Why I love engagement photos

Nothing compares to the thrill of having your best friend ask you to marry them. You are on an emotional high, your future is full of possibility, all your friends and family are happy for you, and you have a beautiful new ring on your finger. The feeling is contagious and as an engagement photographer there is nothing I love more than two people happy and in love, it fills me with joy to see others so happy. I have been a hopeless romantic for as long as I can remember, from watching Disney movies to my obsession with romantic period pieces, I have always thought there is nothing more beautiful than the connection between two people in love and it is a true honor to be able to capture it. I guarantee I will be just as happy and excited for you as your friends.

Why I recommend engagement photos

1. Engagement photos are a way to celebrate and soak up the happiness and moment of a major milestone in your life.
2. It is really exciting to be able to share professional photos of your engagement and your ring with your friends and family and know that you look your best and were shot in great lighting.
3. Engagement photos make for excellent practice for your wedding photos and helps you get comfortable in front of the camera. Most people have very limited experience in front of a camera, especially when it comes to being romantic with your partner, and that can feel a little intimidating, but engagement photos let you practice poses so you know exactly what you are doing on your wedding day.
4. It gives you a chance to see how you will work with your photographer on your wedding day, how you vibe, and what you can expect from them as far as direction. It helps build the relationship with a vendor that you will be spending most of your wedding day with, and you will always feel more comfortable with someone who you have met and worked with before. It also gives your photographer a chance to get to know you as a couple, how you show affection towards each other, and, what poses or direction will work best for you to create authentic moments.
5. You can use your photos on your save the dates, your wedding website, or in a guest book at your wedding.
6. Engagement photos are an excellent way to preserve your memories. Every time you look back at your engagement photos you will remember how you were brimming with love, excitement, and the true connection you felt.

How to have the perfect engagement photos

1. Pick a location that is true to you as a couple. Your engagement session will always mean more to you and illicit more genuine feelings if it is the type of location that you would frequently go, or if it holds some kind of importance to you. For example if you are a couple that loves the beach, do it there, or choose the place you went on your first date, or where you proposed. Maybe it the woods you love to walk in, or the park where who shared your first kiss.
2. Think about the vibe you are going for: Do you want to go more casual, or more dressy? Do you want upscale urban? Or soft, romantic, and natural?
3. No matter what you wear you want it to be true to you, whether it is the casual you, or the fancy you. If you wear heels all the time, go ahead and wear your best pair of heels! If you are more of a flats kind of girl don’t wear heels because you feel like it is “the thing to do”. If you are uncomfortable, or self conscious because of something you are wearing it will carry through into your photos. And in the end there is nothing more beautiful than your true authentic self.
4. Coordinate with you partner: This might sound obvious, but you guys should agree on the look and the theme you are going for, so you look like a couple. You do not need to match, but you should pick colors that compliment each other. This goes for patterns too. I recommend if you plan to wear say a patterned dress, or a patterned shirt that the other person wear something that is more neutral so you do not clash.
5. Have fun! This is a low stakes situation and is merely a practice run for your wedding photos, you literally can not mess them up. The best photos are always those of people who are having a good time and just being themselves.

Bonus Tips:

→ This is a perfect time to try out any hair, or makeup styles you are thinking of for the wedding.

→ Do not forget to do your nails and clean your ring! You and your partner are the main attraction of the shoot, but you are going to want that ring on full display.

→ Men this one is mainly for you because women are often robbed of pockets, but make sure those pockets are empty. We do not want outlines of cellphones, or bulky wallets causing distractions.

→ Make sure your clothing is wrinkle free, you do not want anything distracting from your connection and love.

→ You can bring an outfit change or extra layers to get even more variety from your photo shoot.

Check out my post for popular engagement locations around Boston https://dubayphotography.com/2023/02/09/popular-engagement-shoot-locations-in-boston/

Want me to capture your engagement photos? Hit the inquire button below.