Many people think of engagement photos as being a bit cheesy or unnecessary, but they can be fun and give you a chance to see what your photographer's style is before the wedding. Engagement photos are also an opportunity for couples to practice posing and facial expressions before their big day in front of everyone they love.


There are many factors that go into planning an engagement shoot successfully: lighting, location and wardrobe choices being just a few. However, there are some things that you can do ahead of time to make sure you get the most out of this special moment in your lives together! Here's my list (in no particular order) of the top tips for engagement photography success:


Engagement photos are not as difficult as they may seem, and they can be a great experience for you and your fiance as well as the photographer.

Engagement photos are not as difficult as they may seem, and they can be a great experience for you and your fiance as well as the photographer.

Engagement photos are a great way to get to know your photographer, who will hopefully capture some beautiful images of you two on this special day. Engagement photos will help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera so that when it is time for your wedding day, there will be no surprises!


Make your own props.

Making your own props is an excellent way to incorporate things that are important to you and your fiance into your photos. However, make sure that you have permission to use these items. And don’t just ask for permission—make sure everything is clear by asking these questions:

  • Have you ever had a wedding photo shoot?
  • If so, what did they do?
  • Did they use props? If so, what kind of props? What was their favorite prop (if any)?
  • Do they have any suggestions or ideas for props or locations that would be fun to use in our engagement photos?


Use natural light.

Natural light is free, beautiful and easy to use. It can be used in any weather and its beauty is always consistent. You won’t need to spend a lot of time setting up equipment or worrying about the quality of natural light when you're shooting outdoors; it’s all there for you!

Natural light has many advantages: it's free, available anytime of day or night (as long as it's not cloudy), easy to control and creates beautiful images that have little-to-no postproduction work required.


Have the correct equipment.

The first thing you need to do is have the right equipment. That doesn't mean spending a lot of money on equipment. It does mean that if you already have a good camera and lens, then it should be used for this kind of photography. If not, buy or borrow (from family or friends) one that has features that will make your engagement session easier.

Here’s what you should use:

  • A tripod - A tripod allows you to get sharp photos with very low shutter speeds by stabilizing your camera while shooting in low-light situations such as inside buildings or out at night without using flash lighting which would otherwise cause harsh shadows on faces during an outdoor shoot later in this article we'll show how long shutter speeds can give us great looking photos too


Be comfortable in uncomfortable places.

While you might be used to being in front of the camera, your partner may not. It’s important that you both feel comfortable in your own skin and that both of you are prepared for anything. Whether it’s the sun shining directly on your face or a spider crawling up one of your legs, be ready for anything and be prepared to laugh about it later!


Think outside of your comfort zone.

In the world of engagement photos, you don't have to be a professional model to look amazing. In fact, being yourself and showing off your personality is what makes an engagement photo special! So don't try to emulate someone else's style; instead, let yourself shine through in the photos by being confident and letting loose a little bit. If you're feeling shy or awkward about posing for photographers on an unfamiliar set—even if it's with friends or family—take some time before your shoot starts for some self-affirmation: remind yourself how much fun this is supposed to be and that everyone will be there beside you every step of the way. After all, no one wants their wedding photographer's vision ruined by "shy" subjects who don't want to smile because they're too busy feeling awkward!


Capture a piece of one another's culture.

Capture a piece of one another's culture.

There are many ways you can do this. Perhaps you're planning on wearing traditional clothing from your respective cultures (e.g., sari and kurta for an Indian couple). Maybe you'll use props or objects that are meaningful to both of you, such as a family heirloom or a favorite childhood toy. These small touches will make for some beautiful engagement photos!


Practice!

If you're like me, you may have come to the conclusion that engagement photography is a pretty sweet gig. After all, who doesn't want to take photos of two people who are madly in love with each other? I wouldn't mind doing this every day for the rest of my life. The problem is that when it comes to capturing those beautiful moments between two people who share an undeniable bond, it can be hard to know exactly what to do and where to go next.

Here's where practice comes in! Make sure you're prepared for what's about to happen—not just beforehand but also after the shoot has wrapped up—and then get ready for wonderful things (like getting asked over and over again if you'd like any wine).


All in all, engagement photography is a fun way to practice your skills as a photographer and have some fun with your fiancee. It’s important to remember that these photos are about you both and not just one person alone. So, don't be afraid to ask for help if needed!

If you're interested in learning more about budget-friendly options for your couples photography, please contact us today! We'd be happy to chat with you about our packages and discounts.


Thank you for reading!


Affordable Couples photography by Fungirlwithacamera Photography. Hope from Fungirlwithacamera Photography specializes in affordable couples photography.