Why an Engagement Photoshoot is a Must-Have!
You might think having an engagement session will add to your wedding planning stress. In fact, it can feel quite the opposite! If you’d love to plan an authentic engagement photoshoot so you have a gallery that genuinely looks like you – I’m here to help!
The most common comment couples make at the beginning of a session is “I’m so awkward, I’m worried I’m going to look weird” then…. 99% of the time we are having a blast and singing along to your favorite songs 20 mins later!
Being engaged is a milestone of its own– and it should be celebrated as one! Having an engagement session is a great chance to spend a few hours with your special someone and remind yourselves why you fell in love in the first place.
Obviously, engagement photos are the perfect thing to have for your wedding invitations, but they’re also a sentimental way to look back on your relationship’s last bit of time before you two become one.
If you’re planning to use the same photographer for your wedding photos, then an engagement session is also a great way to get to know them better! It gives your photographer the chance to play around with poses and colors to find how to best photograph you. Plus, this lets you clearly communicate your vision to the photographer before the stress of your wedding day! It also helps you and your partner get accustomed to being in front of the camera.
Here’s why an authentic engagement photoshoot is important
Taking engagement photos that are authentic to YOU is key! The last thing you want is for your photos to end up feeling generic and disappointing. You and your partner have your own unique style and a good photographer will aim to highlight that. And most importantly, I want you to have a comfortable and fun time during our photoshoot!
Before all my Kansas City engagement photo shoots I make sure to ask my couples some personal questions to get to know their relationship better! These help me choose how to plan an engagement session.
10 Steps to Make Your Engagement Photos Authentic:
Wondering how to prepare for an engagement session? Here are a few practical steps we can follow!
1. Ask: What do you love to do & what brings you joy as a couple?
Do you have any hobbies or common interests? Any weird quirks that make you– YOU? Your engagement session is the perfect time to highlight those fun moments! Whether that means taking some photos at your favorite place to mini golf or on a drive in your old car, these are the things that encapsulate your relationship here & now. So let your photographer know!
2. Dress to feel authentic and fully yourself!
Do you want to dress to the 9s or feel more casual– or a mixture of both?! Don’t feel pressured to dress formally for your engagement session if you don’t want to! That’s what the wedding photos will be for.
3. Are there any places that have special meaning?
Think about your first date, where you got engaged, where you met, or anywhere that has a special memory! One of those locations could make a great backdrop for your engagement photos, and help you reminisce on your relationship.
4. Are there any props you can bring that infuse your personality?
From local beer to fancy champagne, a soccer ball, a fireman hat, ice cream, etc… the ideas are endless! Even if you only use a prop for just a few shots in your engagement shoot, this can be a fun way to keep your photos authentic to you.
5. Have drinks beforehand to help yourself let loose!
What’s a fun engagement shoot without a drink?! Have a drink to calm those nerves and remember that your engagement session should be FUN!
6. Make it a whole date night
While you’re dressed up and already going out, why not make your engagement photo session a whole date night? Take some photos walking around downtown Kansas City, having a drink, and just enjoying spending time with your person!
7. Test out your hair & makeup trial
Thinking about trying a new look– potentially for your wedding? Your authentic engagement photoshoot is the perfect chance to test it out! Getting quality photos from every angle, you’ll get to see if that’s the look before committing to it for your big day.
8. Guided poses & prompts!
During the session, your photographer should help guide you! I’ll always give you some prompts to help move you around and look your most natural when posing.
9. Remember why you’re doing this!
If you feel any stress about engagement photos, that’s totally natural. Remember to take a step back and remind yourself why you’re doing this. You love your partner and you get to spend forever together! See this as an opportunity to capture your relationship during this special stage of life.
10. Take a deep breath and tell me if you’re nervous!
Communication is key! By telling me how you’re feeling before and during the session I can know how to best help you make the most of your authentic engagement photoshoot. I’ve seen it ALL, honestly, so you can feel safe to trust me with the truth about your nerves! I’m here to help.
Kansas City Engagement Photographer
It miiiight feel like a daunting task to make sure that your engagement photos are original and authentic to you. But it doesn’t have to be! Follow these simple steps and remember to stay true to your unique selves for the best authentic engagement photoshoot. I love capturing you guys in this exciting phase of life!
During our shoot, I help you guys relax, have fun and just be yourselves. I want to capture you two being YOU! I love delivering a mixture of timeless, editorial photos with lots of candids to help me capture your genuine personalities and love for each other. My goal is ALWAYS that the photoshoot hardly feel like a photoshoot – just a fun afternoon hanging out in your favorite place with your favorite person!
Downtown Kansas City Engagement Photos + Unique Engagement Photoshoot Ideas:
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