Engagement photos are one of the first * ahhhh this is really happening* moments. I remember when I was taking our and honestly, what a dream. Thankfully, my friends took some great advice as you can see below! Carlyn K Photography took our feature photo and we are already swooning over her work!
What are DSE top 6 tips to remember for your engagement shoot?
1. Wearing Something Conformable is Key!
I’m going to guess that this is no secret, but it really is the most important thing. If you choose clothes that are too tight or clingy, you’ll spend your whole session picking at them or covering up. If you choose something you’ve never worn before, you’ll be worried about how you look in it or may discover it’s actually terribly uncomfortable, which can come across in your photos. Choose outfits that make you feel like 5 million. If you do purchase something new, take it out for a test run (Hi can anyone say date night excuse)!
Carlyn K Photography
2. Get a professional photographer!
Now, professional doesn’t always mean expensive. You can always ask your friend who is a genuinely inspiring photographer, because they take their work serious. Your engagement is such a short and special chapter in your life and your relationship, and you deserve to commemorate that time with beautiful photos together! If possible, we highly recommend booking your engagement photos with your wedding photographer. This gives you an opportunity to get comfortable and connect with your photographer prior to your big day, making for even better photos from your wedding.
Mann & Wife photography
3. *clink clink* Kiss!
If you haven’t spent a lot of time in front of a camera or maybe you just get a little shy, it can totally show during your shoot. A quick way to loosen up while still getting great photos is to go in for a kiss! This can help you connect with your partner and forget the camera is even around, which makes for more natural photos anyway.
Plus, everyone loves a good candid!
MichaelWill Photography
4. Make it a day adventure!
One of the best pieces of advice we’ve heard from photographers is to make your engagement session part of a day-long date. Not only does this give you plenty of time for photos without feeling rushed, but starting your day in this mindset helps you feel connected and romantic as you head into the photo shoot. Alyson , our bride below, chose a book store, a cafe, a park, and invited her photographer to meet her there to grab a few shots before changing locations.
Amy Peppercorn Photography
5. Important Scenery to You
Location is everything, so before heading to your neighborhood park for engagement photos, think about what you really love as a couple and what places reflect that. If you relish over making coffee together and snuggling on the couch with some good ole classic movie, maybe an at-home session is right for you. Show and capture your true colors! Just look how much fun Adele is having!
Carlyn K Photography
6. Schedule your session around the light!
You may have heard that there are certain times of the day that are better for photos and that’s all because of the light! Maybe you enjoy the overcast, (which made our wedding photos ~amazing~ or maybe you love golden hour, which is that beautiful time of day just before the sun sets. We vote early morning light because it can also be magical, so you may want to consider a sunrise session where you arrive at your first location just as the sun starts to rise.
Jillian Knight Photography
Have more ideas? Let us know in the comments! xo, Dayna
Planning with DSE! 