Designing Your Dream Engagement Shoot

Everyone looks forward to their wedding photos - seeing themselves dressed to the nines with a giant smile on their face from the excitement of the day. What I love about engagement photos is just the opposite. No party, no people, no hussle & bussle. Just you and your best friend, somewhere quiet, with a new secret to share with the world. As much as weddings are a statement of who you are as a couple, your engagement shoot and save-the-date announcements are a more relaxed and personal portrait session that shows the world you’re in love, and ready to take the next step in your relationship.

Here are my tips for getting the most out of your engagement session, and creating meaningful photos you’ll treasure for a lifetime. 

Plan Backwards

When I shoot commercial photography, I always have an important discussion with the client before we get started. I want to know their vision for the final product - the ad. Where will the text go? How will the photos be cropped? What would the final sizes be? It might be helpful for you and your photographer to also start with a plan to make sure they capture the exact shots you’re looking for. Should there be some background area in the crop to make room for text? How many photos will you want to use? Do you have a unique layout in mind? Discuss this with your photographer to get your planned shots, but also be open to what they may have in mind. You might see a photo in the final selection that blows you away and changes your entire vision!

Props & Pets

Some couples show their personality by creatively using props or including pets in their photos. This is a really great way to stand out and make the photos even more special. Be sure to discuss any ideas you have with your photographer and be prepared to bring them the day of the shoot. If bringing a pet, it may be helpful to bring treats and invite another human friend to help with your fur baby since you may not want them in every shot. (And let’s face it, animals are not always perfect models…)

Location

Location is one of the most important elements of a shoot. It is the backdrop and conveys so much to the mood. Most couples opt to shoot outdoors in nature, but I have seen really beautiful and creative shots of couples indoors as well. It is good to have an idea of what backdrop you’d like. An epic landscape? A quiet field or lake? A cityscape? Your own front stoop? If you want to choose a public place, like a train station or park, your photographer may need to acquire permits in advance. Give plenty of time to check and know that permits sometimes require fees. If this is your choice, be prepared to cover the location costs in addition to the photographer’s fee.

Wardrobe

What to wear, what to wear?! It’s important that no matter what you wear, that the palettes are cohesive. In other words, you don’t have to match (it’s probably best that you don’t!) but make sure that the colors you choose are complementary and neutral enough not to clash. Below are some examples of palettes that complement each other without making you look like twins. Another consideration? How formal should you be? Many couples in the past have been perfectly happy in cotton and flannel (never wear linen, it always wrinkles!) but I am seeing a recent trend of couples choosing formalwear - bold-colored gowns and tuxes and everything in between. If you are going full glam, I would recommend bringing a change of clothes for the drive home, and scheduling a hair and makeup appointment earlier that day. It might be the perfect opportunity to get your trial in before the wedding!

Time of Day

Most professional photographers will take this into consideration, but I have seen so many bad photos that I thought I’d mention it. There are good times of day to shoot outdoors, and then there are…

I prefer to shoot in the evening. My favorite shots are often taken at golden hour (an hour before the sun sets) when the sun is soft and glowy and doesn’t create harsh shadows. But I’ve also taken shots at noon with a reflector and bounce board to block the sun and the shots have still turned out incredible. A good photographer will know how to adjust you so the light is flattering no matter what. Oh, and another pet peeve… your photographer should make sure the light is not stippled from the trees, creating that horrible uneven shadow effect!

These tips should help prepare you for your upcoming shoot, but there is another important topic that would take too long to discuss in this blog. When you book a session, you’ll receive a FREE Posing Guide to feel your most relaxed and confident at your shoot.