Planning a wedding is busy and at times a little bit overwhelming. Taking some time alone together to capture your love story naturally through engagement photos is a perfect escape to help you focus on what matters most during this time – the love and appreciation you share for one another.
Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of your engagement session from an experienced Asheville, NC Engagement Photographer…
#1 Join in the Fun!
Most men are known to be a little camera shy. But guys, remember, this day is for the both of you! Just relax and have fun with it! Be yourself and let your personality shine. Photography may not be the most exciting activity for you, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so have fun with it and make the most of the experience! After all, it’s only 90 minutes of your day, and I promise it means so much to your fiancé.
#2 Hair and Make-Up for the Bride-to-Be
Ladies, getting your hair and make-up professionally done for your engagement photos is an absolutely great idea. For one thing, these photos are capturing the very beginning of you and your love’s lives together – such a special time – a time that you both will get to look back on, share, and cherish forever! Secondly, having your hair and make-up professionally done can relieve some stress from you putting pressure on yourself to get it perfect yourself. And lastly, it’ll give you a great opportunity to try out a professional to make sure they’re right for the job when it comes to your wedding day. (Plus it’s super fun to be pampered, take advantage of the opportunity!!)
#3 Don’t be Afraid of the Awkward Poses
Your photographer may ask you to pose or position yourself in an awkward or uncomfortable pose or position. Don’t worry – just relax and have fun with it! Trust the professional on this one. The photographer wouldn’t be taking the pictures if they thought you looked awkward, promise. These are often the photos that turn out the best!
#4 Make it Natural
It’s not necessary to be looking at the camera the entire time! We want the shoot to look candid and organic! Just relax and enjoy yourselves and your surroundings. Try to forget that there’s even a camera involved. Be yourselves, laugh, and have fun! Your photographer will help guide you both and most likely won’t have you looking at the camera for most of the session.
#5 Choose a Special Location
You’re going to want to choose a special location for your engagement session – a location that means something to the both of you. It may be the place where you two first met or maybe the location of your first date or first kiss (swoon!!). Wherever it may be, you’ll want it to be a location where you both are familiar with your surroundings. That way, you both are at ease, relaxed, and natural. Not to mention the sentimentality factor!
#6 Don’t Overthink It
The goal of this session is to capture the sincere, genuine love you have for each other, so don’t overthink it, and don’t try to force anything. It’s all already there. Just forget about the camera! Relax! Have fun! Be yourself! No need to think that you need to act a certain way for the images to turn out perfect. The photographer’s goal is to capture your true relationship together! Are you crazy goofballs or modest introverts! Show off your personalities together and don’t try too hard for what you think you both should do or be like!
#7 Enjoy Each Other Before the Session
Plan your session to be on a day where you both won’t have too much going on. If your day is filled with errands and stress, you may not be in the best mood for pictures. Go have a relaxing lunch together, get a drink, listen to some music. Take it easy! Don’t think of this session as just another thing you have to tick off the list before the wedding. Make an experience out of it, doing things you both will enjoy.
#8 Imperfections Equal Beauty
Don’t worry the whole time about your hair looking perfect or your dress looking just right. Embrace the beauty of the unknown and the various elements of your surroundings. Embrace the rocks, the dirt, the water, and the weather! If it starts raining, we’ll keep shooting! Just smile, laugh, and enjoy! I promise, from years of experience, these make the best sessions! Always remember, the best accessory is a genuinely happy smile.
#9 Wondering What to Wear?
How you feel in what you’re wearing is what matters! Wear something that makes you feel fabulous! You could bring several different outfits to the session if you’d like to change things up. And if you’re really not sure about what to wear, don’t hesitate to send some photos of your options to your photographer. They’ll surely have some great ideas and motivation boards for you to peek through. More ideas for what to wear in this blog post.
#10 Remember the Importance of the Session
It’s easy to get caught up in the stresses of planning a wedding and having to complete all the tasks that need to be finished before the big day. But don’t get too distracted from what matters most – the love you share for your significant other. Immerse yourself in this fact and let the pieces fall where they may.
Need some ideas for where to take your engagement photos?
For your engagement session, it is best to choose a location that represents you as a couple or that you feel comfortable in. It may be a place where you can share being outdoors, or maybe a location of your first date or first kiss (swoon!!). Wherever it may be, you’ll want it to be a location that you can express yourself and your unique personalities.
Give my Asheville Location Quiz a try for more engagement photo and location ideas by clicking the photo below!
Kathy Beaver is an engagement photographer specializing in timeless, classic, emotion-filled photography. You can find out more information on my engagement photography packages here.
I also photograph weddings and families in Asheville, Hendersonville, Sylva, Brevard, Boone and surrounding areas in North Carolina.
Let’s chat more if you are interested in scheduling your engagement photo session or if you just want to say hi!
