10 Tips To Relaxing and Authentic Engagement Photos

As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the incredibly rewarding pleasure of capturing some of the most personal milestones of so many couples. I’m also based out of one of the most internationally recognized cities in the world: MIAMI! Yep the 305, as we locals call it. My path has aligned me with so many natives as well as travelers who have chosen Miami as the destination to say “YES” or “I DO”.

Every wedding journey begins with a “YES” and some bling

Today’s post focuses on one of my favorite parts of the wedding journey, and it begins with the word yes and some sparkly bling. So let me enlighten you with some great tips that will allow you to enjoy the moment rather than be distracted with details during your session. You will have more freedom to relax, telling a story that truly represents the personality that makes the two of you YOU!

The Most Important Engagement Photography Tip

You can now end your search for the all-time most important engagement photography tip because here it is. Are you ready? This magical and mystical tip is all about building a relationship with your picture taker. Yes, I highly recommend you get to know the person who will have a photo capturing device pointed at you for 2 hours. I always tell my clients that great images do not just happen. They take time and planning, and you must work with a photographer who understands your vision and has the capability to capture it correctly and artistically.

Top 10 + 2 tips to amazing engagement images

And now for the goods! Here are the Ezekiel E. tips to a relaxing and more authentic engagement photography experience:

1. Location, Location, Location!
   1. Choose a place that has meaning to you, or a place where you simply feel comfortable.
   2. You may choose a place that is completely off-the-wall and allow the photographer to capture your unique personality in this unconventional setting. (These kind of sessions are challenging, but they are my favorite!).
2. Multiple Locations (City versus Rural)
   1. If your shoot is in a city or between locations where parking is a challenge Uber, Lyft, or taxis are your best friend. They save time, and it adds a cool element to your story.
   2. If you are shooting in rural areas where parking is not a problem, I would suggest riding together to avoid getting lost and wasting time and valuable lighting if shooting late in the day or early in the morning.
3. Rules and Regulations at Location
   1. Is photography allowed at the location you have chosen? (There’s nothing worse than getting the boot halfway through a session.)
   2. If a permit is needed in advance, do not wait until the last minute to apply for it. Get it done ASAP.
   3. Check if the location has a fee to use their property and if the fee works into your budget. (Various locations have weekday rates and weekend rates, and weekends tend to be more expensive.)
4. Time of Day
   1. Sunrise Session (for you early risers out there): You have about a two-hour window, beginning when the sun just peeks its head above the horizon. The light tends to be cooler and less hazy. The environment tends to have a much more calm feel as the world begins to wake up.
   2. Day Session: Shaded areas like trees are your friends when the sun is up. You can also choose a photographer who has powerful lights to work with. They can incorporate the sun and lights to create an amazing look. On the negative side, full-sun shoots tend to cause squinting, which is not very flattering. However, full-sun images are also beautiful and bright. If this is what fits into your vision, then this is the time for you.
   3. Sunset Session: Classically known as the “Golden Hour,” this time of day boasts warmer, softer yellows and pinks. Depending on your photographer’s equipment, they can continue shooting up to twelve minutes after the sunset transitions to twilight. This softly lit setting makes for some incredible pastel images, which are super trendy in today’s engagement photography scene.
5. Day of the Week
   1. Weekdays tend to be less busy at popular locations than weekends, so if you can play hooky, I would highly recommend it. (However, you did not hear that from me.)
   2. Weekends tend to be busy at most locations unless it is rural or “secret.” (But if having people in the background is part of your vision, go for it.)
   3. Pro Tip: If the location is on Google Places, there is usually a bar graph that indicates peak hours and shows the highest foot traffic for the location for that day of the week.
6. Wardrobe
   1. Clothing selection is key to getting the most out of your photo shoot. (Share with your photographer what you have planned. Sending photos of the outfits for the photographer to review helps.)
   2. Bring multiple changes of clothes so you have several wardrobe options, or in case something gets dirty.
   3. Make sure there is a location for you to change clothes on the property, or the photographer brings a pop-up changing room with them. (Yes, that is actually a thing.)
7. Shoe Selection (Does that really make a difference? YES!)
   1. For all my ladies that love a killer set of heels: Go for it! However, I highly recommend you bring a set of flats if the location you have chosen demands a lot of walking. Believe me, you will thank me for this one!
8. Personality: The Make-It-or-Break-It for Great Images
   1. Discuss your personality with the photographer. When together, are you silly, funny, romantic, artsy, or playful?.  It is so important to identify your personality as a couple before the session in order to make the most personal and realistic images.
9. Rain Plan
   1. I mention this because I live in Miami and, yes, it rains here a lot. So I always ask the couples I am working with if they have a second location picked out (e.g., a coffee shop or a covered market) for if it rains, or if we would need to reschedule.
10. Props (Props? We don’t need no stinking props.)
    1. Props are all a matter of preference. If you choose to use them, keep it tasteful. Keep in mind that their purpose is to help enhance the photo, not become the focus of the images.
11. Photo Extras: Incorporating Pets or Children
    1. Small children and pets are great additions to any session if it will enhance your story in any way. For an optimal experience, bring along another friend or family member to care for them after their portion of the session is over. This will allow for the rest of the session to be relaxed and focused on the two of you.
12. The Ring
    1. The location is super important, and the wardrobe selection is key. However, the single most important element to the session is the ring! Don’t forget it!
    2. Be sure your photographer tastefully highlights the engagement ring in various shots because this is what its all about, right?

If you keep these simple tips in mind when coordinating ideas for your upcoming engagement session, I can guarantee it will make for a much smoother experience. Your images will tell a more authentic story of your wedding journey. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an inquiry, or message me right here on my blog. Have fun, and congratulations!