Top 10 Engagement Photoshoot Ideas
Engagement photo-shoots are huge right now: a cute way of showing your love for each other and creating memories of just the two of you. While wedding photos are often staged, pushed for time and feature your families and the wedding party, an engagement shoot is about just the two of you. With a much more personal feel to it, your engagement photo-shoot is a time for you and your fiancé to get creative and express yourselves. Here are our top tips for creating photos you’ll treasure for decades to come!
Tell a story
The right photographer can use pictures to build a narrative – and you can get as wild as you want! You could tell the story of how you two first met, or create a fictional story inspired by a book, movie or genre that you both love. Look for a photographer who has experience with this kind of shoot in their portfolio, and talk it over to see what you can come up with.
Take a class
One of the best ways to end up with great candid photos is to learn something together with a photographer in tow. A private cooking class will have you both feeling relaxed and happy, and you should end up with beautiful natural pictures. This is ideal if neither of you is very comfortable in front of the camera – you can just enjoy yourselves and let the camera capture the fun.
Wander through a market
This solves the problems of choosing a location and props – you’ll be surrounded by interesting objects and you won’t have to do a thing! Pick a market selling handmade or vintage items, or a pretty farmer’s market, and go at a quiet time so as not to get in the way of other shoppers. Try things on, test out vintage chairs and generally enjoy yourselves.
Play make-believe
This is your chance to act out your favorite fantasy! Depending on your preference, it can be something steamy for your eyes only, or a cute fun photo-shoot for everyone you love to enjoy with you. A good photographer can make you look like anything or anyone you’ve ever wanted to be.
Find somewhere with a view
This is another great shortcut to beautiful engagement shoots – the same way a stylish wedding venue adds the finishing touch to take your wedding photos to another level. A view gives you an instant backdrop and atmosphere for your pictures with little to no effort.
Go to a museum
Replace “museum” with aquarium or anywhere else with a huge range of versatile but beautiful backdrops for you to choose from. Just wander through with your photographer in tow and let the exhibits do the work.
Take the dog
If you’re worried about looking natural, a dog is the perfect way to add spontaneity and fun into your shoot. It’s hard to be stiff and posed when your dog wants to play with you! The added bonus of this tactic is that your shoot will include something that means a lot to you both: your pets. Be aware that adding spontaneity also means that anything could happen – your shoot could run overtime or your dog might decide not to co-operate. You and your photographer will have to be ready to go with the flow.
Go somewhere meaningful
Your shoot location doesn’t have to be spectacular or even pretty – it can just be somewhere that means something to both of you. Surrounded by all those memories, you might find it easier to show genuine emotion that will really make your photos shine, rather than just smiling pretty for the camera.
Pick a beautiful building
If neither of you is really enthused about nature, choose a stylish building like Leadenhall Market to frame your shots and add a unique architectural element to your photos.
Head to the park
…and feed the ducks. Just do something simple and every-day while your photographer captures the two of you interacting naturally. That’s what it’s all about, after all.