You’re engaged! Congratulations. Even after 10+ years of being in the wedding industry, I still feel giddy over every newly engaged couple that comes my way. Wedding planning is seriously fun. That being said, I know there’s a lot to plan and account for. You’re suddenly making dozens of decisions day after day and you want it all to go smoothly. I get it. Before you get too far down the wedding planning rabbit hole, let’s chat about engagement photos and I’ll share quick tips to ensure you end up with engagement photos you actually love.
If your first question is whether or not you “need” engagement photos, I will be the first to tell you yes. Not just because I’m a photographer, but because I really do believe they help to set you up for success for having a comfortable experience on your wedding day. Engagement photos give you the chance to vet your photographer, and get to know them and their posing style prior to your wedding day. Building that relationship is so crucial to feeling at ease in a very intimate space (your wedding day).
If you or your partner are even the slightest bit uncomfortable in front of a camera, I’d say go with the engagement session. Get to know your photographer and let them put your mind at ease. You’ll see that photo sessions can actually be fun and way less pressure than you probably realize.
Now that you know you want engagement photos, let’s chat about how to make the most of your session. Here are 5 quick tips for making that happen.
5 Quick Tips for Getting Engagement Photos You’ll Actually Love
Tip #1 | Find a photographer you truly enjoy being around.
Listen, I know there are a lot of talented photographers and it can get a little hazy trying to make a decision on who to book with. The thing is, the personality of your photographer is just as important as their work. You need to both feel a connection to their art AND to them as a person. Being in front of a camera and getting beautifully candid photos has less to do with your modeling skills and more to do with how comfortable you feel with the person holding the camera.
Read reviews, chat with your photographer over a video call, or meet for coffee. Really consider the person behind the business and make sure you feel a connection to them. It is the number one most crucial factor in getting photos you will be head over heels in love with. Real photos that move you happen when your guard is down and your focus is on your partner.
Tip #2 | Consider the season and how it will influence the overall look and feel of your photos
I cannot tell you how many times I have someone send me golden glowy fields as their inspo and then try to book me in January. If you are envisioning warm and bright photos, you need to book your session for at time that is conducive to sunny weather. Although we can never guarantee the weather, I know for certain your chances of getting sunshine in January is much lower than July.
It can be challenging for couples to understand how much the environment affects the overall feel of their photos. Darker environments and colors in the fall/winter will lend well to moodier photos. Spring/summer photos in open spaces, paired with neutral clothing, will give a feeling of brightness and warmth. Your photographer will chat with you about your vision and help you decide on the best location.
Tip #3 Eat a snack, will you?
This one might seem like a joke but I am absolutely serious about it. Do not show up to your session hungry. Let’s be honest, most people are easily annoyed and distracted when they’re hungry. That’s just the way this world works. It’s much harder to go with the flow and be open minded when your mind is on your stomach. Love yourself and your partner and make sure you eat a healthy meal or snack (<—my fave bar) before your session. I promise you won’t feel bloated or uncomfortable. Eat a sensible meal and drink lots of water. You will thank me for this one later.
Tip #4 Don’t Buy a New Outfit
Are you about to lose your mind? Hear me out. I know shopping is really fun and it gives you a fun little dopamine spike. Here’s the truth. Most people run out and buy a fun new outfit because it’s very exciting to book engagement photos and you want to look and feel your best. If you genuinely need an outfit for your photos, go for it. However, my challenge to you is to think about what your go to outfit is. Maybe consider wearing that. You’ll want to feel like yourself when you look back at your photos. You’ll also want to feel comfortable moving around, sitting, running, snuggling etc. It’s easy to get caught up in a cute new outfit and not consider what it actually feels like on your body for an extended period of time.
Once you’ve chosen your outfit, my best tip is to setup your phone and take a video (not a photo) of you turning to all sides, sitting, etc. You’ll notice if there are any weird seems, underwear lines, or bulges you don’t like. Better to find out while you’re planning your outfit and it will give you peace of mind, when taking photos, that all looks good.
Tip # 5 Give Yourself Something to Do
I am a sucker for dreamy beach photos and epic landscapes. They are wildly fun locations to photograph in and make for jaw dropping gorgeousness. I am in no way trying to talk you out of scheduling your session around an epic location. That being said, if you are even remotely anxious about your photo session, please please please schedule some sort of activity into your photoshoot. I’m talking a picnic, coffee shop date, horseback riding, a board game, a champagne toast… anything. Breaking up your session with an activity you love brings so much ease and comfort into the session. It gives you something to do besides holding hands and frolicking (which we love).
A lot of my couples choose to add a personal element into their photos because they value photos that feel genuine to who they are as people. It’s really fun to look back at photos and remember how into pickleball you were or those croissants from your favorite bakery. I love infusing daily life into photoshoots. Let’s plan something truly unique to who you are as a couple. The results will be gorgeous photos that really feel like you. Oh, and they will be photos you actually love.
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