So you just got engaged. Uh, hello? CONGRATS! I’m so excited for you! So naturally, your brain is probably going crazy with wedding ideas, planning, color palettes, venues, and all of those exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) things. 

But breathe. Slow down. This is a magical time, and I want you to cherish every moment of it! 

This time is not just about planning your wedding, but celebrating your engagement too! And one of the first things you’ll do is take your engagement photos. 
But why engagement photos, and most importantly how to prepare for engagement photos? Well, your favorite Philadelphia wedding photographer is here to break it all down for you: why you should take engagement photos, why you should prepare for your engagement photos, and how to prepare for engagement photos!

Why you should take engagement photos…

There’s a few key reasons why I encourage all of the couples I work with to book engagement photos. 

The first (and quite frankly the *only* reason you need) is to celebrate your love, relationship, and future. I know that it sounds cheesy, but I’m a hopeless romantic at heart. This is a special time for the two of you, and I believe that it should be captured and cherished. 

My other reasons for taking engagement photos are much more practical. 

Taking engagement photos gets you all that content you need for save-the-dates, your wedding website, and posting on your socials. 

Your engagement photoshoot also give you and your photographer the opportunity to get to know each other. As a wedding and engagement photographer myself, it’s always helpful to get to know the couple before the wedding so I can understand their vibe, their vision, and where their confidences and insecurities are. It’s my job to tell your story through my lens, and it’s all about connection and trust. I want my couples to trust me so that they feel seen, comfortable, and confident! 
And the last reason goes hand in hand with the previous: to get more comfortable in front of the camera. I want my couples to be comfortable with me AND my camera! Most of us haven’t had professional photos taken before, and sometimes posing and taking “candid” photos can feel a bit awkward. But just like most things, the more you do it the more comfortable and confident you become! Engagement photos are a great opportunity to get some practice before the big day!

Why should you prepare for engagement photos…

I’m sure we’ve all had those experiences where we didn’t plan and just thought “I’ll wing it. It’ll be fine.” And it was NOT FINE. All the stress, all the rushing, all the last minute details falling through the cracks made what should’ve been an easy-going time a migraine/tear-inducing experience. 
So, let’s NOT do that for your engagement photos! Haha. We want your engagement photos to be a relaxing day that’s full of love and memory-making. Getting all your ducks in a row and being prepared for your engagement photos takes away the stress and gives you the bandwidth to handle any little bumps that happen.

How to prepare for engagement photos…

Alright – let’s get into it! Here are my tips on how to prepare for engagement photos straight from a wedding and engagement photographer. Let’s go!

The Location

• Engagement photos feel the most personal when they are at a location that is meaningful or representative of your relationship in some way. Here’s an awesome article with location ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
• If you can – choose natural light (and try to schedule around the sun – golden hour, baby!).
• Consider the weather and have a back-up plan just in case. 
• Know the rules of your location – you may need to call ahead to book time or get the right permits. Get the logistics settled so you don’t need to stress on the day-of.

**if you are looking for engagement photo locations in Philadelphia, you can check out my blog post all about my favorite spots for engagement photos in Philadelphia! 

The Outfits

• Most importantly, wear something comfortable that you feel like yourself in!
• Consider your shoot location: you can wear something that suits the location (jeans and a sweater for a park on a fall day) or you can create some great juxtaposition by wearing something that contrasts the location intentionally (aka. like, formal wear on a parking garage deck). 
• Choose minimal prints over maximal prints.
• Steam/iron your outfits ahead of time.
• Choose a cohesive color palette as opposed to matching outfits.
• Think about the silhouette and play with layers and textures.
• Clean your rings! A big part of your engagement photoshoot will be those detail shots of the rings. Most jewelry stores will do it for free and it usually only takes 10-15 minutes.

**Bonus tip: take your outfits out for a test run. Go on a date, take a couple of photos so you can move around, make sure they are comfortable, and see how they photograph!

The Hair & Makeup

• Again – you want to feel like yourself for your engagement shoot – but consider more full coverage makeup. More saturated makeup pops better in photos! 
• Maybe book your hair/makeup trial on the day of your shoot. It’s a great way to get both things done and feel your absolute best for your photos! 
• Consider your location – is it outside? Could it be windy or rainy? What’s the lighting like? Depending on where you are taking photos, you might want to put your hair up or choose a matte lipstick over a gloss.
• I don’t necessarily suggest spray tans if you don’t normally get them (your natural color is usually best) – but if you want to, try to get it gone 3-5 days before the shoot!
• Get those nails done – and this goes for both of you! Guys – I’m talking to you. Ain’t nothing wrong with a little pamper moment! There will be lots of detail shots of your hands – so make sure they look their best!
• If you are scheduling a hair appointment for cut or color – try getting it done 1-2 weeks before the shoot.

The Poses

• I’m personally a lover of candid shots, but if there are specific shots you want you can show your photographer and they will help pose you!
• You can research poses and shots on Pinterest. It’s a great resource for engagement photoshoot inspiration and will help your photographer understand your vibe and aesthetic! 
• Get silly with each other – the more you can be yourselves, the more your photos will reflect that!
• And most importantly, trust and communicate with your photographer! Send them your mood  board, confide any insecurities, and let them know how you are feeling. This is your moment, and your photographer is there to capture it and be your biggest cheerleader!

**a side note on posing: I love lots of movement in my photos. So, I typically give my lovely couples direction on what I’d like them to do so we create those gorgeous, iconic shots! And I’m a ham – I love to be silly so all of your smiles and giggles are organic. It’s all about loosening up and having fun with it! All this to say – pick a photographer you vibe with. The relationship you have with your photographer is SUPER important – don’t settle!

The Day-Of

• Have a little emergency kit: some hair and makeup touch-ups, maybe a safety pin or two, headache medicine, and an umbrella.
• BRING WATER – let’s be hydrated-queens together!
• Breath mints are never a bad idea – you’ll probably be taking some romantic photos. So unless you plan on pranking your S.O. by eating a plate of garlic and onions before your photoshoot, minty-fresh breath is always a nice thought.
• Eat a light meal. Don’t be hangry for your engagement photos, and also steer clear of any foods that may typically disagree with you.
• Clear your calendar for the day! Unless you’re getting your hair and makeup trial done, take this day as an opportunity to relax and spend quality time with each other. After your photoshoot, take a walk, see a movie, go to your favorite restaurant. This is YOUR day!
• Bring comfortable shoes. Maybe you have the perfect pair of shoes for your outfit, but they are not exactly like walking on clouds. Bring an extra pair of comfy shoes for walking to and from your photoshoot location and for if you wanna ditch the aesthetic pair for a more practical option! 
• Bring a change of clothes. This could be for an “uh-oh” moment, maybe for some variety, or maybe for whatever activity you guys are doing afterwards!

Prepare for engagement photos so you don’t have to stress…

Typically, engagement photos are one of the first big things you do in your wedding prep/planning. It’s such a fun and exciting time to celebrate your relationship and all the amazing things you have ahead of you!

Putting in the prep-work ahead of time and being prepared for your engagement photos helps your happy day be stress-free and memorable for all the RIGHT reasons. 

But before we go, I have a couple more bits of advice so you can have the most beautiful day ever (ahead of your wedding, that is!):

1. When preparing – try to spread out the work. Spend a few weeks getting all those details together instead of trying to knock off everything on your to-do list the day before your shoot. 
2. Don’t get lost in the scroll-hole. It’s easy to get lost on Pinterest and Instagram when preparing for your engagement photos, but try to give yourself a limit so you are focused and efficient. You don’t need to do every idea you find on Pinterest. Focus on the two of you and what makes you unique. 
3. Enjoy the slow moments throughout the process. Getting a manicure or a fresh haircut, shopping for new outfits, reminiscing on memorable moments and locations, etc. Embrace the magic and the love and soak in all the “us” time. 

And that’s it! A Philadelphia wedding photographer’s advice on how to prepare for engagement photos! I know it was a lot, but feel free to save this blog post and come back to it from time to time as you prepare for this special day. 
If you’re ready to book your dream engagement and wedding photos, click the button below to inquire about my services. I can’t wait to hear your story and share your love!