Engagements are a once in a lifetime opportunity. They are the first time you get to try out your session with your wedding photographer! You can go as big or small as you want and do whatever you want. But that’s also why they’re so nerve-wracking! Wedding photographers charge hundreds of dollars per hour, and engagement sessions themselves can cost thousands of dollars. So how can make sure that your engagement pictures stand out from everyone else’s? Well here are some tips I’ve learned over the years from shooting many engagement sessions!
10 Tips for your Engagement Session
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Pick The Right Location
The first thing to think about when looking for a location is the outfit you are wearing. You don’t want your engagement pictures to look like you ran out of ideas and just picked any old place, so make sure that the location matches the style of your outfit. If you are wearing formal attire, maybe a fancy restaurant or downtown Jackson would be best. If it’s more casual, maybe somewhere with some nice scenery like a The Town of Livingston or even Reunion Country Club in Madison, MS.
You also want to pick a location that is unique and beautiful so that people will remember it and not think “I could have gone there” but rather “wow! It looks amazing! I wish I had been there too!”
The third thing to consider is fun! You want these pictures taken during an exciting time in your life (and who doesn’t?) so try something outside of the box. The possibilities are endless once you start brainstorming with your photographer about what might work best!
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Make it a Date Night
Engagements are exciting times where couples are beginning to plan their lives together. Of all the cute photo ops that will come from your engagements, making your engagement session a date night is one of the best things you can do! Here’s why: It’ll be more flirty and fun than if you treated it like a chore and you’re more likely to get better photos as a result. Plus, it’ll give you guys a chance to unwind after a long day and just focus on each other. And lastly, engagements are all about celebrating your love for each other, so what better way to do that than by treating yourselves to a fun date night? So go ahead and make those engagement photos extra special by turning your session into a date night!
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Bring Props for your Engagement Photos
When it comes to engagement pictures, props can be a great way to show off your personality and make a statement. Whether you’re trying to create a moment that is memorable or just looking for something different from the usual clichéd image of two people holding hands in front of their favorite landmark, props are a great way to add some fun into your shoot.
There are tons of different ways that props can be used in engagement photos. Some people like to use them as an integral part of the poses themselves, while others prefer the more subtle approach where they are only used as accent pieces in between shots or even just held by one partner during the photo itself.
A few examples for props would be bringing your dog, champagne, if jeep rides are your thing-bring your jeep!
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Picking your Time
It’s important to pick a time of day that will give you the best light. The sun might look great in real life, but when you’re taking photos with it behind your subjects, the harsh shadows and unflattering lighting can make them look older than they actually are (and let’s face it—no one wants that). Alway’s strive for that beautiful Golden Hour Glow, this is typically 2-3 hours before Sundown and up to 30 minutes to Sunset.
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Dress UP!!!
Engagements are a special occasion that warrant dressing up. Girls, don’t forget your prettiest dress and heels. Guys, wear a suit. You’ll look great and feel even better.Dressing up for engagements is not only about looking good, but also about feeling confident. When you look your best, you’ll naturally exude confidence. This will come in handy when meeting new people and engaging in conversation. So take the extra time to dress up for your engagements, it’ll be worth it.
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Get your Hair and Make UP Done
There are many benefits to having your hair and makeup professionally done, especially for engagements. For one, you can be sure that you’ll look your best for those important photos. A professional stylist will know how to bring out your best features and can even help you choose a style that complements your outfit. They’ll also have the expertise and products to make sure your makeup lasts all night, no matter how many glasses of champagne you might have! In addition, getting pampered by a professional can be a fun and relaxing way to start your engagement party or big day. So if you’re looking to feel extra special on a big occasion, consider splurging on a professional hair and makeup artist.
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Accessorize!
Accessorizing is one of the easiest ways to make your engagement pictures stand out. There are so many different things you can use to accessorize your look: jewelry, veils, hats, headbands and even props.
We encourage you to do some research on Pinterest or Instagram and get inspired by other people’s engagement pictures. It’s also a good idea to ask your photographer what types of accessories they recommend using for your shoot!
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Have FUN!!!
Have FUN!!! This is the most important tip! Be yourself and enjoy the moment! Don’t think about how you look or how you feel, just be natural and let your personality come out in the photos.
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Relax and Be Yourself!
When you’re not thinking about the next photo, or about how you look, it’s easier to relax into your natural self. Let go of any inhibitions and enjoy being in the moment with your partner.
Don’t worry about how you look or how to hold yourself, just be yourself!
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Coordinate- But try not to match perfectly.
When it comes to dressing for engagements, it’s important to coordinate your outfits but try not to match perfectly. You want to look like you complement each other without looking like you’re in a uniform. . Once you’ve got a general idea of the overall look, start picking out specific items. Again,coordinating is key but don’t be afraid to mix and match textures and patterns. The goal is to look like a team while still maintaining your own individual style.
Hope these tips help you have the best Engagement Session EVER ! To discover more helpful content through your wedding planning journey browse through my other blogs here. If you need a photographer that will give a unique and emotional touch to your photos, I’m your person!
Here are some of my favorite places to purchase your Engagement Session Outfits
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