Engagement Photo Tips & Tricks

Tips and tricks to taking the perfect engagement photos!

Now that you're engaged, lets talk about some tips and tricks for taking engagement photos! If your anxious about planning for your engagement photos, we're here to help! There are many things to consider for taking your engagement photos. What will your location be for your engagement photos? What will you wear? We've put together a simple but concise list of tips and tricks for taking engagement photos that we think are some of the most important to consider when taking your engagement photos. Planning a wedding can be stressful . . .  Our tips and tricks for taking engagement photos make this part a little easier!

Why take Engagement photos?

Let's stop and talk about save-the-dates for a moment. Should you hire a photographer for your engagement photos? My first point is your professional photos will not look like the selfies you took during golden hour with your iPhone. Getting engagement photos taken by a professional is a great way to see if you like the photos that are taken of you! 

Photographers will always tell you, "Engagement sessions are a PERFECT way to get to know each other!" Getting to know your photographer is always a solid suggestion because you don't want to be awkward strangers with your photographer on the day of the wedding! Engagement sessions are a great way to go for a photo test drive and get you some awesome photos for your save-the-dates, or to hang on your wall! 

Tip : Use this as a time to get comfortable not just in front of the camera, but use this as a time to build a relationship with your photographer. You'll be very thankful on the wedding day!

Tip : Engagement sessions make a great opportunity for you to see what you'll look like in photos.

Tip : P.s. Parents LOVE getting these engagement photos as gifts!

 What to wear? Keep it simple

You've decided you want an engagement session! But what do you wear? Don't over think this! So many of our couples get caught up in clothing. Don't forget the best attire is that priceless smile and connection between the two of you! However, our best clothing advice is to avoid clashing colors or patterns, and wear something that you would wear for date night when you want to feel confident but also comfortable. Pinterest is a good option for finding “matching” engagement outfit ideas for the two of you.

We ask and recommend that you keep it to 2 outfits for the session only to maximize your time.

Tip : Connect with us if you have any concerns! Having a quick conversation will spark suggestions, ideas, and topics that you may not have previously thought of.

Tip : Don't forget, these photos are to showcase the love that you share with your fiancé, not what you wear.

Tip : Consider hiring a professional makeup artist/hair styling. A professional makeup artist can definitely kick things up a notch by knowing what products to use, how to use a variety of products, and just making you feel pampered and amazing!

Time & Location? Make it meaningful

Create a vision! Think about who you are as a person. You will want your photos to reflect you as a person and as a couple. Keep in mind the whole picture: location, time of day, and what you want to be doing in your photos. Creating a vision for your engagement session can be a whirlwind of frustration. Take deep breaths, and remember to enjoy yourself. Find a connection for the two of you. The location may not be obvious, give it some thought, include your fiancé, and find a connection! 

We also have our recommendations on epic scenery and locations as well. We love open landscapes, great views of sunset, water/beach, mountain overlooks, or just a forest filled with opportunity. Beth and I certainly don’t mind to travel either, but we may need to charge travel costs depending on how far the location is from our home base in Greenville, NC.

We also recommend starting the session around 2 hours before sunset and keeping it 2 locations within 15 miles of each other if possible. Once we have your 2 locations, we can recommend the best start time and beginning location.

Tip : Traveling to a location? A sentimental vacation spot can be a great option for an engagement session. Whether the mountains or the seashore, make it meaningful and memorable for you and your fiancé.

Tip : Incorporate an activity! Don't forget the goal of an engagement session is to represent you and your fiancé as a couple! Including activities like surfing, fishing, biking, or hiking are great ways for making it meaningful. Find something you both do together and BAM you have something that represents you both as a whole.

Tip : Thinking of including props or other personal details? Props can be a great addition for adding dates or other information to be announced, but keep it simple and don’t go crazy so we can focus more on the two of you!

Have Fun!

When things begin to get overwhelming, trust in the original reason you started this process to begin with; your engagement. A time that is filled with excitement, love, and support. No matter what you end up wearing, the location that you ultimately choose, or what family members tag along, remember this process is to showcase your love for each other. We will give you awesome photos no matter where the location. Nothing else matters! Have fun, laugh A LOT, don't be afraid to get a little crazy, and remember to always stay happy! 

Check out more information here!

Ideal Engagement Session Timeline

Sunset times vary throughout the year so use this as a guideline when planning for your engagement session.

5:00pm: Meet up at Location 1 to begin your session
6:00pm: Finish up at Location 1, change outfits, travel to Location 2
6:15pm: Begin at Location 2
7:00pm: Sunset Photos at Location 2
7:20pm: Any night time photos idea to be completed
8:00pm: That’s a wrap! Let’s grab dinner or part ways until next time!