How long are your engagement sessions?

2 hours typically. However I did have one session that lasted 8 hours and was 140 miles away.

We always SAY 1-2 hours but it almost always ends up being two. We try to plan it to start 2 hours before sunset and that way the sun setting is a nice cue that we're done.

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #14596857
@squiLL: more than 1 shooting location ? including travel between ?

yeah, this makes a big difference. if we are just doing one location, no clothing changes, i'm done in an hour.

If it's a couple locations, with different outfits, it could double that in length of time.

generally too, if i'm shooting it with an assistant, things tend to go a bit faster too.

jcolman wrote in post #14596906
2 hours typically. However I did have one session that lasted 8 hours and was 140 miles away.

wow, make some new friends, aye?

1-1.5 hours for me. I've never had a session with adults go longer than that. I work pretty fast. Newborns, on the other hand, take FOREVER hence why I don't like doing them.

I do have an engagement session coming up in a week or two where we will take a lot longer since it's a big themed shoot that will require a lot of "extras" that need to be coordinated.

tnis0612 wrote in post #14596928
We always SAY 1-2 hours but it almost always ends up being two. We try to plan it to start 2 hours before sunset and that way the sun setting is a nice cue that we're done.

Yep - we do this too, both for the yummu light and the automatic "timer" in the sky - that is if the groom-to-be doesn't get hungry first (usually this)

bigarchi wrote in post #14596948
wow, make some new friends, aye?

The couple bought a large package from me. Plus I have always wanted to shoot a session in the mountains.

I offer both: a one hour shoot and a two hour shoot. I almost never sell the two hour. For the one hour, I shoot until I'm comfortable that I have enough of what I'd want. Sometimes that's almost exactly an hour, sometimes 1.5 (especially if it's a sunny day and I need to work with some lighting).

It really depends. We advertise two hours, but of the three engagement shoots we've done, only one has been two hours. Our most recent one, which took place in downtown Chicago and which we'll post tonight, lasted almost four hours and included dinner and dessert.

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #14596857
Thanks for the tips about changing on the scene, folks.

@squiLL: more than 1 shooting location ? including travel between ?

I only do E-Sessions in one location... So no travel in between for me.

I usually do multiple locations when they're somewhat near-by (basically same city)
but every now and then a couple will talk me into something bigger... its all for fun, and I really use this time to get to know the couple - so if we're in their environment, my job is easier!

This session took almost 4 hours and went through various parts of the city. Totally worth it.