My last article was about what an engagement photographer needs to do to get beautiful and memorable engagement photos for a couple. But for the couple, listen up: Here are some tips and ideas to help you prepare your engagement letter and have photos on hand, not just to send to friends and family, but to use in your own Forever- to save a photo album.
1) Research also called “pre-search”
Due to the dynamic nature of two different people coming together and combining their personalities and habits into one super being, each individual couple as a whole has their own style and “image”. Be sure to brainstorm about what you are and what you want. Engagement photos should reflect your Yosemite elopement personality, quirks, and traits that make you so special together. Think about whether you want an engagement shoot in the park, a location for your first date, a studio engagement, or a downtown engagement. Write down your thoughts on the location and “mood” you both want to photograph. This will help the engagement photographer get better pictures of both of you!
2) take it easy
Seriously, take this as literally as possible. We’ve worked with couples in the past who overanalyzed and “frightened” their engagement photos. While engagement photos are absolutely important and essential to your happiness, take your time and relax. Don’t forget to breathe. This will delight the engagement photographer and, more importantly, your fiancé!
3) Lots of water
Drink lots of water for your engagement photos! This will help hydrate your skin and make you look healthier and more vibrant. The wedding planning process can be very stressful at times (okay, am I kidding? Almost always!), so help your body and hydrate as much as you can. After all, we are all 75% water, no matter what…
4) Meet an engagement photographer
This is one of the most important things you can do! If possible, schedule a brief meeting with the engagement photographer in person or over the phone to really talk about your engagement photos. Let the photographer know your personality and style (you should fully understand this after tip #1!) and let them know what you like and don’t like. The more voice you have, the more your engagement photos will look the way you want! Engagement photographers like the orientation of the couple so they don’t shoot in the dark… well, you know what I mean.
5) Color Coordinates:
This is usually more of an area for women than men, so don’t forget to match your clothes! Engagement photos look more cohesive when the couple actually appears to be together. Another tip: no khaki or light colors. If you plan on wearing these colors, make sure you know where to shoot. Light-colored clothing can be difficult to adjust the exposure balance, especially when shooting an outdoor engagement. Another great idea – bring options!
6) Makeup – wear some
This goes for all the ladies reading this. In real life, you might prefer to go natural, but in engagement photos, many of which are taken outside in bright sunlight, your beauty doesn’t translate into camera shots. If you don’t know how to do your makeup, ask a friend to do it for you, or ask the photographer for a makeup artist. Wear foundation! † This will help even out the skin tone and create a better base for the camera to read and flash. Use a skin highlighter on the inner corners of the eyes, upper brow bone, and cheekbones. Google online makeup tips. Make sure you dress comfortably enough, but maybe a little more than usual so that your engagement photos look your best!
7) Put F-U-N on your engagement photo! (Um…?)
We’ve seen couples get really nervous when it comes to their engagement photos, so plan a creative and fun shoot to avoid getting stiff and mommy-ish. Plan where you first met, where you first dated, where you shared your first kiss (and make sure you have a photo of you doing it again!), walk around your favorite restaurant. Anything creative and interesting translates to personality on camera.
8) “breaking the engagement”
So you’ve heard of “junk skirts,” right? This idea can add a lot of variety to an engagement photo! Go to a place with a fountain or water. Taking pictures in the rain. Do things that might seem taboo in an engagement photoshoot and add them to your photos. Getting dirty and messy! Have a food fight. Play in the mud (if you’re brave enough…). Not only are you going to have fun on your engagement shoot, but it looks like
