you're interested in booking Woods + Co. for your big day, the next step is for you to schedule a quick planning call. It's just 15 minutes of discussing the vision you have for your big day and for me to answer any questions you may have!

BOOK YOUR planning CALL

CONSULTATION CALL

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Polaroid-style collage of a child playing by water, a couple in black and white, and a family portrait outdoors.

KIND WORDS

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"Liz does a wonderful job! Her photos are so special to us and we are happy with the result every single time!" - Heather M.

“We couldn’t be happier with the senior pictures Liz captured of our kids! Her talent, patience, and eye for detail made the entire experience so enjoyable. She created such a comfortable and fun atmosphere, which really brought out genuine smiles and natural poses. The final photos are absolutely stunning, and we will cherish them forever. If you’re looking for a photographer who is professional, creative, and wonderful to work with, we highly recommend Liz (Woods + Co. Photography)!” - Amy H.

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stay CONNECTED

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Handwritten cursive script reading best wishes, Liz in dark brown ink on white background.

Dark green quilted fabric texture with grid pattern stitching, ideal for upholstery or fashion design backgrounds.

Ornate circular seal design with text and decorative elements arranged in a symmetrical pattern.

Smiling female photographer holding a DSLR camera outdoors in a green park during golden hour.