Engagement Photos Tips | Preparing For Your Engagement Session

Congratulations! The wedding plans are coming along, now time for some fun! Engagement photos!!!

I get asked all the time if I have any tips before shooting an engagement session, and yes, I can help! This is the perfect time for us to get to know each other more, and a time to HAVE SOME FUN!

Outfits

One of the most common questions I get asked is “What should I wear and how many outfits?” You want to look your best and still be you! Keep to your personalities, and by all means, don’t dress to match! Dress to compliment instead. Earthy color pallets are great and avoid super bright colors and loud patterns. There are exceptions to every rule, but here are the reasons behind these suggestions. When it comes to loud patterns, these can be very distracting in the image, taking the focus away from you! Bold stripes are one of these examples! Bold colors can work if they fit your personality, but super bright colors need some caution for two reasons. First, they can be a little too distracting in the image just like loud patterns, but second, they have a tendency to cast a shade of their color onto your skin. Neon pink chin and cheeks don’t make for a very flattering image!

How many outfits? That depends somewhat on where we are shooting (next tip!) and how practical it is to change and/or carry clothes. I like to have 2-3 great options. A great approach is to have one more fancy or formal, and another more casual. Don’t forget the accessories as well! Jewelry, shoes, watches, and belts.  They will all be in the photos!  

Location

The first thing I always ask you to consider is a location/activity that is special and means a lot to you both? This can be a secluded mountain overlook or local coffee shop! Maybe you love kayaking or mountain climbing. I’m always up for adventure!!! I can always help with location ideas as well if nothing comes to mind, but this is your story so the more unique to you the better! Time of day is a consideration here as well. “Golden hour” or the hour before sunset is most photographers preferred time to shoot, and this is especially true if we are in wide-open spaces. Direct sunlight can be pretty harsh. If we are indoors or in a more urban setting than earlier in the day may be better.

Be Yourself…. RELAX!

If you feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, you are not alone!  Most people don’t wake up in the morning excited to go on a photoshoot.  The key to pictures you will absolutely love is to just “let it go” and be yourself!   This shoot isn’t about just standing in place and smiling at the camera.  If you are having fun, your pictures will be fun!  

Laugh, joke, tickle (unless you hate to be tickled like me!) Approach the session with the mindset that this is an awesome date that you will never forget, rather than another item on your to-do list. The first 5-10 minutes I take totally candid pictures just to let everyone relax, and then it’s time to just have fun! The guys are the ones usually most reserved and not looking forward to the session, but after every session, literally every guy is laughing, joking, and having a great time!

If you would like more engagement session tips, I have an short email series just on this! You can sign up here: More Engagement Tips!

Check out our Engagement Portfolio here!