Planning your engagement photos shouldn’t feel like another stressful thing on your wedding planning to do list. It should feel like a little break from all the wedding planning stress, a chance to have a fun date night with your partner, and make some memories during this special time. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy in home session, a fun coffee shop date exploring the city, or running around together at golden hour, this guide has everything you need on how to prep for engagement photos in Wisconsin.

Table of Contents

1- What to Expect From Your Engagement Session

2- Why Take Engagement Photos

3- When to Take Engagement Photos in Wisconsin

4- How to Prep for Engagement Photos in WIsconsin

5- Outfit Guide: What to Wear for Engagement Photos

6- Color Wheel: Choosing the Right Tones

7- Wisconsin Engagement Photo Locations

8- Date Session Ideas

9- Where to Eat After Your Session

10- Photo Permits and Things to Know

11- Dos and Don’ts

12- FAQs

13- Other Wisconsin Engagement Photos Inspiration

14- About Jessica Frigge Photography

15- Review of the Experience

16- Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

What to Expect From Your Engagement Session

Your engagement session with me is going to feel more like a date night than a photoshoot. We’ll pick a location/vibe that fits you both, whether that’s in home, your proposal location, a park that is unique to your relationship, or exploring a new spot together. I’ll be giving you prompts and fun things to do to keep things moving and relaxed, and you’ll end up with photos that feel like you.

Why Take Engagement Photos

This is the perfect season that you will want to remember! Engagement sessions also are the perfect time for you to get to know your photographer before your wedding, get comfortable in front of the camera, use photos for save the dates or wedding website, and spend much needed time together in the middle of all the crazy wedding planning.

When to Take Engagement Photos in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has four seasons and each season has totally different vibes, so it totally depends on the vibe you’re going for.

Spring:

Great for that lush greenery, cherry blossoms, and mild weather

Summer:

Warm weather, long days, and gorgeous sunsets

Fall:

Perfect if you want all the color, cozy outfits, and cooler weather

Winter:

If you’re dreaming of a winter wonderland vibe, jackets, hats, scarfs, and all the snuggling. This is for you! Winter is not for the weak though! Just keep in mind, Wisconsin winters are so unpredictable and cold.

Read this blog post for more information.

How to Prep for Your Engagement Photos in Wisconsin

Your engagement session should be fun, relaxed, and totally YOU. Here’s how to make the most of it:

-Pick a location that means something to you (think where you had your first date, a favorite hiking trail, or a spot you love with a gorgeous view).

-Choose outfits that feel like you, but elevate your everyday look. I recommend neutrals and earth tones.

-Consider professional hair and makeup or doing your hair and makeup trial.

-Bring a backup outfit to switch up the vibe.

-Trust the process! I’ll guide you through natural poses so you never feel awkward.

What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos | How to Prep for Engagement Photos in Wisconsin

Outfits can make a huge difference in how your photos turn out! The right outfit can coordinate well with the backdrop and will make you feel super comfortable, confident, and cozy. Here are some of my go to tips:

-Stick with earth tones, neutrals, or black and whites.

-Skip logos, neon colors, bright reds, stripes, or super busy prints and textures

-Layer in texture. Think linen, denim, fleece, knit.

-Choose items that coordinate well, but don’t match.

-Bring a second outfit if you’re wanting variety

Color Wheel | Choosing the Right Tones for Your Engagement Photos

If you’re stuck, here’s a little cheat sheet of tones that normally look good together

-Rust, tan, olive, and cream

-Black, white, and soft/light wash blue

-Blush, dusty rose, black, soft blue, white

-Brown, white, black, light blue

-Navy blue, maroon, tan

-Grey, denim, plum, cream

-Olive, cream, white, black, brown, burnt orange, rust

-Sage, black, dark grey, cream, white

What to Bring to Your Engagement Session | Prep for Your Engagement Photos in Wisconsin

-A blanket

-A speaker

-Water/snacks

-Touch up makeup bag

-Props like picnic basket, pizza, champagne, books, bikes, canoe, rollerblades, skateboard, your dog, polaroid camera, or anything that is sentimental to your relationship!

Date Night Engagement Session Ideas | Prep for Engagement Photos in Wisconsin

-Picnic in the park

-Arcade bar and sunset at the beach (2 location session)

-Record Store Shop and local dive bar

-Exploring downtown, followed by Ice Cream Shop after the sun goes down

-Coffee Shop date, followed by going to your favorite book store

– Baking or making brunch at home all cozied up in home and running around your backyard with your dog

-Diner date night with milkshakes, followed by watching the sunset on the pier

-kayak and hiking your favorite spot

-Rooftop pizza and beer

-Roller blading, bike riding, skateboarding together

-Rollerskating or snowboarding or skiing in the winter

-Apple picking or pumpkin patch in the fall

-exploring a lavender field together

Honestly so many things you could do! A lot of these ideas you could also pair a few together!

Dos and Don’ts for Your Engagement Photoshoot

How to Prep for Engagement Photos in Wisconsin

Do:

-Be yourself

-Bring pets, props, or something special to you

-Trust the process

-Eat beforehand (yes I’ll bring snacks, but nobody wants to be around a hangry person)

Dont:

-Worry about looking perfect or a certain way

-Stress about weather

-Overthink your outfits

Wisconsin Engagement Photo Locations

-Kohler Andrae State Park

-Devils Lake State Park

-Milwaukee Third Ward

-Retzer Nature Center

-Lions Den

Read the full Wisconsin engagement photoshoot checklist guide through this link.

Photo Permits and Things to Know When Planning a Wisconsin Engagement Shoot

Some of the most gorgeous and scenic spots in Wisconsin , like Devils Lake or Kohler Andrae require a photo permit. But don’t stress, I’ll help secure the permit, check which locations need them, and file all the paperwork needed.

What else should I bring?

-water

-snacks

-bug spray

-a speaker

– a comfy pair of shoes if we’re hiking

-a jacket or blanket depending the time of year

Other Wisconsin Engagement Photo Inspiration

Laid Back engagement photos in Wisconsin

Devil’s Lake Engagement Photos

How I Help Couples Feel Comfortable in Front of The Camera

Kohler Andrae State Park Couples Photos

How to Prepare for Winter Engagement Photos

Where to Eat After Your Engagement Session

Green Bay:

-Fox Harbor

-Chives

-Plae Bistro

-Chefusion

-Vintage Cantina

-Margarita’s

-Madrid

-Green Bay Distillery

-Bleu

Milwaukee:

-Tupela Honey

-Harbor House

-Cafe Benelux

– Zarletti

-Lakefront Brewery

-Tauro Cocina

-Oak Barrel Public House

-La Masa Empanada Bar

-Barlotta’s Lake Park Bistro

-Mama Mia’s

Madison:

-Taqueria Guadalajara

-The Harvey House

-Eni Vino Downtown

-The Globe

-Himal Chuli

-Mint Mark

-Centenario

-Banzo

– Grampa’s Pizzeria

-L’Etoile Restaurant

-Lola’s

-Curry in the Box

-Camp Cantina

-Tacos El Capi

Racine/Kenosha:

-Marguerite

-Smoke’d on the water

-Wells Brothers

-Ixtapan

-Meli’s Breakfast and Tacos

-Jaramilo’s Home Cook’n

-Chen’s Bistro

-Poke Plus Kenosha

-Buca’s Bar and Grill

-Sebastians

-Roofpoint Brew House

-Olde Madrid

-Waterfront Warehouse

Jose’s Blue Sombrero

-Sticky Rice

Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

Hi, I’m Jessica, a Wisconsin Wedding and Elopement Photographer, and yes I take pretty photos. But, more importantly I create a fun experience for couples to help them feel stress free, relaxed, and unique to them. I bring all the location ideas, timeline planning, packing guides, bts video, polaroid albums, and snacks. Can’t forget the snacks!!

Let’s plan something fun and unique to you! Inquire through this link.

A Few Reviews of the Experience

Here’s what one of my amazing couples had to say:

“We love our engagement photos. Although it was a cold dreary Nov day in WI, Jessica’s editing and eye really brought us to life! She was great to work with, responsive, and sharp skilled! Got the wedding photos back! Holy cow so glad we got a 10hr package and added film. would 10/10 recommend!” – Nora and Peter

“Jessica rocked our engagement pictures! Both my fiance and I don’t love getting our pictures taken, but Jess made our session feel very relaxed and fun. She was responsive with emails and quick with getting our photos back to us, so I can now gawk at them 50 times a day!” –Briona and Noah

“Jessica was the perfect choice for our wedding photographer! She did our engagement session and our wedding and both photos were absolutely beautiful. We get so many compliments on those photos! Her editing style is soft and warm, and her pricing is reasonable. She communicates with you throughout the whole time leading up to your scheduled session, she is also very quick at getting photos back. Highly recommend Jessica, we loved her.” – Morgan and Michael

“We had an engagement session with Jess last night. Coming from out of state, she helped us choose the most amazing park for the pictures. She embraced our silly side and truly captured us as a couple in the photos. We are so excited to see the rest!” –Sydney and Steven

FAQs

How far in advance should we book our engagement session?
I recommend reaching out 2–4 months in advance, especially if you have a specific season or location in mind. Late spring, early summer, and fall book up fast in Wisconsin!

How long is an engagement session?
Most sessions are around 60–90 minutes. Just enough time to hit a couple of locations, sneak in an outfit change, and get cozy with the camera.

What’s included when we book with you?
Every engagement session includes planning help, location recommendations, outfit guidance, a what to wear guide, an engagement session planning guide, and access to me for any and all questions. You’ll also get a BTS video clip to remember the session.

Can we bring our pet or use props?
OMG YES PLEASE. Pets, pizza, records, beer, blankets, books, anything that makes your session feel more like you.

What if we’re super awkward in front of the camera?
That’s honestly my specialty. I’ll guide you with movement-based prompts (no stiff poses) to help you feel natural and have fun. Most couples end up saying, “That was way easier than we thought.” or “Omg that was actually SO fun.”

Do you travel for engagement sessions?
Yes! While I’m based in Wisconsin, I’m always down to travel. Local places I travel to quite a bit are Chicago and Door County. Others that I love traveling to are California, Arizona, Colorado, and North Carolina. Just reach out here and we can chat details.

About Jessica Frigge Photography

I’m your go to laid back, go with the flow, storytelling photographer! I specialize in capturing carefree couples who want their story told in a way that feels natural, emotional, and unique to them. With my experience photographing couples, I know all the best spots, lighting tricks, and little moments that make your photos unforgettable. I believe your session should feel like a real moment, not a non stop awkward photoshoot.