THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO ENGAGEMENT PORTRAITS

If you’ve read my post “Why Do You Need Engagement Photos? 7 Top Reasons” chances are you’ve booked an engagement shoot! Here is my definitive guide to engagement portraits full of my best tips, reminders and planning advice for couples before their engagement photo shoot.

Scheduling

It’s important to first nail down your details so your photographer can block out your shoot on their calendar. I recommend setting a date for your engagement photos which is at least 4-6 months before your wedding date, but the sooner the better! You can use these photos for wedding invitations and decor, so the sooner you take the photos, the sooner you can send out those invites.

My engagement shoots are usually around 1-2 hours depending upon location and outfits. I like to recommend scheduling your shoot in the late afternoon just before sunset (i.e. if sunset is at 7:30pm, start time is around 5:30pm). This guarantees the best natural light for your portraits and gets us in the golden hour range. Remember to arrive on time, so you're not rushed.

Location

Choosing the setting for your engagement photos is a so much fun, and you have so many options! With engagement photos you aren't constrained by the location of your wedding venue. We can go to the beach, the desert, the mountains, a national park, you decide! In choosing your location, think about the season as well. While the mountains might be beautiful in January, the botanical garden might not be in bloom. So consider what your location will look like at that time of year.

Logistics

Once you choose your location, think about the needs you might have. Is it far away? Make sure to plan for traffic and drive time. What is parking like? Does it require hiking or a lot of walking? Bring some comfortable shoes to walk in between photos. Check if the location has a calendar of events and avoid scheduling on a day that might conflict with a planned event.

Some locations require a photography permit in order for you to be allowed to take professional photos there. This information is often listed on the location website and needs to be paid and completed in advance. As your photographer, I can find this information and manage the paperwork, but clients are responsible for all fees.

Be aware of what facilities the location you choose does or does not have. Some places do not have bathrooms or may lock them at 5pm. If you are planning on wearing multiple outfits, just know you may need to change in your car.

Plan and coordinate your outfits

For engagement shoots I usually do 1-3 different outfits to give you multiple looks. I absolutely recommend at least 2 outfits if you want to do light & dark or formal & casual looks.

Consider how your outfits compliment and work together thematically, texture, pattern, and coloristicly. I recommend having complimentary outfits instead of overly matching outfits. Remember to iron your clothes! and make sure they’re clean and free of stains or pet hair.

I recommend avoiding busy prints or patterns, any printed graphics or texts and obvious logos as these tend to overwhelm the photo. When choosing your colors remember that brighter and bolder colors will create more contrast and stand out more, and softer and lighter colors will be more subdued and airy - determine what vibe you want for your photos. Make sure your clothes are you, fit well, and that you feel comfortable in them! If you need any guidance with what you should wear for your shoot, feel free to send me pictures, I'm happy to advise you!

Match your accessories

First off, clean that ring! Let’s make it sparkle. Consider keeping your other jewelry simple, and make sure your nails are nice! You will see your hands in the photos, so this is a great excuse to get a manicure, trust me, it makes a difference.. For the grooms to be, I strongly recommend not wearing a watch, especially not Apple watches. Often a wristwatch can really stand out in photos, so consider leaving it at home unless it’s very important to you. Consider what shoes you’ll be wearing and make sure they match your outfits and don’t have any bad scuffs, polish them! Lastly, make sure your hair and makeup is done how you want it to look in the photos.

Posing and Thematic Ideas

Think about what you might want to use these photos for. Save the Date? Webpage header? Guest book? Tell me any planned photo needs you have (like a vertical shot from far away for a book cover, or a long skinny shot for a webpage) and I’ll make sure the shots are composed and oriented accordingly. If you don’t have anything specific, that's ok! You'll get plenty of variety. Also think about what type of feeling you want your photos to emote. What kind of emotions and imagery do you want to create throughout your photos? Let me know if there are any specific poses or ideas you've envisioned. Want to try out the iconic Dirty Dancing lift? or keep it simple with a spin? Tell me in advance so I can make sure we get those shots. And if during the shoot you think of any poses, just tell me what you want to try! Also, feel free to send me your Pinterest inspo board if you have one!

What should you bring to your shoot?

You should bring all your outfits and shoes. A pair of comfortable shoes to walk in. A jacket in case it gets cold. A hairbrush, makeup bag, and lint roller. Any props you might want to use (a blanket or scarf, decorations or signs, flowers, champagne, a picnic set up). All required permits paid and printed out. I recommend packing a little tote bag to carry with you during the shoot with water, a hairbrush, a little makeup bag for touch ups, and walking shoes. And try to eat something before so you're not hungry during the shoot!

Final Thoughts

Have fun and be yourself! This shoot is all about you and your engagement & relationship with each other. It’s going to be a lot of fun :) Be comfortable with each other, be silly! and don’t worry about posing perfectly all the time, just have fun with it! Enjoy the experience, and then make a day of going through your engagement photos when you get them back!

Ready to book an engagement shoot with me? Check out my Wedding Services page and request a Custom Quote!