weddings

Top 15 Engagement Poses for Couples!

Here are the BEST Engagement Photo poses that Anyone can do!

Guys, I’ve done my research so YOU don’t have to.  I want to make this easy for you! If you are a couple, I know how nerve-wracking it feels to be in front of the camera, especially if this is your first ‘official photoshoot’ together.  And if you are a photographer like me, I know how scary can be to have to guide people on the fly.

So take a look at these beautiful poses below.  Here are 15 different Engagement Poses that just about ANYBODY can do with their significant other!

I recommend practicing them in front of a mirror in the comfort of your own home, and seeing which works best for you.  Find shots that look most natural and make you comfortable, so you are prepared for the photoshoot!

BIG shout out to this GORGEOUS couple I was honored to photograph, Nikisha & Daniel!

The kiss from behind <3

This pose is super cute up close, or from afar.  Let your fiance come from behind you and grab your waist or neck and kiss you over your shoulder

The Shoulder Grab <3

This one is where you grab on to your boo’s shoulder or arm, either from the front of back, facing towards each other or opposite each other.  And then looking out (or kissing!)

The Swoop Down <3

I love this one so much!  It’s all about trust, allowing your man to hold you as you lean backwards and give him a kiss.  Practice this one in the safety of your home first!

The Eskimo Kiss <3

A super cute pose that is appropriate for the parents!  You guys touch noses together, and get super close.  It’s very cute when you both giggle in the moment!

The Almost Kiss <3

This is where the sexy comes out!! This could easily morph into an Eskimo kisses pose, but here is where you are just about to kiss, and you pause for a moment for the photographer to capture the shot. It’s the ‘Hollywood shot’. Gives me butterflies!

The Kiss on the Neck <3

I think this might be my new favorite, because there are so many ways it can be done, and it looks so geniune.  It’s sexy, and soft. He gently kisses under your neck, or on the side of your neck.  And you throw your hands up in the air behind him, or somewhere on him.

The On-Top-Of-Him Pose <3

Here’s a pose where you can climb on top and still have something safe to show the parents!  It’s just a touching intimate moment where two people intertwine with each other.

The Lay-On-Top-Of <3

Completely optional! But if you’re comfortable with it, you can do this super cute one where you lay on his chest as he pulls your hair out of the way for a kiss.

The Kiss on the Forehead <3

A simple pose that at the right angle is so precious.  It’s tender love in action, and it makes my heart skip a beat.

The Pick-Me-Up <3

Try this one at home first! But it’s a super cute shot to be lifted up in the air as you go in for a kiss!

The Hand-in-the-Hair Shot <3

If you’ve got some hair to play with, play with it! Have your significant other put their hands through it, grab it gently, or stroke it out of your face, makes for a super cute shot.

The Running Away Shot <3

This works really well with a big flowy dress (my fav)!  It looks like a princess running away with her prince.  Very dream-like 🙂

The Twirl <3

Another shot that works GREAT for a long flowy dress – twirling!  He can twirl you, or you can simply spin around yourself and just have fun with it.

The Serious Look <3

Here’s a striking one: You two together, holding on to each other, staring back at the world with a serious face of ‘nobody is going to come between us’ vibe.  Chills!

The Single Shot <3

Just a solo shot.  Make him remember how beautiful you are as an individual, as well as together.

Hopefully that helps inspire you on a bunch of different ideas on how you two can be photographed together.  Print them out and take them with you on a shoot as a cheat sheet!  Or practice them in the mirror and memorize them.

OR Hire me as your Engagement Photographer and I’ll do the memorization for you!

Happy posing!

weddings

How to plan the BEST Engagement Photoshoot!

How to plan the BEST Engagement Photoshoot ever!

As a photographer, let me tell you the secrets and ideas on how to make sure your Engagement Photos come out Amazing!

@Weddings by Nina

YOU’RE ENGAGED!

Getting engaged is one of the most EXCITING times in your life!  It’s a reason to celebrate, and it’s a BIG deal.  One of my favorite things to do with BIG moments, is to document them.

This photoshoot should capture the essence of your love together!  This post will give you ideas on how to plan the BEST Engagement Photoshoot!

Top 5 Factors:

| will make or break a photo

(Click a title below to jump down to that section!)

TIME OF DAY
Whens the best time to shoot?

LOCATION
Where to photograph?

OUTFITS
What do we wear?

HAIR & MAKEUP
How should I dress?

POSES
What are good poses?

Best time of day to Photograph:

Time of day is SUPER important because it pertains to LIGHTING – which is EVERYTHING!

Bad lighting = bad photo.  It doesn’t matter how much makeup you put on, how hot your outfit is, without lighting to illuminate it, you don’t have a photo.  And with harsh mid day lighting, you don’t have a flattering photo!  Noon day sunlight causes shadows to form under your eyebrows, giving the ‘eye bags’ look, and making the dynamic range too wide for the camera to compensate for.  So you might be exposed properly, but the background might be overexposed.

This is why good lighting makes or breaks a photo.  The best time of the day to get the sweet spot light is Golden Hour = 1 hour after sunrise, and an hour before sunset.  Or else, photographing on an overcast day will give you that soft and flattering look as well.

Personally, my favorite time is right before sunset, because it warms everything up and gives a glow that can be captured in a photograph and looks magical!

Sams Point, NY.  @Weddings by Nina

Finding a Great Location:

Location is the first step!  You probably don’t want to hike 3 hours out to find you’re closest waterfall, but if you do, see if there is a photographer you love who’d be willing to travel out there with you for the event.  If not, you can look for a photographer in that area.

If you’d prefer to stay closer to home, I recommend finding a location that you love the look of.  Personally, I love shooting among the trees, as they provide soft coverage from harsh sunlight, and are a gorgeous backdrop!

Find a place that is special to you.

Perhaps there was a cafe he brought you to on your first date, or a quiet spot at the park that you both had your first kiss at.  Where ever that is, let your photographer know so they can scope the area out and find those ‘sweet spot’, whether that be a pink colored wall, or a perfect low hanging branch at the park.

If you’re coming up blank, ask your photographer for ideas on where to take your engagement photos!  I guarantee they will have experience shooting around the area and can suggest a place away from the crowds.

Hudson Valley Locations for Engagement Photos:

As a photographer in the Hudson Valley, here are some of my favorite ideas on where to shoot your engagement photos:

  • Lake Minewaska, NY (duh!) – One of the most breathtaking lakes that also offers plenty of off trail shady spots to photograph at.
  • Sams Point, NY – Right next to Lake Minewaska is a smaller trail called Sams Point.  At certain times of the year, this area has ice caves you can hike down to! Or an amazingly beautiful cliff you can photograph at and oversee everything!
  • Vanderbilt and Mills Mansion, NY – Places from my childhood, these are two spots with lots of access to trees and fields.  Vanderbilt has a gorgeous pavilion and garden to photograph at, while Mills has access to the Hudson River at the bottom of the hill.
  • Culinary Institute College of Art – An absolutely beautiful campus with some great places to photograph among buildings and nature!

@Weddings by Nina

Outfits for an Engagement Photoshoot:

What you wear will play a huge role in how you feel during the shoot.  If you just pick any old outfit, you won’t be feeling your best sexy self, and you won’t think you look stunning in the shots either.  This is why I recommend doing a little planning before the shoot, and finding something that makes you feel like, WOW.

Where to buy outfits during Covid?

With COVID ruining our mall/shopping experience, I’ve done a TON of online shopping for clients, so I have a lot of insight of the different styles & outfits you can buy on Amazon prime!

Do you want to go a little more bohemian chic?  Look up a flowy lace dress you can buy off of Etsy.  Need to look your absolute best?  Try searching Evening Gown on Amazon.  Want to look casual?  Check out Wish or AI Express for cute bottoms and a silk top.  Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time for your order to come in and try it on for exchanges if you need to!

Personally, I think it’s best to find something that compliments your body shape, something flowy (makes for some fun & Great shots) and doesn’t have a ton of patterns on it.  You can’t go wrong with solid colors.  Just to give you some color ideas that are perfect for engagement photos: reds, blues, off whites, browns, yellows, are all great for the occasion!  

For the guys:

  • High Fashion – Wear a grey or navy suit and bow tie.
  • Dressed Up – Pick out a brown suit, or a long sleeved shirt and vest with khaki pants.
  • Casual – Find your best looking button up with jeans.

For the ladies:

  • High Fashion – Find your favorite evening gown with all the sparkles and glitter!
  • Dressed Up – Pick out a sexy Maxi Dress that shows off those curves.
  • Casual – Grab the cutest top in your closet and a pair of jeans or shorts to pair with it!

Hair and Makeup for a Photoshoot:

How you do your hair and makeup comes down to how YOU want to look.  But there are some guide rules if you don’t know where to start.

Hair-do’s:

If you are going for the regal look, then doing an up-do is most appropriate.  You could certainly spend the extra money to get it done for the occasion.  If you want to be dressed up but not over the top, perhaps you can go with a curly hair style that you can sleep in the night before/do the day of, or put in braids/extensions.  And if you’re going full casual, just let your hair flow how it normally would and leave it all natural!

Makeup:

For makeup, the same applies.  If you’ve picked out a gorgeous evening gown to be photographed in, I highly recommend fake eyelashes, as they really allow your eyes to POP!  You can find a tutorial on YouTube to achieve the look you’re going for.  But if you’re going more dressy casual, you can choose to go with mascara and eyeliner, or all natural for the casual look.  It all depends on the style of shots you want to go for!

The BEST Couples Poses!

Here is my favorite part – poses!  Its the chemistry between the couple that really helps this one come to life.  It’s natural to feel uncomfortable, or awkward, in front of the camera. The best thing you can do is prepare for it.

Your photographer is going to ask you guys to get nice and close, so if you’re not comfortable doing this in the safety of your home, you won’t feel any better out in public with a camera staring at you.

Fortunately, you can practice some of these poses at home, prior to the shoot!  Do it in front of a mirror, and see what makes you both feel most comfortable, and looks most natural.

Here are two ideas of Engagement Photo poses to get you started…
But for a whole lot more, take a look at my blog post on COUPLES POSES!

The kiss from behind <3

This pose is super cute up close, or from afar.  Let your fiance come from behind you and grab your waist or neck and kiss you over your shoulder

The Shoulder Grab <3

This one is where you grab on to your boo’s shoulder or arm, either from the front of back, facing towards each other or opposite each other.  And then looking out (or kissing!)

Enjoy the moment!

Lastly (and most importantly), HAVE FUN!  You not only paid a photographer for this moment, you also got dressed up for it, and want to enjoy the time you have celebrating your love together!  Let it be a party, a dance of celebration, one where you can look back on the photos and it makes you smile all over again.

If you’re looking to do Engagement Photos, Hit me up and let’s make this happen!

I’ll be there to walk you through every step of the way.

Hopefully this gives you some ideas on how to make your engagement photos turn out pure amazing!  I wish you the BEST photoshoot ever <3

@Weddings by Nina

weddings

Top Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer

© Weddings by Nina Marie

How to Find the Right Wedding Photographer

Choosing a photographer for your wedding day is arguably one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the wedding planning process.  Unlike the hair stylist or makeup artist you choose, the photographer will be with you for the majority of the day, during some very personal and intense moments, and navigating around guests and family members to capture as much of your day as possible.  And unlike your flowers, these photographs are something you will have to keep forever and ever.

Think of it, these will likely be the photos still hanging on your wall when you’re 80 years old with grandchildren gazing upon them. So you’ll want to make sure you do your research to find out which photographer is “the one” for you.  Incase you don’t know what questions to ask a wedding photographer, I’ve put together the major one’s for you to get answers too.

So what kind of questions do I ask a wedding photographer?

Choosing a wedding photographer can feel overwhelming.  But, before you go in depth with any photographer, make sure you’ve established that:
A. You like their work.
B. You can afford them.
C. They have availability for your wedding day. 


Whether you are hiring Nina Marie at Weddings by Nina or another photographer, and you’ve established A-C above, then it’s time to schedule a phone call or a Skype meeting with them, and ask away! So let’s begin with the essential questions you want answers to!

© Weddings by Nina Marie

1. What do your wedding photography packages offer?  Can I customize them?

Sometimes wedding photographers will display their photography prices directly on their website, so there’s no guess work or wait involved.  Hopefully, those wedding packages also explain in detail what the customer can expect to receive.

But other times, you’ll need to reach out to the photographer to find out their prices, or perhaps what they offer is not quite what you’re looking for.  Maybe their lowest package is for 6 hours of photography, but you really only need 3 hours for a quick elopement.  Or, perhaps you know that your day is going to run longer than the 10 hour window on the higher end package.

Either way, this is where you can ask if you can customize a package to your liking, and often times, your photographer will work with you to make a package that suites your needs best.

When you’re looking over the packages the photographer offers, be sure to ask:

  1. How many hours are included in each package?
  2. Are engagement photos included?  Or rehearsal dinner?
  3. Who is the actual photographer for my wedding?  Can I ask them some questions?
  4. If the wedding goes overtime, will you stay later?  What does that cost?
  5. Do you charge a travel fee and what does that cover?
  6. Do any prints or albums come with the packages? Can that be added later?
  7. What is the deposit required for booking?
  8. What are the rights to the photographs I receive?  Any restrictions for sharing on social media?
  9. How long do you keep a copy of the photographs for?
  10. How many images can I expect to receive?

© Weddings by Nina Marie

2. What is your photography and editing style?

As a wedding photographer myself and a full time retoucher, I know how vastly different wedding photography styles can be.  But this is where my heart jumps from all of the stylistic opportunities a simple raw photograph can have with the right kind of editing.  This is where you can express the emotion, feeling, and overall vibe you want you’re photos to have.

But be aware: Many wedding photographers do not post-produce their images, and instead deliver the photographs unfinished with minimal to no editing.  Meaning, not every photographer knows or has advanced editing skills, or is experienced enough to pull off the look you are after.

You might be able to spot a photographer who will skimp out on color correcting if they tell you that your photographs will be ready within days.  Guaranteed they are not spending the necessary time to make your shots look the best that they can be.  So be sure you take a good look at their portfolio to make sure that they can consistently produce the style you are after.

Sometimes, it is outside of the photographer’s control what style the images may look best in. Environment (lighting and landscape/decor) has a huge factor in the style of the photograph.  For example, if you’re looking for an earth-toned bohemian vibe wedding, but then you ask your photographer to shoot a wedding in the heart of New York City, that natural look will not come across in the shots.  Or, if you send your photographer some of your favorite Pinterest wedding shots that are photographed at golden hour (sunset time) with a yellow orange hue to everything, but then your wedding is indoors and at night, that same look you loved will not be achieved.  A true professional should make you aware of this so you know what to expect in your settings.

However, photographers do have a signature look in the camera angles they choose to capture with.  This is where the photographers personality shines through.  Do they shoot photo journalism?  Do they like to experiment with outside-of-the-box shots?  Or, perhaps they like to shoot mainly traditional style wedding photography.  This is where you’ll need to do some digging as to what you like, and ask the photographer about the style that best describes their work.

When discussing the ‘look’ of the photographs, ask the photographer:

  1. What style(s) do you specialize in?
  2. Is post-production (editing) an extra charge?
  3. Do you retouch your photos?  If so, how in depth are they edited?
  4. Can I choose a style I like best to reference to when editing?
  5. Will you deliver a mix of color and black and white photographs?
  6. How long will it take to receive the photos back?

3. What experience do you have in Wedding Photography?

This is key.  If you’re going with a super cheap photographer, chances are they are new to the game.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It just means they don’t have a high level of experience under their belt as someone who has already photographed several weddings before.  But, you should also beware that hiring cheap could be hit or miss in terms of quality.  The likelihood of receiving high quality photographs from an established photographer will be greater. 

Also, when hiring someone with more experience, you can be sure that in the event of something unplanned happening, such as a flash dying, a professional will most likely have backup, or, if you have guests getting in the photographers way, they’ll know how to handle the situation professionally, etc.

Questions to ask a wedding photographer regarding their background:

  1. How many weddings have you shot?
  2. Have you shot any weddings like mine?  Or at a similar venue?
  3. Do you have any reviews I can read?
  4. Do you shoot multiple weddings in one day?
  5. Do you have liability insurance?
  6. Will you bring your own lighting?
  7. Do you have backups for your equipment?

© Weddings by Nina Marie

4. Can I give you a list of my ‘must have’ wedding shots of the day?

THIS is what hiring a wedding photographer is all about…getting the images YOU want most!  Honestly, if a wedding photographer does not ask you this during your communication with them, it’s a bit of a red flag for me.

It is so important to stress to your photographer the images that you would like captured from the day.  Don’t be too shy to ask these kinds of questions.  A professional photographer can let you now what is most likely achievable.

So many factors play into capturing the perfect shots…from timeline, to weather conditions, to lighting, etc.  Also, the photographer can only be so many places at once, so discussing what is reasonable beforehand is a good idea.  This way, you don’t come in with overly high expectations and a super long-shot list, and then be disappointed afterwards when they were not able to capture it all.

For example, say one of your “must have” shots is having a close-up of the ring exchange, but in trying to do so, the photographer would be blocking your family’s view in order to capture that shot…is that something that would be acceptable to them?
Life happens as it happens, but being prepared is the best any photographer can do to to achieve the shots you want. After all, if you’re hiring them, there is a high chance that they have a good eye for seeing these sorts of shots.  They will likely deliver images similar to the ones that drew you into their portfolio in the first place!
Questions to ask your wedding photographer:
  1. Do you follow a shot list?  Or would you prefer capture the day freely as you see fit?
  2. Can I send you a short shot list of my “must have’s”?
  3. What is achievable, or what might be a concern, from the photo list I sent over?
  4. Are any props needed (for example: our wedding invitations on detail shots)?

5. Can we go over the logistics of the day?

It’s really easy to assume that the photographer will handle the day as it takes place, but that’s not what a professional photographer would prefer to rely on.  The best course of action is to have a plan in place that you both can stick to and be aware of,  This way, your photographer doesn’t miss an important moment swapping lenses on what they assumed was an ‘off’ time.

Your photographer will be able to assist you if you are having difficulties figuring out what to schedule where during the day, as they’ll have valuable insight as to what time of day could be best as far as lighting goes for specific shots.

A month before the wedding day, make sure they’ll schedule a follow-up call with you to go over the wedding day timeline, and what to expect or where to be at given times.  Tell them what you’re comfortable with (ex: having the photographer come up close for detail shots during the ceremony), or not comfortable with (ex: if you don’t want the photographer in the room while you are getting putting on your dress).  Or, if there is a certain dress code that they’ll need to follow to coordinate with the style of your wedding, or to not offend any cultural traditions, etc.  Things change, so if anything involving logistics switches up even a few days before the wedding, make sure to communicate this to your photographer so they can come prepared!

When going over logistics, be sure to ask your wedding photographer the following questions:

  1. When can we go over a timeline of our day with you?
  2. Can you help us figure out a schedule of events?
  3. What will you wear on the wedding day?
  4. Will you have a second shooter or an assistant?
  5. How will you coordinate with the videographer?
  6. Can we share with you what we’re comfortable/not comfortable with?
  7. Do you need any other information before the wedding day?

6. What happens if you get sick?

Although this is very rare, your photographer is, after all, human, and it is an important question to ask.  You want to make sure that you don’t loose your large non-refundable deposit over them getting sick with the flu.  At the very least, they should return your deposit in full so that you can hire another photographer ASAP.

Ideally though, they should have a backup photographer that they can rely on if that were to ever happen.  You want to make sure that they have people on their side who can still be there for you if the worst case scenario took place.

When discussing “what if” scenarios, ask:

  1. Do you have a backup photographer in the case of an emergency?
  2. What happens in the event of a major snow storm or hurricane, and you cannot make it to our location?
  3. Do you have a cancellation or refund policy?
  4. Can I see your contract for the terms and conditions?

© Weddings by Nina Marie

7. Why do you shoot Wedding Photography?

This might seem like a really simple or random question, but it’s actually really important to understand why they do it.  Are they doing it for the paycheck?  Is their heart really in it?

Or do they absolutely love their passion, and can you see it come through in their work?  Perhaps it’s an emotion they experience through you two that gets them going, or the beauty captured in the shots afterwards that makes their heart skip a beat.

It is not only considerate to ask, but also just good to know why they personally choose to shoot wedding photography and what got them started in it in the first place.  This will help show you a little more about why they do what they do, their personality, and see if they jive with you.

After all, if they are going to be following you around for the biggest day of your life, you want to make sure they connect with you on a personal level as well!

When asking more about your photographer, feel free to ask them:

  1. Why do you shoot Wedding Photography?
  2. What got you started in shooting weddings?
  3. Is there a particular venue (or cake baker) you love to work with?
  4. What is your favorite part of the day?  What do you love most?

Answers to the questions above should help you find the right person to work with you on your big day. If you have any questions about my own Wedding Photography services, please don’t hesitate to ask!  If you can think of any other questions to ask when researching a photographer, please leave it in the comments below.  Thanks for reading, and happy planning!

© Copyright Nina Marie Photography 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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