An engagement is a new chapter in a couple’s relationship - an important step in making a solid commitment to each other. And as an engagement photographer, it is your duty and responsibility to make your client’s engagement photo session experience splendid, with amazing results that equally excite your newly engaged couple. Engagement photos help couples get comfortable in front of the camera and give them a chance to have some incredible pictures taken before their big day! But coming up with fresh ideas every now and then can be tough - especially if you’ve been doing it for a while. However, whether you’re a pro photographer or just starting out, this list of 5 engagement photo ideas will help you capture the bond between your clients in a unique way that is sure to wow them! From romantic engagement photos to fun engagement shoot ideas, we’ve got you covered. So grab your camera and get ready to shoot some awesome pictures!
5 Must-Try Engagement Photo Ideas
1. Outdoor Engagement Photo Ideas
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @breonnawellsphotography
With the natural lighting and the added magic of the surrounding landscape, outdoor engagement shoots are a great way for your couples to have a day out together. If they are adventurous at heart, you could try capturing some stunning couples portraits in the forest or head out for a hiking session! If they want their city or their favorite spots in their city to be a part of their engagement shoot, then you guys could sit together and chalk out a plan of the different places they want to go to and what’s most practical. And if they want something simple yet have mother nature be a part of it, think of iconic parks that would look good in photos too. Simply have your couple walk (or dance) around the park, and that’s going to be enough to get you some amazing shots.
Our tip: If your couple is on board with the idea of an outdoor photo shoot but has no clue where to do it, you could suggest your preferred engagement session locations to them. Since you are likely to have visited different places, share your expertise with them, or you could also give them a few options based on what they have in mind. Also, find out whether you’d need any permits to shoot at the chosen location. This way, there won’t be any last-minute surprises.
Related Read: Outdoor Wedding Photos Inspiration From ShootDotEdit Customers
2. Unique Engagement Photo Ideas
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @wild.trail.studio
Since every couple has their own ideas and styles and may come fully prepared as to what they want their engagement photos to look like, as a photographer, your duty is to provide high-quality photos and get ready to capture pictures from a fresh perspective! Going to an amusement park and getting some shots on the ferris wheel or the roller coaster or getting underwater or standing at the top of a skyscraper are great ideas for unique engagement photos, but it’s also your job to inform your couples about how doable and practical their ideas are. While it’s great to experiment with unique engagement photo ideas, it’s also important to keep yourself, your clients, and your gear safe.
Related Read: 12 Engagement Photo Themes To Fit Every Mood And Budget
3. Capture Candid Moments
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @brandiallysephoto
Let your couple be their natural selves, and let your only posing cue be, “Hey, guys! Just pretend like I am not here and do your thing!” This is one of those engagement photo ideas that might make some couples feel even more awkward, or it could totally help them feel at ease. You’ll never know if you never try, right? Once they get in the groove and actually forget about you, capture candid pictures of them! If a couple decides to have a beach engagement, ask them if they're ready to have fun and splash water on each other. That’s going to give you plenty of candids! Whether they tell each other a silly joke or go for an impromptu dance session in the middle of the street, candid photography is all about capturing moments as they unfold. These natural and spontaneous interactions often result in great storytelling.
Our tip: Focus on showing the love between your couple. Whether they share a sweet embrace or a passionate kiss, give your best to flawlessly capture their ‘we are in love’ moment!
4. Golden Hour Engagement Photo Ideas
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @dianenicolephoto
Sunsets are often associated with romance. With the wonderful colors in the sky, the golden glow, and the overall dreamy vibe - you could also suggest your couples to go with a sunset engagement session. And even though every photographer out there is taking golden hour couples portraits, they will never go out of style. If you feel like you’re not pushing your creative boundaries by simply taking photos of your couple during the sunset, then think of how you can make your images stand out. Experiment with silhouettes, angles and perspectives, and even backdrops. However, if you are going for this engagement photo idea, follow a strict timeline, so you don’t miss the golden hour glow and scout locations for the perfect spot to take these images.
Suggested: Sunset Wedding Photography Tips And Inspiration
5. Ring Shots
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @erinm_photographyOne of the most creative engagement photos you can take during the session is a close-up of your couple's rings! Usually, you'll find an engagement ring on each partner's hand or maybe a family heirloom like an engagement necklace or bracelet, and making that a part of the shot list is definitely a good move. You could try placing the rings against complementary backdrops (if you are outdoors, maybe find some florals that would complement the rings), or you could even capture the rings while they are on your couple’s fingers. Think of poses where the rings are clearly visible while you also make your couple a part of the composition. The trick lies in how you bring a viewer’s focus to the rings in that shot. For that, you could try using an intentional blur technique or even play around with some unique close crops.
Suggested Read: Planning An Engagement Session
More Engagement Photo Inspiration By ShootDotEdit Customers
1. Infinite Loop Photography
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @infiniteloopphoto
2. Apollo Fields
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @apollofields
3. June Lion
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @kellyiswilde
4. Jorge Santiago Photography
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @jorgesantiagophoto
5. Looyenga Photography
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @looyengaphotoFurther Read: Unique Wedding Photos That Inspire: Featuring ShootDotEdit Customers
An engagement session is a great way to capture beautiful portraits of your couple and one of the most organic ways to build a relationship with them. If they have also hired you as their wedding photographer, this is your chance to impress them, and if you are not already photographing their wedding, well, this is your way to get another wedding into your calendar! Whether you photograph them in picturesque locations or in the comfort of their homes, an engagement session is for your couple to enjoy the time together and ease into being in front of the camera on their wedding day. So, think big or find beauty in the simple things, but make sure that you make your couple’s engagement session memorable in the best way possible!
At ShootDotEdit, besides offering you ideas on how to photograph your couples, we also help lessen your post-production workload by taking editing off your plate. To learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business, check out our price plans.
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