Ooooh, I love a good engagement session. Especially one that introduces something new and a little unconventional with a couple that is so up for it. Enter Kayla and Darnzell, these cuties that are down-to-earth homebodies yet love to travel and explore. From our first conversation, I knew and they knew an in-home AirBnB engagement session was exactly what they needed. This session went SO well, as you can clearly see! And it made me eager to share the way they were able to plan a session like this in hopes that it would inspire other engaged couples. Enjoy their cuteness and some great tips on planning an AirBnB engagement session maybe of your own.
If you and you fiance are natural homebodies like Kayla and Darnzell, then using your own home or renting super cute AirBnB is the way to go. This is one of the besttt ways to make sure your photographs represent who you truly are as a couple in your most comfortable state.
Include a regular activity into your AirBnB engagement session
When we first chatted on the phone, Kayla and Darnzell told me they loveee to go to farmers’ markets or the grocery store and get ingredients to make homemade green smoothies, which not only sounded SO fun but also the perfect activity to do during their AirBnB session. Even if you’re not the cooking or baking or green smoothie type, it’s a good idea to find something that makes you feel 100% comfortable and forget my camera is even around. Snuggling on the couch or the bed is always a good idea.
Maximize natural light
The ideal place for an AirBnB session is a location with a lot of natural light. Like.. A LOT. The more, the better. Kayla and Darnzell had a specific look and feel that they were going for — white subway tile in the kitchen, clean finishes throughout the home, and minimal style and decor. But their most important factor was the amount of light coming in the home. The house they chose was PERFECT. I loved the light that came in through the kitchen, the backyard, the front living room, and the bedrooms.
Communicate with your Airbnb host
It’s always best to be upfront with your host that you’re wanting an engagement session on their property. Some hosts may not be okay with it, but most of them will be! Kayla and Darnzell said they reached out to their host with the idea of having the session with the well before booking. When they circled back with their final decision, the host was more accommodating than they could have imagined. If you’re loving the look of this home in DC, here is the listing.
Take advantage of the neighborhood
Whether you are home or renting an AirBnB, don’t just stay inside—explore! We planned Kayla and Darnzell’s session around golden hour and sunset so that we could spend some time in the backyard garden and wandering around the nearby alleyways in Washington DC. This gave a really fun change of scenery. You can also use the night away from home to grab a bite to eat or even just chill and watch a movie.
When all is done, cherish the experience, cherish the moment, and cherish one another.
