Let’s go through 10 top questions couples typically have about their engagement photos. For more guidance download our FREE Engagement Session Planning Guide, our gift to you.
Are Engagement photos worth getting?
Absolutely! You want to capture your love and celebrate this new chapter in your life as a couple. You may say that you will have wedding photos, so why should you also get engagement photos? Just take a few minutes and ponder how you will use your wedding photos and how you will showcase them. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some photos to complement your wedding photos but in regular clothing and at a location or two that is special to your relationship?
Why do couples get engagement photos?
Engagement photos are perfect to use for your wedding invitations, on your wedding website and for a unique guestbook at your reception. Some photographers offer engagement photos with their wedding packages as we do. We love to capture our couples in both settings and get to know how they act with each other prior to their wedding day. An engagement session lets you play with poses and figure out what you are both comfortable with minus the pressure and time constraint of your wedding day.
When should we schedule our engagement session?
Typically we recommend scheduling your engagement photos within 1-3 months of getting engaged. Your excitement is still palpable over this new chapter and wedding planning has not overwhelmed you yet. Another consideration is the season you selected for your wedding. You want to avoid having images from your wedding and engagement session in the same season because a variety of season and location between the two will look more complimentary hanging on your wall. If you plan to get married in the fall, consider capturing your engagement during spring.
Which location is best for our Engagement photos?
We get this question a lot! Consider this: do you have a spot that is your favorite place to go and holds meaning to both of you? Do you have a mutual hobby you want to incorporate into your session? Do you prefer nature or the urban scene? Do you want to dress up or show your casual side? Your photographer should base his or her recommendations on your answers. The location should also complement the locale of your wedding but should not be the same.
What time of day is best for our photos?
I love a good sunset at the end of a session so we generally recommend late afternoon to early evening. Some of this will depend on the length of the session, location(will a sunset be visible) and time of year. A setting sun also lends itself to creative photography. Our engagement sessions are two hours long, giving you plenty of time to get comfortable in front of the camera and with lots of time to capture your love in different locations.
How many pictures will we get to choose from?
This varies from one photographer to another, but for us a typical 2 hour session will yield about 100-150 fully edited photos for you to make your purchase choices from. We typically cover two unique locations, stopping in different spots as we explore the area with the choice for one outfit change. Your images will be unique and show your personality and your love for each other.
What should I ask my engagement photographer?
Ask if your photographer also does weddings. As already mentioned, it is important to build rapport with your wedding photographer so your wedding day coverage runs smoothly. Many photographers will offer a package deal which will save you some money as you plan your wedding. You should also ask about their process, including how long it will take to see your photos, what is included in your session fee and if you can decide where the photos will be captured.
What should I bring to my engagement session?
We love a good set of props and it all depends on what you would like to capture. A big item is your ring. Consider a manicure before your session as the ring will most definitely be captured, usually on your hand. We also love a good sign or any other prop that fits your relationship, such as jerseys to show your love for a team, balls or a bat if your wedding theme is sports related, or your favorite car or motorcycle. These photos showcase your love for each other and the things that brought you together.
What do we wear to our engagement session?
What you both wear will largely depend on the setting and season you choose for your photos. Consider a dressier look for an urban location and a more casual approach if you choose nature. During the fall we recommend cute sweaters and jeans or a cute dress with full length boots in colors that will not blend into the background. If you chose a forest backdrop, stay away from browns and reds, if you chose an urban setting consider the architecture of the town you chose. As a general and important rule, choose clothing that complements your skin tones, is form fitting and makes you feel great! Make sure you discuss your choices with your photographer before your session.
What colors work best in photos?
Primary colors are your best choice. Stay away from stark white as it washes most of us out and reflects light. This will be especially true if your photos will be captured on a beach. Black is also problematic as it tends to absorb light and can be a stark contrast to many settings. It is also best to stay away from large, contrasting patterns as they do not photograph well. Tone on tone patterns and smaller patterns are best if you love them.
Have more questions we did not answer here?
Download our FREE Engagement Session Planning Guide, our gift to you.
