Hello Dear Readers!

Well, I hope you all had a fantastic New Years with your friends and family! :) As I have been working away on editing from the past weddings and shoots I’ve been working on, I received a question from a dear friend that I felt many newly engaged couples think about when they have their engagement sessions done! 

Q: What are some ways to help my engagement shoot stand out from others? What are some good ways to personalize the shoot? 

This of course is a question that comes up for almost everyone, and I’ve been asked it a few times by clients!

First off, let’s talk details! Of course aesthetics are important, since a photograph is a visual art, so when thinking about what you want to do for your engagement photoshoot to personalize it, I often suggest thinking about what you both love to do as a couple–it can be as simple as loving a certain movie or book, or as silly as being roller coaster enthusiasts! Think about what makes you guys identifiable to those around you, and what you guys are passionate about, or even what you differ in! :) These things can very much set a theme for your shoot that is unique to you & your fiancé as a couple by helping a photographer narrow out locations and other details to help further your ideas! :

Props, as I mentioned before in a previous post (“Who Wants to Rock Their Photoshoot?“), can also be a great way to help personalize your shoot! Take the things you love and visualize it! You can DIY  props, buy them, or rent them from different rental companies (like how I rented themed items for my Styled Shoot)! These are great ways to help personalize your shoot and help bring together an overall theme that screams YOU! :)

Outfits are another thing that can help bring out the personality in you as a couple, and help personalize your shoot! I often suggest wearing complimenting outfits rather than completely matching outfits! I also suggest wearing outfits that still hold your individual characteristics and fit the theme and location you’re going with (which is something I discuss with my clients). Sometimes your outfits can also set the theme to what will make your photoshoot personalized! Definitely talk outfits with your photographer! Let them know as much detail as you can about the outfits you’re planning on wearing! They’ll help you figure out what will look best for your photos! :) 

In my opinion, what’s most important to remember is that your engagement session will stand out to your nearest and dearest specifically because it is YOU (& your fiancé!). :) I always try to encourage people to not focus on the craziness of what all the other couples are doing, but to focus on what makes your relationship special in itself! Engagement sessions should celebrate the couple itself! Some couples like doing special styled shoots to purposely be featured, which is pretty awesome! But don’t get discouraged, or pressured into thinking you have to be “stand out” above any other engaged couple! Of course, as a photographer, I’m always looking for new ways to photograph special moments, but truly, I believe that the best photos are ones that best express and show off a couple’s love, and personality best.

So to recap some things to think about after you find a photographer that you feel comfortable with and has a style that you love:

1. What do we like to do together? What are some things we do specially together? (Think hobbies, food, crafts, holidays, theme parks, movies, etc.)

2. What is the one thing (or two things) that are truly characteristic of your relationship that you and your fiancé want to show off in your photos?

3. Are there any locations that are key to this key feature? Indoor or outdoor!

4. What kind of props can help convey this theme? (Ex: books, furniture, artwork, etc.)

5. What outfits do you have that make you feel best, and still fit with the theme? Or sometimes what outfits characterize you both? (Some couples are rock and rollers, and others might be cute and nerdy or classic and elegant)

6. TALK to your photographer! Just in case they forget to ask you these questions, let them know as many details as you can about what you’re thinking theme-wise for your photo shoot! Stuck? Maybe they can help you bring these things out! I LOVE helping my clients figure out different ideas they can do! It’s exciting to hear about what makes a couple tick!

7. REMEMBER: Don’t get hung up on trying to beat others! What makes a photoshoot stand out is the people in it! Be confident in whatever you do for your photoshoot, and make sure your photoshoot is one that exemplifies your love for one another! :)

& Lastly, here’s a sweet preview of Lucas & Imari (check out their proposal here!) from their mini engagement shoot! :) It also serves as a little example, as well! They brought props that exemplified things that they love to do together, like going on a picnic and reading their Bibles together!

 

 

If you’re late in seeing their first engagement preview, you can take a look at it in my “Happy New Year” blog post! Check it out here! :)

HAPPY FRIDAY!