In this engagement photoshoot prep guide…

I will be taking you through some tips, tricks and a little advice to help you before you show up to your big shoot photoshoot unprepared!

Lets face it, not everyone enjoys having their photos taken. The last time you probably had photos taken, you were huffing and puffing because your mom might have been combing your hair an unsual way, or may have wanted you to wear that seemingly ugly tie, crazy wardrobe, or who knows what for that family photoshoot. Maybe your last photoshoot was senior portraits? Am I right?

Engagement photos are an exciting step into adulthood and have so much potential to be a fun, happy experience. Not everyone is a fan of having their photos made, but here are a few helpful tips that may change your mindset on having your photograph taken on this special milestone in your life!

PREP + PLAN

Believe it or not, there are a few things that go into planning a photoshoot. It’s not as simple as booking, photographing, and waiting on your photos to come back. Theres a lot more that goes into making your photos look as fabulous as you dream of them to be, but don’t worry, I am here to take a lot of the stress off of you. Here are a few things you may want to do before you come to your engagement session:

• Schedule your photoshoot no less than one month in advance, this way you have time to book your photographer, plan the location, talk about lighting (avoid lunch time sunlight), have the best attire, and give yourself time to gather props and look over ideas.
• Make a checklist of everything you want to bring to your session. That way the night before your photoshoot, you can gather everything you will need and nothing will be forgotten!
• Consider having your roots dyed, hair cut, extensions put in, or any dramatic changes roughly 1-3 weeks prior to your session just incase you decide to change it closer to time or any kind of mishaps take place.
• Make it a girls day and get a manicure no more than 4 days before your photo session so your nails are looking top notch. There will be ring shots, you want your hands to look their best!
• Also, shine up your pretty diamond before your photoshoot so it’s sparkling at it’s best the day of.
• Consider drinking lots of water and eating healthy meals a week before your shoot, this will help keep any bloating down and help you look/feel your best. Nothing kills a good photo vibe like a bloated belly.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Locations will vary by where you are living, but there are SO many possibilities! I suggest going on Pinterest, asking your photographer, maybe ask friends and family or google some key areas in your town to shoot.  A few ideas and advice on finding a location for your engagement shoot are:

• If traveling try to give yourself enough time before booking so you can plan a weekend getaway and make a fun trip out of your photoshoot! Nothing says a fun time like going somewhere new and doing something fun that you and your other half have never experienced before.
• Consider looking at popular venues, parks, recreational places, maybe where you and your fiancé first met, places with cool colors, backgrounds, patterns, murals, etc.

WARDROBE

Wardrobe shopping doesn’t have to be a bad experience, maybe you and your significant other can make a day of it. Pinterest is a helpful way to pre-plan ideas of what you’re looking for in your head so that way you and your fiancé can make a plan of exactly what you’ll need to wear or what style you want to go for!

• Shop till you drop! – Okay, not really, lol. Consider getting a new outfit you haven’t worn before, that way you will feel extra special and confident in flaunting your new, unseen outfit for your photos. You spent good money on photos, you want to look and feel your best.
• Plan what colors you and your fiancé will be wearing. Nothing kills a photo faster than clashing colors, crazy patterns, or bold colors that may not go with your location. (Bad Example: A hot pink dress + Red button down, in blue jeans at a nature park. – YIKES.) (Good Example: Light tan dress,  brown hat + white button down + black vest in slacks, at a nature park)
• Bring back up clothes – Each photographer is different and may offer a different amount of outfits. I suggest bringing 2 outfits per option. If you are allowed 2 outfit changes, bring 3 or 4 JUST in case you get a stain, something doesn’t fit, or maybe you change your mind, or see the location doesn’t go with one of your previous wardrobe options. The key is to be prepared for anything.
• Consider bringing small details such a jewelry, hats, ties, belts, clips, etc. These make for wonderful detail shots.

PROPS

Props can be a super unique way to make your photos stand out from your friends, or other people here are a few tips when it comes to engagement props:

• Make sure your props aren’t dangerous, and are allowed where you are photographing.
• Be sure not to bring too many, as props can take away from being candid and make photos look too posed.
• Try to Pinterest ideas and go shopping a month in advance simply because Michaels, hobby lobby, walmart, etc always get great new items and sometimes items go on sale or you can use coupons!

ITEMS YOU MAY WANT TO BRING ALONG

Photoshoots can take a few hours and anything can happen, so here are a few items you may want to bring or keep in your car during your engagement session just in case:

• Water
• Snacks
• Makeup
• Hairspray
• Back up clothes
• Lint Roller
• Hair Brush
• Towels (incase of sweating or any other mishaps)
• Props
• Back up shoes
• Medicines you may need, Example: Tylenol
• Toothbrush
• Jewlery

DURING YOUR SESSION

• Whisper in each others ears, crack jokes or tell each other funny stories.
• Kissing on the cheek, forehead, hand, ear, smelling hair, are all small beautiful moments a photographer loves to capture. This visually shows love and helps capture that.
• Think of your photoshoot like being a date! Something new and exciting. This is the precursor to your marriage to this person, which is like, the BEST day of your life!
• Flirt with each other and flirt on camera. Show exactly why you are choosing to marry this person.
• Movement is key. Good, candid portraits look their best when poses have movement. A simple hand change or neck movement can make or break a photo — so keep moving!
• Most of all, relax, have fun, and experience a fun exciting day with the love of your life!