Wedding Photography Series: Part 2 of 7
An engagement session is so much fun! It gives me a chance to connect with you before your big day and allows you to get comfortable in front of the camera. It’s also the perfect opportunity to see how I guide and direct my couples, so when the wedding day comes, everything feels natural and easy.
Each couple is unique, and that’s what makes this session so special. Your engagement photos should reflect who you are and the love you share. Here are five tips to help you make the most of your session.
1) Location, Location, Location!
Choosing the right location is key to loving your photos. While there are gorgeous spots everywhere, the best location is the one that means something to you. Think about what you want your photos to reflect. Are you looking for photos that are fun and playful or romantic and dreamy? Or is there a place that holds special meaning in your relationship, like where you had your first date or got engaged?
Many couples also use their engagement photos for Save the Date cards, so it’s important to schedule your session early. It may seem like you have lots of time before your wedding, but it will be here before you know it. You don’t want to miss the chance to capture amazing photos of this special time.
Need inspiration? Click here to read my blog post on locations for engagement photos in Savannah.
C + N chose to have engagement photos taken in their hometown of San Francisco, the same city they were getting married in.
J + J had a destination wedding in Savannah and took advantage of the city's romantic charm for engagement photos as well.
L + T love going out for a drink and wanted to incorporate this into their engagement session.
A + J were looking forward to photos at an art museum. It was so much fun to photograph in such a beautiful setting.
I + N are getting married in Atlanta and have the city’s skyline as a part of their engagement photos.
2) Choosing the Right Outfit
Choosing outfits for your engagement session is one of the best parts! You don’t need to match, instead, aim to coordinate and complement each other.
Wear something that you feel confident and comfortable in–how you feel will come through in your photos. I love muted, solid colors because they photograph beautifully and allow you to be the star of the photo. If you like patterns and florals, consider a larger print that isn’t overwhelming.
If you are planning an outfit change, choose one that is casual and one that is more formal. Long dresses offer more posing options (and are often easier to sit in than short ones), but most important, choose what you love and makes you feel beautiful.
SHOES! I know those sexy heels make your legs look amazing and complete the outfit, but they can also make walking difficult. It’s a good idea to pack some flats in your bag to wear from place to place.
For the guys, nice pants and a well-fitted shirt work great (just make sure they are wrinkle-free). They can throw on a jacket or tie to dress it up. I also recommend avoiding small checks or stripes, since they don’t always photograph well. This is a great time to take your clothes to get dry-cleaned and pressed and get your shoes shined, that way he will be polished from head to foot.
I also recommend not scheduling a haircut or spray tan right before your photo shoot. This gives you some buffer time in case anything may go wrong. And with all your preparations, why not schedule a couple’s manicure? It’s a great activity to do together and your hands will look amazing in all the close-up shots.
The large floral pattern and muted colors on AK's dress photograph beautifully while M's suit compliments her dress in style and color.
S's flowing white dress accentuates her beauty and is complimented by the pale blue of D's shirt.
C + J coordinated perfectly wearing neutral colors that were complimented by the bright colors of the fair in the background.
C’s flowing dress and N’s morning suit are the perfect outfit for the setting of their engagement session.
3) Hair, Makeup & the Ring
Your engagement session is the perfect time to do a trial run of your wedding-day hair and makeup. Not only does it give you a preview of your bridal look, but it will also help you will feel dressed up and glamorized for your photo session. That confidence really shows in the final images.
And don’t forget to get your ring cleaned before the session! There will be plenty of close-up shots of your beautiful ring–you want it to shine!
4) Prepare the Groom
Most men do not have “engagement photo shoot” at the top of their favorite things to do. But a little preparation goes a long way.
Involve your fiancé in choosing the location, it will help them feel more connected to the process. Show them some of my work so they know what to expect. (Here is a link to my Instagram page for some inspiration.)
Also, feel free to share anything that might help me guide or connect with your partner during the session. My goal is to make both of you feel comfortable, relaxed and confident in front of the camera.
5) Trust Your Photographer & Have Fun
Engagement sessions are a great time to build trust with your wedding photographer. I’ll walk you through posing, give gentle direction, and make sure you look and feel amazing.
If you have ideas or special details you’d like to include, like props, pets or a unique location, it’s helpful to talk before your session so I can be prepared to bring your vision to life.
And most importantly, have fun! Your engagement is such a special time to celebrate your love and what the future holds. Enjoy each moment because when you are having fun, it shows.
I can’t wait to capture your love story during this exciting season of life. Contact me today about scheduling your engagement session.
C + N went to the San Francisco Pier for engagement photos with their pup and the photos are stunning!
It rained on the day of AK + M’s engagement session. They embraced the rain which resulted in really fun photos. The next day was bright and sunny, and we were able to have a make-up session.
The pool and bar at Hotel Bardo are beautiful with incredible light and color. J + M took advantage of this space for their engagement photos.
C + J chose the fair for their engagement session. The photos are full of energy and fun and it is a day we will all remember.
Savannah can have an urban feel and M + J found it with their engagement photos.
K + G are so much fun and up for anything. Every photo from their engagement session is full of life.
The romance and sensuality are felt in this beautiful photo of A + J’s engagement session.
J + H love to be on the water so it was only natural to have their engagement photos on a sailboat. The day was so cold with a bitter wind, but it didn’t stop them.
M + J wanted to incorporate their amazingly well-behaving dogs into their engagement session.
See more engagements on the blog here.
