| The precursor to the actual event, engagement | | | | tip, research locations for engagement pictures. Look |
| photography is what helps show the couple's spark | | | | up creative engagement picture poses that you could |
| with each other and creates widespread awareness | | | | suggest to the couple during the shoot. Learn what |
| of their upcoming wedding. As the photographer, it is | | | | clothing options will be wise to suggest for them to |
| important for you to do your research so that the | | | | wear... |
| couple's engagement pictures will be creative, | | | | 7) Clothing optional (well, not quite) |
| interesting, entertaining, love-struck, and most of all, | | | | They might be committed to just one person, but |
| satisfying for the couple themselves. | | | | make sure this couple has options! Tell them to bring |
| 1) Preview the couple | | | | a few changes of clothes so that you can get some |
| No, I don't mean to actually screen the couple before | | | | different engagement shots in different locations. |
| you decide to work with them. (Although in some | | | | You want to give them variety and creativity. Also, |
| cases, this might actually be a smart idea.) Anyway, | | | | let them know what colors NOT to wear. Examples: |
| get to know who these people ARE in advance. | | | | white, khakis, light colors, etc. Depending on the |
| Meet with them over coffee, for lunch, or just chat | | | | background, certain colors and prints may not mesh. |
| a while on the phone. The best way for you to get | | | | 8) Suggest an event shoot |
| the engagement photos that this couple wants is to | | | | Most couples won't think of this amazing idea for |
| figure out what it is that they actually want. Get a | | | | engagement pictures, so you should suggest it to |
| feel for their personality and their chemistry together. | | | | them! Offer the idea to go along and shoot a "date |
| 2) Keep them connected | | | | night" for the couple. Have them go to the place |
| This engagement picture tip basically speaks for itself | | | | where they met, their favorite restaurant, or out |
| - keep the couple connected with each other. Sure, | | | | doing their favorite hobby. Another fabulous |
| they are going to be somewhat nervous (especially if | | | | engagement photo shoot idea is taking pictures at |
| they are not super comfortable with you just yet), | | | | their engagement party! We just did an engagement |
| but do your best to keep them into one another. | | | | shoot like this and the pictures are priceless. Friends, |
| This leads me to my next pointer... | | | | family, and most importantly, the couple, were ALL |
| 3) PDA is Okay (and necessary!) | | | | included! |
| Because an engagement photo session is completely | | | | 9) Shoot in RAW (vs. JPEG) |
| different from a normal headshot, model, or family | | | | This helpful hint is especially important when shooting |
| photo shoot, you have to remember that the overall | | | | indoors! Shooting in RAW gives you the liberty of |
| theme for these pictures is going to be love. Make | | | | having a wider range of exposure adjustments during |
| the couple comfortable and aware that they | | | | the editing process. Some may prefer one format |
| SHOULD kiss, hug, hold hands, be playful, be silly, and | | | | over another, but on our engagement photo shoots, |
| be touchy-feely mushy gushy all they want! It makes | | | | we want to make sure we have the most options |
| the pictures more personal and personable! | | | | possible so we can come out with the best |
| 4) As always..."Burst mode!" | | | | engagement pictures possible. |
| This seems to be recurring theme in my | | | | 10) Don't focus on the face |
| articles...definitely make a point to use "burst" mode | | | | This hint sounds ludicrous for engagement pictures, |
| while doing engagement photography. The couple will | | | | right?! Well, of course you should take pictures of the |
| be nervous, so after they do their initial and stiff | | | | couple's faces! But on the flip side, try focusing on |
| pose for the camera (thinking they look natural!), | | | | things other than just those. Have the bride-to-be lift |
| they will loosen up, smile, laugh, look at each | | | | her foot as if they were kissing, and snap a picture |
| other...THOSE are the moments you want to catch | | | | of their shoes from the knee down. Make absolute |
| more than anything. | | | | positive you get that engagement ring in some |
| 5) Location is lucrative | | | | pictures! Catch her whispering something in his ear. |
| If you have been doing photography, especially | | | | Shoot them from the neck down. All of this is |
| engagement photography, for a while, you may | | | | interesting and innovative for the eye. |
| know of some great places around your town to | | | | 11) Be vocal (they won't!) |
| take engagement pictures. Prepare yourself with a | | | | Finally, one of the most important engagement |
| list of locations and interesting places beforehand that | | | | pictures tips I can give you is to BE VOCAL. Have |
| you can suggest to the couple. They most likely will | | | | fun with the couple and suggest poses for them to |
| be open and willing to consider anything you have to | | | | try. Have general conversation to loosen them up. |
| say! Also, couples frequently travel to other towns | | | | Tell a few jokes (if you happen to be funny) and |
| for their engagement pictures, so make sure you | | | | create a warm friendly atmosphere. Direct them and |
| have tracked down some hotspots that will be | | | | they will take direction. Many couples WANT you to |
| aesthetically pleasing. | | | | hold their hand along the engagement picture path |
| 6) Do your research! | | | | and lead the way. Take advantage of this power! |
| The only way for you to actually be as | | | | You have the liberty to come up with something |
| knowledgeable and prepared as you want to be (and | | | | new, creative, and fantastic. They will appreciate this |
| want the couple to think you are) is to DO YOUR | | | | when the editing process is over! |
| RESEARCH. As with the previous engagement photo | | | | |