Your complete guide for awesome engagement photos!
Have you just gotten engaged?
Congratulations, that's so exciting! If you are wondering what the next step is for you and your fiancé, you're not alone. It can be a lot of work, planning your ideal wedding, inviting everyone and maybe thinking about photos. It can be hard to focus on what is important, the important thing is the love you and your partner share, and of course want to celebrate together. And If you are thinking about having an engagement session I am here to help.
What you are going to learn…
What to expect
What to wear
Figuring out a location
How to pose and act in front of the camera
Timing
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What to expect from the beginning?
--From the very beginning, let's just say that you already have your photographer booked for the day, and location that you like. Now at your location with your photographer. All three of you and you are wondering what to expect. The first thing that you should know is that everyone is nervous and meeting new people can be a roadblock for some couples. But every engagement shoot is going to be awkward for the first 20 minutes. And it's okay to be nervous. It is perfectly normal. And of course as a couple it's important to know that there is no way that you can mess up the session. Your photographer should guide you through the whole process. Simply because you might not have done anything like this before. There is nothing to worry about.
What to wear?
--Wear something that feels like you: you don't have to go all out classic with dressed up attire. But simply going with something that you feel comfortable in, something you normally would wear out, and be sure to make it comfortable. This is going to be a fun day to celebrate with each other. There is no need to be uncomfortable. If you feel great, then you look amazing.
--Wear muted colors: Try and avoid bright neon, or loud colors. Instead pick more muted color tones, this helps so much when taking photos because it focuses more on you two interacting and not on your neon yellow shirt. That doesn't mean you have to go all black or white. Make sure you have some color in your outfit to make you and your partner pop.
How long does it take?
--The average time frame for an engagement session is about an hour. This gives the photographer enough time to capture everything. But depending on what you plan for the day it could take up more time. Another thing a lot of couple's wonder is how long will it take for them to see the photos? This all depends on your photographer. Be sure to ask them for specifics. But it can range from a day or so to a couple of weeks depending on their workload. Be sure to let the photographer know when you need them by if you are sending out save the date/invitations.
Where and when?
--Choosing your engagement shoot location should reflect you. Make it personal. Pick a location that is meaningful to you. It could be where you got engaged, where you first met, or any other awesome location that you like. It doesn't have to be too complicated.
-- also make sure to pick a time that is good for you and the photographer, in the morning and afternoon and evening ending with the golden hour? The sun and available light help make great photos and picking a good time is important to stunning photos.
-- another thing couples make a mistake on that you won't is picking the right time of the year. It's hard to look ahead with so much planning. But take into consideration if you have a winter wedding do you want fall engagement photos or summer?
How do I pose?
--Even if you aren't a model, that's okay. Your photographer should be able to teach you the foundations of posing and guide you through it. But sadly, this isn't the case for everyone. If you are taking portraits, you should look good, and I am here to help.
The foundations - what looks good
For Men: starting from the feet up, your toes should be pointing slightly away from each other, with a bit of a wider stance that gives the look of masculinity, next be sure to have your lower back curved and your upper back straight. Like a string attached to the top of your head and is pulling up. Worried about your hands? It helps to keep your arms bent and away from your body, at least one. Have one hand in your pocket and another by your side. Or the other around your fiancé’
For Women - the same things for men apply to women, but another thing to add is making sure you position yourself to not have a square look. This can easily be done, and it won't be hard for you. Simply pulling the arms away from your body and bending the elbows creates space between your arms and body. So, your chest doesn't appear to go from shoulder to shoulder. Remember you can go with a wide stance (Classic Beyonce’ look), or you can put one foot in front or behind another to give you the classic hourglass shape.
When putting all of this together as a couple you can be side by side with your feet inward towards each other. (A classic pose). And from here you can move in closer together face to face or swing out straight at the camera. An awesome pose from here is to layer yourselves behind and front and wrap your arms around your partner. The last foundational pose is reversed. So, one person is facing away from the camera and one towards. Look at each other with holding hands or the bride clutching his arm. Variations of these five are what all poses come from.
It's a lot to remember and your photographer should know more if you forget anything. If you want to be an expert before you step in front of the camera, click this link to another blog post of mine going into more detail on posing for awesome portraits.
My goal is to make sure that when you book your engagement shoot you have a good idea of what's going down and how so that you can focus less on logistics and more on loving your partner and having fun.
For more content and helpful tips for your wedding day or the planning process. Keep reading my other blog posts!
Or you can follow me on Instagram for more valuable content @alexanderdanielschmitt
-Alexander
