Most people aren’t generally ready to throw themselves in front of the camera and ready to work it like Madonna. It’s easy to skip over the bits that make us feel vulnerable and tell ourselves that the only important photos are the ones on your actual wedding day. Well I’m here to tell you that you are WRONG! Dang right I just called you out. Most people don’t think about the engagement photos as being an integral part of your wedding planning process, they look at it as the step to save money. Well honey, I’m telling you that in no way shape or form are the engagement photos something you should be price hunting and trying to pull a coupon on because they have more value than you think.

So why should you have engagement photos taken with your wedding photographer?

First, it gives us the chance to meet in person if we haven’t already! Allowing us to meet before your actual wedding day will help us establish a connection and allow you to learn more about me and me about you. You’re going to be spending A LOT of time with me so I want to get to know you and have you be comfortable around me. Also, many times a couple’s wedding day is the first time they’re getting professional photos taken together. The engagement session allows you to get comfortable with one another in this new environment before all eyes are on you and allows you to get used to the camera being around. And seriously y’all, I love meeting with my couples. I truly enjoy hearing about your love story, learning about the proposal, and getting to know you as a couple.  

This season in your life is meant to be treasured, it’s meant to be enjoyed and relished. It’s meant to be remembered. You’ll only have this once in your life so milk it for what it’s all worth! And when you get your photos back make sure to print them, hang them up, share them, and show them off!

Don’t forget, your engagement photos can be used for your save the dates, guestbook, centerpieces, and countless other wedding decor ideas. There are so many cute ideas you can implement using the photos from your engagement session.

 

BUT WHAT DO I WEAR?

I hear this question ALL the time. And it’s a good one! Before you grab your purse and run to your local mall to buy matching outfits (i.e. jeans and a white t-shirt) I want you to look in your closet. You don’t need to go buy anything fancy or special. You want something that you’re going to be comfortable and confident in so you’re thinking less of dirtying the new dress you just got and more focused on having fun. 

Pick colors that are complimentary to the both of you. Don’t shy away from patterns or bold prints but do keep away from logos. Patterns and prints show up fantastic in photographs and add great dimension and detail to an otherwise flat color palette, logos just get in the way and are really more of an obstacle. Choose something that expresses your personality and then throw in an accessory or two that you can play around with during the session. Bring a hat, a scarf, or blanket. They don’t need to be used in every photos but they’ll give a great variety and give you something to play with.

Still at a loss? Check out these the two links below to two different articles that I think are super helpful on the topic!

• What to wear in your engagement photos – the knot

• What to wear to your engagement shoot – bridal guide

 

 

when do you take engagement photos?

Lighting is KEY! As a natural light photographer lighting is the most important, numero uno, top priority for me. This is why I encourage sessions to be held at sunrise or sunset. That is when you will get those beautiful golden rays you dream of for your engagement photos. When the sun is high and bright in the sky it creates harsh shadows and contrast instead of the glow you most often see in photos. If sunrise or sunset doesn’t fit into your schedule then we’ll find us a location that has plenty of shade and areas we can escape to that won’t give you the contrast look because of the sun’s position in the sky.

 

 

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE FUN! BE YOUR USUAL SMILING, CARE-FREE, HAPPY GO LUCKY SELF AND IT WILL TRANSLATE IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS. ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS ARE MEANT TO CAPTURE YOU AND YOUR FIANCE, YOUR LOVE, AND YOUR PERSONALITIES. DON’T ACT ANY DIFFERENT THAN YOU NORMALLY WOULD!

 

 

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