Engagement or pre wedding pictures are a set of photographs of just the engaged couple taken well before the wedding. 

Engagement photo sessions have become more and more popular among newly engaged couples. While these pre-wedding shoots have been around for quite a while, they have only recently started to become a mainstream trend. Part of the reason is because engagement sessions no longer have to be traditional. Years ago, engagement photos were simply treated as traditional portrait sessions for couples. But today there are no rules - they can be as fun and creative as you want them to be.

Often, these photographs are taken by a professional photographer and feature the couple in a more casual and relaxed setting. These photographs can be incorporated into wedding and reception elements (e.g. Save the Dates, for display on reception tables, wedding website, wedding programs, and favors), used for newspaper announcements, and/or simply framed for display in a couple's home.

Photographers are offering this service in their photography packages more frequently, because it allows both the photographer and the couple to become more comfortable with each other, and suggests that the pictures from the wedding day will look more natural and at ease.

Popular Locations

• The beach
• Urban settings or locations
• Your home
• A restaurant, bar or cafe that holds significance to your relationship

Shot List

Just like a wedding shot list, some couples give their photographer a list of must have shots. Popular shots include:

• Holding hands
• The couple kissing
• The couple laughing

Why Pay for Professional Pre Wedding Photos?

Obviously there's extra cost associated with an additional engagement photo session. You may ask, "Is it worth it? Why should I have engagement photos done if I will be taking professional wedding photos already?"

There are plenty of reasons why so many couples are choosing this option. First let's be clear about one thing - engagement photo sessions are completely different from the photographs that you will be taking on your wedding day. This applies to the final images, format and the entire experience.

Get to Know Your Photographer: For one, your own private photo session will give you a chance to get to know your photographer's working style and personality before the wedding. You can get acquainted and feel comfortable with one another. It allows a good photographer to capture the real you and obtain a grasp of your needs. For example, having room to experiment provides the photographer the understanding of your self consciousness and preferred angles… etc.

Open Format: Remember that engagement photos are really all about you. There's no set format, so feel free to dress it up or down however you like.

Try before You Buy: If you have not yet selected a photographer, an engagement photo session is the perfect opportunity to test the waters and preview their work. Judge the quality of the images and how well the photographer works with you, you can then decide if you want to make the bigger investment by choosing the photographer to shoot your wedding.

Learn to Work with Your Partner: An engagement session provides a staging ground for you and your future spouse to get some experience working in front of the camera. Often times during the wedding you will be busy with family, friends and guests, but you won't have much time to yourselves. You will not only learn what to expect from your photographer during the photo shoot, but from each other as well. If one of you is camera shy; what better time to practice how to loosen up? There's absolutely no pressure.

Pre wedding / engagement photo shoot tips

Shot List

Be sure to have some ideas of photos in mind ("must takes"). However, it is also beneficial to be open to whatever creative poses that your photographer suggests - you could be pleasantly surprised!

Location, Location, Location

For your engagement photos, pick a spot meaningful to you and your fiancee. If no places come to mind, don't be afraid to think outside the box to find a location that will suit your style and personalities. Photographers love shooting in places that have interesting elements, color, and textures. Some ideas: the beach, a used book store, an industrial city area, a carnival, a park, an open field, an arcade, buildings with interesting architecture, a coffee shop, a bowling alley- whatever suits your style!

Hair & Makeup

Consider wearing matte makeup (it photographs best) or getting your makeup applied by a professional. Not only will you look amazing, but the extra confidence

will shine through your photos. Also, on hot days carry oil blotting tissues to avoid shine in your photos. A smart thing to do is to schedule a wedding hair & makeup trial run appointment for the same day as your engagement session to kill two birds with one stone. If you are confident about styling your own hair, then wear it however you'd like.

Wardrobe

You want your photos to look fresh, modern, fun, and real. For the best results, we recommend for you to appear as the best versions of yourselves. You have permission to look as hot as possible! Be you, be bold, and express your style.

Plan your outfits to be appropriate for the locations you've chosen- if the location is casual, dress casual. If it's trendy and fun, play up your outfit up as well. For the best photographs, we suggest that you think of each of your outfits as one large ensemble. If you were to lay both your outfits out on the bed would they go or would they clash? Do not match each other exactly- instead, coordinate within a color palette or choose one signature piece and build off that.

Avoid an excess of loud distracting prints. Skip boring monochromatic outfits and wear colors that look great on you. Adding in fun accessories and pops of color take an okay outfit to an extraordinary one. Also be sure to avoid extra baggy or too- tight clothes, writing or logos, and lots of light colors. Darker, saturated color photographs best.

Be mushy gushy

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These photos are for you. Let your guard down and show each other some love! Hold hands, make each other laugh, give hugs and kisses, look into each other eyes. Stop to think why you are doing all of this- the photos, the wedding, everything. Those emotions will shine through your photos- and those will be the ones you'll treasure and look back on through the times that are to come.

Props & themes

If you'd like to take your session to the next level, there is nothing more fun then doing a themed session. If you are looking for more natural, candid images we suggest creating a story or scenario to give you something to interact with rather than just smiling at the camera. These types of sessions are especially awesome for camera shy couples.

Think of something that represents your couple style, something you love to do together and incorporate that into your session. Some ideas:

- Travel themed. Stacks of vintage suitcases. Old globes. Paper airplanes made of maps.

- Music themed. Musical instruments, your favorite vinyls set beside your record player.

- A picnic. A handmade quilt in a forest clearing. A picnic basket of yummy things. (image source)

- A beach adventure. Swimsuits and sunglasses. An old rowboat. Sandcastles and beach balls.

- Vintage style. An old vintage car. Pin up girl/ greaser style. Milkshakes in a diner. (image source)

- Fun & whimsical. Dozens of balloons. Kite flying. Big lollipops. Vintage bikes.

These are just a few ideas.

Down and Dirty

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Be prepared to walk, climb, sit, lay down, laugh, and just get down and dirty. Dress comfortably! I am all for wearing crazy, impractical high heels for photos- but throw a pair of flip flops or converse shoes or crocs (depending on your wardrobe) in your bag too just in case you have to walk.

Grooming

Be prepared to be photographed head to toe- don't neglect details! Girls, make sure your hair, nails, toes, and eyebrows are done. Guys, get a haircut a week or two before hand and make sure your nails are clean and facial hair is the way you like it. In the days leading up to your engagement session make sure to drink extra water to hydrate your skin for the photos.

Be Yourself

Just be yourself. Play, cuddle, kiss, laugh. Work it. Girls- channel your inner Tyra and be fierce. Guys, get your swag on. You are going to rock your session.

Resources: weddingphotographydirectory.com

                      wiki.wedding.com

                      bellaterrablog.com