Engagement photos are the perfect way capture your love, and show just how much you and your partner are happy together.
They're fun! They're beautiful! They are timeless!!
When I was looking into engagement photos the first place I went was Pinterest. I made a board, pined a few pretty pictures and poses ( okay there may be like 2000 because you cant just pin a few things on pinterest!)
Photographer
Then I started to look into photographers in the area... YIKES!! I was not going to pay $200-$300 dollars for engagement photos!
But, after doing some research I decided to ask a friend, who happened to be a photography student to do them for us.
Most amateur photographers are just as good as professionals and are looking to build their portfolio, so they will do the photos for MUCH cheaper and will sometimes even do them for free in exchange for the experience and material to add to their portfolios!
Location
When choosing a location there are a few things to consider. Time of year, weather, where you live, your personalities and your style.
The time of year can dramatically affect your photo shoot. If you are doing photos in the winter, you probably want to showcase the snow, the bright white and some contrasting colors of nature, like the bare trees, a body of water, a simple park or rustic farm. You also need to know how to dress, In winter there's going to be a lot of bundling up, but this can sometimes make you look like a blob, or bunchy! So take into consideration the attire appropriate for the season.
If you live in the city, there are some wonderful places to get city-scape backgrounds, go downtown for a more urban feel, or travel to the countryside to get some photos entangled in nature!
If there is a special place that holds a deep meaning for you, consider going there! Where did you have your first kiss? Where did you first lay eyes on each other? Where was your first date? Where did the proposal happen? Think about these places and the special significance of being there that can create some magical energy that is just DYING to be captured!
Personality
If you are the type of girl who likes to throw your hair up in a ponytail, splash some water on your face and head out the door in jeans and a tee-shirt, there is no reason that you should put on a dress,heels, curl your hair and cake on a full face f makeup. Unless you want to! But if that isn't who you are, you'll feel forced and fake. These pictures are to capture the true beauty and connection of you and your partner! You aren't walking the runway, you're hanging out with the love of your life and having a good time while someone snaps some pictures.
Be true to who you are!!
Style
Again, this is something that you should think about before going to take your photos. Do your research, (PINTEREST) Find a few pictures that you like, save them and base your own photos on them. Don't try to copy them, nobody likes a plagiarized picture! Use it as inspiration and put your own spin on it. Be original!! Do you want casual photos, do you want soft edges and warm lighting, do you want formal dress and a dark background or do you want to be in jeans, surrounded by trees in the middle of nowhere?!
Outfits
Don't feel the need to dress up. Wear clothing that reflects who you are. Wear something that you could be found in on a Thursday. Or something you would wear out to a dinner date. Wear clothing that scream YOU! Remember, these photos are to capture the true and real you!! Find something you're comfortable in. Something that makes you feel confidant!! Something that you feel GREAT in, and wear that.
Don't be afraid to do an outfit change! bring a few options! The different outfits can create a different feel, and add some texture to your photos!
For my engagement photos we decided to go to the beach that is by the bridge that we could see from "our spot". The place we went on our first date, had our first kiss and gave each other promise rings. decided that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together and where he proposed. It was a crisp fall morning, with beautiful sunshine and we wore clothing that speaks about who we are. He wore one of his three pairs of jeans that he wears DAILY, a flannel, that again is a staple in his day to day wardrobe and the shoes that he literally wears every single day!
I curled my hair, put on some light makeup, a cardigan, jeans and heels.
Halfway through, we both changed unto black long-sleeved shirts for a different feel to our photos.
Just remember to have fun, be you and if all else fails... Smile!!!
Good luck, and congratulations!