A great engagement photographer makes you feel at ease
The best engagement photographers are the ones who help you relax and deliver photos that look like the two of you. Because the area is full of talented photographers, choosing can feel a little overwhelming, even though that is wonderful news.
This guide covers what separates a great engagement photographer from a good one, the questions worth asking before you book, and where we fit in as Hudson Valley engagement photographers. We’re Megan & Kenneth, a married photo and video team based in Beacon, NY, so we’re a little biased. That is why we wrote this the way we’d want a friend to explain it to us.
What great engagement photographers have in common
Use these six things as your filter while you scroll through portfolios and read reviews.
A portfolio of real couples
Look past the styled shoots. Instead, look for full sessions with everyday couples, in different places and different light, so you can see how the photographer works when the setting is not perfect.
Direction that suits you
Some couples love specific prompts and others freeze the moment they hear one. That is why the best engagement photographers give gentle guidance, then let real moments happen. Ask how they work with couples who dislike being photographed.
Local knowledge
The Hudson Valley stretches from Westchester through Beacon and Cold Spring to the Catskills. A photographer who works here all year knows where the light lands on the river, which spots are packed on foliage weekends, and what the plan is when it rains. For instance, Vanderbilt Mansion and Hudson Highlands State Park look completely different from one season to the next.
A clear, easy process
Before you book, you should know how long the session runs, how to prepare, when your gallery arrives and how many edited photos you get. For example, our guide to how long engagement photography takes is a good place to start.
Reviews that sound like you
Read for the words couples keep repeating. In fact, comfortable, easy, fun and prepared tell you more than a star rating does. Here is what our couples say.
A style that lasts
Trends fade fast, so look for natural color, true skin tones and photos that focus on connection instead of a heavy filter, so they still feel like you in ten years.
Notice how different every couple looks
A strong portfolio shows range. Each couple, location and kind of light looks a little different, while the editing stays consistent from one session to the next.
Questions to ask before you book
- 01How would you describe the way you direct couples?
- 02What happens if it rains or the light is flat?
- 03How long is the session, and how many edited photos do we get?
- 04When will we receive our gallery?
- 05Do you have favorite locations nearby, or will you help us choose?
- 06Can we see a full gallery, not only highlights?
- 07Is there a prep guide, and do you help with outfits?
- 08How do we book, and what does the process look like?
Red flags when choosing an engagement photographer
- No full galleries to look at, only a highlight reel
- Vague answers about delivery times or what is included
- Pressure to book before your questions are answered
- Every photo looks heavily filtered, or the same no matter the couple
None of these mean someone is a bad photographer. Instead, they are simply worth a follow up question.
What does an engagement photographer charge?
Pricing varies from one photographer to the next, so compare what is included instead of only the total. Look at session length, the number of edited photos, how and when you receive your gallery, and whether prints or sharing rights are part of the deal.
However, a lower price with limited delivery is not always the better value, and a higher price does not guarantee a better experience. Pick the option that matches how you want to use your photos.
Our engagement sessions typically run $500 to 950. You can see exactly how we run them on our Hudson Valley engagement sessions page.
Where Megan & Kenneth fit in
We photograph and film weddings as a married team, and we also photograph elopements, proposals and engagement sessions across the Hudson Valley, Westchester and the Catskills.
Our approach is a good mix of candid and guided. First, we give you enough direction that you never wonder what to do with your hands, and then we step back so the in between moments can happen. Our motto is comfort is key, and our couples tell us that is exactly how it felt.
Many couples book an engagement session first, because it works as a relaxed trial run. That way, you learn how we work, we learn what makes you laugh, and your wedding day already feels familiar.
“We were hesitant to do an engagement shoot but are so glad we did… By the time we were actually getting married, taking photos felt effortless.”
Danielle G. · Engagement + wedding · Google review
Want the details, like locations, what to wear and how we prepare you? Everything lives on our Hudson Valley engagement photo sessions page.
Still deciding? We’d love to meet you.
Whether you choose us or someone else, we hope this guide helps you find the right engagement photographer for you, and feel confident choosing. If you’d like to see what working with us looks like, start with our engagement sessions or send us a note.
Hi! We're Megan & Kenneth
We're Beacon based Hudson Valley & Catskills wedding + elopement photographers who love to capture natural, authentic moments for all couples in love.
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