FIVE TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ENGAGEMENT SHOOT
April 15th 2021
Five tips for a successful engagement photo shoot.
1.) Incorporate outfit changes: I highly recommend outfit changes to add more variety to the session. Ideally, you will want to wear something formal and something more casual. Whatever you choose to wear, make sure you are comfortable wearing it. If you are not used to wearing a form-fitting cocktail dress, and you’re uncomfortable in what you chose to wear, then that discomfort may translate into your photos. You can counter that with a casual outfit, but try to avoid wearing T-shirts (they’re too casual). After you get some shots in your formal wear, switch into jeans! This allows me more freedom with posing such as, sitting or laying on the ground.
2.) Consider your colors: Sometimes bright, bold colors can look great in photos, however, there are some colors that may cause an unsightly cast onto your skin tones. If you want to go the bold color route stay away from neon colors, orange, magenta, and red. I personally like muted colors such as beige, cream, light pink, blush, and subdued golds. Those colors tend to look great on all skin tones, and they aren’t distracting either. After all, YOU are the subject of the image not your clothes.
3.) Avoid too many patterns: I love polka dots and floral prints, and sometimes they look great in photos! However, if you choose to wear a patterned outfit, make sure your fiancé sticks with solids and vice versa. Competing patterns are very distracting, and again the focus needs to be on you and your fiancé.
4.) PLEASE wear cool shoes: Time and time again clients show up to their engagement sessions wearing flip flops, which is fine for beach sessions, but not everything else. They assume that I won’t be getting their feet in the photos. Well guess what? I absolutely WILL be including your feet in the photos. Sometimes I like to take photos of just your feet. Your shoes are the finishing touches to your outfit. You can expect to do a lot of walking on your engagement session, so ladies I do recommend bringing an extra pair of comfy shoes just to walk in between actually taking the photos.
5.) Splurge on hair and makeup: How often are you going to get your photos taken professionally? Chances are not too often. So, consider hiring a professional hair and makeup artist for these photos. You will want to love how you look in your photos, and if you’re like me, I am no expert with doing my own hair and makeup. Consider this a special occasion. You’ll have these photos forever, and just like your wedding day, I want you to absolutely love them!
The most important advice I can give anybody about taking their engagement photos is to wear something you feel beautiful in.