So you’ve got the ring and you’ll be married in a few months. What to do? Aside from the laundry list of tasks to get you to your wedding day, the engagement portraits are the start of your journey toward that walk down the aisle. Often used for engagement announcements, on the wedding day as a matted photograph as an alternative to the traditional guest book, or a means of showing off the engaged couple and the bright-shiny diamond ring for the personal networking site of your choice. Whatever the chosen use, the engagement photos should be personal, reflect who you are as a couple, and most of all, be fun.
1. I’m Ready for my Close-up, Mr./Ms. Photographer
Not a model? Haven’t done a professional portrait sitting since you were in school for the yearbook? Well, at least you can pick your photographer for this shoot. The best way to feel relaxed in front of the camera is to find the photographer that suits you. It should definitely be someone who can draw out the real you, the real couple that everyone knows. Find someone who can do that and bottom line, work within your budget. You don’t necessarily need someone who can put together a high-end acrylic or leather-bound book; there are several options out there to explore.
2. Be yourself! Be, be yourself!
One thing that makes your engagement photos stand out from the plain old’ vanilla is the way they show who you are as a couple. Not into that prom-style pose? You know the one: Guy and girl holding each other (the only thing missing would be the corsage). Do what feels comfortable for the both of you. If you aren’t the kissy-kissy couple, be honest with your photographer that it just doesn’t gel well. Be who you two are as a couple. Romantic? Athletic? Silly? There’s a way to exhibit that in your engagement photos. There are no hard and fast rules about being yourself, so why should your photos?
3. Location! Location! Location!
Holding hands during a walk in the park. Sunset stroll on the beach. Sharing a cherry-topped milkshake in an old-fashioned diner. Freeze-frame kiss in the fast-paced city. Winning stuffed toys playing carnival games. There are endless opportunities when it comes to location. Once you’ve figured out the style you’d like to go with, you can find a location that suits you best. It can be the site of where you met each other, first date spot, or the proposal location. Select somewhere special for the both of you, somewhere you both feel comfortable.
By taking these three tips with you when you take your engagement photos and finding inspiration in aspects of your relationship it will all translate to amazing images of the couple everyone knows and loves.
