Congratulations, you are finally engaged, and you have just booked your engagement pictures with your new wedding photographer. Now what? How do you plan for such an exciting time, and for pictures that you will cherish forever!? And, how can you take your pictures to the next level, and also have a little extra fun doing so? Here are some of the things I always recommend to my couples who ask!
Style- Two things that I think are really are important for style. Color and variety! In terms of color, when choosing your outfits for both the bride to be, and the groom to be, remember that a bright and neutral color palates flatter everyone! Also remember that when you go to print these pictures for your home, neutral color palates complement all decor and design. Now you don’t have to be all neutral. I love a good pop of color, especially romantic colors like light pink, peach, or pastels in general. But overall, to achieve that light and airy look, choose colors that are neutral and light. Also, bring two outfits! Bring one that is more casual, and maybe one that is more formal. For the formal one, wear something flown and that you can be twirled in! These pictures are so flirty and romantic and feminine!
Schedule hair and make up appointments- Make an appointment at your local salon, and get your hair done. It is such a treat, and you will move and feel like a million bucks! Plus this is a great time to try hair stylists, and talk about hair dos for your big day.
Get your nails done- Having a fresh mani pedi makes a world of difference in your engagement photos! It will help you feel more put together and confident, and it allows me to take some close ups of that new sparkler!
Get your ring cleaned! Trust me, it makes it so sparkly and makes a huge difference!
Dogs– I am such an animal person, specifically a dog person! Like LOVE them so much! They seriously make engagement pictures so fun, and they are such sweet markers of time. When you bring these furry friends along, make sure and bring a friend to hold him or her when we break away for just some pics of the two of you. Makes it so much easier!
Pack a bag– Remember to pack these things
Your additional outfit
Flats or flip flops for walking between photo spots
Make up and a mirror for touch ups
A bottle of water (especially in the summer)
Coat or cover up for colder sessions
Something personal! Whether it is a bottle of champagne, a blanket, your college alma mater sweatshirts, or favorite sports team hats! Even just incorporating just one extra styled item makes your session unique and personal to you!
Make a date night out of it!I love when couples make a date night out of pictures, because hey- when are you all dressed up- go enjoy yourselves with some dinner or dessert! After all you can cross of engagement pictures on your wedding to do list, and that is a reason to celebrate!
Engagement sessions are meant to be a time to document your love and your new future plans. They are also meant to be FUN! Trust me, I do not like being in front of the camera either, so whatever we can do to make you forget that I am capturing these staged moments, the less pressure you will feel! It is so fun to see what couples come up with. So many simple and unique touches to add some flair and romance to your engagement session.
Some of my most favorites are:
A champagne toast! Seriously how cute are your faces when you pop that top! And the arms linking around the glasses. SO CUTE! And we know that you girls got a manicure, so lets zoom in and highlight that beauty 😉
Bringing a blanket! I love blankets that are neutral in color, but that have some unique textures. You can do so many fun things with a blanket. You can wrap up in one, you can sit side by side on it, you can have the groom to be sit, and have the bride to be rest her head on his lap while looking up at him. Swirl her up and throw her over your shoulder! Plus on chilly days/ seasons, it makes a great prop!
Location! Love to surf? Love going to theme parks? Are you an outdoorsy couple? Where you are in location is key! You don’t even have to be dressed up if you are a beach couple and love the beach. Do a cute surfboard session and be in your element! I have seen some ADORABLE theme park sessions and love romantic pictures under a glittery Ferris wheel, or couples sharing some cotton candy together. Love to hike! Let’s wake up early and catch a sunrise on top of a mountain top! Wear hiking boots! We can change into heels later 😉 Or be in your natural habitat, we can come to your house and do some really sweet pictures of you cuddling on the couch, having a pillow fight in bed, and enjoying coffee together. What about the Spot where you first met? Or your first date? See where I am heading here… the possibilities are endless! As much as I love the beach, it doesn’t have to always be at a beach!
Add in elements of your life as it is right now. Have a fur baby in your life? I LOVE adding a dog to a couples engagement session. I always say just bring along a friend to hold him when we need to pass the leash off for some shots! Time is wild, and trends and styles change so much.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure your photos are perfectly one-of-a-kind, and feel right for you and your partner.Your save the dates will thank you 🙂
I first met Devin + Kaelene at a wedding I was second shooting for, and my first thought was that they were the cutest couple ever! Kaelene was so friendly, so incredibly nice, and clearly gorgeous! She was at the wedding supporting her boyfriend Devin who is a very talented videographer. Throughout the afternoon, I just watched them both and saw that they just were the sweetest team. And as if they couldn’t be any cuter, they recently just got a golden retriever they named Canon, and he is SO cute! I should probably go back and count how many times I said the word cute in this post, but if you scroll down you will see why!
Talk about a FUN couple! Manny + Jessica are clearly young and in love, and because they have some exciting new plans on the horizon, Jessica reached out to me for a snowy couples session before she moves south to be with Manny. We got a magical burst of snow last week, and it covered the raspberry fields in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire so beautifully, that we had to check it out. We chased the setting sun around the fields, and laughed the whole time while getting in some sweet shots of them. Wishing you two all the best on your big move, and for a wonderful year ahead together!
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