8 Tips for an Amazing Fall Engagement Session in Minnesota
There's more that goes into planning a fall engagement session in Minnesota than you think, here are 8 of my top tips to get you on track!
The days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are getting colder, which can only mean one thing. Fall is upon us! Along with the beautiful colors of the leaves changing, the cozy clothes we get to wear, and having the windows open at home, one of my favorite parts of spending the fall in Minnesota is the engagement sessions that I get to photograph. If you’ve been considering having your engagement session in the fall and you’re not sure where to start then this article is for you. Let’s take a look at 8 of my top tips for planning your engagement sessions.
Why an Engagement Session in the Fall
Before we dig into the details of planning out your fall engagement session in Minnesota, what exactly makes them special and why should you choose the fall instead of one of the other seasons? For starters, the magic of the leaves changing colors create some of the most gorgeous backdrops and portrait opportunities for your photos. If you live in or around Minnesota you know what I’m talking about, and for those of you living out of state take a look at Ailee and Brian’s engagement session to see what I mean. The appeal of fall doesn’t end there though. Fall attire is some of the coziest and also most stylish of any season. The cooler temperatures also make some of the more popular locations throughout the state a little less busy as not everyone is willing to brave the temperatures.
8 Tips for Your Fall Engagement Session in Minnesota
Now that we know what makes fall engagement sessions in Minnesota so wonderful, let’s look at how to plan your own to make it the best it can be.
1. Best Time of Day
First and foremost we need to plan out what time of day to have your engagement session to get the most out of the beauty that is fall in Minnesota. Golden hour, or the hour before sunset and after sunrise, is my go to for a few reasons. It gives the leaves an even more stunning golden glow to them than they already have, and it generally gives us the best possible lighting for your photos. For my fall engagement sessions I usually do recommend going with a sunrise session over one at sunset. With the sun setting earlier in the day it can be more difficult to fit a session into your afternoon schedule. Most locations are also less busy in the morning, so if you’re willing to brave the colder temps it is SO worth it.
2. Time it Right
Just like there’s an ideal time of day for your fall engagement session in Minnesota, there is also an ideal time during the season where you’ll get the best possible colors. While this does vary from year to year, in general mid September through mid October is your best bet. It’s important to note that the farther north you are the earlier that these ideal colors will occur. Now that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fall engagement session once we’re through October. There are still PLENTY of fall vibes to experience and enjoy without the leaves on the trees, it all just depends on the style and feel you are going for!
3. What to Wear
Fall has some of my absolute favorite attire of any season. From the flannel to the oversized sweaters I cannot get enough of fall clothes. With having your fall engagement session in Minnesota though you are going to want to keep a close eye on the weather the week leading up to your session. Temperatures fluctuate a lot up here, so it’s always a good idea to plan ahead and pack some extra layers for your session. The great thing about engagement sessions is that I usually will have my couples wear a few different outfits to give their session a bit of variety.
Again, looking back at Ailee and Brian’s engagement session, we can see in the morning Ailee started in her favorite sweater and Brian in his favorite flannel. By the end of the session though things had warmed up and Brian was able to wear a thinner button up with Ailee wearing a fall colored dress. This worked perfectly for our session and gave their gallery such a great bit of variety to it!
4. What to Bring
If you’re reading this blog you know that preparation is KEY when it comes to planning out your engagement session. That’s why the night before, or even a few before your session, I recommend you pack your bags with everything you’ll need. Make sure you have your outfits, layers, and extra socks and shoes for the off chance you get your feet wet. It’s also a great idea to pack along some snacks and water, either for a quick bite during our session or on the ride home to keep yourselves fueled.
5. Location, Location, Location
Minnesota being the beautiful state that it is honestly spoils us a bit with how many incredible locations are available for an engagement session in the fall. Whether you’re looking for some more renowned locations like the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, or something a bit more personal like a state park near your home town, there are SO many options to choose from. As I mentioned earlier, keep in mind the date of your session when looking at possible locations so that you can experience the best possible fall colors. If you’re looking for some more inspiration for where to have your fall engagement session in Minnesota, a few of my favorites near the Twin Cities include:
6. Get Your Permits
I can’t overstate just how important it is to look into whether or not your location of choice requires a permit for photography. It’s an easy thing to overlook and something that could make for quite a serious headache. Luckily this is very easily avoidable as long as you are willing to do your research. When booking with me I’ll also be more than happy to help look into any permit requirements for our location as well. That way we can get it taken care of WELL ahead of time and go into your session stress free and ready to have a worry free blast.
7. Make it Personal
This is something I think couples can take for granted from time to time, which is why I made sure to include it on my list here! Your engagement session is not only a chance to get some incredible photos taken of the two of you in the beautiful fall landscapes of Minnesota, it’s a celebration of your love. It’s a snapshot of you and your lives together as they are happening now and as you head into this new and crazy chapter of life together.
That’s why I adore when my couples include things into their session that really feel like them, especially in the fall. If you have a pup or another pet that’s an important member of your family, include them in the session and let’s have the three of you frolic through the leaves. If the two of you carve pumpkins together every year let's head to a pumpkin patch to pick them out. There are so many fun and unique ways to make your engagement session feel more personal and unique to you and I am ALL for it!
8. Make a Day of it!
Similar to making your session personal to you, this tip really applies to engagement sessions year round, but I still find it too important to not include in this list. Your engagement session is a celebration of you and your love for one another, so why stop the celebration after we’re done taking photos? Plan out an entire day for you to enjoy with one another’s company. This is especially great if you take my advice of having a sunrise session as it gives you the entire rest of the day to be present with one another.
Go out for lunch after our session, maybe spend some time walking around town or heading out on a trail if you’re down for some more hiking, and then head back home to snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie together. Whatever it may be, spending time together after your fall engagement session in Minnesota makes the day just that much more special and will be something you two can reminisce on when looking through your photos.
There you have it, 8 tips to make sure that you’re planning the absolute best fall engagement session in Minnesota for you and your partner to enjoy. I hope this list has made the planning process a bit more straightforward for you. If that is the case be sure to check out some of my other resources on my blog page, and if you’re looking to book me for your wedding and engagement session be sure to reach out to me through my contact page!
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