Have you been to Madeline Island? Before Katie and Matt’s adventure engagement session I would have said, “No but I really really want to.”

And let me tell ya…this will NOT be the last time I make it to that beautiful island!

“Skipping!” We made Maia’s dreams come true when I asked her and her fiancé, Zac, to skip around Shady Oak Park.

Those reactions make my heart smile. While I love posing my couples in cuddly position, it’s the movement and authentic expressions that come from my fun (and oftentimes goofy) prompts that give our Lauren Baker Photography engagement photos their unique, visceral quality.

The snuggle-bugs that are Darcey and Keith are two of the most caring, warm, love-filled souls I’ve met in a long while.

The three of us met up at Fasika Restaurant, where they had their first date, then headed out to Como Regional Park.

It’s no secret that being in front of the camera can be hella awkward. I’ve been there. I get it. But it doesn’t have to be stressful at all.

Here are some tricks that I’ve discovered that have helped my couples, as well as my guy and me, shake off the “awkwardness” blanket and allowed us all to let out our inner goofballs and snuggle bears.

The number one question I get when it comes to engagement sessions is, “What in the world do we wear?”

Picking out outfits can be kind of tricky, especially if you haven’t been in a professional portrait session before…heck, even if you have it’s still confusing (I may or may not have brought 10+ outfit options to wear for my most recent head shot session #trueconfessions). 

To start, bring options. Lots of options.