Engagement Pictures: What to Expect
You're engaged!!! Congratulations! After the initial excitement fades, you might start thinking about your engagement pictures. If you've never really had professional pictures taken, you may not know what to expect. How do I pose? Where should we take them? Do I even need to take engagement pictures? Should I use the same photographer that I will use for the wedding? What season would be the best to take pictures in? What if the weather isn't great that day? How much time should I allot for pictures? What will getting the pictures taken be like? Is there anything I should do beforehand?
You also might wonder, "What should I wear? What should my partner wear?" For an answer to that question check out my article on What to Wear for Engagement Pictures!
When thinking about engagement pictures, your mind might start going a million miles a minute. There are so many questions surrounding engagement pictures, I am going to try to answer as many of these as I can! Let's dive right in!
Why Get Engagement Pictures at All?
People get engagement pictures for a number of reasons. I asked 200 engaged and married women. Here are some of the top reasons they stated:
* To use for Save the Dates
* To remember the moment
* To practice getting pictures taken for the wedding
* To get to know and get comfortable with the photographer for the wedding
* To have pictures to decorate the wedding venue with
* To have pictures to show off (on Facebook, to give to family, or to frame)
* Just for us to have
* To have nice, professional pictures of us that aren't wedding pictures
* They were included in the photography package
* To create a guestbook.
How do I pose?
I was so worried about how to pose leading up to the day of our engagement pictures. I tried googling and looking all over Pinterest. It really didn't help. However, there is a reason it didn't help. Because even if you see an adorable picture and think "I want to do this pose!" you actually might not even be able to figure out how to do it. Even if you do, it will look completely different! My advice on posing is, 1) Find inspiration pictures, whether on google, Pinterest or somewhere else, but don't spend hours trying to practice the poses or anything...just show them to your photographer! Because, 2) A professional photographer will pose you. You don't actually need to know how to pose before you go into your engagement session! An experienced photographer will know to explain to you how to pose and they will also know what will look good in pictures! In our case, if we weren't understanding how the photographer was trying to pose us, she would literally walk over and physically push and pull and position us herself! Don't stress about this one. Just show her any pictures you for sure want to try to get and then leave it up to the professional!
Where should we do them?
This one is harder to answer because I don't know your area. But for us, we drove around. We went to a few different parks in the weeks leading up to the pictures. We found some decent spots. But when it came down to it, my photographer actually suggested a totally different place and I am so, so, so glad she did! If we had done it in a park, all we would have are nature shots. Our photographer thought of the park in the middle of downtown for us. We ended up walking around downtown and getting some cool, more industrial shots before we headed to the park.
So that is my advice to you--look for a place that has multiple options. Nature shots are great, but if you can find a place where you can get nature shots and other types of shots, that's even better! Having more variety is always a great thing.
Should I use the same photographer for engagement pictures and for the wedding?
Absolutely, hands down, YES.
The reason you will want to use the same photographer for both is because it's a good opportunity for you to work with that photographer, see how he or she works, if you work well together, if you like the way your pictures turn out, and if you feel comfortable having that person take your pictures, etc. The last thing you want is to realize on the wedding day that your photographer is too pushy or doesn't seem like they know what they are doing. Or worse yet, to have your pictures not be what you envisioned! My photographers are pictures with us here.
What season would be best to take them in?
That is entirely up to you. However, here are some pros and cons to each season.
Winter
Pro: The possibility of snow! While this may seem like a con at first because snow is cold...it's actually a huge pro because snowy pictures can be SO amazing!
Con: If you want to do them outdoors, you WILL be cold.
Pro: Cold weather makes you want to snuggle up together for warmth, which makes for some adorable engagement pictures!
Con: Scheduling your pictures can be a challenge. Be prepared just in case of a blizzard or ice storm and realize you may have to reschedule.
Spring
Pro: Everything is in bloom! There's beautiful greenery and flowers for backgrounds!
Con: The weather is often unpredictable. Rain is very likely, so either be prepared to reschedule if there is rain, or rock it and get some really awesome rain pictures!
Pro: You likely won't be too hot or too cold because the temperature is usually pretty decent.
Con: You might want to plan an extra outfit or two because unfortunately, while the weather is USUALLY decent, it can also be a random hot day or a random cold day. Planning an outfit that looks cute with and without a jacket is your best bet.
Summer
Pro: You could wear a sundress, tank top, or short skirt for your engagement pictures without the worry of being too cold!
Con: Hot weather means sweat. Sweat does not do well in pictures. If you choose summer pictures, maybe bring a small, handheld fan for when you have downtime. Also be aware, this is the season that bugs are more active.
Pro: Summer opens up lots of possibilities--more parks tend to be open, pools are open, summer activities are happening. This is the season to choose if you want some fun engagement pictures of you two swimming in the pool or zip-lining down a mountain!
Con: More people are out and about. Doing pictures in a public place can sometimes be more difficult to avoid random people in the background of your photos because everyone is spending time outside!
Fall
Pro: Absolutely amazing scenery! The leaves changing colors, playing in the leaves, earlier sunsets, you name it! The outdoors is beautiful this time of year!
Con: It can end up being quite chilly and you may want to plan every outfit with an extra jacket.
Pro: This is the season for flannels, sweaters, light scarves, leather jackets, and boots. All of those can make outfit choices quite easy!
Con: It gets dark early, so if you have to schedule them on a weekday after work, that could be a problem.
What if the weather isn't great that day?
When it comes to bad weather on the day of engagement pictures, you have two options. You can either cancel and reschedule the pictures, or you can rock the bad weather!
If you choose to rock the bad weather, here are some options:
Rain
If the forecast shows rain, choose an indoor place for your pictures instead. Museums, art galleries and indoor gardens can make beautiful backdrops! Still want to do your pictures outside? Go for it! Just make sure you bring an umbrella and possibly rain boots! You can get some really fun and beautiful pictures in the rain!
Snow
If the forecast shows snow, (depending on the amount) you could move your pictures indoors, even doing them in your house (or a friend's house)--all bundled up next to the fire together can be truly amazing! If we aren't talking blizzard proportions of snow, you could also definitely rock the snow! Some of my favorite engagement pictures I've ever seen are in the snow! The only thing I will say for this, is make sure you know your photographer is comfortable photographing in the snow and has done it before, as snow is by far one of the most difficult things to photograph.
Blisteringly Hot
Change your pictures to the beach or the pool. Get a pretty lacy cover up and walk on the beach and go for a dip in the ocean (or pool!) to will help keep you cool and make for some awesome pictures! You can also move your pictures indoors, or do outdoors first and then move indoors so you have some time to cool down.
Insanely windy
This one is actually quite fun to rock! Just make sure your photographer does his/her best to pose you so the wind sweeps your hair behind you, not in front of your face! Make sure that you wear shorts under ANY skirt no matter how long it is, just to be safe. Make sure you wear Chapstick, as repeated exposure to strong gusts of wind will dry your lips out super fast! Check out our friend Sarah Hanson's awesome Windy engagement session!
How much time should I allot for my engagement pictures?
Honestly, your photographer will be able to answer that. Whether their engagement pictures are usually 30 minutes, or if they are 2-hour sessions, you will be fine! You'd be amazed how many amazing shots you can get in 30 minutes...just try to make your outfits as quick as possible to change (maybe change shirts and shoes, but keep the pants the same) and be prepared to walk around quickly if you want more than one background. If they allot you 2 hours for pictures, that will give you a bit more freedom to do outfit changes and go at a slower pace. With two hours, you could probably do two or even three outfits and have enough time to change in a bathroom and fix up your makeup a little. So I'd say one hour would be about perfect, but whatever amount of time you have your photographer for, I promise, it will work out and you will have plenty of great pictures to choose from!
What will getting engagement pictures be like?
Everyone's experience with engagement pictures is a little different. However, there are some things that you should be prepared for.
Trust your photographer.
They are professionals and they know what they are doing. If they recommend something (anything--consider it! You don't necessarily have to do it, but don't brush it off if it's an idea you don't love right away.
Don't show up with a list of exactly what pictures you want and refuse to budge. Your inspiration pictures you show your photographer should be a guide, not an order. You will get some of the pictures you request, but don't expect the photographer to take every single one of them. Let them do their job--you will end up with some pictures you LOVE that weren't even on your radar!
Let the photographer pose you. Even if you feel super awkward (and you probably will!) just let them do their thing. If they tell you to whisper in your partner's ear, or stare into your partner's eyes from 1 inch away from their face, or hold your elbow out a little farther, or lean back until you almost feel like you're falling over...just do it. I promise there is a method to their madness!!!
It's going to be awkward.
Just as I mentioned above, some of the positions they put you in will feel extremely awkward physically. However, they might be a little awkward in other ways too. Be prepared for a lot of PDA. You will be kissing, hugging, holding each other and staring lovingly into each others eyes...all in front of a stranger, and sometimes with onlookers if you're in public! Just remember, it's just one day, so it won't last forever. Haha! But seriously, your photographer is SO used to it, I promise they won't be phased. Also, if you do get any onlookers, they know what's going on and will most likely be thinking "aww, how sweet" and not "get a room."
Be prepared for the unexpected.
One thing I didn't realize going into my engagement shoot was that 30 minutes really isn't that long. It was very lucky for me that I had only planned to change my shirt and shoes for the second outfit and not change entirely because boy, were we rushed! I ended up crouching down in the most private place I could find in the middle of downtown, while my fiance stood guard while I switched shirts! It also started drizzling toward the very end of our pictures, and it was quite cold! For my second look, I was walking around in a tank top and jeans and what I really wanted was a thick pea coat! My fiance couldn't believe I could stand it! I had goosebumps all over my arms and was shivering when we sat down together on a cold rock! However, the pictures turned out great--you can't tell how cold I was, and you couldn't even tell it was drizzling other than the overcast sky (which btw, looks great in pictures and puts you in a flattering light!)
Unexpected things can always happen, whether it is the amount of time you thought you had, the weather that day changing at the last second, forgetting all your props you brought in your car, forgetting to change part of your outfit (my fiance changed his shirt and then put his jacket back on because it was so cold, but he was not supposed to have a jacket on in the second outfit!), realizing the creek you were going to take pictures by had murky, almost white water instead of crisp, clear water (yep, it happened to me!), going to the coffee shop you had in mind to take pictures in, only to realize they are closed that day. Truly a million little things can happen. Just go with the flow. Don't stress out about it. No matter how much you plan, something will go wrong--but guess what? It's okay. I promise.
Have Fun!
Some of the best pictures will be the ones of you two having fun and being yourself. Enjoying the time and each other is your best bet to get great pictures. Stiff doesn't look nearly as good as relaxed and happy!
Is there anything I should do beforehand?
Take Advil.
You will be posing in some oddly uncomfortable ways that feel unnatural and there will be a lot of staring into each other's eyes from a short distance. My poor fiance kept going cross eyed and had a horrible headache by the end of ours.
Think about props.
You can use just about anything for props. Bring a soft blanket to cuddle up in if it's cold. Do you want a sign that says "save the date" or something else? Maybe an umbrella would make some fun pictures, even if it's not raining. Think outside the box, too. Maybe do some Bonnie and Clyde pictures and bring guns! (Check out the engagement session featured on my blog on October 16th!) Bring an acoustic guitar, balloons, bikes, or consider bringing your dog, your cat, or even your hedgehog!
Have an "inspiration" album to show your photographer.
Whether you show them through email, on your phone, on your Pinterest or anything else, show them some ideas of poses you'd like and pictures in general that you like. (Again, don't plan to stick to them exactly!) To get some awesome engagement picture inspiration, check out our Engagement Picture Inspiration board on Pinterest!
Plan your hair and makeup beforehand.
Don't plan to wing it. Have a trial, just like you would for the wedding--even if you plan to do both yourself, test it out first. And also, take pictures of the trial so you can see how it photographs. And keep in mind, professional pictures are much better quality and detail shows up A LOT more in their pictures!
Try your outfits on at least a week beforehand.
Also, have your partner take pictures of you in your outfit(s) from EVERY angle. Make sure this outfit is flattering from every side before you decide on it. Don't leave this until the last minute because if it doesn't look great, you need to have time to find (or buy) a new outfit!
Absolutely read Part 2
My other article on what to wear for engagement pictures and some of my Featured Engagement articles! Also, do some Pinterest and google searches for outfit and pose inspiration!
Am I missing anything? Add it in the comments!
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