Erin’s Top 5 Tips for Better Engagement Photos
Over the years, I have taken countless engagement photos and have identified patterns from the most successful shoots. If you are looking to get the most out of your Seattle engagement photos, check out my tips below!
- Get to know your photographer: Everyone says they are awkward in front of the camera, and seriously, you aren’t. Every couple who has said that to me has been completely fine in front of the camera, partially due to the fact that I take time to get to know my couples. Whether it’s a Facetime inquiry call, or grabbing a beer or coffee ahead of the engagement shoot, knowing the hired paparazzi makes things way smoother.
- Permits: Talk to your photographer about your location ideas in advance so they can inquire about permits. I put this on the list as a tip because nothing is worse than having your mind set on one spot and then not getting a permit in time. Most places in Seattle require some sort of permit and/or fee, even places you thought were public and wouldn’t require them do! Your photographer should know what to do, but sometimes it takes a few weeks to get it set up.
- Outfits: While I know a lot of couples crave guidance on what to wear and what not to wear, I always error on, you are going to look best in what you feel the most comfortable and confident in. I would advise that after you pick your outfits, you put them next to each other and look for clashing patterns or too much similarity (aka please don’t both wear the same thing). You want the outfits to go together and be cohesive but not the same. If you like seeing examples, I would take a look at your photographer’s past engagement shoots for inspo. Last tidbit on outfits, I would recommend having two outfits. Commonly my couples do a more formal look and then a more casual look, but I like when they have variety so not all of the images are in the same colors.
- Location: Include a spot that is meaningful to you in some way, and bonus points if it includes an activity. Let me explain. First, if we go back to point number one of feeling awkward in front of the camera, being in a place that you are familiar with helps with this tremendously. You are going to feel way less awkward in the bar where you had your first date, or the coffee shop that you go to on Sundays after the Ballard Market. Heck, I have even done parts of engagement photos at people’s homes with their pets. The bonus of going to a place that involves an activity (like ordering/drinking coffee, playing arcade games, playing pool) is that you have something to do naturally so you get a break from getting direction, and get to move organically which always looks the best. Just like I talked about having multiple outfits above, I would recommend having two locations for your engagements, or a place that you can easily change your scenery without having to leave (example: Discovery Park has water views and open fields, or Olympic Sculpture Park has the waterfront, greenery, and modern sculptures).
- Be yourself: Okay, I know that sounds odd, but there are definitely people who act differently in front of the camera. Ideally in an engagement session, I want to capture you guys authentically. I want you to look back at the images and have them feel genuine. Photographers will guide you through prompts and direction, but if something feels odd, say something. We want you to hold hands how you normally do, and sit on the bench and cuddle like it feels normal. Don’t be afraid to say something if it doesn’t feel genuine.
Interested in checking out more of my work? Check out these Seattle engagement photos: Pike Place engagement session & Washington State Capitol engagement session.
