Engagement sessions are an important step in your wedding planning process. Some people are nervous in front of a camera, and engagement photos allow you to warm up to it. It also shows you how your wedding photographer works, and by the end of your session, you will be a pro! Let’s dive into some tips on having incredible engagement photos!
One of the first things I tell all of my couples is that these photos are for them and no one else. Treat your engagement session as a date! On the day of your session, I recommend taking it easy and not having much planned. If you want to calm your nerves before getting your engagement photos taken, grab a drink and relax! After your session, plan dinner at a restaurant you’ve wanted to try. As you take photos, your feelings about the photoshoot will affect how you think about them later. We want good vibes only!
How to Choose the Location for Your Engagement Photos
Another important tip on having incredible engagement photos is choosing the location! If there is a location that holds a special meaning to your relationship, consider doing your photos there. However, if you don’t have a specific place, I’ll be sure to give you suggestions! Think about your hobbies or the types of dates you usually go on. I love incorporating your favorite things to do as a couple into your pictures. For example, choose your preferred hiking trail, go on a picnic at your favorite park, or grab a cup of coffee at Pike Place. After thinking about these and you’re still struggling, ask me for recommendations!
What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos
What you wear for your engagement photos can make a significant impact. So let’s dive into a few tips on what to wear! If you’re going to wear something with patterns, make sure to avoid anything crazy or bold; they can draw attention away from you. Instead, wear something with small or simple prints! If one of you chooses to wear a pattern, the other must wear a solid color. When you have too many competing designs, it can make the photo look busy. Balance is key! Instead of having patterns, think about wearing a texture, like a chunky knit sweater or a linen top.
Adding movement to your photos can bring vibrant energy. Ladies, flowy dresses are always a great option to achieve this look! For guys, it’s important to wear clothing that doesn’t feel constricting. Make sure you can easily sit down and move your arms around. The more comfortable you both are, the more you can focus on each other.
Speaking of clothing, the colors of your outfits can impact your engagement photos. Colors that photograph well are neutrals, such as forest green, navy, white, black, burnt orange, tan or beige, and mustard yellow. I recommend staying away from colors such as pink, bright orange, and red shades. These colors can affect the way your skin tone looks.
As I mentioned above, it’s important to wear something that makes you feel comfortable. It’s not necessary to go out and buy a brand new outfit. I’ve found that couples are most comfortable wearing something they found in their closet. If you choose to buy a new outfit for your engagement photos, a few of my favorite stores are Nordstrom, Madewell, H&M, Lulu’s, Zara, and Top Shop.
Check out: What to Wear for Your Seattle Engagement Session
Makeup and hair services are something you can splurge on to make your engagement photographs look incredible. Scheduling your hair and makeup trial at this time is a good idea. If you are a minimalist with makeup, you might want to skip the makeup part! I want you to look like your natural and beautiful self.
Adding in a prop or accessory for your engagement photos can be fun! Before choosing something to bring, think about the location of where your photos will be. If you’re going to your favorite park, then maybe bring a bottle of wine and a charcuterie board. If we decide to capture you on your favorite hiking trail, bring along your favorite IPA to enjoy at the end. A few other fun ideas are cuddling up by a campfire, bringing your dog, or popping some champagne!
During your engagement session, one of my biggest goals is to make both of you feel comfortable! I want the focus to be on you both as a couple being your authentic selves. If you need to take a shot or have a glass of wine to relax your nerves before the session, let me know, and I’ll bring the bottle! I promise we will have a fun time during your engagement session! This session is for you and no one else, so let’s have some fun and grab some amazing photos. I hope that all of these tips on having incredible engagement photos helped!
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