Ahhh, the question a lot of couples ask themselves when they get engaged.
Some people might be wondering.. ugh but why. Just another reason I have to dress up for no reason and take pictures…which I hate! Thats why we wrote this blog post! To let you in on the REALITY of taking engagement photos and how to be ready for em! Cause trust US. THEY AREEEE FUN!
1) You DONT have to get all dressed up IF you don’t want to!!!
WHATTTT??? Yup. An engagement session is meant to represent who YOU are as a couple and as an individual. If you love rocking that graphic tee with some cool sneakers and jeans, BY ALL MEANS do that!!!! If you’re not a heels girl DON’T DO IT just because you think you gotta be fancy. This is about you and having a good time so you can show the world “LOOK WE ARE GETTING MARRRIIIEDDDD! This is who we are, join the party.”
Dont know where to even begin when it comes to picking out the outfits for the engagement shoot? Fear not! We made an blog post for that too: https://mariajasperphoto.com/blog/heyitsthelopezesblog
Example: Bit more casual on left vs bride on the right dresses up a bit more! Still works well!!!
2) But I am so awkward in front of the camera, the pictures won’t come out good.
If you’re naturally awkward without a camera in front of your face then again, thats who you are and there is nothing to be ashamed about. Some people aren’t talkers, they don’t open up to people, especially strangers like a photographer would be, so easily.
But here is the secret: Your photographer should be able to read you and capture you for who you are not who they want you to be. So if you’re not comfortable making out in front of a stranger then they should be able to pick up on that and direct you in a way that makes you feel comfortable.
Below is an example of a couple that said they were awkward but through PROMPTSSSS had a great time.
2.5) ??? I dont know, if follows up with last point but could be its own point haha. Another secret? 90% of people claim they are awkward in front of the camera and end up looking fabulous.
WHY?? Now I cant speak for ALLLL the photographers in the world, but how we go about engagement shoots, is through direction. We don’t just have you stand in front of the camera and say.. “Okayyyy now, smile, and do whatever…” because then UHH DUHHHH you won’t know what to do and feel super freakin awkward standing there helpless without a sense of direction.
Your photographer should direct some sort or prompts to where you can naturally fall into what’s comfortable for you. For example:
-instead of telling you, ok stand there and uh.. look happy. The photographer could say something like, “ok face each other and wrap your arms around his neck as if your slow dancing”
***We even play music during your session so you are dancing to something real. And the moments that come from it are genuine because its a simple prompt that you interpret however you feel is right and comes out with amazing pictures!
3) What would I even use the photos for? Whats the purpose??
SO MANY THINGS!!! Save the dates, invites, to hang up at home, to post on social media to tell the world your engaged through some cute pictures! The list goes on! You could even put some up around your reception space on your wedding day to showcase!
We bet a lottttt of people dont get professional taken very often. Just iPhone quality pictures of you and your boo which dont get us wrong can be cute, but nothing beats the high quality images and editing that ENHANCES the experience than with a professional photographer.
REMEMEBR: This moment, this time/season in your life probably won’t come around again and doesn’t last forever. Being engaged is a beautiful thing to document that you can show your children about the moments right after you got engaged or right before the big wedding day. And you’d get to relive those moments years down the road.
AND THATS the reality of what an engagement session is! Your photographer will be there to put you at ease and direct you with prompts based on your personality types on what’s the best way to go about carrying out the session!
NOW: How to have a successful engagement session!
1) Again dress comfortably.
We personally do a lot of movement in our sessions with couples so wearing something you can move around in that you dont have to constantly adjust or worry about is best! And if you aren’t sure what to wear, communicate it with your photographer and we’re sure they would be willing to help! Bring more than one outfit to the session if really cant decide! Maybe it comes down to how you’re feeling that day!
2) Make a date out of it!
Randomly setting time aside soley for pictures can potentially make it awkward, especially if taking photos aren’t your thing. So take time aside before of after to go out to eat, with your boo, loosen up a little bit with some wine so that when it comes to taking pictures your a bit more relaxed and thinking welp, this is just next part of our date!
3) Be yourself. Don’t fake it.
The pictures are meant to document the engagement season in which you are in. So if you fake who you really are for the sake of the pictures, you won’t really have a connection to the images because you didn’t feel like YOURSELF taking them!!! If you ever feel uncomfortable in a pose the photographer told you do, its OKAYYYYY to say eh naw i’m good.
If your flirty and romantic, be flirty and romantic. If your weird and awkward BE WEIRD AND AWKWARD. DO YOU BOO. THATS how to get the best photos.
Oh and hire a bomb booty photographer like us to capture it. You know 😉
What have you found to ease up your engagement experience? Lets us know we love to hear it!!
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