If you are engaged and thinking to yourself, "do we really need engagement pictures?" the answer is YES. Do not miss the opportunity to get some fun, casual, candid pictures of this fun time in your life.
why take engagement photos?
- The engagement session gives you time to warm up to the camera, and loosen up before your wedding day. You'll see in your pictures exactly what your facial expressions are so you know what to do/what not to do on your wedding day.
- You get to know your photographer more, and become more comfortable around them.
- You can use your engagement picture in your engagement announcement in the newspaper, on your wedding website, on your save the dates/invitations, and you can frame them at the wedding.
- During your engagement session you can go to all the places you won't have time to take pictures at on your wedding day.
- Although your wedding photos are great for framing around the house, it's also nice to have more casual professional pictures in different settings as well.
when do we take engagement pictures?
- Some couples like to do engagement pictures soon after they get engaged, but there's no right or wrong time. Sometimes the best time for wedding photographers is in the spring & fall when they're less busy with weddings and when the weather is more mild. Generally we'll schedule our sessions to start about 3 hours before sunset, which is also great to be able to include some of the sky's sunset colors.
what to expect for a montage engagement session:
- Usually our engagement sessions are about 2-3 hours, 2-4 locations, and 1-3 outfit changes. It’s pretty laid back - We’ll do some posed shots, some candid shots…. but mainly we just want you to have a fun day together and we’ll take photos of it! Most couples have never had their pictures taken professionally together, so it may take a while for you to “warm up” to the camera. I usually I just tell everyone: Don’t worry too much about finding the perfect pose, just flirt and have fun, and the pictures will be so much more real and natural if we just capture it as it happens!
where do we take engagement pictures?
- We can go wherever you’d like for your engagement pictures! Do you have a favorite place that the two of you love spending time at? Is there a sentimental spot where you had your first date or where you got engaged? If nothing comes to mind, we can give you lots of suggestions of where to go.
what do we wear for engagement pictures?
- It's really up to you guys how casual or formal you'd like to make these photos. It’s also up to you how many different times you want to change. It’s sometimes a good idea for girls to wear a camisole underneath and just change their shirt several times without needing an indoor restroom or anything. It’s up to you. The outfits that you do pick out though should be coordinating in color (doesn't have to be the same color, but just make sure it doesn't clash) - and you want to steer clear from outrageous patterns that will be distracting in photographs. Solids/stripes/plaid/subtle patterns usually works best. T-shirts and sweatshirts with large logos are not recommended. Also: I LOVE color. Don’t be afraid to wear bright colors, they actually make pictures come alive more. Be sure and remember that glasses with transitional lenses do not look good for outdoor pictures. Clear prescription glasses and contacts are fine.
what do we bring for engagement pictures?
- Be sure and bring a change of clothes and any other props that you might want to include in the pictures. (accessories, scarves, hats, sunglasses, umbrellas, balloons, blanket, different shoes, sports you like together, cowboy boots, your pet, inside joke items, etc.)
other tips:
- Trust your photographer. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box with them. Some of their suggestions may sound weird but just go with it.
- Be yourself. If the two of you are really goofy, then be sure and get some goofy pictures, if you're formal, dress formal. If you're serious, be serious. No two couples are exactly the same, so make sure you're doing stuff that really captures who you are together.
{These tips are simply my own thoughts, ideas, and insights for engaged couples. Each photographer is different, and everyone goes about engagement sessions differently... but hope this post has given you some tips! This blog's content is copyright of Memory Montage Photography. Please do not copy or republish this text without written permission to do so. If you would like to share this post, please include a link directly to our blog's URL. Thank you!}
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{you can really see the rain in this shot!}
^^ This is the bride & groom. She wore jeans under her dress the whole day. Yes, including the ceremony & reception!!
