This is part of my For Brides series. To read other articles in the series click the links below!

 

Part 1: What to Wear

 

Your engagement pictures. Probably the first time you and your significant other fiancé have gotten professional pictures taken. These are pictures you’ll have in frames forever. Your wedding pictures are going to be amazing, however your engagement pictures are more you, fun, and sometimes less formal. They are the ones that show who you are as a couple, and capture this unique time in your lives. These are also pictures you may be using for your invitations, your Save The Dates, and even the décor at your wedding. So of course you want the best pictures possible! Here are 3 ways to ensure that happens:

 

1. Location

The location you choose for your engagement session will define what type of pictures you end up with, so put some thought into what you’d like the setting to be. You can choose a place that is meaningful to your relationship, such as the place he proposed, where you had your first date, or your favorite local coffee shop or bakery (cupcake shop anyone?). Or if you don’t have a place like that, think of somewhere that represents who you are as a couple. Love the outdoors? Take a walk through the woods for your shoot. Sports fans? Shoot in the stadium of your favorite local team. Love your town? How about main street for your backdrop? Foodies? Shoot in your favorite restaurant or outdoor bistro. There are endless possibilities. Just make sure as you think about the where pick somewhere that will be the perfect setting for the final images you want.

 

 

2. Props

So maybe you can’t think of a location that is meaningful, but know somewhere with a beautiful view instead, you can personalize the session with the items you bring along. Pack a picnic to share. Readers: Bring your favorite books. Love wine? Bring a bottle and some glasses to toast to each other. Athletes can be playing their favorite sport together. And dog lovers? Bring your pet along too. Remember these images are celebrating you as a couple – so make them yours! That leads me to point 3…

 

 

 

3. Reflect who you really are

I’ll help you with the best time of day, poses, and backdrops at your location of choice but take it a step further to communicate your vision for the session to me. Have a picture that really inspires you? Show it to me so I can see what you are imaging. Then we can take that vision and personalize it to you. Are you going to be using these for your invitations? Or do you already have an invitation template picked out? Let me know so we can get an image that will work perfectly. Designers need space to work, so let me know how you will be using the pictures so we can get some to fit all your wedding needs. Have a specific idea for a Save The Date – let me know so we can make it happen! Using these in your wedding décor? Let me know your colors and we’ll see if we can find a backdrop to complement them.

Along those same lines, don’t try to make this session identical to ideas you’ve seen but don’t reflect you. While you are deciding what to wear, make sure it reflects your personalities. We can do multiple looks (think one casual, one more fancy) but if you are a tomboy – don’t wear 6 inch heels. If your fiancé wouldn’t be caught dead in a skinny tie, don’t ask him to wear one. Wear clothes you would actually own.

Lastly, we all have things about ourselves we are self-conscious about and angles we don’t like. I’m going to put you in the most flattering position, but if you don’t feel comfortable or like what is being featured then let me know. After all, this is all about you :)

 

 

I hope these tips help you start thinking about what you’d like for your engagement session. Have other ideas for a session? Let me know below! I love to read your comments and can’t wait to see your creative ideas.