We’re big proponents for having photos taken to document a special time in your life, whether that’s graduation photos, family photos, engagement photos, or just because photos. Being able to look back at your photos and remember what was happening at that time in your life is something that you will be really glad to have. If you’re in the beginning stages of planning your engagement photos or feeling a little nervous, this blog covers all the tips and advice for having incredible, natural engagement photos.
Why You Should Take Engagement Photos
You might be trying to decide whether or not having Engagement photos taken is for you. We understand there’s some things to consider or maybe you’ve decided to skip getting engaged and go straight to getting married. Either way, here are a few reasons why we think you should have engagement photos taken!
- It’s a way to celebrate a special time in your relationship.
- If the photographer that you choose will also be taking your elopement or wedding photos, it’s a good way to get to know them better. If you want to get to know us better, check out our about page!
- It gives you a chance to feel what it’s like to be in front of the cameras and to get used to it a little bit.
Where to Take Your Engagement Photos
Ok you’ve decided that you want to take engagement photos, now the question is where? The biggest thing to consider here is to think about a place that either holds significance to you or somewhere that you know you two will feel comfortable. Here are some ideas to get the juices flowing!
- Where you got engaged
- Your favorite hiking trail
- Your favorite spot to hang out on the weekends
- A new location neither of you have visited to before
- A library/coffee shop/museum/bar that you love going to
- Your favorite beach
When choosing your engagement photos location, make sure to think about the time of year and the time of day. We always recommend scheduling a time with your photographer that falls around sunrise or sunset, as those times provide the best soft lighting. You’ll want to book enough time (our engagement sessions are 2-hours long) so that you have some time before and after sunrise and sunset as well. This is called blue hour and golden hour and is typically a photographer’s favorite time to photograph.
If you decide on an outdoor location, always make sure to have a backup plan in case there’s inclement weather. Your photographer should be able to help you come up with a plan that works for everyone, so don’t be afraid to ask.
If you’re looking for a down-to-earth engagement photo photographer team, we’d love to chat and see if we’re a good fit for each other!
How to Prepare for Engagement Photos
There are a few things you can do ahead of time to prepare for your engagement photos. Obviously the big ones are deciding on your location and contacting your photographer. Leading up to your engagement photos here are a few things to think about.
A week before:
- Get your nails done
- Get a haircut
- Choose your outfit
- Get a facial
- Decide on your makeup and if you don’t wear makeup, don’t feel like you have to for your engagement photos.
- Get your rings cleaned
A few hours before:
- Eat something
- Make sure you are hydrated
- Try on your engagement photo outfit (again)
- Pack some snacks and drinks for the photo shoot
Engagement Photo Outfits
This is probably the most common question we get asked and a big reason we decided to write this engagement photo blog post. “What should I wear for my engagement photo outfits?” We’ve got a handful of helpful tips for when it comes to choosing your engagement photo clothes:
- Comfort is number one and we can’t stress this enough. When you’re trying on our engagement photo clothes, make sure they fit you well, that you can move around in them, that you can sit in them, and that they make you feel hot as shit.
- Think about coordinating outfits but not necessarily matching (unless that’s your thing, then go for it). Brian and I historically will wearing matching outfits without even planning it (he’s always copying me 🤣) but when you’re looking at clothes, try and find something that compliments each other.
- Stick with solid colors vs loud prints or distracting logos.
- Wear colors that won’t blend into your background. For example, if you’re taking engagement photos in a forest, you might not want to wear a green engagement photo dress. Instead opt for something in a red shade. A good tip is to look at the color wheel and choose colors that are complementary.
- If you’re thinking about wearing an engagement photo dress, we recommend something that is flowy and has some movement to it.
Again, comfort is the number one thing to focus on. If your engagement photo clothes don’t fit right then you will be distracted the whole time trying to adjust them. Try on your outfit ahead of time so that you know how it fits and feels.
Some of our favorite places to look for engagement photo outfits are:
Creating Movement for Dynamic Engagement Photos
One of the fun tips we like to share with our couples is to think of themselves as artists in a music video. Have you ever watched a music video where the artists just stand there? Nah, we didn’t think so. Movement adds life to your photos. Laugh, twirl, hold hands, or go for a gentle stroll. Whatever you do, just keep moving and if you’re not sure what to do with your hands (insert Will Ferrell meme here) put them on your partner! And don’t worry, we’ll be right there with you, directing you to create movement naturally.
Engagement Photo Ideas? Include an Activity
One engagement photo idea that we love to suggest is adding an activity into your session. Why, you might ask? Well when you’re busy doing said activity, you have less time to worry about the camera that’s in front of you! It’s a great way to distract you and give you more chances to focus on each other. We have a huge list of activity ideas and these are some of our favorite engagement photo activity ideas are:
- Have a picnic
- Paddle board
- Kayak
- Play a game (cards, boardgame)
- Disc Golf
- Surfing
- Hiking
- Cooking
Your engagement photos are a celebration of this exciting time in your lives and your love and commitment. So, relax, be yourselves, and trust your photographers to capture those special moments. Remember, it’s not just about posing for the camera – it’s about documenting these special moments that you two will be able to have forever.
