Congratulations on your engagement! This is such a special time in your life, and you deserve to celebrate! An engagement marks a new and exciting step in your relationship—a new chapter in your lives together, and the best way to celebrate is with an engagement photoshoot! If you’re looking for inspiration, I thought I’d offer a few tips on how to take engagement photos that make you fall in love all over again.

I had an amazing session with Brie and Will at Allegheny Commons Park in Pittsburgh. These two were high-spirited, fun, and such a joy to photograph. They were so photogenic and perfectly dressed that they reminded me of a Banana Republic ad! While shooting and learning about their love story, I found out that all three of us attended the same college—what are the odds?

Brie and Will were completely on board with my vision to capture photos that look equally photogenic and candid. My style includes photos that authentically capture the moment and don’t appear too posed. These two nailed it! Posed portraits are great—and we’ll definitely get some of those, too!—but I also want you to have photos that cause you to laugh and reminisce over fond memories and inside jokes. Here are my top tips on how to take engagement photos:

3 Tips on How to Take Authentic Engagement Photos

Do What Feels Natural

As an engagement photographer, I have learned that the most authentic and real photos happen when my clients feel comfortable in the moment. I can help you appear more natural by taking time to loosen up before the shoot. We’ll get to know each other a bit (like how I found out we all went to college together).

For example, some couples may love doing a spinning lift photo, while others may feel really awkward trying to perform that move. Some like action photos, others prefer more romantic and intimate ones. From fun and flirty to stunning and sexy, it all depends on each specific couple. I want you to share your vision with me so we can capture exactly what you’re looking for in your engagement photos (including how you plan to dipslay and share them).

Keep Moving

Everyone feels a bit awkward when posing, so I have found that if I keep my clients moving, I can achieve more candid shots. I enjoy photographing couples doing things they would do normally like walking together holding hands, dancing, or telling each other jokes. When you’re simply enjoying the moment, you are far more likely to capture candid moments rather than trying to awkwardly strike the perfect pose for thirty minutes. Think of your session as a date! Relax and have fun.

Find Inspiration from Examples

Obviously, you’ll want some posed portraits for frames or albums, but sometimes it’s hard for couples to catch on to my ideas of what I’d like them to try. So, I keep some of my favorite photos on hand to view. Then, you can duplicate (in your own you unique way) the shots and poses you like.

Many of my clients also look through my website and portfolio before a shoot to get an idea of the types of poses and photos they would like during their photoshoot.

How to Take Engagement Photos that Represent YOU!

All that to say, in every photo session, I love to remind my clients to just have fun with it! Just be yourselves, stay in the moment, and you can get really gorgeous photos that you and your partner will cherish for a lifetime.

Book Your Wedding or Engagement with Rachel Wehan Photography

I can’t wait to work with you for your engagement session or wedding. Be sure to book soon as 2021 spots are filling up quickly! I’m now booking for 2022 as well.

Can’t decide what to wear for your engagement session? Check out my recent post!