Get The Most Out Of Your Engagement Shoot | Pro Wedding Tips

For many newly engaged couples, the first thing on the to-do list is to schedule an engagement photo session. Aside from being the perfect opportunity to bask in that newly engaged glow, engagement photos serve a handful of helpful purposes. To start, the session gives you a handful of quality photos to adorn your website, save the dates, and other wedding goods. It also serves as a time for you and your partner to get comfortable in front of the camera, especially if you can work with the same photographer for your engagement session and your wedding! We have a few tips for how to get the most out of your engagement shoot.

Lock In Your Photographer

Ask any wedding planner or photographer their number one engagement shoot tip and you'll probably get the same answer - book your session with your wedding photographer. Your engagement session is the perfect opportunity for you and your wedding photographer to get to know each other, get comfortable working with one another, and work through any kinks ahead of the big day. If you and your fiance have never spent time in front of a camera for hours on end, it can be a bit disorienting. By booking your engagement session with your wedding photographer, any nervous jitters, awkward posing, and communication hurdles can be addressed long before you prepare to walk down the aisle. Of course, you don't have to work with the same photographer for your engagement session and wedding, but there are pros that should absolutely be considered!

The Style Switch Up

To get the most bang for your buck, it's smart to take a few different outfit options to your shoot (check with your photographer what they allow for the time slotted). To add variety and versatility to the photos we recommend taking both casual and more formal looks - however, you should be sure you're sticking to vibes that speak to you. As you consider outfit options, the first thing to keep in mind is comfort. One of the best ways to look good on camera is by feeling confident, so it's important to choose wisely.

Once you have your looks selected, give them a test run. Whether that's a few hours around the house, or an excuse to get dressed up for a date night, ensuring you and your fiance love the looks ahead of the shoot is key. As you lock in your looks, be sure to consult with the photographer about your desired locations as that may inform some of your decisions - overall style, shoe choice, weather appropriateness.

Dial Up The Action

A great way to make your engagement session a little more fun is to bring along items that personalize it or add some action. This will also help ensure that your images feel engaging (no pun intended) rather than stiff or stuffy. Plus, it can help put you at ease in front of the camera! A bottle of champagne paired with some vintage glasses can be a great prop as well as a picnic setup, or another activity that feels like a representation of you as a couple. Plus, the opportunities for stellar shots of the ring are endless!

If you have a furry friend, they can make a great addition to your engagement photos - just be mindful that someone will need to look after them so you have a bit of freedom for fur-baby-free photos as well. Connect with the location ahead of time to confirm that pets are allowed.

Select A Dreamy Location

When selecting a location for your engagement photos, the world is your oyster. Especially if you're a travel-loving couple, booking an engagement session on an upcoming trip can be a great way to highlight your wanderlust. This may make it harder to work with your wedding photographer but can be a great way to capture really unique images.

If you don't have the plans or budget to go farther afoot, someplace closer to home can be just as charming. Many dreamy wedding venues offer smaller packages for photoshoots. This can be a great way to either get to know your wedding venue of choice or if you weren't able to snag a dream venue for the big day, it's a perfect opportunity to get in there for some photos! Other options can include a quiet nook of your city's downtown, a peaceful park, and even an ice cream shop. With engagement photos there is so much freedom to have fun, so we recommend really leaning into that and choosing locations that make you feel most comfortable!

Getting the most out of your engagement shoot ultimately comes down to finding what makes you and your fiance unique. By selecting locations, props, outfits, etc. that make you feel most comfortable and distinctly you, your love will be able to shine through in the photos. Add a stellar photographer and your love story will have even more beautiful photos to don your save-the-dates, invitations, and the walls of your house for years to come.