eventrundown.com
A shot-by-shot schedule for engagement sessions. Plan your locations, outfit changes, and golden hour window, then share with the couple before the shoot.
2-location engagement session with outfit change
Arrive at Griffith Observatory, check lighting angles, stage reflector
Meet couple, review shot list, casual outfit on the observatory lawn
Walking shots, natural conversation, loosening up in front of the camera
Dramatic wide shots with LA skyline, close-ups with architectural columns
Couple changes to dressy outfit in car — quick touch-up break
Travel to second location, set up for water reflections
Time your session backwards from sunset so the best light lands on the most important shots — not on travel or outfit changes.
Share the schedule beforehand so they know what to wear when, where to meet, and how long each segment takes.
Outfit changes, location drives, and gear swaps all take time. A timeline prevents them from eating into your shooting window.
Multiple Locations
Urban + natural settings give the gallery range and visual variety
Outfit Variety
Casual and dressy looks make the final gallery feel like two sessions
Golden Hour Timing
Schedule the session so the best light hits during the hero portrait segment
Warm-Up Time
Most couples are stiff for the first 15 minutes — plan candids early to loosen up
Meaningful Props
A pet, picnic, or personal item adds authenticity without feeling staged
Client Communication
Send the timeline in advance so the couple arrives prepared and relaxed
Start with this sample schedule or create a custom timeline for your specific locations and client needs.
DescribeVisit each location at the same time of day you plan to shoot. Note where the sun hits, where shadows fall, and where crowds gather. A location that looks great at noon can be unusable at 5 PM.
Most couples are nervous for the first 10 minutes. Have them walk, hold hands, and talk to each other while you shoot candidly. By the time you move to posed shots, they'll be relaxed and natural.
Where will they change? A car with tinted windows, a nearby restroom, a friend's place? Sort this out before the session — scrambling for a changing spot wastes golden hour minutes.
Google Maps says 15 minutes, but parking and walking add 10 more. Build in 25-30 minutes for any location change. Rushed transitions show in the photos.
Golden hour and sunset silhouettes should be your last shooting segment. The couple is warmed up, the light is perfect, and these become the hero images for save-the-dates and social media.
Why photographers use EventRundown for engagement sessions:
Plan for 1.5 to 2.5 hours of shooting time, plus 30 minutes for travel between locations and outfit changes. This gives enough variety for save-the-dates, social media, and a guest book without exhausting the couple.
Two outfits is the sweet spot — one casual and one dressy. More than two eats into shooting time. Advise clients to avoid busy patterns and logos, and stick to complementary (not matching) colors.
Start 2-3 hours before sunset so your strongest portraits land during golden hour. Avoid midday — overhead sun creates harsh shadows that no reflector fully fixes.
One meaningful prop can elevate a session — their dog, a picnic setup, the book they bonded over. Skip anything that feels staged like chalkboard signs or balloon letters.