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