Kyle and Liz were so much fun to photograph.

Before their session, we had only communicated through phone calls and messages, so finally getting to meet them in person for their engagement photos felt like reconnecting with people I already kind of knew. One of my favorite things about being a Salmon Idaho Photographer is getting to meet couples at such an exciting season in their lives, the anticipation, excitement, and all the wedding planning in between.

We definitely went back and forth a little over the weather (because Idaho likes to keep us guessing), but we finally landed on an absolutely beautiful day, and it worked out perfectly. Since they traveled to Salmon for their session, I really wanted everything to come together for them, and thankfully the weather decided to cooperate.

Before the session, I shared several location ideas with Liz based on what they were envisioning as a couple, the season, and what would photograph best with the weather we were expecting. I always love helping couples narrow down locations because where we shoot really helps tell the story of who they are together. I am SO happy with the spots they picked because everything came together beautifully.

And can we talk about outfits for a second? Because they absolutely nailed them.

I loved that they brought a mix of casual and dressy looks. That combination always photographs so well and gives couples a lot of variety in their final gallery. Even if we are in the exact same location, changing outfits can completely change the vibe of the images. A casual outfit can feel playful, relaxed, and more everyday “you,” while dressing things up gives a more romantic and elevated feel. Liz’s dress choice photographed beautifully, and paired with their casual look, it gave them such a nice mix for their engagement gallery.

One thing I appreciated so much about Kyle and Liz is that they were honest from the beginning, they told me they might feel a little awkward in front of the camera. And honestly? That is nearly every single couple I photograph.

It is totally normal.

Especially for the guys. If I had a dollar for every groom who told me, “I hate photos,” or tried to get out of engagement pictures, I would probably be retired somewhere tropical. But here is the thing, engagement sessions are about so much more than just getting pretty pictures for save-the-dates or wedding websites.

An engagement session gives you a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day. You get to see how I pose, prompt, and direct you in a way that still feels natural and like YOU. It helps take away those nerves, lets us get to know each other better, and makes wedding day portraits feel so much easier and more relaxed.

By the end of most sessions, couples are always surprised at how much fun they actually had. Even the guys who started out skeptical usually leave saying, “That actually wasn’t bad” or “I didn’t mind that as much as I thought I would.” And honestly, I consider that a win.

Kyle and Liz settled into things so naturally throughout the session, and it was so fun watching them relax and just enjoy being together. Those are always my favorite moments, the in-between laughs, the quiet moments, and the little interactions that just feel like them.

I am already so excited to photograph Liz during her bridal session prior to the wedding day and, of course, capture their big day. If their engagement session was any indication, I already know their wedding is going to be such a good one.

If you are recently engaged and looking for an Idaho Engagement Photographer or Salmon Idaho Photographer, I would love to help you plan a session that feels true to you as a couple, awkward feelings and all. I promise, by the end, you will probably be saying, “That wasn’t so bad” too.