Tips to add personality and creativity to your engagement session

Capturing those tender, fun, and romantic moments to create beautiful engagement photos is our specialty. We love to get to know each of our couples so that we can help plan for gorgeous photos that shine light on their genuine personalities. This is the key to ensuring we can deliver images that our couples and their loved ones can really connect with and treasure forever. So we are sharing some tips on how to incorporate your own unique qualities into your engagement photos.

You’ve Booked your session- now what?

SO you have found your photographer and you need some inspiration for how to make the most out of your engagement session. You like some shots you have seen on social media but we all know that posed photos can often make people feel uncomfortable which translates to photos that can look stiff, and, well. . .boring! Make your photos beautifully authentic and unforgettable by incorporating your personalities into your engagement session. This adds depth and gives people a glimpse of the deep connection between you. 

Think about you and your partner as a couple. What is the feel or story that you want to portray in your photos? You may want to incorporate a place of prop or theme that conveys the story of you both as a couple.

Choose a Theme

Adding a theme to your engagement shoot can make your photos cohesive, especially if you’re planning on using several in the same space (such as a wall installation or a collage in your guestbook). You can select a theme that is based on season, shared hobby, or just overall vibe (ie: rustic, airy, whimsical, etc). 

Pick a Sentimental Location

If there is a place (or two) that you enjoy frequenting together or holds a sentimental connection in your relationship, consider taking your photos there. Being happy in a place you love will translate in your photos and will help share your story. You may want to incorporate the place you met, fell in love, your favorite date spot, or the proposal location. If you have a specific location in mind, make sure to tell your photographer in advance so they can see if it is possible to shoot there as well as take care of the logistics that might be involved (permitting, fees, etc.).

Your Shared Interests

One of the best ways to show your personalities in your photos is doing the things you love together! Engagement photos are a great way to capture your personality as individuals and as a couple. Bring some of your interests into your photos through your props. If you’re into fishing, bring a couple of rods and reels to a body of water for your session. For plant lovers, think about having your shoot at a botanical garden. If you practice yoga or do any other physical activities together, perhaps think about how you can incorporate that into your photos. 

Props 

You’re the star of the photos, but you can definitely include some props to add interest to your engagement pictures and help tell a bit more about your connection. This can lead to really creative photos that help tell your story. Don’t get carried away but definitely bring a few chosen items if they speak to your connection with one another. If you are romantic- bring flowers. For foodies- bring a picnic. If you are book worms, bring a blanket and a book or two to read a few excerpts to one another.  

Get your pet involved

Is your dog like a child to you both? (or your cat? or your chicken?) Why not let them make an appearance in your session? Sharing your shoot with your fur-baby will add joy and laughter to your session- and make adorable photos! Just be sure to let your photographer know so they can plan ahead.

Movement

Nothing is more romantic than a couple who is enjoying one another- and it definitely helps to have hair flowing in the wind and the sunlight highlighting the body language of their frames. Incorporating movement into your session makes things more relaxed and fun and makes for authentically playful and sweet moments. If you are nervous in front of the camera and don’t want to appear stiff, running, piggyback rides, twirling, etc. always brings laughter to a shoot and those sweet smiling moments happen naturally. Some of the most romantic shots we take are of the laughter that takes place after a playful moment. It doesn’t have to mean you get crazy- simple movements can make all the difference. For example, hold hands while walking towards the camera. If you want some playful expressions, bump hips a few times while walking or run playfully towards your photographer. Better yet, carrying each other -if you want instant candids with laughter and cuteness, a few piggy back rides will give you everything need.

Bring something delicious to your session

Food is a major part of most cultures and enjoying something tasty gives you a great sensory experience during your shoot. Having a picnic, sharing a snack, or taking a walk while having ice cream cones makes for some adorable photos and will help to relax you both a (most couples come to these sessions hungry for whatever reason- so this is often a welcomed part of the shoot)  

Ask for Candid Shots 

We LOVE candid Photos! Often times we may even prompt you to do something but really be waiting for the moment just after the “pose” where you are both laughing or reacting to the moment. Those raw and authentic moments in between are the ones we focus on. If you choose another photographer who might want to take photos of you two posed, ask if they can also take some candid shots,  while you’re talking, laughing, or doing an activity.

Be yourselves

The most important thing to remember for your session is to stay true to yourselves. If playfulness is at the heart of your relationship, it may not be “on brand” to have serious or dramatic photographs. The best advice we can give you is to be authentically you. Don’t be Afraid to Act Silly- goofiness and laughter often makes for our favorite photos as they are the most genuine. Let your personality shine with adorably playful photos! If you are playful when its only you two but nervous in front of the camera- let your photographer know so they can help prompt you both to loosen things up a bit so your fun side can make its debut!

What truly matters.

Most importantly, just have fun at your session! Enjoy these precious moments during your wedding journey when its just the two of you! (and your photographer) the best way you can ensure that you will have beautiful photos is to embrace the experience!

For more inspiration on adding personality to your engagement your session, check out our Pinterest!

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