Booked an engagement session - now what?

[aribabybug]

Something that I've found that works for me is to give the couple a few minutes to relax at the beginning. I stand or sit them someplace pretty neutral, and tell them just to ignore me for a couple of minutes while I take some test shots, get a white balance, etc. It gets them used to being in front of the camera and lets you relax as well.

Also, keep the poses / ideas you're most excited about for the end of the shoot. I've discovered that as the couple and I relax, the pictures get better, and if you shoot the thing you're most excited about at the beginning, it might not be as good as if you had waited.