Things I wish I knew before our Engagement Shoot
I was SO excited for our engagement shoot. I am the girl that’s been seeing other couples’ pictures and day-dreaming about the day I’d have my turn. I had saved poses on my Pinterest boards, outfit ideas in my wishlists and shopping carts online, and couldn’t help but research a million + one ideas for location, hairstyle, etc.
However, I am here to tell you that the little stuff hardly matters when you are finally standing next to the love of your life and having the best time just being photographed as a newly engaged couple.
Keep reading to learn of all the things I wish I knew leading up to the moment our engagement shoot started.
I promise it’s worth the scroll!
CONSIDER THE LOCATION
I easily bookmarked at least ten places to visit before the day of our engagement shoot to scope out the location. However, with the reality of our work schedules, my fiance Mike and I were only able to visit three of them. We contemplated whether picking one of those would be perfect for us, and honestly spent waaaay too much time overthinking it. While the location is important to an extent, it is not everything! As long as it’s a place you could realistically see you and your S/O visiting on your own time, it’s a good find! Otherwise, you’ll risk choosing the perfect backdrop for your photos and the potential to not feel in your element on the day of. Don’t overcomplicate it.
2. WEAR SOMETHING YOU’RE COMFORTABLE IN
This one was tough. We focused so much on wanting to match that we were almost willing to forfeit comfort and confidence to look the part. I don’t recommend this route! Our photos were taken outside in November, so we knew we wanted to be warm, without the multiple layers. We walked the mall together and Mike found his shirt first. It was a multi-colored flannel that he planned to wear with black jeans and boots. This was the perfect scenario! I had 3-4 colors that I could match (if I chose to) and wear black jeans as well to tie us all together. I ended up getting a sweater that complimented his well.
While you don’t have to match your partner, it does photograph nicely! But the main key is comfort - and this will look different on everyone. Some couples can find comfort in heels and suits, while others (like ourselves) take the word literally to mean comfortable for the weather, the setting, etc. Whatever this looks like to you, make sure you hold yourself to it! The last thing you want to be doing while you’re having fun at your shoot is fidgeting with your outfit to wear a certain way, etc.
3. MAKE A DAY OUT OF IT!
This is important! I recommend not scheduling your shoot around other events/work obligations you have going on that same day. You will not want to feel rushed and thrown into your photos after a long day of other things going on. This day may not take a lot of prep for you and your S/O, but mentally, it puts you both in a light, open mindset come time for your shoot - with no other distractions or stresses to take away from the experience.
4. NATURAL LIGHTING IS IMPORTANT
Whether you would like your location to be indoors or outdoors, it’s best to keep in mind where the sun is going to shine through and reflect in your pictures. This will typically be on your photographer to guide as you discuss poses, spots to shoot, etc. but if your shoot is planned for outdoors and the day looks a bit ~ iffy ~ it’s best to reschedule for a nicer day. You don’t want to forfeit the experience to bad weather! Sun > flash
5. LET YOUR GUARD DOWN
Camera shy, or feeling fly~ don’t let the fact that a camera is close by keep you and your S/O from being yourselves! Mike and I had the best time ever just laughing, goofing around, kissing and pretending like we were the only ones around. I was actually pleasantly surprised how comfortable we were during the whole shoot. It might be easier said than done, but if you focus on each other and don’t think too much about anything else, I guarantee you both will enjoy yourselves as much as we did.
I hope these tips helped - #1 goal to have in mind is to just have fun! And ya know, get some cute pictures out of it too :)
xo,
Ashley Marie
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