5 Tips for Awesome Engagement Photos
These 5 tips for awesome engagement photos are long overdue, I know — but I wanted to give you some good info as we near the 2021 season! I get LOTS of questions about how to nail the engagement session and come out of it with amazing, natural, happy photographs that look and feel like YOU. So I put together this list of tips and things to consider before your session arrives!
#1: Choose a location that feels like YOU! You want to be sure the location you take photos at is special to you in one way or another. For some couples that means the spot where one of them proposed, or maybe where they had their first date. It could be a place where you already spend a lot of time, a spot that holds a lot of memories for you. If none of those apply, and especially if you’re traveling to an area you’re unfamiliar with, tell your photographer what you have in mind aesthetically! Some folks envision their photos someplace very urban, with lots of cute storefronts, cobblestone streets, interesting architecture, and graffiti. Some couples would prefer to be on the beach, shoes off and sun hat in hand. Some might want to take part in more of an activity — hiking through the forest, choosing the perfect pumpkin in the fall, a picnic, playing games in a local arcade, sipping beer and eating burgers. Whatever you envision, your photographer should be able to make it happen!
#2: Arrive a little bit early! Most folks are pretty nervous for their engagement photos. I hear all the time that people are worried about how they’ll look on camera, whether their hair or makeup will hold up to the weather, if they’ll know how to pose. Anxiety is common! There’s nothing worse when you’re already antsy and then you show up RIGHT on time and you feel rushed on top of everything else. Get to the location a good 15-20 minutes early so you can relax and center yourself. You’ll have time to check your hair, smooth your outfit, listen to some music, chat, have a snack, and just breathe for a few minutes before photos start. Also, your photographer has likely chosen the time for your session based around the light being its best, so arriving late can mean you are cut a bit short — trust me, we wish we could control when the sun sets, but it’s a bit above our pay grade!
#3: Coordinate outfits that are comfortable, location-appropriate, and that complement but don’t match! Choosing clothing for your engagement photos can feel like a huge task. You want the outfits to reflect your personality and style, to keep you either warm or cool depending on the weather, to look appropriate in the location you’ve chosen, and on top of that, to look good TOGETHER? It seems like a lot, I know. The good news is that, at least if you’re being photographed by me, you can bring a change of clothing with you — it helps to lessen that anxiety of picking the ONE perfect outfit. Some couples I work with bring three outfits total (the ones they are wearing plus two others in the car), and then make a split decision once they’ve arrived on what #2 will be (often being in the photoshoot location makes it click). The biggest things are making sure your outfits fit well — not too big or too small — and are things that make you feel invincible. You know what I mean. We’ve all got that one dress that makes us feel like everyone in the world is looking at us, or killer boots that make us feel like we could conquer the world, or a shirt that is so soft and cozy that we can’t help but smile when we wear it. Wear THAT! Don’t worry about matching — you just want your outfits to complement one another and not completely clash. If you’re blanking on ideas, check out my inspiration board on Pinterest!
#4: Trust your photographer! If you are meeting up with a photographer for any kind of photos, chances are you’ve already looked through their portfolio. You’ve browsed their Instagram feed, you’ve looked at their website, you’ve maybe read a few blog posts. If you’re doing engagement photos in particular, there’s a good chance you even already hired them for your wedding day! There must have been something that lured you in and made you want to be the ones in front of their camera. You loved how happy and genuine everyone looked, or you loved the style of their editing, or you thought they themselves seemed like a cool, fun person. As much as it can be tempting to want to be in control, especially if being photographed is brand new to you, TRUST that your photographer got all of those people in their portfolio looking good enough that you hired them by workin’ some kind of magic and surrender yourself to it! Throw your insecurities and worries out the window. Leave that Pinterest board alone. Let yourself laugh and have a good time. Try not to think about the back of the camera. The BEST photos come when people just immerse themselves in the process and forget I’m even taking photos and that takes TRUST. 🙂
#5: Make it a date! A lot goes in to an engagement session. You’ve meticulously chosen outfits, you’ve maybe had hair & makeup done or spent a good long time in front of the mirror yourself, you might have even taken time off work or driven someplace far from home. Treat yourself! Get more wear out of those outfits you both look so slammin’ in and make sure to plan an afterparty. Go out for drinks, grab some dinner, meet up with some local friends, pack a picnic to enjoy at the photo location after your photographer leaves. Ride that high a bit longer and spend some more time being snuggly together!
Remember above all that these photos are just for you two to spend time together — being goofy, being sweet, and showing your love, excitement, and pride for one another. Have fun with it and let loose! <3 If you’re interested in talking about booking a session, contact me!
