Engagement photo shoots have been around for many years now. Couples want to celebrate this wonderful  period of their life, filled with excitement, planning and lots of expectations. What better way than having an engagement photo session to introduce the new couple. Remember this will be the first time you and your fiance will have professional photos taken together.

Having an engagement session helps you and your photographer get to know each other before your wedding day, and it can be a great way  for the happy couple to spend some quality time together. This is a fun and non-stressful way to get comfortable being in front of the camera, because no one wants to have awkward wedding photos. At the end of the day, having engagement pictures can be useful to create your own wedding invitations or save-the-date cards.

Your wedding day will be hectic and super busy, so I strongly encourage my clients to have fun and be themselves during the engagement photo session. This is the perfect opportunity to be creative and try something new. To plan your dream photo shoot and  make the most out of your engagement session, I recommend the following:

• Location: Think about your location and choose one that is special to you as a couple. For your engagement pictures, you can choose to go to the park, the beach, somewhere in the town center, a special bench or the place he proposed. Be as creative as you want, it’s so worth it!

• Hobbies & Pets: Incorporating hobbies is another way to make your shoot personal. Pets are part of your family, so if you have a dog, bringing him along will guarantee a fun experience!

• Hair & Makeup: You really want look and feel your very best on your engagement shoot. Have your hair and makeup done on the same day as your engagement session. This way, you get to see how it looks in photos and let your stylists know if there's anything you'd like to change for the wedding day.

• Clothing: Your main objective should be to choose something you are comfortable in and that represents your style. Choose clothing that is flattering and that you feel good in. This will boost your confidence and that will show in your portraits. Remember to think about your location and weather when choosing your clothing.

• Props: Bringing props is a wonderful way to personalize your images, to add some visual interest. This is a way to show off your personality as a couple and add an element of fun and creativity in your images.

• Be yourself and have fun: The only way to capture the bond that you two have will be to ignore the camera and be yourself. Take direction from your photographer, but don’t forget to still add your own personal touch to every pose. This is a special moment in a couple’s life so enjoy it! Don’t stress about every detail of the photos. Love is the best accessory you have for photos because it is expressed through the eyes and the affection shown, which in turn creates unforgettable images.

With Love,

Mariela