3 Tips for Engagement Photography

You’re engaged and about to begin the most beautiful of adventures. Congratulations! But now what? There are so many things to be done in preparation for your wedding and you may be tempted to think about having engagement photos taken as one more thing to check off your growing “to do” list. But wait! It’s about more. Read these 3 tips for engagement photography. In addition to save the date cards and your wedding website, an engagement photography session is about growing the mutual relationship between you and  your wedding photographer. What better way to take a test run of your big day, and work out any kinks or expectations along the way.

Preparing for the Photo Shoot

Outfits

“What should we wear?” Obviously you want to look your best, and you want your clothing to compliment (not match) each other. Pick a color palette that enhances each person’s skin tones and compliments each other wardrobe, and go with that. Stay away from super bright colors, or any loud patterns. Loud patterns can be distracting in an image, drawing the attention away from the subjects. Bright colors do a fantastic job of not only distracting from the rest of the image, but also cast a nice shade of whatever color you are wearing on to your skin. Who doesn’t want a neon green chin, right?  Still not sure, then error on the side of being timeless and classic rather than overly trendy. Pinterest can be useful in gathering ideas. Pick something you’ll be comfortable in first and foremost, and allows your personality to shine through. 

Location

Is there somewhere that means a lot to both of you? Do you love playing games? Going to cafes? Or maybe mountain climbing? Think outside the box! The idea is to tell YOUR story and no one else.  If there’s a place that reflects the two of you, let’s go there. If you don’t have anywhere special in mind there are always places to recommend. We’ll also talk about the right time of day to photograph you for that oh so perfect light. 

Bailey and Braden chose their farm engagement shoot location for a number of reasons. It’s owned by long-time friends of Braden’s family, and he spent a lot of time there while growing up. Bailey and Braden take their dog swimming in the pond during the warm months, hang out with friends on the beach area, AND its where Braden proposed. 

Once the photo shoot begins

Trust me, then tune me out.

The engagement session is meant for us to get to know each other, to unwind and have some fun in front of the camera. You learn my style, and I learn yours. Breathe and know that the first 5-10 minutes are where we shake all our nerves out and warm up. I may ask you to do some things that feel a little odd, causing you to have a hard time imagining what the photo could possibly look like. But by the end of the session you’ll be surprised at how much fun you had, and how romantic it can actually be once you tune me out and tune in to your partner. As a photographer, I may guide you into a pose that looks amazing but it’s important you make it your own. The same pose can look different with each couple depending on their connection and energy. So forget about me, the camera, and what we’re doing and just get into each other. 

Braden and Bailey designed her ring together. The center stone was a gift from Braden’s older sister’s ring, and the diamonds on the band are from Bailey’s parents engagement ring, so its a wonderful combination from their two families.

These two were cold weather superstars. Between a fairly strong wind and dropping temperatures, we all had a hard time feeling our fingers by the end of the photo shoot. Let’s just say it was invigorating.